Warm floors under laminate on a concrete floor: design nuances, installation

Modern technologies make our lives more and more comfortable, and this also applies to flooring. Heated floors are currently in great demand. Therefore, manufacturers have developed new coatings for them, as well as improved old ones.

Laminate has long gained popularity, and there is a huge demand for it in the construction market. Despite the fact that this material is considered warm, its temperature is not sufficient to create comfortable conditions. Therefore, today they install a “warm floor” system under a laminate on a concrete floor.

You can also read the article in more detail on how to choose a coating for a warm water, electric or infrared floor.

Electrical cable

In the case of electric
underfloor heating, heating consists of the fact that an electric cable converts electricity into heat.
Both single-core and double-core cables can be used here. In apartments and private houses, it is recommended to install a two-core cable, especially since it is easier to install and energy consumption is lower than when using a single-core cable. But in this case, there is a possibility of system failure if a section of the cable is damaged or local overheating. That is why it is better to use a self-regulating cable, which itself controls the temperature along the entire length of the cable. If in some area the temperature exceeds
the norm, then in this place the resistance immediately increases, thereby reducing the temperature to the desired level.

Wet and dry method of laying cables under laminate
Before you begin installing an electric cable floor with your own hands, you must carefully prepare the surface. The floor is cleaned and, if necessary, leveled. After leveling the floor, you need to lay thermal insulation and make a leveling screed using reinforcing mesh. After the leveling layer has completely dried, the mounting tape is fixed and the electrical cable is laid. Once the thermostat and sensor have been installed, the cable floor must be checked for functionality. Then you can start pouring the screed. After it dries, after about a month you can lay the laminate.

The simplest option to make an electric heated floor in a house is a heating mat. In this case, installation is greatly simplified, since the cable is already fixed to the mesh and no screed is required. The advantages of this type of electric heated floor:

• Durability. At a minimum, such a floor can last 20 years;
• Reliability;
• Easy installation;
• Possibility of adjusting the desired floor temperature.

Visual video instructions for installing mats:

The disadvantages of this heated floor option include only minor electromagnetic radiation and energy costs.

Step-by-step installation instructions

Each model of underfloor heating under laminate has its own installation features. Therefore, before proceeding with installation, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules and installation diagram.

Warm electric floor with heating cable or in the form of mats

It is based on a cable, the main function of which is heating; electrical energy is converted into heat. In residential premises, it is recommended to use a two-core cable; it has less radiation. It is better to take a self-regulating cable that will prevent overheating and regulates the heating level itself.

The work sequence is as follows:

1. Surface preparation. The concrete floor is leveled and cleared of debris.

• Waterproofing and thermal insulation. A layer of waterproofing is applied, and a heat-protective material with a foil backing is laid on top of it. Find out more about foil for heated floors - is it necessary or not, what types are there and how to install it yourself.

• Install a thermostat. It should be located close to the wiring. With a built-in device, grooves are punched in the concrete for it and the wires going to it. If the device is overhead, then installation of a plastic box is necessary.

• Cable installation. It should be laid strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions, evenly throughout the room.

• Connection of wires. For protection, the internal sensor is placed in a corrugation. The tube and the wire connected to the sensor are located between the waves of the cable.

• Checking the system for functionality is a mandatory step before pouring the screed.

• Fill the screed. The screed is made from cement-sand mortar 3 - 10 cm thick.

Laying the laminate is done after the screed has dried, about a month later.

The use of mats will greatly simplify the installation process, since the cable is already secured to a special base. Therefore, the mat is simply rolled out onto the heat-insulating material, and the screed is poured on top.

Infrared film and rod heated floors on concrete

Laying infrared film, as well as rod-heated floors, is easier and faster, since these types can be mounted directly on a concrete floor, but it is better to make a small screed.

The process looks like this:

1. Pouring a thin self-leveling concrete screed will protect the heating elements from damage.

• Laying a heat-reflecting screen. Penofol with aluminum foil is suitable as it, which must be insulated with a dielectric material or a lavsan film. This material is attached with tape.

• Installation of infrared floor. Infrared heating elements mounted on film or in the form of rod mats are laid on top of the heat reflector. They are placed only in a free place where furniture is not planned to be installed, and with a distance of 20 cm from the wall. Copper busbars should be located downwards. Clamps are installed at the edges of the copper strips, to which wires are subsequently connected. The clamps must be well insulated.

• Installing a temperature sensor. From the regulator on the wall, near the switch, a corrugated pipe descends into which this device will be installed; it is necessary to measure the floor temperature. The sensor is connected to the black strip, which is located at the bottom of the film.

• Checking the system operation. It is imperative that before installing the floor covering, it is necessary to check the system for operability and absence of short circuits.

After this, the entire structure is covered with plastic film, and you can proceed to laying the laminate. An important clarification - it is allowed to turn on the infrared heated floor immediately after installation.

Water-heated floor under laminate on concrete floor

Water-heated underfloor heating for laminate flooring consists of flexible pipes through which water moves, covered with a concrete screed.

The system is installed in several stages:

1. Surface preparation. If there are defects on the concrete base, they are sealed with primer or putty.

• Waterproofing. A waterproofing layer is laid on a flat surface. Waterproofing is especially important for the water type, since if the seal of the pipes is broken, the base will be damaged, and if such a structure is not installed on the first floor, there is also a risk of flooding of the lower floor. There are different types of waterproofing: bitumen, cement, polymer.

• Thermal insulation. The next layer is thermal insulation; you can use polystyrene foam for this. The thicker the better, however it raises the floor level significantly, so the height of the floors throughout the apartment must be taken into account. A heat reflector must be installed; penofol or a material with a thickness of 2-3 mm, which is covered with an aluminum film, is suitable for this.

• Screed reinforcement. A mesh made of steel or polymer is installed, which has cells of 5 - 10 cm for fixing the pipes. It should be secured to the base to prevent movement.

