Electric heated floor under laminate: which heated floor is better to make with your own hands, installation technology. Installing an infrared heated floor under a laminate - step-by-step instructions How to connect a heated floor under a laminate

In this article we will talk about installing an infrared heated floor with your own hands under a laminate in detail. The popularity of laminate floors is quite simply explained - they are durable, easy to install, durable and beautiful.

But no matter how much you want it, there are also disadvantages of this gender. Laminate is very similar to wood in its color and texture, but it does not have the same heat capacity and can also feel cold when you walk on it.

That is why most owners of houses and apartments, especially those who live on the first floors, are quite seriously concerned about underfloor heating.

Infrared heated floors under laminate can be the best option for a simple solution to such a problem as a cold floor.

In appearance, infrared heated floors resemble some kind of thick film with black stripes. But the so-called heat mats are just part of the electrical system, which makes it possible to heat the base in the apartment itself.

Infrared film floor

The so-called infrared film floor is considered the most optimal material for laying under such light coverings as parquet, laminate, carpet and linoleum, in contrast to heating analogues.

This is due to the uniform heating of the carbon film contained in it, which emits far-spectrum infrared light over its entire surface. There is also one more advantage over the so-called cable floors, as well as other heating systems, this is a simple and quick installation.

Even a beginner can handle this. Exposure to infrared rays from the floor is absolutely harmless to humans and their bodies. If we talk about sensations, it is similar to the warmth of the sun.

The process of floor heating itself in this case occurs due to infrared radiation itself, which appears in the carbon paste, which is located between sheets of transparent film.

The waves emitted by carbon paste have a length of five to twenty micrometers, and the system itself, with the help of additional components, has the ability to connect to a network where the main current conductor will be a connection of silver and copper.

Carbon has an increased thermal conductivity, due to which energy consumption can be reduced. It is because of this that infrared film flooring can be considered the best economical option.

The main part of the infrared heating system itself is striped films, that is, heaters. They are sold in simple rolls and can reach a width of one hundred and fifty centimeters.

Cutting such rolls is quite easy and convenient, because approximately twenty-five centimeters (each) is provided with a cutting line, which, accordingly, will allow you to purchase exactly the amount of heater you need to arrange your own heating system in your room. Film is mostly sold in metres.

It is strictly prohibited to cut the film in an area where there is no line, because this can damage the film and it simply will not work.

The power of such infrared films ranges from one hundred fifty, two hundred and four hundred and forty watts per square meter. These indicators will be very useful to you during the calculation process, which will directly relate to the arrangement of the heated floor system itself to identify the load on the electrical floor system.

For laminate flooring, the most suitable option would be to use mats that have a power of one hundred and fifty watts per square meter. Such mats are capable of heating the floor to a limit of forty to forty-five degrees, which is already considered an excellent indicator, because there is simply no point in heating the floor any further.

Otherwise, it will be somewhat uncomfortable for you to walk on your hollow floors, and very high temperature thresholds will have a rather negative effect on the laminate. The standard temperature threshold for your feet will be twenty-seven degrees.

So, let's look at the comparison characteristics of infrared heated floors and water heating:

Also in the system of this heated floor with special infrared heating, the following will be a mandatory item:

• Thermal sensor;
• Wires for connecting the system;
• Special clamps or clips;
• Thermostat.

The system itself of such an infrared floor can have incredibly high reliability, because the connection of individual components can be done in parallel, and in case of problems in one of the components, the rest will be able to continue their work.

Is it allowed to install infrared heated floors under laminate flooring?

The thermal capacity of laminate is greater than that of tiles, and its thermal conductivity is the same as that used below. Laminate floors do not like high temperatures, and therefore do not have to warm up more than they should.

If you install a water or electric heating system under the laminate, then it will be necessary to ensure a constant increase in the temperature of the heater, which will have a negative impact on both the material that was used and the volume of utility bills.

Laminate does not tolerate sudden temperature changes, which cannot be avoided with any other heating system. In the case of negative temperature action, there is a risk of cracks or cracks appearing in the material that was used; the flooring may begin to creak. Neither water nor electric flooring will provide rational heating of the surface in accordance with the level of heating and uniformity.

Due to their small thickness, the lamellas heat up effectively, since the IR rays will spread quite quickly. Also, if the floors are laid correctly, the radiation will not retreat towards the rough base on which the film lies, which means that there will be no heat leakage. Thus, IR floors are the best option for heating laminate floors.

Advantages of using film heating

IR floor heating has a lot of advantages that make it one of the best types for heating laminated floors:

The main drawback of such floors is the rather high price of the equipment and materials that were used, but the investment will be quite worthwhile if you take into account all the advantages of the system.

Which laminate to choose for warm infrared floors?

