Underfloor heating under laminate - which one to choose and how to make. Which warm floor is better for a laminate: three possible options Is it possible to lay a warm floor under a laminate

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

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

The optimal solution for combining the coating with heating

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

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

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

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

The benefits of this combination

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

How to lay a water heated floor

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

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

It is necessary to have:

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

Detailed description of the laying process

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

Choosing a styling technology

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

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

Often, several schemes for laying heating elements are used:

• snail;
• snake;
• corner snake;
• double snake.

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

Carrying out work

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

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

Results

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

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

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

Is it possible to make underfloor heating under the laminate? The question of home heating and health hazards

Question: Good afternoon. I want to lay a laminate (special for underfloor heating) as a topcoat on a warm water floor. Please clarify whether in this case a warm floor can heat a room instead of radiators (like a ceramic tile floor). If so, what will be the heat loss. Is it true that in this case, when heated, toxic substances are released from the laminate and that the laminate will quickly become unusable - it will dry out.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Sincerely, Evgeny (Anapa).

Hello! First of all, a warm water floor should maintain the temperature in the room, and not be warm for the feet. The temperature of the coating should not exceed 28 degrees (both from below and on its surface). Since our body temperature is 36.6, the floor will be perceived by us as a slightly cool surface.

The choice of laminate under a warm water floor

The laminate must be specially designed for underfloor heating, with a density above 900 kg/m3. Now it is almost any laminate with a thickness of 7 mm, with a special sign.

Look for special designations for heated use on the box
For a warm floor, the laminate must be of high quality, and this does not depend on its thickness, and not always on the price. Most of the thick laminate in Russia over 12 mm are made in China, and this thickness is made due to the low density of the board. Since it is very loose and absorbs moisture well, you can often see locks soaked in wax. Even to the touch, Chinese and European laminates are different - the locks of Quick-step or Allok are much stronger, and Chinese ones can be broken with a finger.

Both laminate and some parquet are afraid not so much of a rise in temperature as of low humidity. The seams may come apart due to the fact that it dries out under the influence of low humidity. By the way, at low humidity, the laminate can still often be hit by static current.

The optimal air humidity according to the technology, both during installation and during the operation of the laminate, should be in the range of 30-60%. If there is less, it may dry out, and more - swelling.

If you look at GOST 30494-96 “Residential and public buildings. Indoor microclimate parameters”, then the humidity should be at least 30-45%, while the range of 40-60% is considered the best option.

Therefore, it is imperative to leave gaps of 1.5-2 cm around the perimeter of walls, pipes, at doors, and so on, so that it does not swell during changes in humidity. At the same time, keep in mind that most skirting boards do not close gaps of more than 2 centimeters, this is important, especially if your wall comes across a curve. The maximum length/width of the cover must not exceed 13 m.

Is laminate harmful?

As for the release of substances, it is true that phenol-formaldehydes are used in the composition of the laminate to form the HDF base, which can release free radicals when heated excessively. In addition, to give strength, it is treated with melamine impregnation, which, when heated, can release harmful impurities into the air.

Formaldehyde begins to be released at temperatures above 32 degrees, so if you do not exceed the optimal temperature of the laminate, then there will be nothing to worry about. Such a laminate will be no more harmful than chipboard furniture.

There are some very low formaldehyde laminates such as ELESGO.

Heating with underfloor heating

As the main heating, a warm floor under a laminate without radiators is not suitable, since the laminate and the substrate are a poor conductor of heat, and it cannot be heated much. As a result, there will be a strong waste of energy, or the release of harmful substances.

Of course, in order not to heat the ceiling to the neighbors, you can fill the floor with heat-insulating material, such as foam concrete (0.3 W / mK), but this will not be an appropriate solution.

The substrate should be no more than 3 mm, so the floor must be very even. For warm floors there is a special substrate, for example Arbiton IZO-FLOOR THERMO. It is rigid, so the laminate will not play on the locks, and at the same time it is only 1.6 mm thick, and the thermal resistance is 0.06 m² * K / W.

You can also use the standard Quick-Step Uniclic 2 in 1 (3 mm) laminate underlay, its thermal resistance is 0.049 m²*K/W.

If you decide to take another substrate, look not only at its thermal resistance, but also at its thickness. To understand which one is better, you need to divide the thickness by thermal resistance. The smaller this value, the better it will transfer heat.

