Warm floors, represented by a variety of systems, are becoming increasingly popular among the general population. Currently, there is a large selection of underfloor heating from domestic manufacturers at affordable prices. In this regard, the question arises, which floor to choose for a particular room, which system to install in an apartment or private house. At the moment, there are two types of floors - electric and water, each of which has a large number of varieties and modifications.
How to choose a warm floor for tiles
The main property of ceramic tiles is its high thermal conductivity, so such flooring has traditionally been considered "cold." The situation has completely changed with the advent of underfloor heating, with the help of which the floor covering can be heated to any set temperature.
The choice of underfloor heating for ceramics depends on many factors. First of all, you need to decide what kind of heating they will be used for - primary or secondary. In the first case, the system occupies at least 70% of the total area, and the heating elements are located as close as possible to each other. The second option is applied without any restrictions, in various configurations, on any area. 
As a rule, additional heating is used more often, especially in corridors, bathrooms, kitchens and other places with tiled floors. This combination, consisting of traditional batteries and underfloor heating, is used not only in private houses, but also in apartments, as an addition to heating in winter.
When deciding what is the best underfloor heating tile to choose, it should be taken into account that the main options are water, electric, as well as infrared or film systems. In turn, electric floors can be cable or in the form of heating mats.
The most widespread are traditional water heated floors. Their main structural element is polypropylene pipes with a coolant, laid on the screed. Heating takes place through a centralized or individual heating system. The movement of the heated fluid is provided by a connected circulation pump.
The main advantages of water floors are their relatively inexpensive installation and low cost of energy involved in the heating process. Thanks to modern technology, such systems can be installed without screed. Instead, a polystyrene base with grooves or special heat distribution plates are used.
The disadvantages include the possibility of mechanical damage during installation. In addition, water systems are not recommended for use in apartments and connect them to central heating.
Electric heat-insulated floors shown in the drawings are no less popular:
- Cable systems. Their work is based on the use of a heating cable that converts electrical energy. The operating mode is set using the thermostat. The cable can be single or double core. These systems are more durable compared to water floors and require a minimum amount of electricity. The downside is the costly installation and significant floor thickness, reducing the overall height of the room.
- Heating mats. They are used much more often when you need to make a choice of a warm floor for tiles. The design consists of a thin cable glued into a reinforced mesh. The main advantage is the insignificant thickness, up to 3 mm, which does not affect the height of the room. Due to its light weight, there is no pressure on the base of the floor and overlap. In the event of a breakdown, it is not necessary to change the entire coating; it is enough to replace the defective element. Installation of the system is very easy, even by a layman. The downside is the high cost.
- Infrared systems of heat-insulated floors. Belong to the most modern types of heating and give the maximum effect. The production of infrared rays occurs due to the carbon or carbon paste contained in the film. This system is suitable for all types of flooring, easy and quick to install. When used in conjunction with tile, installation of a fiberglass mesh between adhesive and film is required for better adhesion. It should be noted that the infrared film itself has a fairly high cost.
How to choose a heated floor electric for tiles
Electric floors have proven themselves when used together with ceramic tiles.
All electric heated floors have indisputable advantages:
- They are silent and inconspicuous, they do not need boilers and pumps.
- These systems are reliable in operation, there is no danger of leaks.
- They evenly warm up the entire surrounding space, system control and temperature adjustment are quite easy and can be done using the remote control.
Cons are: increased energy consumption over large areas, the presence of electromagnetic radiation, although safe for humans. The main options for electric floors include infrared systems, heating mats and cables. These types of underfloor heating under the tile should be considered in more detail in order to choose the most optimal option.
Infrared film floor system It is made in the form of a thin polymer film into which heating elements are mounted. This option is considered the most efficient and economical since it requires minimal energy consumption. When used together with ceramic tiles, certain conditions and restrictions must be observed to avoid damage.
Film floors do not require cement screed, the installation of the film is carried out directly on the insulation located on the prepared surface. If necessary, the film is cut in certain places, which allows a more rational distribution of the film coating. Places of cuts are isolated with masking tape, with its help the film is fixed on the insulation. Rolled cloths should not overlap. After installation, it remains to place the temperature sensor and connect it to the thermostat.