Before you make your choice on infrared floor heating, you need to remember which laminate is best suited. The suitable laminate that was used must have a special marking in the form of a “snake”. A specific designation will show the future owner of a warm laminate floor all its properties

Important! Experts advise getting Belgian laminate from Quick-Step. Its shelf life is more than twenty-five years if treated with care.

Laying infrared heated floors under laminate

Subtleties of technology

Installation of an infrared floor system, although simple, requires attention and has certain features. All work is carried out using the building’s power supply system, so errors cannot be allowed here. Otherwise, the floors will either not work at all, or will simply become dangerous for the home owner.

Even before the installation of an infrared heated floor begins, an absolute and clear method of laying floors is drawn up, on which the infrared mats themselves and all components of the system’s control are distributed. They also make sure to mark the installation locations of thermostats, temperature sensors and other equipment. It is important to keep in mind all the wires that will come from the heating system, since they are connected directly to the thermostat.

The thermostat is traditionally installed on the wall, and in order to hide all the wires, it is recommended to cut a narrow groove into it, into which communications will be laid.

Thus, they will not be noticeable in any way, since after laying the wires the cavity is sealed. In this case, the wires must be placed in a corrugated tube.

Important! If you don’t have the desire to ditch the walls, then all communications can be hidden in plastic gutter, embedded on the wall.

At first, on paper, and later on the floor itself, the method of location of all infrared films is depicted. This operation, in addition to convenience during the next installation, will literally help reduce the consumption of all materials that will be used - wires, films, etc. The connection points of all wires are also marked on the diagram.

Aspects when working with IR film that should be taken into account before installation:

Important! There is no need to worry that the floor heating will become insufficient if the film does not lie on the entire floor plane. The fact is that for efficient heating it is enough that the heaters cover only 40-60% of the room's surface.

Work progress

Preparing the base (base)

The rough flooring must be smooth and unstained - litter and large-sized debris are not allowed, it is also important to remove stones, dust, and sand. It is recommended to test the flooring for strength, repair cracks and gaps, and level them according to applicable specifications.

Important! To prevent the concrete base from becoming so dusty, it is recommended to treat it with a primer mixture, but this operation is not necessary.

A thermal insulation layer should also be laid on the subfloors. It is recommended to use foil. The shiny side must be at the top. The strips are laid end to end.

The thickness of the foil layer that was used should be approximately 2-3 mm. It is more comfortable to strengthen the layer that was used only with the support of double-sided tape, and the gaps between the individual strips can be covered with simple tape.

Next, small recesses will be cut into it to accommodate terminals, wires and other communications. Then the base for the laminate will become smooth. It is also recommended to spread a layer of waterproofing coating on the base of the floor.

Materials that were used and equipment

What can you need to install an infrared heated floor system?

The following devices and materials that were used will be useful to us:

At the beginning of our article, the display of infrared film was given, but in fact, it is not only carbon.

In film Heatflow A carbon fiber sheet is used as a heating agent, which produces a mixture of carbon fiber and carbon paste.

There is also another discharge of IR film. It arose relatively not so long ago, but has already become in great demand. Unlike conventional carbon IR film, the material that was used actually does not fail in any way if there is a defect - that is, the floors will always be warm.

Important! If you destroy one or several strips of a conventional infrared floor, then it will not be steamed at their location. But when using a film with a continuous strip of carbon, the flooring will begin to warm up, even if it has been damaged. Elementary - in the place of a cut or breakage of the material that was used, it will become a little cooler, but heating will continue.

Installation features

• the humidity in the room where the work is carried out must be no more than sixty percent;
• installation of infrared floors is done at a temperature threshold of zero degrees or more;
• Thermal film, including for testing, must be connected to the network only in an unrolled state - it cannot be turned on in a roll;
• if the film was damaged at the location of the graphite (dark) layer, then the defect space is certainly isolated on both sides;
• the temperature sensor must be turned on so that, if necessary, it can simply be changed;
• If there is a flood in the living space, then the floors must be turned off immediately and not connected until they are dry.

If the IR floor heating system was connected correctly, it will serve you for more than ten years. It is important to carry out all work carefully and carefully - only in this case you will be able to get the desired result!

Heating a home is one of the most important issues that should be taken very seriously. Indeed, in the future, thanks to high-quality heating, comfort during the cold seasons will depend. Having insulated the walls, ceilings and installed a heating system, it is worth treating the floor insulation properly. At the moment, one of the most effective and economical methods is film insulation under laminate. Due to its design, this type of insulation does not require preparatory work for installation, which is an important part of the work in laying cable heating. Everything here is much simpler and more reliable, since a special thermal film is used instead of a cable.

