Insulation for underfloor heating. The correct technique for laying thermal insulation for a warm electric floor. Metallized lavsan film

Currently, many install at home engineering systems in the form of warm floors. They replace the classical (radiator) method of heating, as well as the use of convectors, heating panels, fan heaters, etc. as heat sources for space heating.

One of the varieties of such a system is a warm floor. electric type. They mount it instead of the main heating system during the construction of private mansions, performing repair work in existing dwellings. Electric floors can also serve additional source heat throughout the room or heat the desired spaces (kitchen, bathrooms, nursery, etc.).

The use of warm electric floors in apartments and houses is currently not a tribute fashion trend, and the need, which is caused by such factors:

creation of comfortable conditions;
health care;
economy.

Essence of creating sex electrical design consists of a gasket special cable, electric heating mats or sections under the main flooring. A huge plus of such heating is that it can be carried out at will, as well as programmed to turn on and off at a certain time.

The warm electric floor is complex structure, from correctly selected materials, components and devices, as well as the installation of all components in their place, its performance depends. Insulation is an important component of such a system. Properly selected for specific needs, it will direct and retain heat in the room, help save consumption electrical energy and family money.

A well-known fact from the basics of physics: warm air in the room it tends to rise to the top, while at the same time it remains cold below. Such fluctuations negatively affect the well-being of a person. You can get it colds, there is a feeling of discomfort. healthy body will only happen when the feet are warm.

The installation of an electric underfloor heating contributes to the uniform distribution of heat, proper heat exchange and the creation of the necessary microclimate in the room. The creation technology is simple, well-established by companies specializing in the installation of underfloor heating. It applies to all types of premises. Such a floor is safe in operation and does not require maintenance during the operation of the system.

When creating an electric underfloor heating, you must adhere to 5 prerequisites:

it must occupy at least 70% of the area of the room in which it is installed;
must be used when arranging a resistive one is better two-core heating cable, necessarily shielded, infrared film or special electrical mats;
high-quality insulation must be selected and correctly laid;
the screed must be made necessarily sand-cement in compliance with the required proportion, it must be no more than 50 mm thick;
as a finishing floor covering after installation electrical system you can use ceramic tiles, natural and artificial stones, laminate, carpet, parquet and other materials that will match the installed electrical system.

Electric floor systems

Currently, there are electric floor heating systems cable, rod, liquid and film. Cable floors appeared in the 90s. A special shielded cable heats the floor surface to the set temperature. It is set on a thermostat that responds to the signals of a temperature sensor or a special external device that records the air temperature in the room. The heating cable can be mounted in special mats with a certain pitch, which speeds up the process of installing underfloor heating.

A warm electric floor of a rod type is a coal heating element. They are connected by conductors and represent a grid. Each carbon element is a separately functioning device. This is very important - if one of them fails, the rest will work.

The electric fluid system is polyethylene pipes of a certain diameter, filled with a heat-conducting liquid, inside which there is a heating core. The pipes at their ends have a coupling on one side and a damper device on the other. The latter compensates for the expansion of the antifreeze liquid. Such a system is connected to the mains using a special regulator.

A polymer film is a product with heating elements applied to it, which emits heat in the long-wave range. Film thickness - no more than 3 mm, width - 0.5 ÷ 1 m; it has, depending on the production technology, different heat transfer.

The polymer film is not used for laying under tiles.

thermal insulation requirements

Why do we need thermal insulation (it is also called a heater) when arranging warm electric floors? During the operation of such a floor, heat losses occur, which are associated with the heating of the cable / mat / film and the floor. Laying a special material called heat-insulating will help to avoid heat loss. It will be the basis on which the components of the warm floor are mounted.

In the distribution network, materials with thermal insulation properties are presented in a large assortment, it is not difficult to buy them. They are made from various components in the form of rolls, panels, films and membranes. Not all materials are suitable for creating an electric floor heating. The requirements for thermal insulation material for electric underfloor heating are as follows:

must have a low coefficient of thermal conductivity;
be resistant to high temperatures;
easy to fit and not deform in the process;
must even out small irregularities in the base;
must withstand heavy loads;
have soundproof properties;
withstand the action of aggressive environments;
have a high degree strength;
do not absorb moisture;
be electrically safe;
made from environmentally friendly clean materials(should not release toxic substances into the environment);
have a long service life.