Cable underfloor heating considered the best option. They are suitable for use in almost all rooms. Cable installation is done directly into the cable tie.
These systems have proven themselves in rooms with complex layouts. When creating a heating scheme, it is possible to take into account the presence of piers, furniture, uneven areas. Easy and simple installation makes it possible to carry out this operation independently, especially using a self-regulating cable that does not require a temperature regulator.
Thus, when deciding what kind of warm floor to choose for the tile, most people stop on the cable version. This system quickly warms up the surface, provides long-term heat storage after a power outage. Subject to all technical conditions, overheating of the cable is completely eliminated.
Heating mats. Made in the form of the thinnest fiberglass mesh, 3 mm thick, on which the cable is attached. Heating mats come for installation rolled up, which greatly facilitates their installation. Thanks to the use of glue for tiles, the floor surface can be used after 2-3 hours.
The heating area must be calculated in advance, since the mats cannot be cut without violating the integrity of the wiring. They are not recommended to be laid under furniture and stationary household appliances. When choosing mats, you need to consider which method of heating they will be used as - the main or additional. The larger the space to be heated, the higher the capacity of the underfloor heating system.
Installation of such systems is quite simple. Mats are rolled onto a prepared base and secured with tape. After installing the temperature sensor, all wires are connected. The tile adhesive is evenly distributed over the surface, and a ceramic coating is laid on it.
One of the criteria for choosing electric underfloor heating is a power indicator. The choice primarily depends on the purpose of the ceramic coating and the characteristics of the room. For additional heating of a dry heated room, 100-120 W / m2 is enough. In a room with high humidity, 150 W / m2 is required. In the case of using electric underfloor heating as the main heating system, power indicators should be even greater.
Film underfloor heating which one to choose
Quite often, the owners face the problem of choosing warm infrared floors. To make the right decision, you need to know the main advantages of these systems. First of all, the physical properties of the infrared wave, the length of which is on average 5-25 microns, are taken into account. It carries out only heating of surfaces, and does not affect air in the surrounding space. As a result, the indoor microclimate is maintained at an optimum level without any humidifiers.
The surface of the floor, heated immediately over the entire area, evenly distributes the temperature throughout the room, without dividing it into hot and cold zones. The action time is very short - the heating effect occurs within a few minutes after turning on the system. Air temperature has the same value at all levels.
These installations are compact, therefore, after installation, the floor level rises no higher than 3 cm. Film floors are much more economical compared to other systems, since they consume 20% less energy.
Nevertheless, despite the obvious advantages, infrared floors have certain disadvantages. For example, installation of structures is not so simple as it is described in advertising. When working with contacts, you need to pay attention and caution, as improper installation and connection can cause unexpected expenses. There are restrictions on the choice of furniture and the placement of the film itself on the surface.
The infrared film can be carbon and bimetal, depending on the components used in the construction:
- In the first embodiment, a carbon paste in the form of carbon fiber is used. This material is sealed in two layers of mylar film. In some versions, carbon fiber is coated with graphite. This system is used with any floor coverings, including tiles and porcelain tiles.
- In bimetallic construction, thin copper and aluminum plates are used, located between the flexible polyurethane film. This option is good for all flooring except tile.
Types and arrangement of electric floor heating
Electric underfloor heating, depending on the type of heating element, is divided into 2 types: convection heated floor and infrared floor heating .
Convection Electric Underfloor Heating - this is a system where heating is performed in a heating element (cable), which already through physical contact transfers heat to the floor surface and beyond. Convection type of electric floors includes everything cable systemswhich includes and thin heating mats.
The heating cable (diameter 5-8 mm) consists of one or two current-carrying conductors (single-core or two-core shielded), internal insulation and an outer sheath. Such a warm floor is mounted in a screed with a thickness of 3 to 5 cm. It is recommended to use an electric heating cable for ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, natural stone, self-leveling floor, laminate, parquet board, pvc tile, linoleum, carpet, which actually makes a “cable in screed” universal system for comfortable heating or full heating.
