Underfloor heating laminate flooring. Water heated floor under the laminate: features of the solution and subtleties of installation Laminate for a warm water floor

Installing a floor heating system, whether electric or water, requires significant material costs from the consumer, so that he often cannot afford such expenses. At the same time, laminated panels are becoming more affordable for buyers at a cost, moreover, they have a number of advantages.

But if you combine the laying of flooring and heating, in general, everything seems not so overwhelming or impossible. Further in the material, we will talk about whether it is possible to lay a warm floor under a laminate on your own, and how to carry out these works without the involvement of specialists.

The optimal solution for combining the coating with heating

Although the laminate itself is durable, however, in combination with a water-heated floor, there are a number of limitations for it:

Laminate panels are very sensitive to high humidity, although they differ in sufficient strength. However, water-resistant laminate types are now on the market that are not prone to warping due to moisture.
Laying laminate on a warm water floor is possible only with a special substrate. Some types of substrates are unacceptable for use in such conditions, for example, cork material. However, there are a number of synthetic underlays that do an excellent job of protecting the laminate from moisture when laying it on a warm water floor.

Some buyers doubt whether it is possible to make a warm floor under a laminate, because:

installation of such a heating system is quite expensive;
in order for the warm floor to function correctly, it is advisable to take the help of professionals;
the need for autonomous installation of a warm floor with its subsequent integration into a common heating system, which includes a whole set of radiators, a pipeline with fittings and bypasses, a filter, a pump and a boiler.

The benefits of this combination

As for the cost of installing such a heating system, it is safe to say that all the costs incurred during the repair process will pay off already during the next heating season. And if you lay a water-heated floor under the laminate with your own hands, you can save even more on the cost of professional work.

How to lay a water heated floor

Most often, warm floors with water heating circuits are installed in one of four ways:

According to the wooden rack system. In this case, the water circuit is laid between the lags, having previously made grooves for the pipes in them. A layer of thin plywood is laid over the contours, on which the underlay for the laminate will be laid. Alternatively, instead of plywood, a rigid substrate can be used (more details: ""). Heat exchangers are not required in this situation.
Modular wooden structure . In this option, ready-made pipe systems with lags go on sale. With such a floor heating system, an additional layer is required for laying the substrate for the laminate, but you can also use a rigid substrate without a layer (read: ""). This design requires the installation of heat exchangers, which can be wide metal plates.
Underfloor heating from polystyrene- in this case, not metal, but polystyrene pipes are used.
Laying in concrete screed . This method of installing a water-heated floor is the most common, since the screed in this case serves as both a heat exchanger and waterproofing. With this technology, water heating elements sink into the thickness of the screed.

It is necessary to have:

a collector that distributes heat flows in cases where there are several circuits in the system;
the main collector, thanks to which the underfloor heating is connected to the general heating system;
integrated collector;
pump for warm water floorproviding the proper level of pressure in the circuit.

Detailed description of the laying process

As with any repair work, before starting laying a warm floor with water elements, a preliminary preparatory stage is required.

Choosing a styling technology

To determine whether it is possible to put a warm floor under the laminate, it is necessary to clarify the individual parameters of the room and take into account the following nuances:

The maximum length of the circuit should not exceed 100 meters, otherwise the pump will not have enough power to pump water in such a volume.
If it is necessary to split the water heating system into several circuits, it must be ensured that no more than 40 m 2 of area per circuit. The shorter each of the contours, the better.

Often, several schemes for laying heating elements are used:

snail;
snake;
corner snake;
double snake.

Note that the heating efficiency with a similar length of the circuit is practically independent of the scheme of its laying. Nevertheless, each of the professional masters chooses one or another scheme based on their preferences and the convenience of its implementation.

Carrying out work

The sequence of installation of a water-heated floor is as follows:

Prepare a rough concrete floor. They remove debris, close up all cracks and potholes, if necessary, plaster and grind the base under a water-heated floor.
The rough floor is dried to obtain the optimum level of humidity.
Lay a waterproofing layer. It is desirable to use a continuous sheet of insulating material for this purpose. If this is not feasible, the joints on both sides are glued with construction tape.
The water circuit is distributed over the floor surface, not forgetting about laying the water temperature sensor in the system.
After laying, the entire system is checked for operability by performing a test run.
A thin layer of finishing screed is poured over the pipes, after which it is well leveled.
As soon as the finishing screed is completely dry, another waterproofing layer can be laid on it.
Then lay the substrate under the laminated panels.
When everything is ready, you can start assembling the flooring.