The main types of thermal insulation

Heat-insulating materials for arranging electric floor heating are made from natural and synthetic raw materials. From a large assortment The following thermal insulation materials can be distinguished.

Natural thermal insulation is made using a special technology from cork oak bark, which is why it is called cork. Such insulation is supplied to the distribution network in the form of rolls 10 m long and 1 m wide. The thickness ranges from 1 to 10 mm. During installation, there is no need to glue it, it is easy to install, has excellent sound and heat insulation properties, can have a rubberized base, which eliminates the need for additional waterproofing.

Installation must be carried out using heat-reflecting material, as in the design there is no obligatory component of the electric floor, which allows reflecting heat to the floor surface.

Modern heat-insulating materials of artificial origin for the electric floor include the following products:

Penotherm. It is made of porous polypropylene, has a cellular structure, without marking and with it. The latter facilitates the installation process. A foil made of aluminum serves as a heat-reflecting layer. Depending on the quality of the installation, it can increase the thermal efficiency by up to 70%. Insulation is supplied to the distribution network with a width of 1200 mm and a length of 10 and 30 m, different thickness.

"Penofol". Made from polyethylene foam. It has a foil layer 100 microns thick. Available in four types with different surfaces. Penofol type A has a foil surface on one side, type B has a foil surface on both sides, type C has one side foiled, and the other has an adhesive layer, type ALP also has a foil side, and on the other it is located polyethylene film. The rolls have a thickness of 3÷10 mm and a length of 10÷30.

"Folgoizolon". It is made of polyethylene foam and has air bubbles in its design, as well as a foil layer. It is produced in two modifications: from cross-linked (PPE) and non-cross-linked (NPE) polyethylene foam, differing in service life. For products made of cross-linked polyethylene, it is much higher. Thanks to the material with high technical characteristics, it retains heat well. Supplied with and without underfloor heating markings in rolled sheets of various thicknesses and lengths. It is an ideal heat-insulating material for arranging underfloor heating on balconies, loggias and other cold rooms.

The foil layer must have a lamination.

An additional insulation can be a polyethylene laminated film with markings for underfloor heating. Use products with a thickness of 3 or 5 mm, a width of 1 m and a length of 10 to 30 m.

Mounting Features

Properly selected material for thermal insulation not only makes the stay in the room comfortable, but also reduces the consumption of electrical energy. It depends on the technology for performing electric underfloor heating.

All work on the arrangement of an electric underfloor heating is reduced to the following operations:

ground preparation;
installation of thermal insulation;
installation of heating cable/mats/film;
screed execution;
floor finish installation.

At the stage of preparing the base, it is necessary to dismantle the old screed, level the surface as much as possible (differences should not exceed 10 mm) and clean it from dirt and dust. If necessary, the base surface must be waterproofed.

Before proceeding with the laying of thermal insulation for electric underfloor heating, it is necessary to determine its thickness. It has been experimentally established that over unheated premises it should be 50÷100 mm, and for floors– 20÷30 mm. Seams and joints of thermal insulation must be glued with special tape (foiled), between the wall and the screed - damper tape. When laying several thermal circuits with different temperatures, they are separated by T-profile damper.

Warmly insulating material it is laid not only on the base of the floor, it must be laid along the perimeter of the wall to a height of up to 20 mm.

Installation of electrical heating elements must be carried out taking into account the characteristics of the system being laid (single- or two-core cables, mats, UV films).

Floor screed is better to perform sand-cement mortar with the addition of special plasticizers that prevent cracking. Its thickness should be at least 3 cm. After drying, they begin laying the floor finish. They can be tiles, parquet, linoleum or other types. They are installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Video

Warmly insulating layer under a warm electric floor is not a luxury, but a necessity. It will help to evenly distribute heat from the heating elements, save it and direct it in the right direction. Poorly executed installation at any stage of creating electric underfloor heating will entail Negative consequences. This will affect comfort, increased energy consumption and, as a result, waste of money.