Heating mats can be of two types: convection and infrared. And if infrared underfloor heating is an innovative heating system for rooms, convection mats are the same heating cable, but thinner (cable diameter 2.5-4 mm) and mounted on a mesh base with the desired distance between the turns of the cable. Thin mats are placed in a smaller thickness of the screed, in total up to 5-10 mm, or directly in the layer of tile glue. Such installation does not increase the planned floor height, and the mesh base makes installation more convenient.
Infrared Electric Underfloor Heating - This is a thin film consisting of heating infrared elements that transmit heat not to air, but to objects located in the room, including the floor itself. Today, the infrared floor for dry installation is one of the most economical, environmentally friendly and easy to install solutions for heating rooms.
Its installation is the simplest of the possible options - an infrared film is laid with the necessary lengths of strips on a thin reflective thermal insulation, and a floor covering is laid on top of it. The absence of a laborious screed process or any other solution also allows installing infrared floors not only on a horizontal plane, but also on a vertical and ceiling one. The film warm floor due to the self-regulation function is not afraid of locking furniture.
Read more about the benefits, types, manufacturers and configuration of infrared warm floors in our article.
How to choose an electric floor heating
Each owner knows the cold places of his house, which lack comfort and warmth. That is why the decision to install an electric floor heating in a room comes before the start of the repair. Whether it is underfloor heating in the bathroom, kitchen, room or on the balcony, it is worth considering many points when choosing the electric underfloor heating that suits you.
1. Flooring . One of the main factors when choosing an electric warm floor is the type of flooring. First of all, it is worth finding out its compatibility with the underfloor heating you need. You can check this information with store managers or find it on the product packaging. Earlier we talked about how to choose the right electric underfloor heating for laminate and underfloor heating for tiles.
2. Main heating source or additional . If the underfloor heating remains the only source of heating in the room, then you should pay attention to the floors with more power. Almost all versions of an electric heated floor, including infrared warm floor, are suitable as additional heating.
3. Underfloor heating power . Not only a comfortable temperature in a heated room depends on it, but also the energy consumption of the system, which determines the cost of its operation.
4. Electric floor heating manufacturer . The price of the product, the performance of the system, and warranty service will depend on the manufacturer of underfloor heating. It should be remembered that it will be extremely difficult to replace the underfloor heating system, so it is important to immediately make the right choice. You can read about the advantages of the brands of electric underfloor heating and thermostats presented in our chain of stores in this article.
Heating cable
The heating cable looks casual and uninteresting: a long, solid wire, which the builders (or the handy owner) have to independently, while maintaining a certain step, lay the snake on the surface in need of heating. The scope is the widest - from floors in bathrooms to the roof of cottages, in order to avoid the appearance of icicles, or sidewalks, so that they are not covered with ice crust or snowdrifts.
True, there are also features. A twin-core cable consists of two parts: cold and hot wires. The first is intended for the most advantageous installation of the system: the cold part is 2-3 m long and allows you to go to the desired location without heating the unnecessary areas (the wall where the regulator is mounted, and, for example, the floor on which the cabinet is mounted).
The hot wire, as the name implies, warms in full force what is entrusted to it.
What is a warm floor
Underfloor heating is a heating system in which conventional radiators are not needed. The heating element may be an electric cable or water circulating through the pipes. They are located throughout the floor area and evenly warm the room.
Left convective air heating, right - thermal radiation / pol-exp.com
Heating is due to radiation, not convection. Heat is distributed from the bottom up, which further increases the efficiency of heating. The hottest thing is at floor level, the coldest - under the ceiling. This allows you to reduce the temperature in the room by 2 ° C, and the person does not change the feeling of warmth. Even such a slight decrease saves energy by 12%.
How the underfloor heating system works
Depending on the technology used, the device of underfloor heating is somewhat different, but in general all types have a similar multilayer construction. A thermal insulation layer is placed on the ceiling or base, and heating elements are installed on it. Then, if necessary, a cement screed is arranged and a finishing floor covering is already laid on top.
Cable floor heating device / my-kvartira.com
Heating control in warm water floors is carried out through the mixing unit. In electric, a temperature regulator is used for this, to which a temperature sensor located inside the floor is connected.
