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Infrared floors under laminate installation. Infrared heated floor under laminate: do-it-yourself installation step by step. Laying and switching of film infrared emitters

Now many as flooring choose laminate because it is quite beautiful, durable and easy to install. But this coating has several disadvantages, one of which is that it is very cold. That is why great solution This problem is the installation of infrared heated floors under the laminate.

What is infrared flooring?

Infrared heated floors are essentially a method of surface heating, which is carried out by increasing the temperature of heating elements with electricity. Infrared heater has special conductive strips that allow electricity to pass through and heat the surface. Electricity flows through the wiring and heats the floor evenly. It is precisely this system that causes complete sealing of the infrared floor and its resistance to high humidity air.

This design has a thermostat. With its help, you can independently change the temperature in the room and in its individual zones. Infrared heated floors are completely harmless to human health. It emits only negatively charged ions, thereby even having a positive effect.

Another feature of this floor is that it warms the entire room. This is due to the fact that a heat-reflecting lining is installed under it, which gradually heats the objects located on top. Thus, this device will heat the floor, not the ceiling of the neighbors if it is installed in an apartment. The infrared floor does not warm the air, so the heating is gradual and correct.

This design is perfect as a base for laying laminate precisely because it provides uniform heating of the surface, which is gentle on this coating. In addition, such a heated floor system is economical, reducing energy costs for such heating by 20%.

Laminate is an excellent covering for underfloor heating because it is quite thin and uniform. Thus, the heat is correctly distributed over the entire area of ​​the room. A warm floor does not concentrate radiation inside the laminate, but transmits it through. Warm floors under laminate allow you to maintain comfortable temperature indoors and makes moving around the house barefoot more enjoyable. This heating system provides owners ability to independently control comfortable temperature conditions in any room. In addition, laminate is perfectly suited to such a heat source, so an infrared heated floor system is indispensable in modern conditions.

Basically, these floors are powered by film heaters. They are transparent polyester sheets with parallel strips of carbon paste between them. When exposed to voltage, it emits infrared energy. The average width of such films is either 50 cm or 100 cm. The length may depend on the size of the room; the film can be easily cut along the cutting line. In other parts, cutting the coverings is prohibited.

Under laminate floors are most often used, the heating power of which is 150 W per square meter. Thus, heating will not exceed 40 degrees, this level will be acceptable for laminate. An infrared heated floor has a special sensor with a cable connected to it, which allows you to control the temperature.

Types, their advantages and disadvantages

Manufacturers now present two main infrared flooring systems. There are:

• film;
• core.

The first option is a model made from rolls of thin film, with heating elements in the form of strips. The second option is a set of carbon rods that are connected to each other using wires. The first type is very popular because it has a number of advantages and is easy to install. In this case, you will not have to carry out any additional or preparatory work. Anyone can cope with this task, even without the relevant skills or experience in this field. This heating system can be installed on any floor, regardless of its texture, and you don’t have to use a screed.

Another important advantage of infrared flooring is that it allows you to regulate the room temperature, creating a feeling of comfort. In addition, temperature changes can occur quite quickly.

If you suddenly decide to turn on and heat the floor, it will warm up in a matter of minutes, and the temperature in the room will noticeably increase. This is a clear advantage of infrared heated floors compared to other coatings.

An important advantage of this type of heated floor is that it does not harm the finishing floor coverings. That is why this type of heating system is most often used in combination with laminate. A big plus is the very principle of operation of the heating system. It does not warm up the air and does not allow it to rise upward. The system evenly distributes warm currents, and thus the air temperature below will be significantly higher than above.

Infrared radiation is a completely safe and even beneficial phenomenon. It does not affect the level of air humidity in any way, does not dry it out and makes being in the room more comfortable. In addition, many experts indicate that infrared floors have a healing effect and can prevent a number of diseases. Thus, they do not harm at all, but, on the contrary, help improve the conditions in the room.

An infrared film floor will allow you to optimally warm the room. This is one of the most economical ways heating This heater significantly reduces energy consumption. In addition, it allows you to provide a comfortable level of heating for your feet. Even if any part of the system fails, you do not have to replace the entire system. You can only replace a certain area and enjoy the warm floor.