Recently, the "warm floor" system has become a very popular type of heating. The main advantage of the system is the significant fuel economy. It is also important that laying the insulation is quite simple, you can cope with the task yourself. However, there are some points that need to be known in order to quality installation such heating. An important point is the installation of thermal insulation for a warm electric floor.

Sexual heating system will give a large number of heat into the concrete from which the floor is made. In this regard, additional fuel costs are inevitable, no more savings. Thermal insulation is laid under the electric floor heating in order to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption.

Along with decreasing natural heat losses, sound insulation also increases. It also prevents moisture from entering basement or earth through flooring.

Types of systems and materials used

There are several types of insulation systems, they depend on the raw materials used. Thermal insulation for underfloor heating is made of natural and synthetic materials.

Main types:

Cork insulation

Use cork oak bark. The purchased insulation is rolled up into a roll with dimensions - 10 m * 1 m * 1 - 10 mm. During installation, it lays down well and does not need gluing. Possesses excellent qualities. Some types have a rubberized base, which increases the waterproofing properties.

During installation, a thermal reflector must be used so that the heat from the system is reflected to the floor surface.

This is a modern heat-insulating raw material of synthetic origin. It is made of porous polypropylene, it has a cellular structure. Facilitates the installation of markup, but it may not be. The heat-reflecting layer is aluminum foil. Penotherm increases thermal efficiency by up to 70% if properly installed. It is on sale in 10 or 30 m long, 1.2 m wide, the thickness varies.

artificial heat insulator "Penofol"

It is made from polyethylene foam. It has a foil heat-reflecting layer, the thickness of which is 100 microns. The surface is different, due to which it is divided into 4 subspecies:

a) "A" - the foil layer is on one side.
b) "B" - made with foil on both sides.
c) “C” is foiled on one side and has an adhesive base on the other.
d) "ALP" - foil on one side, and on the other polyethylene film. Roll thickness 3 mm, width 580 mm, length 15 m.

Thermal reflection has a coefficient of up to 97%.

They are made of foamed polyethylene, have a bubble structure and a layer of foil. There are crosslinked (PPE modification) and non-crosslinked (NPE). They differ in service life: PPE foil isolon lasts much longer.

It has good performance and excellent heat retention. It is sold in the form of rolled sheets, may or may not have markings for laying on the floor. Roll sizes vary. An excellent raw material for installing underfloor heating in cool rooms. The foil layer must contain lamination.

Thermal insulation installation technology

Thermal insulation using any thermal insulation material under a warm electric floor is quite simple to perform. Special skills in this work are not needed, it is enough to understand the work and be able to use the tools.

Step by step installation of insulation

The base for laying must be flat, solid.
It is necessary to properly waterproof the base, after which it is possible to carry out the installation of raw materials.
If a water type of floor with heating is created, the weight of the pipes with the heat carrier must be taken into account. After all, after some time they will push the heat-insulating material under mechanical action screed and floor covering weight. To prevent such a situation, you need to choose a material with high strength, and surround the pipes on both sides with reinforcement. So, the mass of the screed and the floor covering will be evenly distributed on the grid. It is also better to install extruded polystyrene foam boards with special ditches for pipes.
All joints and seams of the insulation must be glued with foil tape. Thus, more heat will be retained.
To maintain the integrity of the concrete screed, the joints between it and the wall must be pasted over with a damper tape.

Thermal insulation when installing floor heating is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Incorrect installation will lead to negative consequences that will negatively affect the quality of heating. They will also affect the wallet of the owner of the house, because fuel costs for heating will increase.

Thanks to the rapid development modern technologies For the arrangement of dwellings, various devices are increasingly being used to increase the level of comfort of residents. One of these devices is underfloor heating. And for its productive operation and functioning, a number of materials are required, among which thermal insulation occupies a special place.