1. Water floor heating
remontnik.org
The water heated floor is based on a closed pipe loop with a circulating coolant, which is heated from the boiler and enters the system through a mixing unit. Due to the requirements for adjusting the flow and the temperature of the coolant, this option is suitable exclusively for private houses or apartments with individual heating.
Such floors are usually installed at the initial stage of construction. The base is waterproofed and covered with a layer of insulation, and then pipes are mounted on it, which are connected to the manifold cabinet and poured with concrete. Next, a finishing coating is laid on top of the screed.
Pros:
- The lowest operating costs.
- The most uniform heating over the entire area.
- Heating of the heat carrier is possible from different sources.
Minuses:
- High cost of equipment compared to electric underfloor heating.
- Constructive complexity and the complexity of installation.
2. Cable floor heating
best-electro.ru
The cable heating system is much like a water heating system. The only difference is that instead of pipes with a coolant, a heating cable is laid in the floor array. It is powered from the mains and controlled by a temperature controller that reads the temperature sensor inside the structure.
This type is mounted during the overhaul, as a concrete screed is needed. Thermal insulation is laid on the ceiling, a cable is laid out on top of it, then a cable tie with a thickness of 3-5 cm is poured and a decorative coating is mounted.
All electric floors, unlike water floors, do not have a self-regulation function and can be damaged by overheating. They cannot be laid under sliding wardrobes, kitchens and other furniture without legs. Therefore, the arrangement of elements of the situation must be thought out in advance and not changed.
An exception is the so-called smart systems, which are able to reduce power with increasing temperature of the heating element. However, they are much more expensive.
Pros:
- Low price.
- Ability to use in the apartment.
- Electrical connection without additional equipment.
Minuses:
- The relative complexity and complexity of installation.
- High power consumption.
- Do not lay under furniture without legs.
3. Thermomats
termoradosti.com
In fact, thermomats are a variation of a cable floor heating. Here, the same cable is used as a heating element, only of a much smaller cross section and pre-mounted on a polymer mesh with large cells.
Often this type is chosen when finishing the floor with ceramic materials. Due to the thickness of less than 3 mm, thermostats are easily placed between the finished screed and tile, occupying the space inside the layer of tile adhesive. On sale there are thermometers with different cable laying steps, designed for a specific power.
Pros:
- Easy installation.
- Quick warm up.
- Does not affect floor thickness.
Minuses:
- High energy consumption.
- Do not lay under furniture without legs.
4. Film underfloor heating
trans-mix.ru
Film is another type of electric underfloor heating. Structurally, it is a conductive element that is laminated between two insulating layers of polymer.
Installation of such a system is carried out on a heat-reflecting substrate. A warm floor is laid on top, and then a protective film. If linoleum or carpet is planned, an intermediate layer of plywood is mounted. A laminate can be laid immediately on the film.
Pros:
- Easy installation.
- Almost no effect on the thickness of the floor.
- Energy efficient than cable flooring and thermostats.
Minuses:
- Do not lay under furniture without legs.
- Not suitable for wet rooms.
- Easy to damage during installation.
Which floor to choose
In many ways, the choice of underfloor heating technology depends on the planned finish. It is important to take into account the specifics of the room, the presence and material of the rough floor, as well as the possibility of arranging the screed. Well, you need to decide whether you want to replace the heating system or just supplement it.
- Water floor heating - Ideal for a country house, even as the main heating. It will help to save on bills. You can install in all rooms and use any coating, but you need to install it at the initial stages of construction or repair.
- Cable floor heating - An alternative to a heated water floor for apartments, although it can be installed in private homes. Use in the form of heating is possible, but costly. Suitable for any room, requires pouring screeds. The best coating is tile, to a lesser extent a special laminate and linoleum are suitable.
- Thermomats - an option for cases when it is impossible to make a screed. Otherwise, the same is true for them as for cable underfloor heating.
- Film underfloor heating - the easiest to implement view. Suitable for comfortable heating, but not heating. Compatible with all types of coatings with high thermal conductivity and small thickness: laminate, linoleum, carpet.
How to mount a water floor heating
- Install the manifold cabinet and place the mixing unit with pump in it. Choose a place in the center of the house to reduce the length of the supply pipes of the individual underfloor heating circuits.