Manufacturers guarantee a long service life of such heaters even if they operate uninterruptedly. These heating systems do not require special care, they are distinguished by their versatility, simplicity and functionality. That is why they are so widespread and extremely popular among buyers. But such a heating system also has several disadvantages. The first of them is the high cost of the heating system.

Not everyone can afford such a warm floor, especially if you purchase only high-quality, proven heating models. Besides, With improper installation or some mechanical influences, such floors can easily be damaged b and partially disable the system, and some heating elements will have to be replaced.

Many manufacturers also warn: there is a possibility of film heated floors catching fire. That is why it is very important to take into account the operating requirements set by manufacturers and carefully study all instructions. Another disadvantage is that not everyone can connect the necessary contacts correctly, this is especially true for models of the second type.

Some, especially very thin models, also require a flat surface for laying the floor, so you have to additionally level it and smooth out all defects. Another disadvantage is that energy savings can only be achieved if the floor warms the room to at least 21 degrees. In addition, this additional heating cannot replace the main one.

Some people also name other disadvantages of infrared flooring. Thus, buyers complain that its installation and installation is not as simple as manufacturers say. It is quite easy to calculate the size of the film and correctly lay it out on the floor surface, but connecting all the contacts is a very labor-intensive and complex process that only an electrician can handle.

Another disadvantage is the clear requirement for a perfectly flat and smooth surface. This is because In some cases, the film is very thin, so there is a possibility of contacts coming off or being damaged.

If the film is deformed, the heating system will fail.

Also, many manufacturers claim that infrared floors do not dry out the air. This statement is only true if they are used separately from common system heating, but together both systems dry the air and lower the humidity level in the room. Although manufacturers often mention the advantage of air ionization and health benefits, this radiation can still lead to allergic reactions. Therefore, the system is not hypoallergenic and may cause some problems.

During installation, it is important to pay attention to the air temperature and floor temperature sensors: they should not be covered. Failure to comply with this requirement can lead to unpleasant consequences - the system will malfunction and work incorrectly.

How to choose?

When choosing warm infrared floors for laminate, make sure that the floor surface is perfectly flat, otherwise the system will not work. Preference should be given to film infrared floor. This is due to the fact that the rod system creates certain difficulties during installation and requires a screed. It is not very suitable for laminate, but is acceptable.

Before choosing, you must make and take all measurements in the room and calculate how many rolls of film you need to buy. An infrared electric floor can be installed in any room, including on a balcony; the choice will depend only on the available space.

In this case, it is important not only to choose the right floor system itself, since in some cases it is identical, but also the laminate for the film-type heated floor. You can buy a sustainable one vinyl laminate. It is important to pay attention to the labeling.

The packaging should indicate that such a coating is suitable for installation on heated floors. A pack of laminate flooring must be marked accordingly, and some manufacturers even indicate the permissible heating temperature (the limit is 27 degrees). It is also important to consider the density of the laminate and its structure. It is better to give preference to models that have a looser structure, since they conduct heat better and warm the room well. A denser laminate, on the contrary, takes a very long time to warm up and practically does not give off heat.

When choosing, it is important to pay attention to the composition of the lamellas. So, if they are made using formaldehyde, which is typical for MDF models that form the base of the laminate, then when heated this component can release harmful substances. If such a laminate is heated to no more than 25 degrees, then the level of emissions is normal, but at higher temperatures their level increases. That is why it is better to give preference to E1 class laminate. It can be heated to 27 degrees without fear that harmful substances will be released.

Also pay attention to the price of the cover. Many people try to save on this material by purchasing cheaper slats, but in the case of heated floors this is wrong.

Cheap, low-quality lamellas quickly deteriorate, and therefore you have to re-cover the coating. Thus, by saving on it, you will subsequently spend even more.

Pay more attention to the substrate. Its choice is extremely important when installing a heated floor. It can equalize the pressure on the locks connecting the slats and reduce the load on them when walking. The substrate must be laid on the underfloor heating film. It also allows you to provide uniform heating. The film should also be chosen very responsibly and carefully. Only a certain underlay can be placed on a film floor. So, technical cork, extruded polystyrene foam, materials with reflective surfaces, and liquid composite systems are perfect for this.

Under no circumstances should you purchase a foil backing, as it is unacceptable for laminate and heated floors. It increases heat, increasing permissible level temperature.