• Pipe installation. Plastic or metal pipes that can withstand high pressure are laid on the mesh. The pipes are distributed evenly, and in such a way as to reduce the number of joints to a minimum. The type of installation can be a snake or a spiral. The pipes are secured using clamps located on the mesh, or with special dowels.

• Output of pipes and connection of the system. Pipes, previously placed in corrugation, are removed and connected to a radiator or heating system. A temperature sensor is installed on the wall near the switch, also placed in a corrugated pipe. It is necessary to determine the temperature of the heated floor.

• Laying damper tape. It is needed to compensate for the thermal expansion of concrete and laminate. The tape is placed around the perimeter, its thickness must be at least 10 mm, and exceed the height of the level of the screed, substrate and laminate by 15 mm. The excess is cut off after laying the covering.

• We make a screed. The heated water floor is filled with concrete mortar. The screed should completely cover the pipes and be 3-4 cm higher than them.

After the concrete has dried, you can begin laying the laminate on the water floor.

Water heated floor

It is a layer cake. The first layer is considered waterproofing; it spreads onto the base of the floor. Using a damper tape, the possibility of expansion of the underfloor heating screed is eliminated. The tape must be laid around the entire perimeter of the room. Following the waterproofing, you can lay a thermal insulation layer and only then make a screed. The floor covering is installed on top of the structure.

Water heated floor cake: leveled rough screed, waterproofing, polystyrene foam, pipes on mounting tape, cement screed, floor covering

Heating occurs from the circulation of warm water that flows through the pipes. The thickness of a water heated floor is usually

ranges from 5 to 15 cm, which is a disadvantage of such a floor heating system, since the ceiling height is reduced. Also, the disadvantages include complex installation and problematic repairs in the house in the event of a system failure. The advantages include reliability, safety and efficiency.

Differences between laminate and other floor coverings

Laminate, unlike more expensive parquet boards, is a multi-component material. It consists of approximately 90% wood and 10% polymers. This material is created by pressing. Most types are made using adhesive polymers that do not tolerate heat well.

It should be borne in mind that ceramics, when exposed to heat, are not capable of releasing any harmful substances, while laminate, especially if it is made from low-quality materials, can form phenols and other compounds hazardous to health. Laminate is more suitable for arranging a warm system than linoleum.

How laminate conducts heat

Since laminate is made from wood fibers, it has low thermal conductivity. A layer of insulation will not correct the situation, and the floor will be cool. Unlike tiles, laminate does not conduct heat well.

Even if such a coating is installed correctly, it takes a long time to heat up. In addition, when planning installation on a floor heating system, it should be taken into account that wood shavings, bonded with a polymer composition, can expand greatly when exposed to high temperatures. This may cause the cover to open.

Varieties that are distinguished by increased thickness act as a good heat insulator. This results in the surface of the coating remaining cool.

If you plan to install a heated floor, you need to purchase only that material that has an emblem that allows its use in such conditions. It is characterized by a dense structure and small thickness. When heated, such material does not emit harmful substances and has a low expansion coefficient.

Advantages and disadvantages

Laying laminate flooring has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include:

• room temperature of the coating with heating turned off;
• highly decorative;
• Possibility of sanding and re-varnishing;
• durability;
• small replacement;
• strength;
• Ease of use;
• the ability to replace the coating without damaging the system;
• ease of installation;
• variety of designs.

The disadvantages of this combination include the need to purchase material specially designed for this. There is a risk of coating destruction due to severe overheating. Edges under thermal influence can quickly deform. Additional treatment is required for additional moisture protection.

Tips for choosing laminate

Many people have heard about this characteristic - thermal conductivity. This is the ability of a substance to transmit or retain heat passing through it

It is important that this coefficient for laminate does not exceed 0.15 sq.m x K/W. The second mandatory condition is compliance with the heating temperature regime; the temperature of the floor surface should not exceed 26 degrees, otherwise the binding formaldehyde composition of the laminate begins to evaporate, which is not safe for humans

This situation can be prevented by installing a thermostat or programmer to automatically control floor heating. When purchasing a laminate, be sure to familiarize yourself with its performance characteristics.

What criteria should you use to choose the type of laminate?

We have already decided on the criteria for choosing the optimal heating system for laminate floors; now we need to find out in detail what parameters should be used to select a laminate floor.

90% of lamella consists of wood products, therefore it belongs to the class of wooden floor coverings

Thermal conductivity

The main attention is paid to the coefficient of thermal resistance. If for ordinary floors the higher the resistance coefficient, the better, then for warm floors the opposite is true. In the first case, the task of the floors is to prevent loss of thermal energy; the floors are made from materials with low thermal conductivity values: natural wood, carpet, insulated linoleum, etc.

Choosing laminate for heated floors

Warm floors should quickly heat rooms and easily transfer energy from the coolant to the room. Laminate occupies an average position in these indicators. It is not considered the best material for ordinary floors; additional insulation must be used to reduce losses. And for heated floors, there are materials that conduct heat much more efficiently (ceramic tiles, artificial granite, natural stone, poured floors). Such average physical characteristics allow us to consider laminate a universal material for all types of floor coverings.

The efficiency of a heated floor system directly depends on the thermal conductivity of the floor covering, which can be seen in the table below

European standards require that the thermal conductivity coefficient of the finishing coatings of underfloor heating does not exceed 0.15 m2×K/W. According to these indicators, the materials fully meet stringent international standards, the thermal conductivity of the laminate is within 0.1 m2 × K/W.

If the laminate is mounted on a cement-sand screed, then the choice of materials should be approached more carefully. The thermal conductivity of the substrate in most cases is 0.049 m2×K/W. Now you should calculate the maximum values ​​of thermal conductivity of the laminate: 0.15-0.049 = 0.101. Depending on the parameters of the substrate, the thickness and density of the lamellas should be selected, and vice versa, the indicators of the lamellas influence the substrate.

What do the images on laminate packaging mean?