Results

So, answering the question of whether it is possible to lay a laminate on a warm floor, we can say with confidence that such a tandem is currently becoming more and more popular and in demand, since it combines economic and practical benefits for the buyer.

The advantage of this system is that such a coating as a laminate can be easily disassembled completely or partially if the heating system fails and urgent repairs are required.

At the same time, we note that laying a laminate does not necessarily imply the simultaneous installation of a floor heating system. However, if you decide to equip such additional heating in your apartment, the laminate will become the best option as a finishing floor covering.

Laminate is one of the most popular floor coverings all over the world and the CIS countries in particular. The article will discuss which laminate is best for underfloor heating and what are the features of combining such a coating with a heating system.

Choice of laminate by marking

To date, more than one type of laminated coating is known. For laying on top of a warm floor system, not every one of these types is suitable. The simplest laminate will actually be good, because. the performance characteristics of this material are very high, but as far as heating is concerned, the flooring will be ineffective.

The reason is the low thermal conductivity of traditional laminated panels. Accordingly, the use of a simple laminate as a heated floor will have to be abandoned, otherwise the floors will always be cold or you will have to constantly use the heating system at full capacity.

Most of the world's manufacturers have taken care to get a high-quality laminate that is compatible with the room heating system. The result is a series of products that are marked with special markings.

Also on the packaging, the manufacturer indicates the maximum temperature to which the material can be heated, and the documentation includes information on heating systems compatible with the coating: electric, infrared or water heated floor.

If the laminate was purchased in compliance with the optimal parameters, then the performance of the heating system will be at a high level, because. the generated thermal energy will pass through the flooring, warming the air as much as possible.

Thermal resistance of floor coverings

In European countries, the optimal value of KTS when laying on top of a warm floor system is no more than 0.15 kW per square meter. The same value applies to the underlay under laminate flooring. The final CTS is a combination of the above indicators: for the coating and for the substrate.

The level of thermal resistance of the laminate is formed due to its main parameters: thickness and density. Naturally, the maximum heating will be provided by how the values of these parameters will decrease.

Use cover with great value KTS is fraught with overheating of the substrate and coating, and the heating circuit of the heating system can also be disabled. Accordingly, it is very important to calculate the CCC even before the purchase of materials. A high-quality underfloor heating underlay will provide a higher efficiency of the heating system.

Laminate classification for different types of underfloor heating system

It is important to take into account the class of laminate flooring purchased for the heating system. Anyway, flooring subjected to loads, but we are talking about regular heating of the material, which is comparable to extreme loads.

Temperature control can be done by adjusting the power of the heating system using a thermostat and a special regulator. Constant exceeding the permissible operating temperature fraught with deformation of laminated boards and the release of substances harmful to the human body - formaldehyde.

Laminate under the film infrared heat-insulated floor

Infrared floor heating technology has a number of advantages. For example, heating occurs with not the greatest power, but excellent heat transfer. Because the film underfloor heating under the laminate is very well suited.

To determine which laminate is suitable for underfloor heating, it is necessary to make a choice according to the following criteria:

wear resistance of the 33rd or 34th class;

the thickness of the panels should be at least 0.85 centimeters;

in the same way as in the case of the previous type of underfloor heating, there should be a marking that laying can be carried out on top of an infrared warm floor (read also: "").

Laminate for electric floor heating

The efficiency of electric heating elements for floor heating is no worse than that of infrared films. Again, when choosing a laminate, it is worth paying attention to the labeling of specific varieties in order to determine the possibility of laying them on top of an electrical floor heating system.

The following features are also very important:

increased thermal conductivity of a laminate for underfloor heating with an energy cable;

high resistance to abrasion during operation;

environmental friendliness of the material used in the production;

excellent strength characteristics against mechanical stress.

Laminate with built-in heating

Many owners are afraid to combine laminate flooring with a heating system, so manufacturers have developed a unique option for them - a laminate flooring modified with the ALLOC Heating System.