How to install it yourself?

When installing an infrared floor with your own hands, you need to acquire some tools and comply with a number of requirements. So, you will need:

• substrate with heat-reflecting functions;
• infrared film;
• temperature sensors;
• temperature regulators;
• wiring;
• fastenings – clamps for installing infrared panels;
• insulators;
• polyethylene film protecting against moisture;
• insulating tape;
• knife, scissors;
• ruler;
• roulette;
• pencil.

To properly install laminate and make a heated floor, it is important to follow the technology and check all the components.

This system heating should be removed from other heat sources, such as a radiator, stove, fireplace and others. It is better if the distance is about half a meter. When installing, you should also consider the location of the furniture in the room. It is better if the warm film is placed only in those areas where furniture will not be placed; it is important to calculate this in advance.

During installation, it is necessary to provide the ability to control the functioning of the heated floor, additional access to the system to troubleshoot problems if they occur. Laying the laminate is very important. It must provide the necessary ventilation for the heated floor and the level of thermal conductivity. It is also necessary to take care about a perfectly flat floor base and get rid of all the bumps and cracks. In addition, you need to install sockets to connect the heated floor to the power supply.

After this, preparation and isolation can be carried out. Initially, you should clean the floor and remove all dirt and debris; even small specks can damage the film surface. To do this, it is better to use a vacuum cleaner. After this, you need to take measurements: floor area excluding floor areas where furniture will be located. Be sure to calculate the material correctly.

Under no circumstances should an infrared film floor be laid overlay. If such floors are not long or wide enough, it is better to leave a small distance than to put one film on top of another. After this, you need to install a special substrate that reflects heat. The underlay spreads over the entire floor area. It is much easier to shorten or trim.

Then you need to glue all the joints of this protective substrate on the outside, and correctly cut the infrared film based on the measurements taken. Moreover, it can be cut only in areas specially designated by the manufacturer. As a rule, they are marked with white frames. The film can be laid on the floor in the room around the entire perimeter if there is no large furniture standing directly on the floor.

If there is one, then it is better to bypass it. Then you need to insulate the busbars. Copper busbars must be glued with electrical adhesive tape, while twisting along the cut. Try to carry out complete insulation without the possibility of air entry. After this, you need to process the grounding bus. This is the element that is located in the center of each heating surface.

It must be bent on both sides without deforming the remaining sections. To insulate the film in other areas, you need to use electrical duct tape. It must be applied in such a way that the fold is on the wrong side. After this, you can insulate the film with tape. It is glued halfway across and folded over a section of the infrared fabric. After insulation and installation, you can proceed to connecting the thermostats and soldering all the wires.

So, it is better to align the film in the place of installation and secure the edge of the substrate with the side that will be opposite from the regulator temperature regime. Then you need to solder the wires connecting different areas film infrared floor. Having folded back the film in the part where the temperature regulator is installed, it needs to be folded inside out. You can temporarily secure it in this position with adhesive tape.

Then, using a heated soldering iron or a utility knife, you need to get rid of the insulation layer. You can also mark points to melt the insulation and then trim the cuts with a knife. After that it is important to make complete isolation. This can be done using electrical adhesive tape.

After this, they proceed to installing the floor temperature sensor. This device must be installed under the film in special recesses. Thermal sensors are installed in the warmest place of the infrared floor, which is the central part of the film. This way you can avoid overheating the entire floor. The temperature sensor has a wire to the thermostat. There it needs to be secured with special tape. Then you should strip the wires and connect them. After this, you need to connect the grounding bars, and it is important to strip them, trim them and connect them with a cable.

Outgoing wires should be placed in a corrugated pipe.

Then you need to fix the film. This can be done by securing it to the substrate using mounting tape. This way you can create a smooth surface and avoid different areas overlapping each other. Next, you can proceed to testing the film infrared heated floor and laying the laminate. Polyethylene film is laid on top of the floors. It allows you to protect the infrared floor from moisture.

The film should be laid overlapping the walls, and thickness polyethylene film must be at least 160 microns. Only after this can you proceed to laying the laminate, correctly fixing all the locking connections and ensuring the necessary ventilation during installation.