- Connect the main pipeline from the boiler to the cabinet. If you plan to install control automation, also lay the electric cable.
- Prepare a rough surface. Level out all differences of more than 5 mm, remove dust and cover the base with plastic wrap or other waterproofing.
- Install damper tape around the walls to separate them from the floor plate and compensate for thermal expansion. The tape should be above the finish and trimmed after installation.
- Lay polystyrene foam on the base, and on top of it mats with bosses or a grid for fastening pipes. Lay out the pipes in increments according to calculations. It is preferable to lay according to the "snail" scheme, so that the supply and return pipes are nearby for uniform heat transfer.
- Connect the pipe ends of each circuit to the distribution manifold. If necessary, install servos to adjust the temperature using a room thermostat.
- Turn off the taps in front of the mixing unit and check the installed system for leaks at 6 bar.
- Without bleeding, fill the concrete screed with a thickness of at least 3 cm from the top edge of the pipes. Wait 28 days until fully hardened.
- Install a decorative flooring compatible with underfloor heating.
How to install cable floor heating
- Check the cable resistance with a multimeter and make sure that it matches the rated value.
- Make a laying diagram, marking the location of furniture without legs and large equipment, as well as indentation from the walls by 5-10 cm. The wire does not fit into these places! Count the resulting area and make sure that the selected cable is designed for it.
- Install the mounting box for the thermostat and insert the power cable into it. Make a stub for laying the temperature sensor at a distance of 50 cm from the wall.
- Prepare and clean the rough surface. If the underfloor heating is used for heating, lay polystyrene foam on the base of the slab. If only for heating - a heat-insulating film. Glue the damper tape around the perimeter of the walls.
- Attach a mesh or mounting tape to secure the cable and lay it out with a snake. A single-core wire is inserted into the installation box with two ends, a two-wire one.
- Insert the thermal sensor into the corrugation, put on a cap and lay it in the prepared stub.
- Install the thermostat and connect power and a heating cable to it according to the diagram in the instructions. Turn on the system for a couple of minutes and make sure that it heats up.
- Turn off the power and pour a cement-sand mortar screed with a thickness of 3-5 cm. Wait until the concrete has hardened within 28 days.
- Install a finish that is compatible with underfloor heating.
How to mount thermostats
- Draw a laying pattern, excluding the space where the furniture and large equipment that fit snugly against the floor are. Provide 5-10 cm indentation from the walls. Depending on the resulting area, select a thermomat of suitable power.
- Mount the box for the thermostat and run the power cable to it. Cut the bar for the temperature sensor wire.
- Clean the surface of the floor and prime the surface. Mark the heated area for laying mats. 5-10 cm away from walls and stationary furniture.
- Starting from the wall with thermostat, lay the heating mats with the cable down and the net up. To fit the shape of the room, the mesh can be cut. It is impossible to violate the integrity of the cable and overlap the mats!
- Insert the thermal sensor into the corrugation, put on a cap on it and lay it in the prepared wall at a distance of 50 cm from the wall.
- Check the cable resistance and compare with the passport. Install the thermostat, connect the power and the mat wires to it in accordance with the circuit supplied with the device.
- Take a test run of the underfloor heating for a short time and check if the system heats up.
- Draw a ready-made scheme for laying mats and sign all the elements. This will be needed for warranty and service.
- Lay the tiles. Apply glue with a notched trowel to the grid of mats. A layer with a thickness of 8-10 mm should completely cover the surface without air cavities. Be careful not to damage the heating cable.
- You can turn on the warm floor only after the glue has completely dried.
How to install a film underfloor heating
- Think over the layout and draw up a drawing, noting the location of furniture and large household appliances without legs. Provide 5-10 cm indent from walls. Material does not fit into this space. Calculate the required amount of film and its power, depending on the resulting area.
- Fix the mounting box under the thermostat and route the power cable to it. Make a line for the temperature sensor wire.
- Prepare the base: align all differences over 3 mm to 1 m, clean and prime the surface. Lay on top a heat-reflecting substrate with a laminated base and secure with double-sided tape. Do not use foil materials!