Important. The discrepancy between thermal conductivity values ​​and recommended values ​​not only negatively affects efficiency. Consumers are trying to increase the temperature in the premises to a comfortable one, while at the same time the degree of heating of the coolant elements will exceed the recommended values. As a result, the heating system quickly fails. This problem especially applies to electric and infrared types of heated floors.

High temperature resistance

Laminate is made from waste from the wood processing industry (wood sawdust), paper and paints and varnishes. Formaldehyde resins are used to connect the base, and these are very harmful compounds that release toxic chemicals into the air. The concentration of substances is strictly regulated by relevant government organizations; violating their requirements is strictly prohibited.

Correspondence between the laminate class and the type of room

But all measures aimed at reducing the release of harmful compounds significantly increase the cost of production. One more nuance. Control measurements of evaporation of harmful substances are made at a temperature of +22°C, although heated floors are heated to +30°C, and in such conditions the amount of evaporation increases significantly. In order to reduce the cost of goods, companies use a special gradation, which makes it possible to further evaluate the quality of the product and its suitability for laying on heated floors:

• E0 – ≤ 2.5 mg of formaldehyde is released per 100 g of dry matter;
• E1 – ≤ 10 mg of formaldehyde is released per 100 g of dry matter;
• E2 – 10–20 mg of formaldehyde is released per 100 g of dry matter;
• E3 – 30–60 mg of formaldehyde is released per 100 g of dry matter.

What does the marking mean?

For heated floors, you need to buy a laminate marked E0, or in extreme cases E1. The use of other types is strictly not recommended.

Practical advice. You need to carefully monitor the relative humidity in the room. This is recommended by both doctors and laminate manufacturers. Air humidity should not drop below 50%, otherwise health problems will arise, the service life of floor coverings will decrease, squeaks will appear when walking, and the floor will begin to wobble.

Features of choosing a laminate

Laminate manufacturer data

Responsible laminate manufacturers indicate the recommended areas of use of the coatings on the factory packaging, including the possibility of installation on heated floors. This parameter has a special icon. In addition to the pictogram, there may be an inscription in English “Underflоor heating”, which translates as “Warm floor”. This means that the physical properties of the laminate allow it to be used as a topcoat on heated floors.

Laminate brands

You can come across statements that the manufacturer indicates on the labels not only the possibility of using the product on heated floors, but also the type of system. This is not true, such slats can be mounted on all types of heated floors. There are no separate types of laminate for floors with water, electric or infrared heating.

Lamella connection type

Installation of laminate flooring allows two types of connection of individual lamellas: locking and adhesive.

Laminate interlocking systems

Important. On heated floors, it is prohibited to connect slats with glue; only locks are allowed. Adhesive joints do not have the ability to compensate for uneven linear expansions that arise due to differences in heating temperatures.

You should be aware that heating systems are not installed in places where heavy stationary furniture or household appliances are planned to be placed. The floors in these areas are colder and expand slightly. If the lamellas are connected with glue, then there is a high probability of swelling.

Click lock system

Currently, manufacturers use two types of locks: Click and Lock. The first lock connects the two elements until it snaps into place; a characteristic “click” should be heard. Lock locks are almost no different from an ordinary tongue/groove connection; they only have a slightly changed geometry of the tongue and groove. Both locks are approved for use on heated floors.

Laminate and its installation

Substrate type

The underlay plays an important role in the effectiveness of heated floors, has different physical characteristics, and can be used with all types of systems.

Not the least role in the efficiency of a heated floor system covered with laminate is played by the bedding.

A water heated floor is a system of small diameter pipes, namely 16 mm, which is connected to the main heating system of the house or centralized heating of the apartment

1. Water heated floors . A substrate under the laminate must be used, the thickness is at least 2–3 mm. The fact is that cement-sand screeds cannot guarantee the required surface evenness; the substrate must compensate for all differences. Otherwise, the laminate slats will sag, over time the locks will become loose and squeaks will appear while walking. It is impossible to eliminate unpleasant sounds; you will have to completely dismantle the covering and install it again.
2. Electrically heated floors . The requirements for using a laminate underlay are identical to floors with water systems.
3. Floors with infrared heaters . The substrate is installed under the heaters, and the laminate is laid directly on them. Due to this, the efficiency of the system significantly increases.

Installation of electric heated floor

Infrared or film heated floor

Important. A new underlay has begun to be produced specifically for use under laminate on heated floors. Its difference from the old versions is that the base is not made of foam, but of extruded polystyrene. This is a fairly dense material with high thermal conductivity. In addition, the surface has small through holes, which further increases heat transfer rates and increases heating efficiency.

Such substrates correct problems with screeds and conduct heat much better; professional builders advise buying them when installing any heated floors.

The underlay is necessary for proper installation of the laminate flooring.

Types of heated floors and their differences

All types of floor heating can be divided into two large categories:

• water from heating;
• electric.

There are two types of heated floors for apartments and houses: water and electric.
Which one is better? But we have to look. If we take into account the costs during the heating season, then water will be cheaper. But it requires a lot of installation costs, and it cannot be installed everywhere. And the point is not only the increased load on the ceiling, the point is that it cannot be installed everywhere.

Water heated floor

A water heated floor is usually connected to a heating system. Long polymer pipes are laid in a screed and connected through a manifold to a coolant supply source. If you have a private house or individual heating in an apartment, you can do this type of floor heating. Some new buildings also have special risers for connecting water heated floors. These are not all projects, but there are some.

Which heated floor is better in terms of operating efficiency? Water

In ordinary houses with any type of heating wiring, it is impossible to connect a heated floor to a riser. Not only will he most likely work through the stump-deck, but you will also freeze all your neighbors. After all, a water heated floor is tens of meters of thin pipe. Conventional heating is simply not designed for such hydraulic resistance. It simply will not be able to provide the required circulation rate. The water will be cold already halfway through the circuit and, completely cooled, will go to the neighbors. And the cost of installing a water heating device is very high. See for yourself: screed with insulation + pipes + engineering equipment (at a minimum you need a manifold with a mixing unit) + thermostat. And plus at least a month to set up this entire economy.