Methods for installing electric heated floors

Three types of installation of heated electric floors are often used:

1. Laying directly under the floor covering (film floor);
2. Installation in the screed layer, and after laying the floor covering;
3. Installing a heated floor on the top of the screed under the tiles.

Laying under the floor covering is a good method when there is no need to replace the screed. Its design allows installation under linoleum or laminate without additional work. Installation in a screed layer is often used for heating in the kitchen, loggia and bathroom, installing cable heated floors. A layer of waterproofing insulation is laid under the system, and a small layer of screed on top. If this is a two-story building and floor insulation work has been done on the ground floor, then the need for a screed and a thermal insulation layer is not necessary. Tiles and a layer of tile adhesive are excellent protectors of heating elements, but you should pay attention to the instructions before starting work to make sure that such installation is possible.

Types and advantages of film flooring for laminate

If a few years ago few people were familiar with the infrared film heated floor system, today it has gained enormous popularity.

This heating system operates on the basis of infrared radiation, which is safe even for such sensitive materials as laminate and other wood coverings.

Currently, there are two types of heated film floors:

1. Bimetallic - a thin polyurethane film, inside of which there is a two-layer patented compound. The top layer is a copper alloy with additives, and the bottom layer is an aluminum alloy with additives.
2. Carbon is a resistive element that includes two working layers of lavsan film, the thermal elements of which are connected by a parallel and series method.

This type of film is excellently used not only for floor work, but also for walls. Its elasticity and dimensions (0.585 m×0.545 m) only contribute to simplification for convenient and quick installation.

Advantages of film infrared warm floors

• Quick and simple installation takes no more than 2 hours on average
• A film thickness of 3 mm will not significantly affect the height of the room in any way
• High level reliability
• It is not necessary to fill the screed, since the film heated floor can be installed under linoleum, carpet and laminate without any problems
• Does not affect the humidity of the heated room in any way
• Promotes anti-allergic effect
• Energy savings of up to 20% compared to other underfloor heating systems
• If you need to move, it can be easily dismantled, which will save money and time, and also provide you with a heated floor at your new place of residence.
• Ionizes the air

Necessary materials for installing heated film floors

The standard set of materials for laying a warm film floor includes a thermal film that is rolled into a roll, a set of insulation and electrical wiring for the contact clamps, and the clamps themselves. You should also get a thermostat with a temperature sensor.

To improve the thermal properties and durability of the structure, you need to purchase additional materials to construct the system:

1. Polyethylene film
2. Double or single sided tape
3. Thermal reflective material

Preparing the base for installing a heated film floor under the laminate

When installing a warm film floor, there is no need to dismantle the old coating. This is carried out only if the old coating can no longer fulfill its physical purpose. If the coating is in good condition, then it should be cleaned of possible types of dirt and dust. The permissibility of the height difference corresponds to the height of the film itself, which is 3 mm. It is strongly recommended to use a level to check the surface for unevenness. If you find uneven surfaces, it is advisable to level them and then dry them with a vacuum cleaner. Only after all this work has been completed can you proceed to the installation of the infrared heated floor.

The area that will be filled with furniture or appliances is not insulated, as this is unjustified. But if frequent changes of furnishings or new furniture are planned, then the whole room is usually treated in this way. Do not forget about the power of the heated floor, which directly depends on the area of ​​the heated room. The larger the room, the lower the power consumption. In any case, when choosing a film floor, the consultant will calculate the required quantity and required power for optimal efficiency.

Laying insulation

The initial stage is the installation of waterproofing designed to protect the underfloor heating system from moisture.

The next stage is the installation of a thermal insulation layer, the purpose of which is to prevent heat loss from radiation that is directed downward, as a result of which energy consumption is significantly reduced and the efficiency of the entire system as a whole is increased.

For such purposes, almost any insulating material can be used. It must be carefully straightened and mounted with the metallized side up, while covering the joints with tape.

According to experts, foam material with a thickness of at least 3 mm is best suited for thermal insulation for laminate flooring.

It can be either reflective or non-reflective, for example, cork. Both are effective, the main thing is that its thickness is within the maximum standards. Typically, the reflective coating is made from lavsan. It is worth noting that the foil coating is not of sufficient quality for infrared heated floors under laminate, so using it in the installation of thermal film is highly not recommended.

To reduce heat losses, the joints of the substrate should be sealed with metal-coated tape.

Determining and preparing a location for the thermostat

The thermostat performs the function of controlling temperature readings. The main tasks of the thermostat are based on the following:

• setting the base temperature level;
• programming the heating frequency;
• automation of the time to turn on and off the heated floor system.

Before starting installation work on installing an infrared heated floor, it is necessary to determine the location of the thermostat (20 cm from the floor level is considered optimal), since the entire process of attaching thermal film sheets and placing wires depends on this.

After this, a scheme for installing a warm film floor is drawn up.