In the domestic construction market, such a coating appeared quite recently and has not yet gained such demand as in European countries. The heating elements are located in the thickness of the laminated panel, and therefore it is not the coating that is heated, but immediately the air masses above it, which increases the efficiency of the system. Heat losses with this design are reduced by almost a third.

This type of laminate has the following characteristics:

the material is cheaper by more than a third compared to the cost of an electric underfloor heating and a suitable laminate in the aggregate;

the power of one laminated plank is from 60 watts per square meter;

laying can be done with alternating types of laminate, which will allow you to create indoors separate sections with and without heating

after the system is turned off, air heating continues for 10 minutes, which can significantly save electrical energy if you correctly set the thermostat and regulators to automatically control the operation of the warm floor.

Do not think that such a coating does not have a variety in terms of design. The intensity of production increases every day, and then it is not difficult to make ultra-modern floors that will look original in the photo and during visual inspection.

Choice of laminate flooring

The apartment, as expected, is divided into several zones:

sleeping rooms;

kitchen block;

cabinet;

corridor;

plumbing unit and a balcony, as rooms with the most difficult flooring operating conditions.

For each particular room, it is necessary to choose a laminate according to a number of criteria, which may coincide with those that were determined for the heating system, or may complement it.

kitchen block

The loads on the floors in the kitchen are extreme, since in the average family this part of the house is constantly occupied by one or more residents. The peculiarities of their activity are such that something constantly falls on the floor, drips, it is smeared and saturated with various substances.

Plumbing and balcony

These rooms are perhaps the most popular in terms of laying heated flooring. The reason is that the temperature in them drops sharply due to increased humidity in both cases and open air access in the case of a balcony.

In fact, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of at least 28 degrees Celsius for the normal use of these parts of the house. You can regulate the temperature using a thermostat and regulators, which will also become additional protection against excessive heating of the laminate.

Directly to the laminate, when choosing it for laying in these parts of the house, the following requirements must be established:

mandatory water-repellent layer;

high quality surface protective layer;

joints treated with sealant.

Usually all this corresponds to a laminate of the 32nd-33rd class.

Bedrooms and corridor

The most suitable laminate for these rooms is one that has a matte surface.

It must also meet a number of requirements:

high degree of sound absorption;

antistatic effect;

moisture resistance;

increased fire protection.

Usually a 21-22 class coverage is suitable. Electric mats or infrared film are used as a heating system. Installation of the system can not even be laid on a high-strength screed, because. a thin finish layer will be enough to eliminate any irregularities.

Choice by type of fasteners

A very important part of the laminated coating is the method of fixing the panels to each other. To date, two methods are known: locking and glue. For underfloor heating, only a system with locks is suitable, since the adhesive cannot be heated.

There are two main types of locks:

Click- a complex connection with additional elements that improve the fixation of the panels.

lock- the simplest lock of the thorn-groove system.

More reliable is the Click connection. Its increased strength helps protect panel joints from deformation during temperature changes and increased mechanical stress. Moreover, it is possible to lay a laminate with such a connection not on the most even surface.

Outcome
The article describes in detail the process of choosing a laminate that is compatible with an underfloor heating system. Do not forget that not only the coating determines the effectiveness of underfloor heating, but also other elements: the heating system itself, the substrate, etc. If there are difficulties when laying the selected laminate and heating system, then you can always turn to specialists who will save time, effort and money for the customer by doing the job efficiently.

About ten or fifteen years ago, the promotion of laminate boards in the consumer market was somewhat difficult. In particular, this was due to the fact that underfloor heating systems installed under the floor covering were popularized, and the laminate, due to its composite origin and low thermal conductivity, was not suitable for operation under conditions of constant heating. The manufacturers of this material did not want to put up with this state of affairs, and therefore they tried to create a laminate for underfloor heating. Let's figure out how it differs from the usual one, and how to understand when buying that you have exactly what you need.

Of course, we are wondering why before it was impossible to choose a laminate as a topcoat for underfloor heating, but now you can. What was wrong with him, and what did the manufacturers work on?

1. Laminate board is a multilayer product, the role of the carrier layer in which is played by HDF - high-density fibreboard. The binder in this material is melamine resin, which contains water solution formaldehyde.

In certain concentrations, this substance is harmless - it is even used in pharmacology and cosmetology. But when heated - and the temperature of the warm floor is up to about +35 degrees, it begins to emit vapors, worsening the microclimate of the room, which is contrary to SanPiN standards.