Electrical connection

Electric heated floors are simpler in terms of connection and installation - there are different types of heating elements that can be used for different floor designs and for different types of floor coverings. But there are also restrictions: the energy consumption limit allocated to an apartment or private house and the condition of the wiring. Of course, you can try to increase the limit, change the wiring. If you really need it, this is possible almost everywhere. But this, again, is time and expense.

Which heated floor to choose if you need to quickly put it into operation? Electric

If there is enough power and the wiring is in order, some types of electric heated floors can be laid and connected literally in a day. In one room this is quite possible. What can stop it? High energy consumption, which is becoming more and more expensive.

In general, there is an electric heated floor:

• for laying in a screed (heating cable);
• under tiles (cable mats);
• under laminate, linoleum, carpet and other heating-compatible coatings (film heated floors).

As you can see, there are solutions for almost any case. Installation methods, installation time and costs differ.

Alternative

There is also an “intermediate option” - liquid electric floors. This is a local floor heating system made from pipes with coolant (closed) with a heater built into the pipes. It is laid like a water floor in a screed, but is connected not to heating, but to electricity.

The idea is not bad, but the price, as well as the low maintainability of the system, are not encouraging. Pipes in a screed, they contain a coolant and a heating element. If something breaks, the heating is over. Although, as an alternative, it’s a very good option.

Do-it-yourself installation of film heating

A brief overview of the various types showed that the best solution is to install a warm film floor under the laminate on a concrete floor. Let us consider in more detail the features of choosing and installing products of this type in order to provide for difficult aspects of self-installation.

What to look for when choosing an infrared floor?

All types of i/k flooring can be divided into two large categories: film and rod. Films are sold in the form of rolls. Heating elements are sealed between two layers of heat-resistant film, which, in turn, can be carbon or bimetallic.

Scheme of the design of a carbon heated floor Slim Heat, consisting of interconnected steps (cells). Technical characteristics: polymer film thickness – 0.34 mm, cell length – 0.25 mm, voltage – ~220 V

In the manufacture of the carbon variety, carbon-graphite fiber is used, obtained from carbon paste. Electricity is supplied to the heating elements through copper (silver-copper) conductors.

The connection diagram is parallel. The basis is a film of lavsan, which is characterized by wear resistance, elasticity and high dielectric properties.

Bimetallic elements are made of two metals - aluminum and copper, which are attached to a polymer film. The system is equipped with a grounding wire, and when connecting, it is necessary to use an RCD or AVTD. Bimetallic heating is suitable for all types of flooring, except tiles.

Graphite-carbon rod elements are assembled into one mat 25 m long, with a gap of 0.1 m. The temperature of the heating rods reaches +60ºС

The rod type of heated floor is also sold in rolls, but has a different design. It is based on rods connected to each other by an electrical wire. The advantage of this system is savings of up to 55-60% on energy costs, the disadvantage is high cost.

Preparing the base - leveling the floor

To avoid obstacles to the installation of the film system, it is necessary to prepare the base and remove all unnecessary things from the room.

If the room is small and the power of the heating elements is enough to create a comfortable environment, old heat sources (radiators) can be dismantled. But keep in mind that their removal requires permission from the management company, and before approval you will have to collect a large package of documents.

The next step is leveling the base. The leveling method depends on the condition of the concrete slab. If it is smooth and has no dents or bulges, it is enough to remove the dirt and clean out all the stains. If the concrete floor has an uneven surface that has weathered over time, it is necessary to level the surface with a leveling mass - self-leveling floor.

An uneven slab must be leveled using a thin screed - a self-leveling or leveling floor. To do this, cover the clean base with a primer, then apply the self-leveling floor. To create an even, uniform, smooth base, we use a studded roller

Leveling is necessary so that the underfloor heating elements are not damaged by falling into the hole, and the laminate lays perfectly flat.

We lay sheets of thermal insulation (backing) end-to-end on the prepared base and fasten them with tape. We make sure that the metallized layer is on top. As a result, the entire floor must be covered with a continuous sheet of insulating material.

Instructions for laying film flooring and laminate flooring

So, at the time the screed is ready, the following materials must be purchased:

• heated floor – rolls of i/c film;
• metallized thermal insulation;
• waterproofing (polyethylene film);
• laminate with backing;
• thermostat with temperature sensor;
• tape for fixation.

Be careful when choosing thermal insulation - aluminum foil rolls are not suitable for film heating. When drawing up a laying plan, take into account the arrangement of furniture - heavy objects cannot be placed on thermal film.

One of the options for installing infrared film. When laying, the following distances should be observed: between the strips - at least 1 cm, between the strips and the wall - at least 10 cm

Operating procedure:

• Laying heat-reflecting material on a prepared base or screed. We place individual pieces end-to-end and seal all seams with tape.
• Installation of infrared film - laying in rows, connecting and connecting (parallel). We attach the contacts to the copper strips and secure them with bitumen insulation.
• Installing a temperature sensor in the thermal insulation layer.
• Connecting the wire from the outermost cell to the thermostat (according to the instructions).
• Testing.

If the system is working properly, cover the entire structure with polyethylene, put a backing on top and assemble the laminate.

Video instructions for laying infrared film flooring under laminate from the manufacturer Kaleo:

Many people doubt whether it is possible to install water or electric heated floors under laminate flooring. Taking into account the requirements for different types of flooring, any options are possible. However, the most suitable for city apartments and private houses is the infrared system, which can also be mounted on walls and even on the ceiling.

Contact terminals

This element is used as follows:

• the center of the heating strip is pierced with the tip of an awl or a hole punch into which the clamp terminal is inserted;
• The clamp is installed in such a way that its elongated part is located on the side where the copper part is located.

Before soldering, it is necessary to remove the protective plastic layer from the contacts so that the metal surface of the heating element becomes free. In this case, a soldering iron is used, with which the plastic is heated to a temperature of about 50 degrees Celsius, in order to then be cleaned off with a regular knife.