Laying a heated floor system

Installation of thermal film is carried out directly on the thermal insulation according to the intended scheme.

Connection diagram for film heated floor:

There is no need to insulate the entire floor of the room; warm film flooring is installed in useful areas of the room.

Polyester film is laid:

• by 50% of the entire floor area with a power of 90-150 W/m2 - if an additional heating system is needed, when the main heat source is present and only a comfortable heated floor is provided;
• by 70-80% with a power of 150 W/m2 - in the case of creating the main heating, when there are no other heat sources in the room.

Thermal film should not be installed closer than 20 cm from the wall, and in places where furniture is placed, to prevent overheating, and subsequently damage to the heated floor system. It is also prohibited to place the film closer than 1 meter from strong heating devices, for example, fireplaces.

To place the thermal film correctly and as efficiently as possible, it can be cut with scissors along the intended marks (in the light areas that are located between the dark sections). It is worth remembering that the maximum length of the strip should not exceed 8 meters.

Important: any overlap of individual parts of the film on top of each other is prohibited.

The film can be one- or two-sided. In the first option, the system is laid with the reinforced side down, in the second option, it is possible to do both.

To reduce the length of the wires, the film should be mounted towards the wall, where the temperature controller will be located in the future.

The film is laid with the copper sides of the contacts facing down, then clamps are attached to the edge of the copper strip, to which the wires are then connected.

Insulation of cut sections of film

In the cut areas, the film floor has exposed copper areas and to avoid further possible damage, these places should be insulated. For these purposes, bitumen insulation is most often used. We cut a rectangular insulating film slightly larger than the surface to be treated and glue the copper areas on both sides. Holes are made in the film to accommodate the isolated area by pressing it in and then sealing it with tape. In those places where the wires will be attached, there is no need to start insulating yet, since you should initially connect the metal clamps. They are attached as follows: one side of the clamp must be carefully placed between the copper strip and the film, then clamp it tightly with pliers.

Organization of wiring and its testing

Connecting wires

The wires of the film heated floor should go from the center to the baseboard area, to the wall, which will prevent the danger of pressure on them from the floor covering. The wiring must pass directly under the thermal film; for this, holes are made in it, through which the wires are inserted, which are then secured with tape. It is worth remembering that the wires should under no circumstances protrude beyond the thermal insulation. They are connected to the clamps in parallel: the left sides are attached only to the left ones, and the right sides - to the right ones, respectively. At the ends of the wire, the insulation is removed with a sharp tool, then twisted and pushed through the holes in the clamp, after which it is fastened with pliers. After which the attachment point is insulated and secured with tape to the film. For convenience, to avoid confusion, you can initially use two colors of wiring.

Connecting the thermostat

Initially, a well-insulated temperature sensor is connected to the heating film, namely to its underside approximately in the center of the second section. It is a small thermometer with a head in the form of a polymer element, which is soldered to a wire.

Holes should be cut for the sensor itself and its wiring to the thermostat. If the wire must be bent, a smooth turn should be made in the film to prevent future cable breakage.

After all the work on installing the sensor and the connected wires is completed, you can begin directly installing the thermostat. It is advisable to connect this device permanently, but it is also possible to install it using a socket.

As can be seen from practice, it is better to place the bulk of the wiring under the baseboard.

The principle of connecting a film heated floor thermostat is the same as that of other types of electric floors: on one side, a temperature sensor is connected to two contacts, on the opposite side, wires from the heated floor are attached, and electrical power wiring is inserted into two contacts located in the center. The ground wires are not connected to the contact, but are connected by a terminal.

System testing

Before starting work on fixing the laminate, it is necessary to test the underfloor heating system. A high-quality thermal film is indicated by the absence of sparking and overheating of individual areas.

If no defects are noticed, then the next step is to cover the heating floor with an additional thick layer of polyethylene film (at least 80 microns), which serves as protection against liquid getting on the heating system, and as a result reduces the wear of the thermal film during its operation. It is spread overlapping along the strips of heating film.

Laying the finishing coating

When laying laminate flooring, you should be extremely careful to avoid damaging the thermal film.

When choosing a laminate, it is important to pay attention to its labeling and the possibility of using it for installation on heated floors.

The laminate installation process is quite simple. Initially, the side edges of the panels are joined, then each new strip is connected to the previous one. The locks are easy to connect if you perform this process at a slight angle. If there are small gaps between the laminate boards, they can be eliminated with light blows from the side with a hammer. After installing the laminate, a plinth is attached across all areas of the room, in which holes are made at the places where the cables exit.

You cannot immediately connect the heated floor to electricity; you need to let it warm up to room temperature and just plug it into the power supply.