At self-installation You should also follow some rules. It is better to place the temperature controller approximately 20 cm above the floor in an accessible area. Also keep in mind that when laying, all outer film elements must have gaps near the walls. It is important not to press them tightly and to retreat approximately 30 cm from each wall.

When decorating the interior of a room where such warm laminate floors are installed, under no circumstances should you use carpets or other warm floor coverings. Thus, warm air will linger on the surface of the laminate and spoil its structure. The room will not be warm enough, but the coating will overheat.

In addition, if you lay a carpet in the place where the temperature controller is installed, the power relay will constantly turn off, and all heating of the room as a whole will be completely ineffective.

Flooring with laminated panels is chosen by most owners of city apartments and suburban buildings. This material is very practical. And quite affordable in terms of cost. In addition, a successful imitation of natural wood adds coziness and comfort to any room. Of course, laminate is less warm when compared with natural wood. However, this problem is easily solved by organizing a film-type floor heating system. About how to make a heated floor under a laminate and how much it costs this installation, the article will tell.

Laminated panels consist of 90% wood. During heating, the moisture content of the wood decreases. Therefore, many owners are interested in whether it is possible to lay a heated floor under a laminate, and if so, then under which one. This issue is especially relevant in families with young children. After all, kids love to run around the floor barefoot. And I really want to protect them from various diseases.

You can lay laminate flooring on a heated floor. The main thing is to observe certain conditions during installation. The choice of the type of heating structure is also important. So you can use infrared and cable heated floors under laminate, but which one is best remains to be figured out. Each of these types of floors has certain characteristics. But there are advantages that are common to all.

Benefits include:

• Uniform heating of the room.
• No dust circulation.
• Efficient operation of the system.
• Aesthetic appearance. Heating elements hidden under the floor covering, so they do not spoil the interior of the apartment.

A film-type heating structure is most suitable for laminate flooring. The product is a film. It's quite thin. The film contains conductive material in the form of stripes. The film is mounted on the substrate. Underlay for laminate under or electric floors is sold in any specialized store. The price of the product is quite affordable. No screed is required. Film flooring is very economical to use. Warming up is fast.

Film flooring has the following advantages:

Today on sale you can find laminate flooring with an already built-in infrared floor heating system. True, the price of such models is high. In view of this, not everyone can purchase the design. But before you put a heated floor under the laminate, you need to know what kind of material to use. After all, not all types of laminate tolerate contact with the heating system well. Manufacturers took this into account and developed special technology production of laminated coating. Such panels are ideal for any type of heated floors. You can find out which laminate to use by looking at the markings, which can be found either on the box or in the instructions for the product.

Installation features

To the question whether it is possible to lay laminate flooring on heated floors, the answer was given. But how to install the structure on your own, and is it possible? If you have a certain level of knowledge, minimum set tools, self installation– the task is quite feasible. But it is extremely important to follow a certain technology and adhere to the rules. It should be noted that installing heated floors under laminate does not require a concrete screed. And this makes the work much easier.

So, installation of a heated floor under a laminate is carried out as follows:

Thus, the work on installing a heated floor is simple and completely doable on your own.

Knowing how to lay a heated floor under a laminate, you can create an effective, quality system heat supply and at the same time save money.

To reduce temperature fluctuations to a minimum, it is advisable to equip the system with a thermostat. It should also be noted that when purchasing a heating structure, instructions must be supplied with the product. Therefore, having purchased a film heated floor under a laminate, the instructions should be carefully read before carrying out installation work.

Price overview

Today the choice is very diverse. On the market you can buy electric heated floors for laminate, both imported and domestic. Designing a heating system based on a heated floor in a cottage will cost approximately 13,000-20,000 rubles. The installation itself costs from 800 to 1000 rubles per square meter. If you need a heat meter, you will have to pay another 10,000 rubles.

The price of electric heated floors under laminate depends on the quality of the product and the manufacturer. So a square meter of infrared film from a good company will cost at least 1,200 rubles. Of course, if more budget options. For example, the price of laminate for a warm water floor made in China will cost less. But the quality of low-cost products will also be low. And quality is a very important parameter on which the reliability and durability of the heating structure depends. Therefore, saving is not recommended. It is advisable to buy products from well-known companies.