According to the European standard EN 4725, the maximum value of the thermal resistance of the substrate and the laminate in the sum should not exceed 0.15 m2K / W. In the table you can see these values ​​for Quick-Step floors (with underlay).

Laying technology

In order for the heating to be uniform, the distance between the pipes should not exceed 30 cm. The installation depth is chosen by the installer himself.

Before laying the floor covering, it is necessary to dry the floor to its full depth. The maximum allowable humidity for a cement floor is 1.5%, and for an antihydrite-based screed - 0.3%. This is especially important to determine if you have a new building.

Heating must be connected a couple of weeks before laying the floor, or 3 weeks after pouring the screed (maximum 5 degrees per day).

• It is necessary to bring the heating power to half in 2 weeks.
• Over the last 2 days, you need to bring the heating power to 100%.

If you have a new floor screed, then you should seek the advice of an installer, otherwise it may dry out too quickly and cause cracks.

You can see how the laying of a warm floor under a laminate is done on the video:

Exploitation

• Turn off the heating completely and wait until the floor cools down to 18 degrees.
• Once styling is complete, gradually turn on the heat at 5°C per day.
• The maximum contact temperature should not exceed 28 degrees. The hot water temperature must not exceed 50 °C.
• During the end or start of heating, you need to change the temperature regime gradually. This is done with a bypass valve.
• As with any wooden flooring, you need to observe the humidity of the air, and try not to drop it below 50%. If necessary, you can use humidifiers.
• Avoid heat buildup due to carpets or under furniture with small legs.
• During the heating season, gaps may form at the joints.

Conclusion

Tiles under a tree Laminate with a heat-insulated floor needs to be laid as an additional source of heating, or at all to replace it with a tile/porcelain stoneware. Moreover, now you can pick up a tile even under a tree.

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A comfortable and energy-efficient home is, to a certain extent, the right combination of modern technologies and materials. In particular, consider a type of floor heating - electric floor heating and a deservedly popular flooring - laminate.

To what extent are these materials compatible? What kind of electric underfloor heating system can be used under a laminate, and what is the best material to purchase in order to ensure the longest possible life of the entire system.

Before considering the technology of laying an electric underfloor heating under a laminate, let's focus on two key aspects:

• Firstly, is it possible to make an electric floor heating under the laminate. If so, which system is better to give preference to;

• secondly, what to look for when choosing a laminate and other components of a laminate floor.

Which electric underfloor heating is better for laminate

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

1.Cable floor heating

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

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

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

• high power consumption, a significant part of the energy costs falls on heating the screed itself;

• higher, in comparison with other systems, the complexity of temperature control;

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

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

Conclusion. it is impractical to use cable underfloor heating under the laminate.

2. Heat mats (floor heating mats)

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

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

Conclusion. this method is more acceptable for installing a laminate, but also has a more profitable alternative.

3. Film or infrared floor heating

According to the masters, installation of a film underfloor heating under a laminate. is the preferred option.

Advantage in efficiency and economy (both during installation and during operation).

When installing an infrared floor, such shortcomings of the laminate are leveled, such as:

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

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

From the point of view of electrical energy consumption, a film floor is the most economical heating option.

Which laminate to choose for electric underfloor heating

Choosing a laminate floor for installation on an electric underfloor heating system.

Due to the fact that the laminated board is made of wood (the wood component is 80-90% depending on the type), it certainly cannot be used under a warm floor. After all, wood tends to dry out and swell under the influence of heat and moisture. And installation under a warm floor is just the case when the temperature regime is of decisive importance. However, manufacturers, noting the increased popularity of this type of heating, offer laminate flooring with improved performance.

When choosing a laminate for a warm floor, you need to pay attention to the characteristics of the board (fiberboard):

Thermal resistance coefficient

The higher the value of this indicator, the better the thermal insulation properties of the laminate will be. Any material used as a floor finish must not have a thermal resistance coefficient greater than 0.15 m2*K/W.

Note. The type and thickness of the substrate affects the thermal resistance of the laminate. The indicators are summarized.

It is easy to evaluate thermal resistance, the greater the porosity of the material, the lower the value of this indicator.