At the point of contact, a pre-purchased electrical copper wire is soldered, the cross-section of which is 2.5 square meters. mm. The soldering area is covered with technical tape for working with electrical wiring. The dimensions of the tape used should not be less than a square of 5x5 centimeters.

The connection of individual pieces of infrared film is carried out in parallel, and all output cables are connected to a single bus

At the same time, it is important not to confuse “zero” and “phase”, and therefore it is better to use colored wires or make appropriate notes

The wiring is laid in such a way that excessive tension does not lead to deformation of the infrared film and the entire system as a whole. It is more advisable to make a reserve in the form of loops in order to obtain a reliable cable heated floor under the laminate that will not deform due to possible displacements. In places where the wiring is located near thresholds and baseboards, it should be placed in a corrugated tube. A smooth transition from a film heated floor to a corrugated tube is created using tape.

The grounding is connected in a similar way to the previous cables, and the cable is also sent to the ground through a corrugated tube.

The thermal sensor must be placed in the center of the heated floor, since it is at this point that the heating temperature will be the highest. This is the only way to protect the thermal film from overheating. The sensor is located on the inside of the layer. To avoid height differences at this level, it is necessary to cut the thermal insulation material and insert a sensor into it. In this case, fastening should be done using construction tape.

General Tips

Regardless of the type of heating system, there are universal recommendations for installing laminate floors. Their implementation will reduce the risk of unpleasant situations arising due to the fault of builders.

1. The cement-sand screed must be perfectly dry, humidity no more than 1.5%.
   To do this, it is necessary to warm up the floors before laying laminate flooring, and at the same time, reliability tests of all individual elements of the system are also carried out. The heating should be turned on approximately two weeks before the start of laying the finishing coating; every day the temperature increases by only 5°. The base should cool down over the next week. The screed must not only be level, but also perfectly dry.
2. After completing the installation of the laminate, the first start-up of the system should be done at the same pace as for drying - no faster than 5° per day. The maximum floor surface temperature cannot exceed +27°C.
3. Please note that heated floors are not installed under furniture and household appliances. There are two reasons: elements overheat and heating inefficiency due to lack of air movement. And if over time you need to change furniture or change its location, then what to do with heated floors? Conclusion - do not rush to make the final decision about installing heated laminate floors.

   Infrared film for heated floors does not fit under furniture and appliances

The quality of a heated floor depends on many factors, and they all play an important role. You should not simplify the work and neglect some technological steps or advice. Real repair of a heated floor will cost at least an order of magnitude more than the virtual financial savings at the installation stage.

Prices for Tarkett laminate

Tarquette laminate

Video - Warm floor with your own hands in an hour

Which underfloor heating is more profitable - electric or water?

In general, heating costs depend primarily on the amount of heat that a house or apartment loses. Therefore, to reduce costs, insulation is installed in the floor plan. But the cost of energy is one of the cost components. There are also installation costs.

Which heated floor is more economical at the operational stage? When used, a water heated floor is cheaper. It is usually installed in addition to radiators as an additional heat source. Much less often - it is the only heating. In any case, the system still works - with or without a heated floor, it needs to produce the required amount of heat. If there is no heated floor, more heat will flow through the radiators.

Cost diagram for heated floors. But somehow the costs of installing an electrical device are too high. Apparently taken for a cable tie

What about electric heated floors? It is usually needed as a means to increase comfort or when the main heating is not up to the task during the coldest period. Installation of electrical elements is much simpler and does not require such high costs. If the base is strong and level, cable mats and film flooring are laid directly under the covering. The mats are in a layer of glue, and the film heater is on the substrate, even if it is a cable heater that is placed in the screed. The minimum layer of screed is less than when using pipes with coolant, which means less costs.

Advantages of laying on a concrete base

Laying heated floors on concrete is practical and quick.

Choosing the right laminate

When planning to lay a heated floor under a laminate, you need to choose the coating used correctly.
At the same time, determining which material is better for electric heating is not difficult. When choosing a floor covering, it is necessary to take into account the coefficient of thermal resistance. The higher this indicator, the better thermal insulation properties the selected laminate has. The minimum thermal resistance for a laminate floor under which an electric heated floor will be laid is 0.15 sq.m.*K/W. The easiest way to install laminate flooring is with key joints, but the adhesive installation technology will require the use of expensive substrates, which leads to a significant increase in the work budget, and subsequently reduces the efficiency of heating the room. An important characteristic is the maximum heating temperature. Without damaging the characteristics of the material, its surface must heat up to at least 30 degrees

Accordingly, depending on the selected temperature class of the coating, in the future it will be necessary to configure the temperature sensors that control the operation of the electric heated floor.

Today, many manufacturers offer customers special laminates designed for use with heated flooring materials. Such a coating will have a special marking, which greatly simplifies the choice of material.

How to prepare TP for a meeting with laminate

Before laying the laminate, you need to do several important things: let the self-leveling floor dry for 1.5-2 weeks before laying the laminate, do not turn on the heating during this time; turn on the heated floor, set the regulator to a comfortable temperature - you need a week of operation in this mode, during which time the moisture will leave the screed as much as possible; bring laminate into the room and turn off the floor so that the material “gets used” to the new temperature and humidity conditions. Wait 2-3 days - now you can lay the underlay and laminate.

After installation, it must be possible to ensure stable temperature and humidity in the room.

And when the heating season begins, it is necessary to gradually increase the floor temperature by 2-3 degrees per day to the one recommended by the manufacturer (usually +27 degrees).

At the end of the heating season, the floor temperature is also reduced to +15 degrees by 2-3 degrees per day. After this, you can simply turn off the thermostat. With each new season, this entire procedure will need to be repeated: if the homeowner does not want to quickly say goodbye to the laminate, he should not make sudden movements with the thermostat - only slow warming up (and at the end of the season, a slow decrease in temperature).

It is important to limit the heating temperature of the flooring to 26-27 degrees, so it will retain all its performance characteristics for a long time.