Today the Russian market offers manufacturing companies from South Korea, UK, Germany, USA, China. More than 90% of all products on the market are Korean products. Thus, ultra-thin heating films from RexVa, which are produced under the XiCA brand, are in good demand. The products of the Seggi Century corporation have also proven themselves well. The product is known under the Heat Plus brand. The systems of these companies differ high quality, reasonable price. Provide uniform and high-quality heating. As for the floors of English and American production, they are extremely rare. And, as a rule, these are Chinese fakes.

conclusions

Thus, heated floors today are chosen by the majority of owners planning to create effective system home heating.

The finishing coating can be used in different ways.

But most often consumers prefer laminate and linoleum. Many people are interested in whether it is possible to make a warm floor under a laminate, and whether this is harmful to the floor covering. In fact, it all depends on the type of heated floor chosen and the brand of laminate used. Installation of film flooring is quite simple. The work is made easier by the fact that no screed is required. Therefore, you can do the installation yourself, thus saving a lot of money.

Laminate, despite its external similarity to natural wood, differs in heat capacity for the worse. But if you put an infrared floor under the laminate, you won’t need additional heating. Is it possible to lay laminate flooring on an infrared floor? Is it safe, how to prevent overheating, because overheating can result in a fire.

Is it possible to install infrared flooring under laminate?

In terms of heat capacity, laminate significantly exceeds tile covering In addition, it has low thermal conductivity. But on laminated coverings too much high temperatures provide negative impact, so the floor should not be overheated.

If a water or electric heating system is installed under the lamellas, this will lead to an increase in the temperature of the heating elements and may lead to deformation of the coating. Temperature fluctuations are not desirable for laminate. In these systems this cannot be avoided and therefore it is better to abandon this idea. Plus, there will be a significant increase in payments for water and electricity.

When installing an infrared floor under a laminate, a uniform distribution of heat radiation throughout the volume of the coating is ensured and the room warms up very quickly. With proper installation, thermal radiation is not transferred to the rough base on which the film is placed, therefore, the heat will be used rationally.

Film flooring for laminate – The best decision for organizing warm coverings.

Laying technology under laminate

Before proceeding with installation, you should select the type of coating in advance, calculate its required volume, plan the location of the heating elements and develop general scheme systems.

Possible installation schemes

It is necessary to determine the placement points of the control unit and thermostat - this is where all the wires are connected. To lay and hide the cables, a groove is made in which the corrugated pipe is laid, or a surface arrangement is provided in a closed PVC box.

The sketch is drawn up taking into account the following requirements:

1. The infrared film under the laminate should be cut into elements of a smaller area only according to the cutting contours specified by the manufacturer.
2. To minimize the number of connections, the film should be laid along the room.
3. It is necessary to make a distance of 25-30 cm from stationary heaters and walls.
4. Heating parts should not be placed under massive furniture - this will cause the film to overheat, leading to excessive energy consumption or burnout.
5. A distance of at least 5 cm should be maintained between adjacent coating elements. Laying film elements on top of each other or intersecting is not allowed.
6. Covering the floor area up to 40-60% is considered sufficient to heat the room.

The figure must also indicate the cable connection diagram, which can be executed in one of two ways:

• connecting elements on one side;
• connecting zero and phase from different sides.

In the second case, the intersection of phase and zero is excluded. The operation requires attention during the installation process; a short circuit may occur as a result of an error.

It is equally important to decide in advance on the installation location temperature sensor– it is advisable that it be located in the coldest place of the room or in the middle of the carpet film covering. In this case, you should take into account the length of the “native” cable so that it is enough to connect to the corresponding thermostat unit.

When the diagram has been drawn up and verified, you can begin installing the film floor under the laminate.

Preparing the base

Let's consider the process of installing a film floor from the condition that rough coating already prepared for work in advance. It is pre-leveled, horizontality is checked, all irregularities are eliminated, and treated with special impregnations - dust-removing and strengthening.

Preparing the foundation includes several types of work:

1. Thorough cleaning, during which all existing debris is removed, the surface is vacuumed to remove even fine particles dust.
2. To avoid heating concrete screed, which is extremely irrational, a heat-reflecting material with a foil side with a thickness of 2 mm is laid on the rough coating. This material is laid with the foil facing up. Fastening to the floor is carried out using double-sided tape, the strips are laid joint to joint, connected using self-adhesive tape.
3. The thickness of the heat reflector is selected so that holes can be made in it for terminals, cables and a temperature sensor. Where the device is installed, the heated floor line should not be located above the film material so as not to interfere with the subsequent installation of the finishing coating.