• It is worth remembering that installation work on installing film heated floors should be carried out at above-zero temperatures and at moderate humidity, no more than 60%.
• Before connecting the film floor to the network, you must carefully check the insulation of the contacts and in the places where the sheet is cut.
• Rolled thermal film cannot be connected to the network.
• If you puncture through a piece of thermal film coated with graphite coating, the puncture site should be insulated on both sides.
• Do not lay heated floors on a damp surface.
• If you accidentally flood a heated film floor through negligence, you should immediately turn off the electricity and then dry it naturally.
• Don't forget to sketch a diagram of your film floor, as practice shows, you may need this in the future.
• Do not walk on already finished heated floors in shoes.
• Do not wall up the heated floor temperature sensor; it should be easy to replace and monitor.

The “warm floor” system enjoys well-deserved popularity among domestic consumers. If just a few years ago the market was mainly presented with electrical and water systems that were difficult to install, now a new type of product has appeared that operates on infrared radiation.

IR floors are completely safe and can be laid under any type of finish. Manufacturers claim that laminate, parquet, solid boards, etc. can be laid on top. When working with wood, you must follow certain recommendations.

How should an infrared heated floor heat up?

Film infrared heated floors under laminate and natural parquet boards emit radiation. Due to this, it is not the surface of the flooring that is mainly heated, but the objects on it and the air in the room.

This has certain advantages: quick heating of the room, the ability to heat open spaces, etc. Some craftsmen take advantage of this and lay cork laminate and decking in open gazebos, additionally making a heating system using film floors.

Laying laminate flooring on an infrared heated floor has another advantage - the radiation is so soft that it has minimal negative impact on any wooden surface and wood-look material.

What power to choose a film floor

Installation of infrared film heated floors under laminate begins with the correct choice of material power. According to the manufacturer's recommendations, which is confirmed by practice, for rooms with a standard area of ​​100-150 m², you should purchase a film with a power of 150 W/m².

Often sellers convince you otherwise and offer to buy a floor with a performance of 220 W/m², but, as a rule, the statement that this is necessary is based only on the desire to sell the product that costs more.

Calculate the required amount of material, lay out the film, it is best to entrust it to professionals. Some companies use special computer programs that allow not only to calculate the required number of film floors, but also to print the correct layout.

The voltage of the film floor is indicated on the packaging with the material; the power consumption is also indicated there, allowing you to calculate the electricity consumption per day and for the heating season.

Which infrared underfloor heating is better for laminate and parquet?

It is possible to lay film heated floors under two types of laminate. Each of them has its own advantages and features.

1. Bimetallic– the device has two thin plates. The top layer is copper with additional additives, the bottom is an aluminum alloy.
2. Carbon - has a complex structure, consisting of a resistive element, the heating parts of which are connected in series and in parallel.

Practice shows that installing carbon infrared heated floors under parquet boards is more practical. As a rule, the carbon system warms the room better and produces softer radiation.

Sequence and features of installation and connection

It’s not at all difficult to lay an infrared warm film floor under a laminate with your own hands; you just need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and adhere to the recommendations of experienced builders.

The manufacturer has made the task as easy as possible, simplifying the installation process to a minimum. By the way, all experienced builders adhere to the “golden rule”: strictly follow the step-by-step technology for laying infrared heated floors under laminate, which is printed and issued along with the technical documentation.

In particular, it states:

• Warm infrared floors under laminate are laid strictly on a flat surface, and the base material practically does not matter, it is enough that it is dry and free of greasy stains.
• Before installation, it is necessary to draw up and put on paper a diagram for laying the film floor. This will avoid complications during the work process.
• The electric infrared floor is laid in such a way that after completion of the work there are no joints located one on top of the other (without overlap). The film is laid evenly, without gaps between the layers.
• The floor with infrared heating film is connected using copper wires to the thermostat. Separately, it is necessary to ground the IR floor. The regulator has special connectors for this purpose. You will also need to install a separate machine and RCD unit. The wiring diagram for infrared heated floors is also indicated in the operating instructions.
• Before laying the finishing coating, it is necessary to check the functionality of the infrared floor heating. To do this, apply voltage and check whether all parts of the film heat up. If one of the films does not heat up, the terminals are additionally sealed. The part of the film that still does not heat up is cut out and a new one is laid in its place.

The connection of the IR film floor is considered complete after all parts have been tested for functionality. Now you can begin installing your vinyl or commercial laminate, hardwood or plank flooring.

Which laminate to choose for infrared flooring

The efficiency of infrared heating is achieved not only by correct installation of the film, but also by the choice of finishing coating. Some owners claim that just a few years after installation, their laminate flooring dried out, their parquet floor began to creak, or joints appeared in the solid wood.

What will help you avoid making mistakes in choosing a material?