- Divide the heating film into strips of the desired length, focusing on the marked cut lines. Indent 5-10 cm from walls and stationary furniture. The film must not be overlapped! Place it back to back or leave 1-2 cm between strips depending on the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Mount the contacts: insert one end between the layers of the film, and the other on top of the copper bus, squeeze them with pliers. Connect the wires to the terminals and gently but firmly crimp them. Connect all the segments of the film together according to the diagram in the instructions. Insulate the contacts and ends of the copper busbar with the bitumen tape supplied.
- Install the thermostat, connect the power cables and wires from the film. Glue the temperature sensor on the bottom of the thermal film with tape to the heating strip. Lay the wire from the sensor in a layer of heat-reflecting substrate and connect it to the thermostat.
- For 2-3 minutes, start the system and make sure that all areas of the film are heated.
- Lay the topcoat. Under the laminate, it is necessary to lay polyethylene. For linoleum or carpet, a protective layer of plywood or fiberboard should be placed on top of the film. During installation, be extremely careful not to damage the film with fasteners.
The best electric floor heating in the form of an infrared film Caleo PLATINUM 230-0.5 345W
- heating area - 1.5 sq. m
- power consumption - 345 W,
- rated voltage - 230V,
- anti-spark mesh.
The rating of infrared heat-insulated floors opens the most economical floor of Caleo company. Autonomously adjusts power, reducing power consumption. It is mounted quickly, without concrete screed and the use of an adhesive base. Thin, can be laid under tiles, laminate and carpet.
From above it is allowed to install furniture and other household items. Heats up due to infrared radiation, ionizes and does not dry air. Significantly more economical than cable. The best electric underfloor heating in its price category.
It is recommended for all who are looking for reliable, versatile and economical elements for laying a warm floor.
Best heating mat Electrolux EMSM 2-150-6
- heating area - 6 square meters. m
- power - 984 W,
- overheat protection,
- refractory,
- shielded.
A very thin stretchable electric mat is able to increase in size by 40% due to the plastic base. Due to this unique property, it entered the rating of heating mats and took a leading position. It is laid under the tile and any floor coverings, even made of wood.
A flexible design can be of various shapes - from rectangular to diamond-shaped. Option for non-standard layout rooms. The model is based on a filament made of aramid. High strength material, reliable and resistant to high temperatures. The power consumption of the mat is 984 W, the heating area is 6 square meters. m. Assumes installation on a concrete screed.
Perfect if you are in search of a decent model for warming your kitchen, balcony or bedroom.
Minuses:
Best heating mat Electrolux EMSM 2-150-6
- heating area - 6 square meters. m
- power - 984 W,
- overheat protection,
- refractory,
- shielded.
A very thin stretchable electric mat is able to increase in size by 40% due to the plastic base. Due to this unique property, it entered the rating of heating mats and took a leading position. It is laid under the tile and any floor coverings, even made of wood.
A flexible design can be of various shapes - from rectangular to diamond-shaped. Option for non-standard layout rooms. The model is based on a filament made of aramid. High strength material, reliable and resistant to high temperatures. The power consumption of the mat is 984 W, the heating area is 6 square meters. m. Assumes installation on a concrete screed.
Perfect if you are in search of a decent model for warming your kitchen, balcony or bedroom.
Reviews
Users like ease of installation, safety and quick heating. Among the shortcomings, the absence of a temperature controller in the kit was noted.
Pros:
- the possibility of stretching,
- stacked under different coatings,
- thin base
- good insulation
- durability.
Minuses:
- no temperature controller included.
The best heating cable for underfloor heating Electrolux ETC 2-17-600
- two-core heating cable,
- heating area - 5 square meters. m
- reduced power - 600 W,
- shielded
- cable length - 35 m.
The cable underfloor heating is made of two heating veins of aramid thread. Quickly heats the working area. It is installed in a concrete screed. The frame is equipped with a protective three-layer clutch that connects the heating part to the power supply.
Thanks to the three layers of insulation, depressurization and mechanical damage to the working elements are excluded. When installing the structure, you can bend the cable without fear. The length of the cores is greater than the length of the wires - the system adapts to any degree of bending.
Suitable if you are looking for a durable, strong and profitable underfloor heating for living quarters.