2. Another negative point was the fact that due to the low thermal conductivity of the laminated board, the efficiency of the heating system was greatly reduced. At the same time, the desire to increase the degree in the room only led to an increase in the cost of the coolant. That is, the tandem of a laminate with a warm system became economically impractical.

3. And the third point, because of which warm systems, especially water ones, did not “make friends” with the laminate - these are temperature fluctuations due to the cooling of the coolant, which any wooden or wood-like flooring led to deformation. The reason is a large number of linear expansion and contraction cycles.

Kronospan laminate prices

Kronospan laminate

How to solve the problem of harmful fumes

It is clear that the number one problem is harmful fumes, for which, however, there are standards. In Europe, all products, according to the amount of formaldehyde in it, are labeled E1 (when emitted less than or equal to 0.124 mg/m³ of air), or E2 (when emitted more than 0.124 mg/m³). On the Internet, you can find statements that there is also an E0 class, corresponding to such a quality when no emission occurs when heated to 28 degrees. But this is not true.

The well-known furniture company IKEA tried to set its own E0.5 emission value equal to half of E1, but this class did not receive official recognition. So the value of E1, which is considered absolutely safe for humans, was and remains minimal, and since 2006 it has become mandatory for manufacturers of all types of board materials.

Russian manufacturers are also guided by this standard. The Americans have their own standards, which, I must say, are very similar to European ones. But Japanese standards include 4 levels, from F * (the most harmful) - to F ****, which is the safest.

The marking indicates the conformity of the product to a particular class, but what it will be depends on the country of origin.

Marking features

The most stringent is the Japanese standard, according to which the lowest formaldehyde emission is 0.005 mg/m³. This is very close to zero - and accordingly, a Japanese class F **** laminate for underfloor heating will be the best choice.

Here is how a laminate suitable for installation on a warm floor is marked:

Among other icons on the laminate, you can also see the designation B1 - flame retardant. And this means that such material will also withstand temporary overheating, which often occurs in water floor heating systems.

Laminate from European manufacturers, suitable for installation over a water system, is usually marked with a zigzag image of a pipe with the inscription Warm Wasser above it. For electrical systems - both infrared and cable, there is a laminate labeled Underfloor heating.

How to ensure the thermal efficiency of the system

We figured out harmful emissions and overheating, now let's talk about such an important indicator as thermal conductivity. Why can a laminate floor be inefficient in terms of heat transfer?

Firstly, the coating itself has a fairly low thermal conductivity in the range of 0.05-0.10 W / m² * C, which is comparable to the performance of glass wool or expanded polystyrene. That is, the laminate itself is a good heat insulator. For heaters, this is good, but in this case, this quality of the material is a hindrance.
Secondly, the substrates on top of which the board is mounted have similar properties. If you use, for example, a cork, then it will generally reduce the effectiveness of a warm floor to almost zero. That is, heat simply will not penetrate through the substrate to the floor covering.

The solution to the problem is the use of such a shock-absorbing layer that would allow heat to pass upwards. The rubber backing does a good job with this, but it is quite expensive, and it is not always on sale.

It is much easier to give preference to perforated materials, which may include rolled polyethylene foam substrates, extruded polystyrene foam modules and perforated construction cardboard.

The thinner the substrate under the laminate, the better it will transmit heat. However, this imposes increased requirements on the quality of the screed - the slightest unevenness, which almost nothing compensates for, will affect the installation of the cladding.

And since we are talking about a screed, one cannot but say this. The thermal efficiency of the heating floor system largely depends on the floor structure, because the screed can be not only monolithic, but also dry.

If for some reason you prefer another option for installing the pie, then the main condition that will ensure the efficient operation of the system is the use of a material with a reflective surface under the heating elements of the warm floor. This can be foil glued to a rough base or insulation with a factory-foiled surface.

Which underfloor heating is best for laminate

Laminate today has one of the best combinations of price and quality, and given its excellent appearance and full similarity with a natural board, can be used in a variety of variations of interior design. We have provided some excellent examples below.

In order for all these rooms, especially those that do not have central heating or a fireplace, to be warm, you need to choose the right heating system that can be installed under the finish coat. In stores, you may be offered several options to choose from, but not all of them are equally well suited for laminate flooring.