The task of underfloor heating, regardless of type and configuration, is to ensure uniform distribution of warm air in the room. Because everyone knows that cold air accumulates at the bottom, and the heated one rises, the difference in temperatures for a person is very noticeable. The system of warm electric or water floors minimizes these temperature fluctuations in the dwelling, creating an acceptable and comfortable heat exchange.

The main feature of the device can be considered a heat-insulating substrate, which, along with the entire heating system, is responsible for maintaining heat. Among the proposed range of similar products on modern market a number of materials are presented that are used to equip the system.

In order not to be mistaken with the choice of raw materials, one should proceed from the tasks that the products will solve in the complex of the entire installation of underfloor heating.

Among the main functions of the heater, it is worth highlighting the following points:

The presence of thermal insulation reduces the natural loss of heat that escapes through the coldest parts of an apartment or house to the outside or into the ground. In the absence of any materials for insulation, the level of exit of warm masses from the room through the floor surface is 20%.
Due to the laying of insulation, thermal energy circulates proportionally over the entire heating area, eliminating unnecessary heating of floors and other components of the building structure, which are located under the floor.
Save money with thermal insulation cash spent on home heating.
In addition to the main functions, the material provides additional sound insulation, which is important in multi-storey residential buildings.
The properties of thermal insulation products make it possible to create a protective barrier that prevents moisture from entering basements or soil through the floor covering into the dwelling.

Insulation for underfloor heating

Device "warm floor"

Heated floors today are one of the most attractive systems for additional space heating, both in individual housing construction and in apartment buildings. All manufacturers of "water-heated floor" systems, when installing this system, recommend that the floor be thermally insulated in order to prevent the radiation of thermal energy in undesirable directions. In other words, by installing a "warm floor" on concrete screed, You will not heat the neighbors from below, the basement or the foundation of the house. By laying insulation on concrete under the PENOPLEX ® water-heated floor, you can avoid unnecessary heat losses and energy costs. In most cases, additional waterproofing of PENOPLEX ® thermal insulation under a warm floor is not required, since given material has almost zero water absorption.

This is especially true of the bathroom, since this room is a place with increased level humidity. Thermal insulation of the bathroom will prevent the formation of condensate, which adversely affects the finish of the room.

Installation instructions:

The thermal insulation layer of PENOPLEX ® boards is laid on the floor panel. Directly on them, a “warm floor” construct is carried out (according to the recommendations of suppliers). If the hydromembrane is located under a layer of PENOPLEX ® boards, flexible heating pipes can be attached directly to the boards. To prevent cement “milk” from getting into the seams between the insulation boards, the seams must be closed before pouring the screed (glued with adhesive tape);
In the case of placing hydro or vapor barrier membrane over PENOPLEX ® boards for fixing flexible heating pipes, it is necessary to use an additional layer to ensure continuous waterproofing. Particular attention should be paid to the implementation expansion joints. In addition, measures should be taken to prevent the formation of heat-conducting bridges at the joints between the plates;
It is not recommended to lay laminate flooring on PENOPLEX ® without a load-distributing screed device. As a screed, you can use either a reinforced screed made of DSP with a minimum thickness of 40 mm or two layers board materials(GVL, TsSP, etc.) into the overlap of the joints.

Well-organized warm floor insulation at the construction or insulation stage will bring you a visible bonus in the form of significant savings on home heating, a long period of maintenance-free operation and, most importantly, comfort and coziness for the whole family. Plates PENOPLEX ® are the most optimal insulation for the floor.

How to insulate the floor between heated rooms. The design of the "warm floor"

The role of PENOPLEX ® in the case of operation of underfloor heating between heated rooms is to reduce the degree of radiation of thermal energy in undesirable directions. It is in this case, due to the lack of heat flow dissipation, energy costs are significantly reduced (otherwise, not only your floor is heated, but also the ceiling of a neighbor or basement, respectively).

When insulating floors between heated rooms, including in the construction of a "warm floor" (mandatory), the required thickness of PENOPLEX ® is 40 mm.