Laminate connection method

Today, the glue connection of the laminate has lost its popularity, and most lamellas have a lock type of connection. There are two common types of locks - click and lock. And most manufacturers use them at the same time. Click - for connection along the length of the lamella, and lock for end connections (they are more susceptible to tensile stress).

Maximum temperature of underfloor heating under laminate

The temperature limit to which laminate flooring can be heated without damaging its performance is 85°F (about 30°C). In this case, it should be taken into account that the temperature of the surfaces from different sides will be different. The temperature sensor is located near the bottom surface of the laminate and records the temperature in the underfloor heating system. The front surface (floor surface) will have a lower temperature.

Laminate thickness

This indicator directly affects the ability of the board to warm up. The thinner the laminate, the more heat will transfer from the heating elements into the room. The thicker the board, the worse the laminate will transmit heat. However, user reviews about thin laminate are very unflattering. After all, such material has a weak point - its castle connection. The thinner the lamella, the less load it can withstand. Thus, you can move around the floor without problems, but the installation of heavy furniture can cause a surface defect. The optimal thickness can be considered 8 mm.

Laminate class

For a warm floor, the class does not matter. Since the class of the laminate depends on the ability of the front of the board to withstand a regulated number of erasures. Accordingly, the higher the class, the greater the resistance of the surface to wear, but the cost of a laminate of this level is higher. The thickness of the face layer has some effect on the coefficient of thermal resistance, but not significant.

Laminate marking

To make it easier for the consumer to choose a laminate for underfloor heating, manufacturers began to label their products with the appropriate designations. Only the product labeled in the picture may be used on underfloor heating.

An example of marking a laminate floor in the figure

Note. In some cases, manufacturers confirm the possibility of laying laminate on a warm floor, but limit the temperature regime, and, as already noted, it is determined not by the temperature on the front surface of the floor, but by the temperature on the lower surface, the one that faces the heating element (film, cable) .

Can I put underfloor heating under laminate flooring?

How safe is laying a laminate on a heating surface, is such a “neighborhood” harmful?

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

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

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

Norwegian Alloc heated laminate

Alloc (Norway) presented a novelty in the flooring market - a two-in-one system.

Laminate Alloc (Allok) has a three-layer coating, consisting of a heating element, which is located between the substrate and the laminated surface based on MDF. Those. The peculiarity of this laminate is that the heating element is built into the lamella. The Alloc Heating System is designed specifically to provide safe and high-quality floor heating in rooms.

Approximate price of Alloc laminate 32 class - 1050-1550 rubles / sq.m. 34 cells - 2800-3100 rubles / sq.m.

Installation of the Alloc Heating System - video

Substrate for underfloor heating laminate

Choosing the right underlay for underfloor heating laminate flooring is critical to the efficiency of an electric underfloor heating system.

Substrate characteristics (distinguishing features):

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

The optimal thickness is 1.5-3 mm.

What underlay can be used for underfloor heating laminate?

extruded polystyrene with perforation;

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

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

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

Attention. When installing a film underfloor heating, the use of penofol is prohibited.

Do-it-yourself installation of a warm electric floor under a laminate

Installation is carried out in the same way as installing an electric floor under a tile, the only difference is laying the substrate instead of the screed. When installing a film floor, the substrate is laid on top of the heating surface, i.e. directly onto the infrared film, not under it. It is for this reason that the use of a foil substrate is prohibited.

Installation of a film floor under a laminate - video

Conclusion

To prevent damage to the laminated board laid on the electric floor heating, it is recommended to run the floor heating system for several days, gradually raising its temperature.

For a long time, "warm floor" and laminate flooring went in parallel ways. This greatly hindered their further advancement in the construction market. Therefore, just a dozen years ago, an innocent question - is it possible to put laminate on warm floors - caused bewilderment among professional builders, because. the two concepts were incompatible. Everything changed immediately and suddenly - laminate manufacturers could no longer tolerate the current situation and presented consumers with products with completely different characteristics, allowing symbiosis with underfloor heating systems.

In life, situations often arise when it is easier to explain why it is possible by analyzing the reasons why it was impossible before. Same with laminate. For a long time there was a categorical ban on its combination with floor heating from below. And then immediately yes. Consequently, the manufacturers eliminated the reasons why it was forbidden to lay lamellas on the “warm floor”.