Types of heating systems

The general list of heating elements that are the basis of a warm floor is presented below:

Only the very first of them - carbon infrared film, is for laminate coating the best choice. All other types of heating elements (except for self-regulating cable), although not optimal, are acceptable.

Floor systems can be infrared, heating the floor due to infrared radiation, and convection, in which the heating of the coating is carried out due to warm air masses rising up.

Infrared are different kinds films, differing mainly in the temperature of maximum heating. According to this property, they are divided into low-temperature, universal and high-temperature, which can be heated up to 55 degrees.

For a laminate, such a high temperature threshold is not suitable, since +35 degrees is quite a lot for it. Therefore, for such a floor, you need to take either a low-temperature model or a universal one.

Films are on a bimetallic basis, but for installation under wooden coverings it is better to give preference to models on carbon fillers in the form of graphite or carbon paste.

Note! Apartment owners should be especially attentive to the option with film heating, because a water floor, which is rightfully considered the most effective from an economic point of view, is not allowed to be connected to central heating. Other types of connections require a separate boiler, which is generally unacceptable for most typical apartments.

In private houses, any of the four existing schemes connections . The main thing is to correctly carry out the installation and select the materials for the floor cake, which have already been mentioned above.

Electric floors using cable for laminate flooring are also not best solution and this is due to several factors. It will be difficult for the cable to warm up the floor pie, especially if it is not poured into the screed, but laid into the prefabricated system. The temperature of the cable is fixed, so it will not work to “turn up the heat”, and the substrate worsens the situation.

In general, whatever one may say, it turns out that the infrared film is the most convenient to install and ideally fits under the laminate. We will talk about the features of installing such a floor in the next chapter.

Installation of a film heater under a laminate flooring

First of all, you need to calculate the heated floor area, excluding the places where cabinet furniture will stand, in order to understand how much film you need. It is usually sold in sets of 2. running meters, width 50; 80 or 100 cm, in which there is also a substrate in the appropriate amount, as well as crimped terminals, electrical insulation, installation wires, plus installation instructions.

A thermostat, without which it is impossible to control and regulate the temperature of the system, may not be included in the kit. In this case, select the model yourself. For a small bathroom or balcony, this amount is enough. If you need to heat a large area, it is easier to buy a roll of film and consumable to her separately.

Before laying the film, the substrate must be properly prepared. If so, then it needs to be cleaned, cracks repaired, primed and leveled with a thin layer of self-leveling floor. Alternatively, dry leveling can be done using any sheet material. They also level the old wooden floor, and make the base on the beam ceilings.

All about the advantages and disadvantages, types, composition and process of pouring the self-leveling floor, we told in the article "". Detailed step by step instructions process, helpful videos and expert advice are attached.

In our example, the film will be mounted in wooden house on plywood base.

Table 1. Step by step instructions

Steps, photo

Today, the "warm floor" system has ceased to be a luxury for the elite. It is so popular that it is sometimes used as the main source of space heating. At the same time, many people think: is it possible to lay a laminate on a water floor? Will this damage the flooring? The question, as they say, is not idle, because the laminated coating is quite sensitive to changes in the microclimate in the room.

According to experts, the arrangement of a “warm floor” under floor coverings made of parquet or massive boards is undesirable. Practice shows that wooden floors in such cases do not behave in the best way. But with laminate, the story is completely different. The use of this coating in combination with a warm floor has proven itself very well. Let's deal with all the nuances.

Material selection

Those who used this coating in the apartment know that no additional insulation saves from the fact that the laminate remains cool at any time of the year. Alas, this is not wood, but its surface is just a high-strength organic resin that prevents boards from abrasion. This resin stays cool and summer heat, and in the winter cold. And if you equip a warm floor under the lamellas, it will be pleasant to walk on it even barefoot.

Important! Not all laminate brands are compatible with insulated floors. Cheap varieties of this coating will behave in the same way as a tree - they simply deform.

Before answering the question of whether it is possible to make a warm floor under a laminate, you need to choose the right material. Here are the criteria for choosing flooring:

The presence of a special marking indicating the compatibility of the lamellas with underfloor heating.
Thickness of boards from 8 mm. Lamellas of smaller thickness are deformed by temperature differences.

How to choose the right underfloor heating system?

There are 3 types of systems used for underfloor heating:

Water.
Electrical.
Infrared film.