Rules for laying film

Cutting and laying the film should be carried out in strict accordance with the existing scheme. Special precautions must be taken when cutting, laying and moving film. Accidental cuts or damage to radiating and conductive parts are not allowed. If this happens, the site is discarded and cannot be used.

The connection points along the cutting line will not be involved in the commutation; they should be immediately insulated with bitumen sealant tape.

Infrared film heaters should be placed so that the copper strip is at the bottom. You can glue the film to the thermal reflector with regular tape.

When installing, the contact clips are immersed into the cut so that one part of the terminal is inside and the other is below the surface of the film. Then the clip is crimped with pliers to ensure reliable contact.

Cable routing is also carried out according to the existing diagram. The ends of the wires are stripped and immersed in a pre-installed terminal, crimped with pliers.

Then a thermal sensor is installed, located under the film approximately in the center of the sheet so that its working surface is placed on the black iso-strip. The device is attached using bitumen tape, which also insulates all terminal connection points. The tape must be glued on top and bottom, this is how you can completely ensure the tightness of the assembly. The terminals with wires are placed in special recesses in the substrate and attached with tape.

Connecting the thermostat and checking operation

Each of the cables is brought to the installation site of the thermostatic unit.

Precautions:

• If the developed circuit provides its own connecting cable for each section of the floor, then twisting of the wires should not be allowed, as this can lead to a decrease in the reliability of contacts, overheating of the wires and sparking.
• In this case, it is recommended to use standard connecting devices, the reliability of which is beyond doubt, for example, “Wago” terminal blocks.

To connect electric heating It is recommended to invite a professional electrician who will be able to select a machine suitable for power and make the connection power cable to the control unit.

Connecting an IR heated floor to a regular 220 V household outlet is not allowed. For safety reasons, it is permissible to connect the system only through a special device that provides reliable protection- RCD.

After completing the connections of all wires and checking the quality of switching, the system is tested. If there are no complaints about the work, you can begin work on laying the laminate flooring - the finishing coating.

Laying laminate

A waterproofing layer is laid between the laid heating film and the laminate. As such a material, you can use thick PET film or the proprietary substrate supplied with the system.

Sections of insulating material are laid overlapping with an overlap of 15-20 cm, the connection lines are taped. Waterproofing is designed to ensure the safe functioning of the floor in the event of unforeseen circumstances, for example, a bucket of water spilling on the covering.

The technology for laying lamellas does not have any specific features; it is produced depending on the type lock connection and coating manufacturer's instructions.

Upon completion of laying the lamellas, you can turn on the system by setting the temperature on the regulator from 25 to 28 degrees.

How to choose a laminate for an infrared floor?

The thickness of laminate, which is considered a good thermal insulator, varies. Therefore, not all types of lamellas are compatible with the IR heating system.

When choosing a laminate of a suitable brand, you should pay attention to the following factors:

1. Marking. Material suitable for infrared heating is indicated by manufacturers with a special symbol. Also, the instructions for handling lamellas indicate permissible temperature heating, recommended type of heated floors.
2. Durability and wear resistance of laminate. For film heating systems, classes 32 and 33 are suitable.
3. Thermal resistance parameter. The higher this indicator, the greater the resistance of the material. For IR floors, you should choose a laminate with low parameters, low density and thickness. When laying lamellas that are too dense, too much energy will be spent on heating the coating, and the room will heat up slowly.
4. Connection method. The lamellas are connected in two ways - locking and glue. In our case, we should prefer a locking one, which can have drive-in locks or latch locks.
5. The permissible heating temperature for IR floors is 27°C.

Requirements are also imposed on the substrate, which levels out all the unevenness and roughness of the floor. It should be selected with a thickness of 1-3 mm and have high thermal insulation properties.

The “warm floor” system enjoys well-deserved popularity among domestic consumers. If just a few years ago the market featured mainly electrical and water systems that were difficult to install, now there is new type products operating on infrared radiation.