1. The main reason is the release of toxic formaldehyde (chemical formula HCHO) at +27 o C. In the laminate-“warm floor” combination, the heating of the lamellas reaches +30 o C. The emitted fumes of formaldehyde resins did not fit into the requirements of sanitary standards for residential premises.
2. The insufficiently high thermal conductivity of the laminate reduced the efficiency of the floor heating systems used - the room was not entirely comfortable. Attempts to increase the temperature in the apartment led to a sharp increase in the cost of heat sources.
3. The laminate did not combine with water floor heating due to frequent temperature fluctuations (with a large number of expansion-compression cycles, any wooden flooring, and the laminate belongs to it, is deformed).

Rules for choosing a laminate for heating "warm floor"

The industry today produces laminate for all occasions. Therefore, not all commercially available laminate panels will fit over the “warm floor”. There are many reasons:

• low level of heat conduction;
• high emission (release) of formaldehyde;
• weak waterproofing, etc.

In order for the consumer to navigate the world of laminate, pictograms and signs of letters and numbers are placed on special inserts. Let's try to understand some of them. So, the photo below shows pictograms showing that the flooring can be used in combination with a “warm floor”.

The inscriptions state:

• H2O - for a water “warm floor” (everyone knows the formula of water);
• Warm Wasser (translated from German - “hot water”) - for floor heating with water (not pictured);
• Underfloor heating (translated from English - “underfloor heating”) - for cable and infrared floor heating.

Black pictograms with stylized pipes indicate good heat conduction (which is required for underfloor heating), brown ones directly indicate that the lamellas are intended for underfloor heating.

But that's not all. These icons are not enough to make the right choice. The consumer needs additional characteristics in order to buy a laminate for underfloor heating - marking should help with this.

The problem of harmful fumes. When the temperature rises to 27 o C, a conventional laminate begins to actively emit harmful formaldehyde. Manufacturers have slowed down the heat-induced chemical reactions in formaldehyde resin. As a result, harmful substances begin to be released at a temperature of + 28-30 o C.

This is indicated by the pictograms in the photo above. Class E0 means that there will be no formaldehyde emission up to a temperature of 30 degrees. E1 claims that the minimum emissions start 2 degrees lower, but up to a critical mark of 30 o C, they comply with sanitary standards.

Influence of high temperatures. The laminate above the "warm floor" is exposed to high temperatures, this indicator is especially important for heating systems with water as a heat carrier, where temporary jumps up to +40 o C are possible. The ability of the laminate to withstand overheating is indicated by the letter B and the number 1 (see the pictogram below) .

Thermal conductivity. According to the European standard EN4725, the thermal resistance index of lamellas with a substrate for "warm floors" in total cannot exceed 0.15 m2 x °K / W, including lamellas 0.05-0.10 m2 x °K / W, substrates - 0.04-0.06 m2 x °K/W. The lower the coefficient, the better the heat passes from the heater to the room. This information can be found on the insert.

Wear resistance. The last controlled indicator for lamellas mounted on heated floors is wear resistance. Its level shows the abrasion class. Experts consider AC3 to be the minimum class for lamellas on underfloor heating, AC4 is optimal.

Which substrate is better to choose for a warm floor

Putting a laminate without a substrate on a heated floor will not work. After all, it performs a number of very important functions, as detailed in the work: "". In the version with a "warm floor" two more functions are added:

• reflect heat upwards when laid under a heating system;
• freely pass warm streams when laying on top.

It is very simple to select a substrate for laying under a heating system: it must be foil-coated (you can learn about this type of damper in the article: ""). The reason is easy to explain - the foil reflects infrared rays.

The substrate in the “above the heating system” option must have additional characteristics:

• Good thermal conductivity, which is achieved in several ways: the property of the material to conduct heat well (the heat transfer resistance coefficient should not exceed 0.04-0.06 m2 x °K / W); small thickness; the presence of perforation - through the holes, heat easily reaches the floor covering;
• Be resistant to high temperatures - do not melt or deform (sag);
• Stay environmentally friendly at high temperatures - do not release toxic substances under the influence of heat;
• Have vapor permeability to provide protection against the formation of condensate.

These conditions are best met by cork, polyethylene foam and extruded polystyrene substrates.

cork material can be purchased in rolls or sheets. It is heat resistant and environmentally friendly. Due to the high thermal resistance (good insulation), its use in the electric floor heating system is excluded. The high retail price also interferes.