Each of these systems has its own advantages and disadvantages. All of them are about equally popular. Let's consider them in more detail.

Water

This is a system of hidden pipes of small cross section, which are connected to the central heating system. Can laminate flooring be installed on underfloor heating? Basically, water system floor insulation and laminated flooring are compatible, but only in private homes. V apartment buildings such systems are prohibited.

This method of underfloor heating has many disadvantages:

The complexity and high cost of installation, repair and maintenance.
When a leak occurs in the pipes, it is necessary to change not only the entire pipeline, but also the floor covering. Hot water will make him unusable.
Difficulty in temperature control, and laminate does not tolerate high temperatures very well.

Cable (electric)

This is the most common option, but, unfortunately, it is not suitable for coatings with low thermal conductivity, including laminate. The reason is that before installing the finishing coating, the cable is poured with a screed. Before heating the laminate, the cable must first warm up the screed itself. The efficiency of such a system, of course, is small.

Important! The matter is further complicated by the fact that a substrate made of a material with low thermal conductivity is laid between the lamellas and the screed. Thus, the floor will heat up slowly with significant energy consumption.

Film

The principle of operation of such a system is based on the phenomenon of infrared radiation. The name "film" system received from the thinnest film with embedded conductor strips.

The advantages of film floors include:

No need for glue and screed.
Profitability.
Efficient for floors made of materials with low thermal conductivity, including laminate.
Environmental Safety.

Important! Heating the laminate to a temperature exceeding 30 degrees is unacceptable, as the material may deform. In addition, heating to high temperatures may cause the release of formaldehyde.

Conclusion

Thus, the film infrared system is the best option.

Important! Some Western companies produce laminate with a built-in heating system, but it is very expensive.

How to lay a warm floor under a laminate - installation procedure

It's not difficult at all. It is enough to have knowledge of electrical engineering and the desire to make something with your own hands. Underfloor heating film type sold as a set:

Film.
Contact clamps with insulation.
Wiring.

In addition, for arranging a film underfloor heating you will need:

A heat reflector on a soft base, which will also serve as a substrate for the laminate. Do not use materials with aluminum foil.
Polyethylene (protects the thermal film from moisture).
Scotch.
Thermostat with temperature sensor to regulate the heating temperature.

How to put a warm floor under a laminate?

Prepare the surface first.
Lay the heat reflector, fastening the joints together with adhesive tape.
Cut the thermal film into strips, lay over the heat reflector and secure with tape.
Mount the thermostat.
Connect the strips of thermal film in parallel using the wires provided.
Using bituminous insulation, secure with reverse side thermal film sensor.
Connect the thermostat to the network and test how the system works.
Spread over the mounted system protective film from polyethylene.

To date, confidently conquered the construction market. The explanation for this phenomenon is very simple - these coatings have the most optimal ratio performance characteristics to the cost. Every year manufacturers use new achievements innovative technologies, which makes it possible to improve the physical parameters of materials without increasing prices. In the implementation there is a laminate with properties that previously consumers could not dream of. This also applies to special types of coating for underfloor heating.

During the construction of buildings for various purposes, several types of underfloor heating are used. Everyone has their technical features, which have a direct impact on the choice of laminate and its laying technology.

Most consumers often confuse the concepts of insulated floors, underfloor heating and underfloor heating. It is necessary to bring clarity to these issues, it is always necessary to use precise definitions, this will eliminate annoying mistakes in the future.

Conclusion - a warm floor and a heated floor are one and the same design, the main difference of which is that the floors have their own autonomous heat source.

Prices for underfloor heating REHAU

Underfloor heating REHAU

What type of underfloor heating is best for laminate

To date, there are three technologies for arranging underfloor heating. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, each has a difference in technological process. These features have an impact not only on the efficiency of space heating, but also on the requirements for an optimal floor finish.

Table. Underfloor heating technology.