IR floors are completely safe, they can be laid to suit any type of finishing. Manufacturers claim that laminate, parquet, massive board etc. When working with wood, you must follow certain recommendations.

How should an infrared heated floor heat up?

Film infrared heated floors for laminate and natural parquet board 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 masters use this and lay cork laminate, terrace boards 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 right choice power of the material. 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 required amount material, laying out the film is best left to professionals. Some companies use special computer programs, allowing 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. Upper layer consists of copper with additional additives, a lower alloy of aluminum.
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, everyone experienced builders adhere to the “golden rule”, strictly, observe step-by-step technology installation of infrared heated floors under laminate, which is printed and issued along with 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 on top of each 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 correct installation film, but also 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 correct installation laminate 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.

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

The most reasonable option for arranging a heated floor, with
subsequent laying of the laminate is electrical, in particular infrared
film heated floor. Due to the fact that the principle of its operation is
radiation in infrared range As a result, heating occurs
surfaces of surrounding objects, rather than upward air convection. Therefore, IR floor
has proven itself well as a heating base for laminate flooring.

Laminate is moisture resistant, resistant to mechanical
damage-resistant material, with a reasonable price/quality ratio. Laminated
90% of the flooring consists of crushed wood, bound
various adhesives.

Many people install electric heated floors under laminate
raises doubts. After all, wood is distinguished by its ability to dry out when
high temperature, crack when it changes, and formaldehyde, which in
as a binding component it is part of the laminate board
intense release.

• uniform thermal radiation - makes it possible to warm up
  laminate over the entire surface;

• economical energy consumption. Allows you to save up to 30%
  means compared to other floor heating systems;

• there is no risk of damage to the integrity of the laminated coating,
  because there is no need to heat the system to high temperatures.
  Thanks to the use infrared radiation, first of all, warm up
  objects in the room, not the air;

• no need to perform “wet” work. Laying
  laminate does not require pouring a screed;

• the ability to use any type of substrate;

• availability. In large shopping pavilions There is
  demonstration models where you can clearly (visually and tactilely) evaluate
  operation of the system (available in large cities Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc.) or order in
  online store, based on specifications and owner reviews.

Laminate for film heated floors - which one is better to choose

Despite the fact that manufacturers and craftsmen
It is recommended to lay film heated floors under the laminate, do not discard
from the accounts and features of the laminate itself.

In particular, choosing a laminate for infrared heated floors
There are several factors you need to pay attention to:

• laminate marking. Most manufacturers quickly
  responded to changing market trends and included them in their product range
  laminate designed specifically for installation on heated floors. Is it possible
  use of laminate for heated floors will be indicated on the packaging
  (corresponding icon on the label). Moreover, some manufacturers indicate
  maximum heating temperature;

  Note. Maximum temperature to which it can be heated
  laminated floor – 27 °C.

• structure (density) of the laminate. From how “loose”
  The structure of the floor depends on the ability of the lamellas to conduct heat. The denser the laminate
  – the greater its thermal resistance value. On practice
  this means that the underfloor heating system will warm up the slats, not the surfaces
  surrounding objects;

• laminate thickness. All other things being equal, the thicker
  lamella, the slower it will transmit heat;

• formaldehyde content. This component is in
  composed of MDF, which serves as the basis for the laminate board. At a temperature of
  20-26 °C formaldehyde is released normally. That is, according to this
  Indicator, most sexes belong to class E1. However, when heated
  lamellas, the release of formaldehyde is activated, so you need to pay attention
  and for this indicator. It should also be taken into account that intensive release
  formaldehyde begins when heated above 27 ° C;

• laminate cost. Many reviews contain complaints not about
  operation of the warm floor system, and the need to re-lay the laminate due to
  attempts to save on material;

• substrate. Laminate installation technology provides
  use of substrate. Installing a backing will help relieve pressure on
  locking connection of strips from movement along the lamellas. Due to the fact that the substrate
  lays not under the floor film, but on it, the choice of film must be approached in the same way
  responsibly.

What kind of substrate can be used for laying on a warm
film floor

• technical jam;
• liquid composite system;
• extruded polystyrene foam;
• polystyrene backing;
• material with a reflective surface.

Note. Cannot be used as a substrate
foil material ( aluminium foil, pnofol).

Installation of infrared film heated floor under laminate
with your own hands

Laying technology involves performing several
successive steps.