Foamed polyethylene easy to install, available in different thicknesses, easy to cut, which is convenient for a complex configuration of the room, the connecting seams can be glued with adhesive tape. However, the main advantage of such a substrate is its low price, in connection with which polyethylene foam constantly tops the sales rating.

Extruded polystyrene with small holes (perforation) appeared on the construction market relatively recently (represented by the Polish brand "Arbiton Floor Ther"). This is so far the best option for a laminate under a decentralized heating system: it performs the main functions more efficiently than foamed polyethylene and perfectly transmits heat. It also has an affordable price.

Is there a preferred type of underfloor heating for laminate

Above are the requirements for lamellas and the substrate when installing decentralized heating. But it is also important for the owners of apartments and houses to know which “warm floor” is better for laminate flooring. To answer this question, you need to know what types of "warm floors" can be installed, their fundamental difference from each other, the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

On sale in any major hardware store will be offered:

• water;
• electric;
• infrared (also called film) "warm floor" from various manufacturers. In addition, you can buy infrared rods, which represent a symbiosis of electric and infrared floor heating systems.

A system of pipes of small diameter hidden under the floor (can be made of copper, metal-plastic, polypropylene or cross-linked polyethylene), through which the coolant is supplied in the form of hot water (sometimes antifreeze is used), is called water "warm floor". We note right away that in the classical definition, including in various encyclopedias, the main feature of such space heating is the connection of the system to central heating, which is impossible in principle:

• Prohibited by law;
• Damage to a pipe or coupling leads to flooding not only of an apartment with such a floor, but also of neighbors from below (central heating heats mainly apartment buildings), which is not quickly eliminated. The water accumulated in the screed and pipes will flow to the lower floor until the entire system is dismantled;
• It is impossible to ensure the requirement for heating the laminate to no more than 30 degrees Celsius - in central heating, the temperature of the coolant is much higher. Installing a thermostat will not help - you need a bulky cooling system for the incoming coolant. But then the neighbors will have complaints - they will receive chilled water in the heating pipes.

First conclusion: water "warm floor" can only be installed in private houses and cottages or multi-apartment one-story houses with an individual boiler or gas (electric) heating boiler.

Such a heating system also has many disadvantages:

• difficult and expensive to install, maintain and repair;
• a complete replacement of the system and the floor is required (water in most cases destroys the lamellas, despite their additional protection against moisture) in the event of a leak;
• it is difficult to regulate the temperature of the coolant entering the system.

Second conclusion: under the laminate, if there is an alternative choice, it is better to refuse the water "warm floor".

Electric floors heated under the laminate is also undesirable. There is only one reason - it is difficult to warm the room to a comfortable temperature during severe frosts on the street. There are several factors intertwined here:

• The heating temperature of the cable is not very high and fixed - otherwise it will simply melt;
• The cable is laid in a screed, which requires its heating, and it gives off heat not only up, into the room, but in different directions. The thermal protection device from below and from the sides solves the problem, but not 100% - materials for domestic needs with absolute thermal protection have not yet been invented;
• Laying the substrate and laminate on the screed exacerbates the problem - it is difficult for heat to break through such a sandwich.

Conclusion: the combination of electric “warm floor” and laminate is unacceptable for the regions of the Far North, undesirable for central Russia, and a convenient heating option for the southern regions of the country.

The ideal option for residents of Russia is infrared film "warm floor". The name of the system is formed from two concepts:

• infrared - heat received as a result of infrared radiation;
• film - conductors are mounted in strips in a thin film.

The undoubted advantages of such floor heating:

• Profitability - the heating film is laid on the substrate, and the laminate is directly on it. As a result, there is no need to heat the screed - the heat goes directly to the flooring;
• Security. There are two points here: there is no risk of flooding the neighbors from below; the temperature of the heating elements is easily regulated, which prevents overheating of the floor panels;
• It is possible to restore the system: for minor repairs, the failed strip is simply disconnected from the general power supply system, for major repairs, the floor covering is disassembled.

Infrared rods must be laid in the screed. Therefore, the shortcomings of the electric heated floor immediately appear. However, there is still a plus here - the temperature of the heating elements is higher than that of the cable, which makes it possible to heat the room more efficiently.