• IR floor heating has a certain effect on laminate flooring. There is a slight expansion and contraction of the structure under the influence of radiation. Household laminate is not suitable for installation under film floors.
  The optimal choice would be a commercial grade material with high wear resistance. It would be even better to lay parquet boards or solid wood. It is extremely important to comply with the requirements for proper installation of laminate flooring. It is necessary to calculate the scheme in such a way that after installation, the board closest to the wall is no shorter than 25 cm.
• Laying under a parquet board requires the use of mastic to glue the base and joints between the planks. As a result, a strong base is created that is not susceptible to cracking under the influence of temperatures. Therefore, the influence of warm film flooring on parquet is minimized.

Although IR floors are designed for the use of laminate, the manufacturer recommends using exclusively commercial-grade coatings, or opting for parquet or solid wood boards.

Rules for safe operation

Even simple calculations allow us to calculate that heating a house with an area of ​​100 m² will require approximately 15 kW. In this regard, it is extremely important to ensure the safety measures described in the SNUEP. The maximum floor temperature for film with a performance of 150 W is 45 ° C.

For safe operation, it is necessary to use only a wire of the required power and cross-section; the entire electrical system will need to be grounded. Otherwise, IR film is as safe as possible to use.

The energy consumption of the floor makes this type of heating one of the most expensive today. Therefore, most consumers use infrared heating as an auxiliary heating method.

By installing a heated floor under the laminate as the only or additional way to heat the room, you can significantly increase the degree of comfort compared to other options. To draw up a diagram of the placement of elements and install the entire system, you need to familiarize yourself with the specifics of the work being carried out. Do you agree?

We will tell you how to choose a floor covering that can work in tandem with a heating film system. Here you will learn how to correctly arrange the components of a heated floor and how to connect them correctly. Taking into account our advice, you will be able to independently complete all stages of difficult, but quite accessible work.

The quality of work and service life of a heated floor laid under laminated panels depends on the parameters of the purchased equipment and material, coupled with an understanding of the features of their combination.

To independently develop a layout for infrared stripes, it is necessary to take into account the physical features of such heating.

Parameters of infrared film floor

A film heater is a flexible, narrow sheet placed under the floor covering and containing a heating element. It converts electrical energy into infrared heat waves.

Heating of a laminate or other material occurs from below due to radiation hitting it. After heating the floor surface through its thickness, heat is released into the air of the heated room.

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The heating element of IR systems is carbon continuous or striped coating, covered on both sides with lavsan or polyurethane film. Current-carrying bimetallic busbars are installed along the edges of the canvases, transmitting energy to the heating element.

The thickness of this design varies from 0.2 to 2 mm, most often panels with a thickness of 0.3 to 0.5 mm are available for sale. Standard width sizes for one strip are 50, 60, 80 and 100 cm.

The ability to purchase infrared heated floors of varying widths by the meter allows you to implement almost any arrangement of heating strips

Any film can be cut to length in places specially designated and marked for this purpose. The cutting step size is approximately 20 cm, so you can easily obtain panels of the required length.

Having completed the preparation of the infrared strips for assembling the heated floor, we proceed to the main work:

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Placement of thermal film fragments

Thermal film strips are cut into pieces of the required size and laid with the copper strip down or up, depending on the manufacturer's instructions. They must be positioned in such a way that the electrical cable can be connected on only one side.

With a simple geometry of the infrared film laying scheme, it is connected to the electrical network on one side in order to reduce the total length of the wires

As a rule, heated floor heating strips are laid end-to-end under the laminate. However, for some models there is a minimum permissible distance between them, which is indicated in the instructions. This must be observed to avoid overheating of the system. In no case is it permissible to overlap strips of current-carrying busbars on top of each other.

Increasing the distance between the strips more than the minimum allowable will not cause the heated floor to malfunction. In this case, the heating of the laminate will be uneven, which will lead to the creation of warm and cold zones on the floor. However, such zones are practically not noticeable due to the small temperature difference and the existence of the heat dissipation effect.

Insulation and electrical connection

Typically, in addition to the thermal film, the package includes self-adhesive insulating bitumen (butyl rubber) tape and contact clamps for connecting the floor to the electrical network. Sometimes the set also includes wires with the cross-section necessary to pass a current of a given power.

Bituminous self-adhesive insulation covers those places where the copper-silver bus is cut and on the opposite side of the strip of its “open” contacts that will not be used when connecting to the electrical network. It is important to prevent air bubbles from forming between the insulation and the busbar.

The advantage of bitumen insulation is that when it is first connected to the electrical network, it heats up and, taking the shape of the protected connection, seals it as much as possible

A contact clip is installed at each point where the wires are connected to the copper bus so that one side of it goes inside the thermal film, and the other remains outside, on top of the copper strip. Then, using pliers, the clip is tightly crimped.