Underlay for laminate flooring

The correct choice of underlay for laminate flooring has a decisive impact on the efficiency of the electric heating system.

Substrate characteristics (distinctive features):

• high reflectivity;
• resistance to temperature changes;
• environmental Safety.

The optimal thickness is 1.5-3 mm.

What kind of underlay can be used under laminate flooring with heated floors?

extruded polystyrene with perforation;

polystyrene substrate Arbiton Izo Floor Thermo (Poland), which is distinguished by the presence of a system of gutters and holes.

Many manufacturers offer a special underlay for laminate flooring. For example, in the Quick-Step line there are substrates: Unisound Pro, Transitsound Ultra, Uniclic Plus. Special underlays distribute heat more evenly across the floor surface.

penofol, technical cork, isolon - can be used as a substrate only when installing an electric cable heated floor under a laminate (cable or heating mats).

Attention. When installing film heated floors, the use of penofol is prohibited

Carbon solid floor installation

When installing a solid carbon floor, the master practically does not require any special skills, and all work can be done within one day:

• Markings are applied to the pre-prepared subfloor base according to the arrangement in the furniture room.
• The material is laid out on the floor.
• The markings are transferred to the solid carbon floor.
• The floor heating elements are cut in the right places.
• The equipment is connected to the network and tested in operating mode.
• After installing the mats, they are covered with a substrate and a finishing floor covering.

The effectiveness of the design will depend, for the most part, on the quality of the product itself supplied to the market.

Is it possible to put heated flooring under laminate?

How safe is it to lay laminate flooring on a heating surface? Is such “neighborhood” harmful?

The laminate board consists of two parts: a polymer front covering and an MDF panel, which serves as the base. It is in the composition of MDF that the main danger lies. The fact is that formaldehyde will perform the function of a binder here. Due to the fact that its concentration is low, laminate can be used even in children's rooms. However, even in a normal (not heated) state, the lamella releases a certain amount of this substance (within the permitted limit), which is completely safe for users.

When the board is heated, the amount of formaldehyde released increases. And the higher the temperature of the heated surface, the more intense the process of formaldehyde release. Its action causes symptoms similar to those of poisoning: nausea, headache, inflammation of the respiratory tract.

Manufacturers who value their reputation monitor the level of formaldehyde in their products; those who offer cheap coatings cannot guarantee its safety. Thus, you cannot buy a cheap laminate and get a high-quality and safe coating.

conclusions

In conclusion, I would like to briefly recall the main features of installing electric heated floors under laminate with your own hands. Then the work will be carried out at a good professional level.

• Before installation, be sure to draw up a diagram of the location of the heating elements, be it a heat cable, electrical mats or infrared film that requires grounding.
• After analyzing the installation methods of various systems, choose a simple option that does not require special knowledge.
• To save wires, install the thermostat in the middle of the room.
• Installation must be carried out in such a way that in case of repair there is access to any part of the structure.
• In an apartment with low ceilings, give preference to the film option, since it has almost no effect on the thickness of the floor covering.

Upon completion of the work, when the heated floors are installed and the laminate is laid, a mandatory pause of three to four days will be required before commissioning. With the beginning of the heating season, the system warms up to the optimal temperature gradually, with a daily increase of 5-6 degrees. The reduction is done in the same way to complete shutdown.

Infrared film

Infrared film heated floors are the latest successful development in the field of floor heating. The infrared film is spread on a heat-reflecting base. Immediately after this, you can begin installing the finishing coating.

Film heated floors have a lot of advantages:

1. Durability;
2. Reliability;
3. Ease of installation;
4. No additional repair actions, such as pouring screed;
5. High installation speed. You can lay the laminate immediately after laying the film heated floor;
6. Since the thickness of the film heated floor is insignificant, it will not affect the height of the ceilings;
7. Low energy consumption.

There are also negative aspects of the film version of heated floors:

• The installation base must be perfectly level;
• Installation of film heated floors is only possible in a house where the humidity is not too high;
• High price.

Installation of infrared heated floor

Film heated floor cake

It is difficult to make a choice as to which floor heating option is better to choose. But if you analyze all the pros and cons, infrared heated floors can be considered the best option.

Before installing the film infrared heated floor, you need to calculate how much thermal film and reflective substrate will be required. The area of ​​the substrate corresponds to the area of ​​the floor in the house for which heating will be carried out, and less thermal film is needed, since it cannot be placed under furniture.

Materials and tools you will need:

1. Thermostat;
2. Temperature sensor;
3. Heated floor kit;
4. Thermal reflective backing;
5. Protective
   film;
6. Screwdriver;
7. Pliers;
8. Scissors;
9. Scotch;
10. Knife.

The base for installing heated floors is thoroughly cleaned and dried. Then thermal insulating material is placed

It is very important that it does not contain aluminum foil, since aluminum is unacceptable for infrared floors. The parts of the film are fixed together using tape

After this, the location where the thermostat will be located is determined.

The film floor is first cut into strips of the required size. To minimize trimming, it is better to lay along the length of the room in the house. The strips should not be pressed tightly. It is better to maintain a distance between them of 10 mm, and the distance from the strips to the wall is about 50 mm. Do not forget that the copper strip should be at the bottom.

The location of the contacts near the wall on which the thermostat will be fixed will reduce the length of the wires for connection. The strips are connected in parallel, so the wires can be hidden under the baseboard.

Having considered all the options for underfloor heating, assessing the complexity of their installation, how much they cost, and other features, we can conclude which is more suitable for a specific room in the house. If you plan to install it yourself, then you must adhere to the advice of professionals and follow the instructions. Add your comments and opinions!

Which heated floor is better to choose for laminate - advice from professionals

Instructions for laying a water floor

To make the concrete surface warm, you should install a water floor under the laminate. Such a system will ensure uniform heating of the floor base and increase the service life of the laminate. However, for a high-quality installation of a water system, it is important to follow the technological sequence: pouring the concrete solution is carried out only after the water system has been assembled and the pipes have been laid. The poured surface must dry and only after that a substrate is placed on it to protect the coating from moisture. Only then lay the laminated covering.