General conclusion on infrared heat sources: the rods are much more efficient than cable floor heating, but not enough to recommend them for latitudes with low temperatures, the film is so effective that it completely removes the question of whether it is possible to lay a laminate on a warm floor from the agenda.

Which laminate is best suited for each type of "warm floor"

Each floor heating system has its own characteristics in operation, which must be taken into account when choosing a laminate. Therefore, it is important to know which laminate is better to choose for underfloor heating with different heat transfer fluids.

Water floor heating. Affordable purchase price and low operating cost have made the water "warm floor" very popular. The laminate under such a floor must be resistant to high temperatures, up to +30 degrees Celsius, and its frequent changes and not collapse when leaks occur. In this situation, it is difficult to choose the right type and type of lamellas for flooring. The following criteria will help you choose:

• Panel interlocks should be waxed to allow many times the number of expansion cycles without destroying the interlock. In addition, the wax serves as a protection against the penetration of moisture into the body of the lamella. Instead of wax, a number of manufacturers have developed special sealants with the same functions. Finishing the ends with a sealant is a decisive factor when choosing a laminate;
• Wear resistance cannot be less than class 3;
• The thickness of the lamellas should be within 8-9 mm, which will protect them from deformation during overheating above 30 degrees, as well as effectively pass heat into the surrounding space;
• The level of formaldehyde emission during overheating should not exceed class E1;
• An additional protection against moisture has been carried out, allowing direct contact with water.

Infrared film heating. The use of infrared rays as heat sources has several advantages:

• good heat dissipation does not require a large amount of electricity, which compensates for the high cost of the system itself;
• mounted on top of the screed, which opens access to it during operation.

Based on the above characteristics of the system, the minimum requirements are imposed on the laminate:

• wear resistance class 3-4;
• thickness not less than 8.5 mm.

Electric underfloor heating with cable. You can lay a laminate with the following characteristics on an electric "warm floor":

• increased thermal conductivity (the coefficient of thermal resistance together with the substrate must be within 0.10 m2 x °K / W);
• low level of formaldehyde emission - class E0 or E1;
• have high strength for static and dynamic loads.

Rod infrared "warm floor". The combination of electric and infrared floor is actively gaining popularity among consumers. The requirements for the laminate in this case are the same as for electric heating.

The nuances of laying laminate on a warm floor

It is not very difficult to make a floor covering for a "warm floor" system. You can do this job on your own. For those who are starting such an operation for the first time, we advise you to study the instructions for installing the laminate - it is given in the work "".

However, there are several important nuances here.

1. Before laying the laminate, the screed must be heated to a temperature of +27–30°C. This will solve two problems at once:

• dry the base of the floor to 5% humidity;
• find a place for the screed when expanding - with errors in pouring, it is better to get burst concrete before installing the floor than after.

The warm-up process provides for a 2-week cycle. In the first days after turning on the heating, you need to add 3 degrees to reach a power of 50%, in the next 2 days to reach full power. Two days before the start of work, the heating is turned off.

Important: the heating system with the finished floor is turned on in the same mode. Shutdown occurs in reverse order. Violation of the rule threatens to damage pipes and cables due to the rapid expansion or contraction of the screed (expansion coefficients do not match).

2. Carrying out waterproofing measures on the top of the screed is mandatory. For these purposes, a polyethylene film with a thickness of 200 microns is well suited (laminate manufacturers prohibit waterproofing with a substrate under the laminate, which is possible with central heating).

3. Before laying the laminate panels should be several days in the room where the installation will be carried out. Thus, they adapt to the temperature and humidity in the room.

Conclusion

Modern materials have made the question - is it possible to put a warm floor under the laminate - made irrelevant. This is understood by itself, which does not mean at all that any laminate is suitable for different types of floor heating. When heating the floor with water, lamellas with a special marking are needed, showing that the manufacturer has taken into account all the requirements for this heating system.

For cable and infrared heating, a pictogram with a stylized pipe system is sufficient. However, for cable heating, lamellas with a thermal resistance index in the range of 0.10-0.12 m2 x °K / W are needed. For film - 0.15 m2 x ° K / W.

The installation of the floor is carried out according to the general instructions, but it requires preheating the screed and holding the floor covering in the room before starting work.