After this procedure, the strips of thermal film are fixed with tape to each other, and are also connected to heat-reflecting material to avoid shifting during subsequent work.

The stripped ends of the wires are connected to the clips using the crimp method. Each such place must be covered with bitumen insulation, applying it above and below the connection.

Connecting the thermostat and testing the system

The control device is rarely included in the package and must be purchased separately. Since high precision in adjusting the heating temperature of the laminate is required, it is necessary to use an electronic device rather than a mechanical one.

The floor temperature sensor is attached to the bottom of the film to the black strip of the heating element. This procedure can be performed using bitumen insulation.

Special cutouts are made in the heat-reflecting material for the temperature sensor, as well as places for installing clips and. This is necessary to maintain a smooth surface for laminate installation work. Having placed the sensor in the recess, it must be sealed with bitumen insulating tape.

The thickness of the heat-reflecting material is at least 3 mm, so the wires, clamps and temperature sensor placed in the cutouts do not create bumps, which is important for laying laminate flooring

The thermostat is mounted on the wall in a place most convenient for the apartment residents. The wires are connected according to the instructions for the device.

If the maximum power of the heated floor exceeds 2 kW, then the connection to the electrical network is made through a separate machine. For wet rooms, such as a bath or toilet, in the absence of grounding, it is necessary to include a residual current device in the electrical circuit.

Before laying the waterproofing layer and laminate, it is necessary to test the system. The testing temperature can be low, since the main goal is to check the connections of the wires with the elements of the infrared floor for the absence of sparking, as well as the fact that each fragment is heated.

Waterproofing and laminate flooring

A protective waterproofing coating in the form of a film is laid on top of the heated floor. Taking into account its insignificant thickness, which does not affect the surface topography, it is enough to cover only the heating elements with a small protrusion at the edges, equal to 10-20 cm.

The film strips are connected to each other using ordinary tape to avoid their shifting during subsequent installation of the laminate.

Since the thermal conductivity of the adhesive tape is not known, it is desirable that the places where it connects the film rolls and the joints of the heating strips, where there is no infrared radiation, coincide

Laminate floor panels are laid directly on top of the plastic film, without any additional backing. It is advisable to carry out these procedures in soft shoes, and also to observe other safety measures so as not to damage the waterproofing and heating elements.

Nuances of using infrared floors

It is necessary to sketch a plan for installing a heated floor under the laminate, including a diagram of the arrangement of strips and wiring. This will help prevent in the future the incorrect rearrangement of furniture and the creation of strong pressure on the surface in the places where the heated floor is installed.

It will also be necessary to eliminate the possibility of damage to the film or electrical wiring when installing interior items that require through fastening to the subfloor.

Having a detailed diagram of the location of the heating strips will allow you to determine a safe place for through drilling without removing the laminate. Carrying out such work at random can damage the heating system and get an electric shock.

Electronic thermostats are often equipped with two devices for measuring floor and air temperatures. When programming the system, it is impossible to use only the air sensor due to restrictions on heating the laminate.

There are two ways to correctly set the operating mode algorithm for a heated floor:

• Use only the floor sensor readings. For example, set the heating to turn on when the temperature is below 25 degrees, and turn it off when it reaches 29 degrees.
• Use the readings from both instruments. For example, set the heating to turn on when the room temperature is 23 degrees, and turn it off when either the air sensor readings reach 26 degrees or the floor sensor readings reach 30 degrees.

Breakage of the floor sensor leads to the need to replace it with dismantling part of the laminated panels, lifting the waterproofing film and the damaged heating panel. To avoid this time-consuming work, you can purchase an additional sensor, install it when installing the floor as a backup option, and route the wire from it to the thermostat.

Installing an infrared floor under laminate in a room with complex geometry. All stages of work are shown. Here is the breakdown of prices at the end of autumn 2016:

Installing infrared film under the laminate allows you to implement the most comfortable way for a person to heat a room “from the bottom up”.

Understanding the physical laws of the functioning of such a system and following the rules for its installation contributes to the correct choice of location and power of heating elements, as well as long-term and high-quality operation of the heated floor.

Would you like to tell us how you laid and connected an infrared film floor with your own hands? Do you have any questions while reading the information presented? Is there any useful information for us and site visitors? Please write comments in the block below.

We have already discussed with you where we used a thermomat and a heating cable. In the case of laminate and parquet boards, it is recommended to use a more modern and economical heater - IR film. The technology for laying a film coating is quite simple, and now detailed instructions for installing an electric heated floor under a laminate with your own hands will be provided to readers of ““.

Deciding on the type of heater

We recently looked at where we touched a little on the issue of using different heaters for tile and wood flooring.