Type of heating system	Specifications and technological features
	The system is installed on the basis of the floor plastic pipes for space heating. In the future, it is closed with a screed with a thickness of at least five centimeters. Laying the laminate will be carried out according to the technology recommended by the manufacturer - a special substrate to eliminate irregularities, laminate lamellas. This is the most not good option underfloor heating, has three significant drawbacks. The first is low efficiency. A thick sand-cement screed and a foam pad under the laminate increase the loss of thermal energy. The second is the high estimated cost. This refers to the total cost of materials and the amount of lost time. The third is big problems in case of emergencies. Water leaks are discovered too late, during which time many architectural structures become unusable. In addition, repairs are required complete dismantling not only laminate, but also screeds. It's long and expensive. Currently, underfloor heating is used very rarely. In addition to the above problems with topcoats, they also have their own purely technical disadvantages: it is necessary to install a special boiler, a complex system for distributing and regulating thermal energy, etc.
	A more modern and better system, in terms of the number of uses, is confidently leading due to its relatively low cost. The system consists of special electrical cables, the amount of heat (Q) depends on the square of the current (I2), the parameters of the resistance of the conductor (R) and time (T). Q=I2×R×T. Electric heating is much more efficient than water heating and has several advantages over it. First, emergency situations do not have such negative consequences. Secondly, the systems are much simpler from an engineering point of view, control and monitoring equipment can be mounted in any convenient place. Thirdly, the reduced thickness of the cement-sand screed increases the efficiency of operation, reduces material costs for maintaining comfortable conditions in winter period time.
	The most modern system warm floor. Heat carriers are electric, but not ordinary cables. These are special carbon threads sealed on both sides with plastic plates. The total thickness does not exceed one millimeter, it is realized in separate rolls, which can be cut to the required dimensions. Such systems have many advantages: high efficiency, ease of installation, reliability and safety of operation. Under infrared systems, a cement-sand screed is not made, which makes it possible to save time and money. The only drawback is the high cost, infrared floors are not available to all developers.

Conclusion. From a technical point of view, infrared is considered the optimal floor heating system for laminate flooring. It does not require additional cement-sand screeds, it is safe and effective to use. Laminate panels are installed directly on the heating elements, which significantly improves heat transfer performance, saves energy, reduces the time it takes to heat the room to favorable temperatures.

As can be seen from the table, there are no fundamental restrictions on the use of laminate as a topcoat for underfloor heating. But this does not mean that you can buy any coatings and safely install them on heated floors.

What are the criteria for choosing the type of laminate

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

Thermal conductivity

The main attention is drawn to the coefficient of thermal resistance. If for ordinary floors, the greater 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 the loss of thermal energy, the floors are made of materials with low thermal conductivity values: natural wood, carpet, insulated linoleum, etc.

Underfloor heating should quickly heat the premises and easily transfer energy from the coolant to the room. Laminate on these indicators is in the middle position. He doesn't count best material for ordinary floors, to reduce losses, it is necessary to use additional heaters. And for underfloor heating, there are materials that conduct heat much more efficiently ( ceramic tile, artificial granite, a natural stone, flooded floors). Such average physical characteristics make it possible to consider the laminate as a universal material for all types of floor coverings.

European standards require that the coefficient of thermal conductivity of underfloor heating finishes does not exceed 0.15 m 2 × K / W. According to these indicators, the materials fully comply with strict international standards, the thermal conductivity of the laminate is within 0.1 m 2 × 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 is in most cases equal to 0.049 m 2 ×K/W. Now you should calculate the maximum values of the 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 affect the substrate.

Important. The discrepancy between the thermal conductivity values and the recommended indicators not only negatively affects the efficiency. Consumers are trying to increase the temperature in the premises to a comfortable one, while the degree of heating of the heat carrier elements will exceed the recommended values. As a result - a quick failure of the heating system. This problem is especially true for electric and infrared types of underfloor heating.

High temperature resistance

Laminate is made from wood waste (wood chips), paper and paints and varnishes. Formaldehyde resins are used to connect the base, and these are very harmful compounds that emit toxic substances into the air. chemical substances. The concentration of substances is strictly regulated by the relevant state organizations, it is strictly forbidden to violate their requirements.

But all measures aimed at reducing the release of harmful compounds significantly increase the cost of production. One more nuance. Evaporation control measurements harmful substances are made at a temperature of + 22 ° C, although warm floors are heated up 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 additionally evaluate the quality of products and their 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.

For underfloor heating, you need to buy a laminate marked E0, in last resort E1. Other types are strongly discouraged.