Advantages of a water floor:

• reliability;
• no electricity required.

Flaws:

• a concrete screed is required for pouring pipes;
• reduces the height in the room;
• installation difficulties;
• When there is a coolant leak, repair difficulties arise.

Instructions for installing a water system on a concrete floor are as follows:

• Prepare and fix the pipes.
• Check the tightness within 24 hours after completion of installation, applying pressure, and if there are no leaks, begin the next stage.
• Concrete solution is poured. The thickness of the laid mortar should reach four centimeters.
• 7 days after laying the concrete mortar, the installation of the laminated coating begins.

Return to contents

Options for heated floors under laminate

Are there any restrictions on the choice of heating element type? In general, no. You can use water heating or an electric heating cable, mats made from it, placing the heating elements in the screed. But screeding is a labor-intensive task, requiring significant investment and a lot of time. In addition, the efficiency of such heating is low, since the screed heats up, and the laminate heats up from it.

Installing a laminate on a film heated floor is simple - you just need to secure the heating element (with tape), connect it electrically, and remove the wires. And we lay the covering on top

There are faster installation options. They are also more economical, since the laminate is heated directly, and not the screed underneath it. The most convenient in this regard is film infrared heated floors. It can be spread on a flat base (any), and the laminate can be placed on top immediately. You can install this type of heated laminate floor in one room with your own hands in half a day. If you have no experience at all - in a day. The electrical part and installation of thermal sensors usually take the most time. Otherwise, laying film heated floors is very simple.

You can make a warm floor under the laminate and from a heating cable. But it must be placed in special plates

The second option for quickly installing a heated floor under a laminate is a heating cable. But here a special system will be needed. The cable is laid in metal heat-dissipating grooves, which are placed in a heat-insulating substrate. Laminate is placed on top. In general, the system turns out to be more expensive due to the cost of the plates.

Installation of cable floors

Installing a cable floor is a labor-intensive process that requires the involvement of professionals. If this is not possible, when doing the work yourself, you must follow the following algorithm:

• Insulation is laid over the rough screed to increase the energy efficiency of the floor, and also to ensure that heating energy does not leak into adjacent rooms.
• After installing the insulation, it is recommended to additionally glue the Izolon foam with a foil coating, which has a reflective effect.
• A damper layer of foam materials is installed around the perimeter of the room.
• The heating cable is carefully unwound and laid out in a zigzag across the entire floor plane.

• Considering that the bend radius should be 80 mm and above, the master has the opportunity to place the product anywhere, taking into account built-in furniture.
• The cable is fixed with a special fastening punched tape.
• The equipment is connected to the network via a thermostat.
• Upon successful testing and commissioning of the electrical device, the screed is poured.

• After polymerization of the preparation from the cement-sand mixture, a laminated floor covering is installed on a pre-laid vibration-proofing substrate.
• The damper tape completely cuts off the screed and laminate from the load-bearing and enclosing structures of the building, which prevents the spread of structural noise.

The uniformity of heating of the building structure depends on the depth of immersion of the cable, the power of the equipment, as well as on the uniform structure of the screed and its thermal conductivity.

Choosing a laminate for heated floors

Not every type of laminate can be installed on heated floors. Before you buy material and start laying it yourself, you need to know exactly which laminate is best to choose. And for this there are certain characteristics:

1. Good strength and board thickness 8-10 mm;
2. The marking must indicate that this laminate is intended for installation on a heated floor;
3. The H2O icon indicates that the laminate is suitable for hydronic underfloor heating systems;
4. It is imperative to evaluate the thermal resistance of the laminate. Its value can be found in the passport;
5. The marking also indicates the maximum temperature for heating this floor covering. It must be at least 25 °C;
6. Possibility to lay laminate flooring using both installation adhesive and locks. But installation experts still recommend choosing the option with glue.

We have a short video on the topic:

Electric floor heating device

Generally speaking, an electric heated floor consists of the following parts:

• heating element;
• floor temperature sensor;
• thermostat (thermostat).

It is worth knowing that the heating element will work without a sensor and thermostat, but the work will be ineffective and short-lived. Inefficient, because you have to turn it on/off manually, and this leads to excessive energy consumption. And it is short-lived, because with manual control overheating often occurs, which negatively affects the service life of the heating element.

Components of an electric heated floor

Types of heating elements

There are several different heaters available on the market:

• Heating resistive cables. They have the lowest price, come in single-core and double-core, which is why their connection diagram changes. Their main disadvantage is the possibility of local overheating and failure (objects cannot be placed on a working resistive cable heated floor for a long time). Therefore, during installation, the cables are not laid out under the places where furniture and household appliances will be placed. Another disadvantage is the lengthy installation process.

  
  Resistive heating cables

• Heating self-regulating cable. It has a higher price, but can regulate its own temperature in a separate area automatically, which avoids local overheating and extends its service life.

  
  Self-regulating heating cable

• Electric cable mats for heated floors. These are the same cables, only secured in the form of a snake on a polymer mesh. They can also be made of resistive or self-regulating cable. Laying such an electric floor requires much less time. Electrical cable mat
• Infrared carbon films. Carbon paste is sealed between two layers of polymer, which, when an electric current passes through it, generates heat in the infrared range. It is attractive due to the release of infrared heat, and with proper quality it is durable - if some of the carbon strips are damaged, only they are excluded from work, the rest work. Fast installation is also a plus, but the electrical connection is more complicated than with cables. I'm not very happy with the price and this is the main drawback.

  
  Carbon film - infrared floor heating

• Carbon infrared mats. These are rods with a carbon fiber interior connected to each other by electrical wires. The most expensive type of heating elements for electric heated floors, but, according to reviews, the most unreliable. They appeared not very long ago and the production technology is poorly developed, so the main problem is failure due to broken contact at the junction of the carbon rod and the conductor.