1. Selecting a set of infrared film heated floors.
   Please note that each manufacturer has different components. For example,
   K-Technologies company (Russia, trademark Caleo), provides a choice
   several types of underfloor heating systems. Naturally depending on the configuration
   The price of the set depends. You can reduce the cost of a heated floor by assembling it yourself.

   Note. For autonomous heating (main source
   heating) you need to install a film floor on 70% of the room area. At
   additional – by 40%. It is taken into account that under furniture, heavy and low
   The film is not placed on items to prevent overheating.

2. Preparing a site for installing a thermostat. For
   for ease of use, the thermostat is installed at a height of 0.9-1 m.p. from
   floor height.
3. Preparing the base. Both film flooring and laminate
   put forward special conditions for surface quality. Floor differences are not allowed
   height above 3 mm, presence of interference on the floor (depressions, protruding parts),
   garbage.

   Note. When laying the infrared heated floor system above
   basement, ground or garage, you should lay a waterproofing film on
   prepared base.

4. Laying thermal insulation material . Insulation
   installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Joints
   The insulation should be taped with tape so that the strips do not move apart.
   Thermal insulation material is placed no closer than 100 mm. to the wall. Place
   The joint is glued with damper tape.
5. Cutting the heated floor films. Infrared heating
   It is permissible to cut the film only in the place intended for this purpose. cut
   The film is not along the cut line and is not suitable for use. Maximum length one
   strips should not exceed 8,000 mm.
6. Installation of underfloor heating film. To minimize the number
   cuts and connections, craftsmen advise laying strips of infrared film along
   the longer side of the room. The film is laid at a distance of 100-400 mm
   to walls and other bulky objects, the distance between adjacent stripes
   is 50-100 mm. Laying the film overlapping is unacceptable and will lead to
   overheating of a system segment. To prevent movement of the film, it is secured
   double-sided tape to the surface of the base. The adhesive tape is not laid in stripes, but
   in separate pieces to compensate for the thermal expansion of materials.
7. Contact insulation. If the contact is not involved in
   The system has a warm floor, it must be insulated with sealing tape (bitumen).
   To connect and connect the wires you need to make special clamps (terminals)
   for heated floors. The contact terminal is mounted in this way: one part of it
   is passed between the copper bus and the film, and the other is pressed against the film. All
   The design is fixed without pressure with pliers.
8. Connecting underfloor heating wires. To terminal
   the wire is connected and insulated. When installing the wire, please note that
   ensures high system performance parallel connection her
   elements. It means that Right side film is connected by wire to
   right side. For convenience, it is recommended to use a different colored wire.
9. Installing a heated floor temperature sensor. Masters
   It is recommended to place the sensor under the second strip of IR film closer to the middle. This
   will make it possible to obtain adequate information about the temperature in the system itself,
   and not on the floor surface. The sensor is glued to the underside of the film to
   black stripe on the film. To ensure that the laminate does not create additional
   load on the sensor, the device should be “sinked” into insulation.

   Note. The sensor wire can be laid on top of the insulation,
   Or you can cut holes in its thickness and place the sensor wire in the corrugation.
   So, if necessary, you can repair the wire or sensor.

10. Installing and connecting a heated floor to a thermostat.
    Wires from the heating film and sensor are connected to the thermostat
    temperature. The system is connected via an RCD.

    Note. The number of thermostats depends on the power
    systems. If the system is being installed over a large area, it is reasonable
    use several thermostats.

11. First switching on of the film heated floor (trial
    launch). The main indicators of system operation (voltage, speed and
    uniformity of heating, etc.).
12. Laying laminate flooring on a heated floor. Installation of laminate does not have
    specific features and is carried out in accordance with the type of lock and
    manufacturer's recommendations. Before you begin installation, you need to
    The laminate “got up to temperature.” To do this, he is left in the room for several
    days, and only then begin installation. It is important to know how to properly
    lay the underlayment under the laminate. The substrate is not placed under the heating
    film, and on it.

Installation of infrared film heated floor under laminate - video

To ensure that the process of starting the infrared heated floor system goes smoothly, it is recommended to gradually increase the floor temperature (by 3-4 °C per day) to the set value.

Tags: Floor Warm floor Laminate