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Laminate flooring is beautiful and functional, so its demand is only growing. Some types of material can be laid on heating bases. Let's figure out which warm floors for laminate are better: reviews from the Internet are not always reliable and can be misleading.

Types of heating floors

To heat the floor covering, you can use one of three possible methods: an electric cable, a water circuit or an infrared emitter. All of them can be laid under laminated material. However, in each case there are some features that we will now consider.

1. Electric heating

In the screed, which becomes a kind of heat accumulator, a cable is laid that radiates it. In total, three types of such devices are used.

• Resistive single-core wire. It is connected at both ends to one wiring point, which creates certain difficulties during installation. The heating core provides heat transfer that does not change along the entire length.
• Resistive two-core cable. Operational characteristics are similar to the previous option, but there is no need to connect at a common point. This greatly facilitates installation, and reduces the amount of material required for it.
• Self-regulating wire. Able to change resistance depending on the temperature of its environment. Thus, it independently controls heat transfer, therefore it does not allow overheating of individual sections, which is the main disadvantage of the first two options.

Both cables of various types and heating mats assembled from them are on sale. The latter option is more convenient to install, but its cost is slightly higher. Another plus of such a system is the absence of the possibility of wires moving during installation, which can lead to their damage.

Installation of all types of electric underfloor heating is approximately the same. It involves preliminary leveling of the base, laying thermal insulation and pouring a rough screed. A cable or mats is fixed on it, and equipment is tested. If everything is working, the topcoat is poured. It can be magnesite or anhydride, and not just cement. The laminate is laid in a month, after it has completely dried.

• Durability, service life of at least 20 years.
• Ease of installation and maintenance.
• Possibility to control the heating temperature.
• Reliability.

Among the shortcomings, it should be noted the high cost of energy, which is also constantly growing, and the weak electromagnetic radiation emanating from the cables. Do these disadvantages make this type of flooring unacceptable? It's up to you, but let's look at the rest of the options first.

2. Water heating

The circuit along which the liquid coolant moves is mounted in a screed. As in the previous case, it accumulates heat, which it receives from heated water. This device is used without restrictions in private homes, but in high-rise buildings it can only be installed on the ground floor. Whether it is possible to use it at all, experts will decide. In this case, you will need to collect a package of documents allowing connection to a centralized system.

The most difficult thing in organizing such heating is considered correct with strict observance of all building codes. It must be remembered that if a breakdown occurs, it will be very difficult to get to the problem area. If it is assumed that the floor will be mounted in a large room, it is best to break it into several sections. This will make it easier to set it up.

In addition, in this case, you will definitely need a pump that will circulate the liquid. If the room is small, you can do without it, but then you will have to take care of the competent design of the structure so that the coolant moves independently.

For normal operation of the heating floor, an uninterrupted and uniform supply of liquid is necessary. This is only possible if there is a collector equipped with a mixing unit. It is optimal if a special cabinet is allocated for the node. All control systems are located here.

It is assumed that the inlet water temperature should not exceed 45-50C. Therefore, the answer to the question is it possible to put a water-type warm floor under the laminate? , will be unambiguously positive. With care, you need to choose only the material for the screed. A cement-sand mixture is best suited. Magnesite and anhydrite composition is better not to use. They are distinguished by sensitivity to moisture, and at the slightest leak, such a fill will begin to deteriorate.

Among the advantages of a water floor can be noted:

• Safety as there is no electromagnetic radiation.
• Reliability and durability. With proper installation, the design will work for decades.
• Energy independence provided there is no circulation pump in the circuit.

The disadvantages include expensive and time-consuming installation, a lot of weight. True, sometimes they make a floor-type system. In this case, the pipes are laid in special grooves for wooden floors. Using this method gives less efficiency, since there is no heat-storing fill. Instead, metal heat exchanger plates are used, but this is only a partial solution to the problem.

3. Infrared heating

A type of electric heating, where the infrared emitter becomes the source of heating. It is very compact and is a carbon tape, which is fixed on a film with a thickness of about 3-4 mm. Thanks to this, the equipment is very convenient to mount. A coupler is not needed for it, which significantly reduces the installation and start-up time of the system.

Perhaps the main advantage of infrared heating is the use of radiant energy. The infrared waves emitted by the device reach the nearest large object, in this case the floor covering, where they accumulate, heating the base. It transfers heat to the air, and the temperature in the room quickly rises.