  
  Carbon mats for infrared floor heating

It is impossible to say for sure which of these types of electric floors is better. Each has pros and cons, installation features. Based on them, they choose the best option for a particular floor covering - it is better to put cables or mats under the tiles, and a film heater under the laminate or linoleum.

Types of thermostats

There are three types of thermostats for electric heated floors:

• Mechanical. In appearance and operating principle they resemble a thermostat on an iron. There is a scale on which you set the required temperature. As soon as it drops 1°C below the set value, the heating turns on; when it becomes a degree higher, it turns off.
• Electro-mechanical. They are no different in functionality, they just have a small LCD screen and up/down buttons. The screen displays the current floor temperature, and using the buttons it is adjusted in the desired direction.
• Electronic programmable. The most expensive, but also the most functional. They can set the operating mode (temperature) by hour, and in some models, by day of the week. For example, if everyone has left in the morning, you can set the temperature to low - about 5-7°C, and an hour and a half before arrival, program it to increase to standard. There are some models with the ability to control via the Internet.

Some models of thermostats for heated floors have built-in air temperature sensors and the ability to turn heating on/off based on these indicators, and not depending on the floor temperature. So there really is a choice.

Which electric heated floor is better for laminate flooring?

There are three electric floor heating systems that can be used for installation under laminate:

1.Cable heated floor

The resistive heating cable is unwound from the coil. The user independently calculates its length and determines the installation method. The laid cable is mounted on special tapes with clamps or on a metal mesh.

Installation of a cable floor requires a screed device. The height (thickness) of the screed reaches 40 mm, which is the main factor that limits the spread of cable floor heating systems.

Based on the physical parameters and technical characteristics of the system, it is possible to justify the inappropriateness of using a cable system under laminate:

high energy consumption, a significant part of the energy consumption is for heating the screed itself;

higher complexity of temperature control compared to other systems;

the need to know the exact location of the furniture to avoid overheating the floor.

Installation of the cable under the laminate is carried out in the same way as installation of an electric heated floor under the tiles. And due to the presence of a thick screed, there is no specificity in the installation of the laminate itself.

2.Heating mats (floor heating mats)

Underfloor heating system, in which the heating cable is initially laid in mats. A distinctive feature is that the mats use a thinner cable fixed at a given distance, which eliminates the need to calculate the laying step.

Installation of electric mats occurs quickly, and the thickness of the screed is reduced by 5-10 mm. However, from the point of view of installing a heated floor under a laminate, the disadvantages of this system are similar to those of the previous one.

3.Film or infrared heated floor

According to the craftsmen, installation of film heated floors under laminate. is the most preferred option.

The advantage is efficiency and economy (both during installation and during operation).

When installing an infrared floor, the disadvantages of laminate flooring are eliminated, such as:

release of formaldehyde, which in most cases is used as a binder in the manufacture of lamellas;

cracking of the lamella along the seam or delamination along the thickness. Appears due to uneven or sudden heating;

How to prepare the floor for installation?

To make the floor warm, its surface should be prepared before laying the heating system. If there are small defects on the concrete base, they are eliminated using a primer or putty mixtures. Work is carried out on a flat, prepared surface. Thus, when installing a water floor, you need to lay a thermal insulation layer.

The material for thermal insulation can be slabs or roofing felt. To prevent cracks from appearing on the concrete base during operation, the slabs should be laid close to the concrete surface. When installing an electric floor, you should also take care of additional thermal insulation. It is also necessary to provide a waterproofing layer, for which the slabs are covered with impermeable waterproofing material.

Return to contents

Installation of infrared film

A rational and economical option is to lay the heating film longitudinally (along the length of the room). In this case, the set of places where the connection will be made must be made as small as possible. In this case, the film will be cut into fewer sheets. On the surface of the film there are special lines along which cutting can be carried out.

The sheets are secured with construction tape to prevent them from moving while working on laying the remaining layers of the floor. Another fastening option is to use self-tapping screws or a construction stapler. Naturally, fasteners that cause deformation of the film should be used in those areas where there is no heating layer (for more details: “How to lay an infrared heated floor under a laminate - installation instructions”).

Construction of amorphous metal floors

Despite the fact that amorphous metal floors are one of the newest heating devices in this category, every average person can master the technology of laying them:

• The installation surface is prepared, leveled and cleaned.
• Expanded polystyrene is laid on the subfloor, the gaps between which are foamed with special installation compounds.
• After the insulation, a PVC film is laid, which plays the role of waterproofing.
• The metal floor is laid ready-made.

• The device is connected to the controls.
• Commissioning and performance testing of metal heated floors are carried out.
• A finishing coating is installed - a protective screed with wet processes is no longer required for such equipment.

When installing such a floor, it is recommended to ground the power outlet to avoid the risk of a short circuit if moisture gets in.

How to choose a laminate

You should carefully and responsibly approach the selection of laminate flooring for warm electric floors. The main nuances that people pay attention to when choosing a material are:

• Thermal resistance. It reflects the thermal insulation properties of the coating. The bigger, the better. Maximum value 0.15 m2 K/W. It is influenced by the properties of the substrate: the higher the porosity, the worse the thermal resistance.
• Material class. This is a non-core indicator. The higher the cost, the better quality it is. For expensive laminate, a minimal amount of formaldehyde is used. The material wears out more slowly.
• Maximum temperature. You need to clearly know the maximum possible heating for the selected type of laminated panels so that they do not lose their properties. Usually around 30 degrees.
• Method of fastening panels. Laminate that is held together with glue is not suitable for heated floors. When heated, the adhesive composition loses its properties. Lock fastenings are suitable.
• Lamella thickness. The greater the thickness, the less heat penetrates into the room. Thick material does not transmit heat effectively enough. But thin types are too fragile and have weak fastenings. Optimally 8 mm.

Choice of coverage

Manufacturers recommend purchasing special types of panels. They are distinguished by improved performance characteristics for heated floors - they are not afraid of heating, are easy to install, and retain an attractive appearance for a long time.