In the case of wooden floors, the use of heating mats and cables is not recommended for the following reasons:

1. Electrical conductors can radiate heat unevenly, which can negatively impact wood flooring.
2. Heating with an electric cable (or mat) consumes more electricity, so in terms of cost savings, laying a heated film floor under a laminate, again, wins.
3. For infrared coating, the presence of a concrete screed is not mandatory, which cannot be said about alternative options.
4. The thickness of the film is less than a millimeter, which will allow you to maintain the height of the ceiling after installation work. In the case of an electrical conductor, the ceiling height can be reduced by up to 10 cm due to the screed.
5. Since laminate has low thermal conductivity, it is not recommended to use cable heating. This is due to the fact that the conductor first heats the screed, which transfers heat to the floor covering itself. As a result of such heat exchange, the efficiency is an order of magnitude lower than with infrared radiation, which immediately warms up all objects in the room.

It is for these reasons that film heated flooring is used under laminate and parquet boards.

We prepare all the necessary materials

At this stage, it is necessary to calculate the warm infrared floor under the laminate in order to determine the required quantity of all materials. The calculation part is quite simple, you just need to calculate the usable area of ​​the room and, taking into account the selected heater power, calculate its area.

So, in order to make it easier to perceive the information, let’s present everything point by point:

1. Determine the usable area of ​​the room. The material must be laid at a distance of at least 15 cm from the wall, and laying the film under heavy furniture and household appliances is prohibited. Based on these requirements, we create a diagram and determine the usable area.
2. Select the system power. As a rule, to heat a heated floor, a coating with a power of 150 W/m2 is used (if there is no central heating) and 90 W/m2 if the house has a heating system. You can also select intermediate values ​​based on your own application conditions.
3. We calculate the amount of film. To do this, multiply the usable area by the power you have chosen. For example, for a room of 15 m2 without central heating, you will need a heated floor with a power of 2250 W (15 * 150). We go to the store and buy a roll of the appropriate size.

You also need to additionally purchase insulation (preferably penofol), foil tape and polyvinyl foam film (this will protect the surface of the heater from mechanical damage).

When all materials have been calculated and purchased, you can proceed to the installation process.

We carry out installation work

The technology for laying film heated floors under laminate consists of several stages:

• surface preparation;
• thermal insulation of the base;
• flooring material;
• laminate finishing.

Please note that this technology is also used in the case of parquet boards, and installation is carried out according to a similar scheme!

Preparing the surface

At this stage, it is necessary to remove the old flooring finish, remove all debris and inspect the condition of the concrete screed. It is necessary that the surface is smooth, without chips or cracks. Otherwise, you will have to fill in a rough screed, which will remove all defects.

It should be noted right away that in rooms with high humidity (on an unheated loggia or in a bathhouse) laying infrared coating is strictly prohibited. If the humidity is low, you additionally need to take care of high-quality waterproofing of the ceiling!

We produce thermal insulation

In order for the heat to go up (into the room) and not down (to the lower floors or into the foundation), it is necessary to take care of high-quality insulation of the base under the heated film floor. For this, it is best to use penofol. The material is thin, so the height of the ceiling will not change noticeably after it is laid.

Since one of the sides of the penofol is self-adhesive, there should be no difficulties in insulation. The joints between the sheets must be sealed with foil tape.

Laying down the film

Now that the base is completely ready, you can safely begin laying the heated film floor under the laminate with your own hands.

According to the diagram, you must spread the material over the surface. If you need to cut a specific piece, do it in the appropriate places.

We note several requirements for laying electric heated floors under laminate:

• It is forbidden to lay sheets overlapping, only butt joints;
• the sheets should be positioned so that the contacts are directed towards the wall on which the thermostat is installed;
• the copper side should be down (adjacent to the base).

Next, install the thermostat in a suitable location. It is better to do this in a groove on the wall, next to the sockets (for convenient connection to the network).

After this, the film is connected to the thermostat using contact wires, which are clamped with special clamps.

It should also be noted that all places of clamping and independent cuts of the material must be insulated with bitumen insulation!

From the thermostat you need to remove a temperature sensor, which will be connected to the underside of the film covering. For this purpose, a special groove is created at the base, no more than 30 cm long. The sensor is placed in a protective corrugation and installed under the heater sheet. Be sure to place a layer of thermal insulation under the temperature sensor, otherwise a noticeable error may occur in the measurement accuracy, which will affect the efficiency of the system. You can connect a film heated floor under a laminate without a thermostat, but in this case, electricity consumption will increase, and temperature control will be completely absent.

When all contacts are connected and insulated, you can proceed to the control test. To do this, turn on the thermostat and check that the entire surface is heated evenly. It is also recommended to check the coating with a multimeter to ensure that the rated resistance matches the real one (the value should not exceed a difference of 10%).