A dry, even base is necessary for this, as the film is thin and can be damaged. A substrate reflecting IR rays must be laid on it, otherwise heat loss is inevitable. In general, infrared heating gives the greatest effect compared to the methods described above. This is due to the fact that there is no need to heat up a massive screed.

The advantages of the method include:

• Quick and easy assembly, dismantling and reuse. There is no need to pour the base and wait for it to dry, you can lay the laminate immediately after the installation of the film.
• Small installation thickness, which allows you to maintain the height of the ceilings.
• Economical power consumption. An IR emitter uses significantly less power than a cable. Due to accurate systems, this figure can be further reduced.

Of the significant shortcomings, the vulnerability of the film should be noted. The absence of a screed makes it possible to overheat a section of the panel due to squeezing under heavy furniture or mechanical damage to its fragment. In addition, the use of equipment in wet areas is not recommended. Another disadvantage is the rather high price.

Which laminate is better to choose for underfloor heating: important points

The operating conditions of a laminated coating on a heating base are significantly different from those that exist in the presence of radiator heating. Therefore, when choosing it, two features must be taken into account, each of which we will consider in detail.

1. Possibility of release of toxic substances

In the process of manufacturing the material, phenol-formaldehyde resins are used, which work as a binder. When the lamellas are heated, they are destroyed with the release of volatile formaldehyde. It is dangerous to health, can accumulate in the body. The manufacturer reports that toxic gas begins to be released at temperatures above 28-30C. With radiator heating, the coating does not heat up to such values.

However, if there is a heating floor under it, the plates warm up much more. Therefore, there is a risk of formaldehyde emission. To prevent this, the following requirements must be met:

• Purchase only non-toxic material E0 (no methanal emission) or E1 (minimum emission). Their cost is slightly higher, but such decor is safe.
• Install temperature sensors to control the level of heating of the lamellas. Never exceed the permitted temperatures declared by the manufacturer.
• Organize effective ventilation of rooms. Intensive air exchange quickly reduces the concentration of toxic substances.

There is no fundamental difference, for, or for electric. The type of system does not play a special role, the heating temperature of the lamellas is important. It is approximately the same for all structures.

2. Special requirements for the installation of laminate flooring

When choosing a material, it is necessary to take into account not only the possibility of releasing toxic substances. There are a few more things to be aware of:

• Only designs with floating locks can be used, otherwise the plates may be deformed due to the inevitable expansion during heating.
• Lamellas are laid only on a special perforated one. It is characterized by greater rigidity, small thickness and low thermal resistance, which is necessary when laying on a heating floor.
• It must be taken into account that the heating zone is larger than the physical boundaries of the heating system. Therefore, it cannot be mounted close to the walls.

For the unhindered release of heat by the laminated coating, it is necessary to provide it with air access. You can not lay carpets on it or put furniture without legs.

So, what is the best underfloor heating for laminate flooring?

It is impossible to answer unambiguously. The covering is compatible to all types of the heating basis. The choice should be made taking into account the specific operating conditions. For example, for a private house, low-maintenance water heating would be a good option. Infrared heating is suitable for high-rise buildings. In any case, you need to know how to choose the “right” laminated material so that there are no troubles during its use.

• Text: Inna Yasinovskaya

A comfortable and energy-efficient home is, to a certain extent, the right combination of modern technologies and materials. In particular, consider a type of floor heating - electric floor heating and a deservedly popular flooring - laminate.

To what extent are these materials compatible? What kind of electric underfloor heating system can be used under a laminate, and what is the best material to purchase in order to ensure the longest possible life of the entire system.

Before considering the technology of laying an electric underfloor heating under a laminate, let's focus on two key aspects:

• Firstly, is it possible to make an electric floor heating under the laminate. If so, which system is better to give preference to;

• secondly, what to look for when choosing a laminate and other components of a laminate floor.

Which electric underfloor heating is better for laminate

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

1.Cable floor heating

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

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

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

• high power consumption, a significant part of the energy costs falls on heating the screed itself;

• higher, in comparison with other systems, the complexity of temperature control;

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

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

Conclusion: it is not advisable to use cable underfloor heating under the laminate.

2. Heat mats (floor heating mats)

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

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

Conclusion: this method is more acceptable for installing a laminate, but also has a more profitable alternative.