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

Laminate manufacturer data

Responsible laminate manufacturers indicate the recommended areas of use of coatings on the original packaging, including the possibility of installation on underfloor heating. This parameter has a special icon. In addition to the pictogram, there may be an inscription on English language"Underfloor heating", which translates as "Warm floor". It means that physical properties laminate flooring allow it to be used as a topcoat on underfloor heating.

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

Lamella connection type

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

Important. On the warm floors it is forbidden to connect the lamellas with glue, only locks are allowed. Adhesive joints do not have the ability to compensate for uneven linear expansions that occur due to differences in heating temperatures.

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

Manufacturers currently 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. Locks Locks are almost no different from an ordinary tongue/groove connection, they have only slightly changed the geometry of the tongue and groove. Both locks are approved for use on underfloor heating.

Substrate type

The underlay plays an important role in the performance of underfloor heating, has different physical characteristics, and can be used with all types of systems.

Floors with water heating. The substrate under the laminate must be used, the thickness is not less than 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 lamellas will sag, the locks will loosen over time and creaks will appear during walking. It is impossible to eliminate unpleasant sounds, you will have to completely dismantle the coating and install it again.
Floors with electric heating. The requirements for using an underlay under laminate flooring are identical to floors with water systems.
Floors with infrared heaters. The substrate is installed under the heaters, and the laminate is laid directly on them. This significantly increases the efficiency of the system.

Important. Especially for use under a laminate on warm floors, a new substrate began to be produced. 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 the heat transfer performance and increases the heating efficiency.

Such substrates correct problems with screeds and conduct heat much better, professional builders advise buying them at the time of arranging any heated floors.

Step-by-step instructions for installing laminate flooring on underfloor heating

For example, consider the most successful version of a heated floor - infrared elements are used as heaters.

Step 1. Check the completeness of the supply of underfloor heating elements: the total size of the heating system, temperature controllers, switches and substrate. Read the manufacturer's instructions for use carefully.

Step 2 Carefully remove old laminate. If the work is done correctly, then it will be completely reusable. But under one condition - such use is allowed by the manufacturer. How and where to find out about it, we talked about in this article above.

Practical advice. Fold the floor slats in turn, they will be installed in the reverse order. Do not confuse their position, otherwise problems will arise during installation.

Step 3 Spread a special foil substrate under the infrared heating elements on the base. Work carefully, do not allow the formation of wrinkles. The substrate is perfectly cut with an ordinary mounting knife. If the stripes do not fit the width of the room or it has irregular shape, then the laying algorithm will have to be slightly changed.

Spread strips of lining along the edges of the room. On an uneven area, a joint of various widths is formed.
With the sharp end of the mounting knife, make a slot at the overlap. The tool must be pressed strongly, cut two strips at once.
Remove the top and bottom cut off excess. You will have the perfect joint.

It will not be even, but the substrate will lie in one layer. If there is a desire to make the joint even, then the excess must be cut off along a pre-drawn line. But this is a waste of time, it is only important for the system that there are no adjoining slots at all and no overlaps are observed. To prevent the substrate from moving during the installation of heating plates and laminate, glue it with ordinary adhesive tape.

Step 4 Proceed with the installation of a warm floor, while considering where the heavy furniture will be located, the floor should not be heated under it. Pay attention to location front side elements, follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Pre-spread the heaters, think over the scheme of their final installation and connection. All contact groups should be located in one place near the wall. The less you have to ditch the internal interior partitions- all the better.

Step 5 Tape the contacts of the cut edges of the infrared carpets, the material is sold complete with the system. Reinsert the clamp and squeeze the contacts. Isolate connections.

Important. Remember that aluminum foil conducts electricity very well, insulate all contacts very carefully. If there is the slightest doubt about the reliability, re-insulate.

To prevent wetting infrared heaters you can cover them with ordinary plastic wrap. But not all builders do this, these elements have reliable hydroprotection even without it.

The heating system is ready, you can start installing the laminate. The algorithm of work is ordinary, there are no differences from ordinary floors. Except for one thing - the lamellas are mounted directly on the infrared systems, no additional lining is used.

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 through the fault of the builders.

The quality of a warm floor depends on many factors, and all of them play an important role. It is not necessary to simplify the work and some technological stages Or ignore advice. The real repair of a warm floor will cost at least an order of magnitude more expensive than the virtual savings in financial resources at the installation stage.

Prices for laminate "Tarkett"

tarkett laminate