Estimated consumption of materials

Oriented consumption of materials for insulation open balcony with a concrete fence (loggia) with an area of 4 m2, with a ceiling height of 3 m.

What insulation to choose for a water heated floor

Why do you need insulation under water floors
- Plates
- Roll thermal insulation
- Features of laying insulation

Virtually every manual self-laying water floor indicates the need to use insulation. The insulating layer helps to evenly distribute heat in the room. Insulation for a water heated floor reduces heat loss and ensures uniform heating of the room.

Why do you need insulation under water floors

According to the installation instructions, it is necessary to include a layer of thermal insulation in the cake under a warm water floor. Although some installation teams miss laying the insulating layer, this is a gross violation of the rules for laying the heating system.

Why do you need a heater at all?

A special heat-reflecting substrate under the water-heated floor serves as a kind of screen that prevents thermal radiation from escaping in an unnecessary direction. Simply put, with the help of insulation, the heating system does not heat the apartment of the neighbors living below, but its own housing.
The use of a substrate serves another purpose related to the peculiarity of underfloor heating. The pad evenly distributes thermal energy throughout the room, allowing you to stabilize the convection heat flow in one direction and at one speed of movement.
Heat-insulating mats for a water-heated floor with bosses make it easier to install a water circuit. The device of such a system includes special latches, due to which the laying and fixing of the pipe is carried out quickly and reliably.

Types of heaters for underfloor heating

Although there are a large number of very different thermal insulation, in fact, it can be roughly divided into just two categories.

Plates

This category includes polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam under a warm water floor. The advantage of polystyrene systems is high strength and the ability to withstand mechanical stress.

This group should also include a profile mat for installing a warm water floor. Usage profile system(bosses or guide grooves) is very convenient for pipe laying.

Profile guide mounting mats for a water-heated floor, after laying the pipeline, are poured from above with a small layer adhesive solution. After drying for 1-2 days, you can start operating the heating system.

Styrofoam for underfloor heating is an unprofitable option. Plates after laying are easily deformed, after which the thermal insulation ability of the material decreases.

Roll thermal insulation

Enjoys well-deserved popularity. Foil reflective thermal insulation for a water-heated floor allows you to reduce the thickness of the "pie". The foil effectively reflects heat radiation.

Foil insulation for a water-heated floor often has a special marking that facilitates the installation of a heating circuit. Substrate thickness roll type does not exceed 1-1.5 cm.

Mineral heaters are rarely laid, since a protective layer will need to be laid on top. It is not advisable to use mineral material for the substrate.

According to customer reviews, one of optimal solutions is the purchase of a heater type Teploizol.

You can also use cork thermal insulation coating. Cork insulation has good performance in terms of: compressive strength, sound insulation and lack of adhesion to cement mortar.

When deciding which thermal insulation material to choose, one should be guided by the technical characteristics of the heated room. It should be taken into account possible disadvantages substrates: cost, thickness, maximum allowable compressive load, etc.

How should a water floor cake look like in layers

Preparation of the pie under the floors should be carried out in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation. Installation work are carried out as follows:

Laying a warm water floor on mats, as shown by a comparison of thermal insulation materials (their specifications and installation difficulties) is more appropriate. Permissible load for polystyrene foam system 50 kN/m². The weight of the structure allows installation even in high-rise buildings on the upper floors, where the use of a concrete cake is prohibited.

In addition, the laminated extruded polystyrene foam with bosses is resistant to moisture, easy to install and facilitates the laying of the water circuit. The only disadvantage of polystyrene material is its cost. But if we take into account that plastic mats do not need additional components for fixing pipes, subsequent screeding, then the difference in price becomes not so significant.

Thermal insulation for a warm electric floor, which one to choose?

Currently, many install engineering systems in the form of underfloor heating at home. They replace the classical (radiator) method of heating, as well as the use of convectors, heating panels, fan heaters, etc. as heat sources for space heating.

One of the varieties of such a system is a warm floor of the electric type. It is installed instead of the main heating system during the construction of private mansions, repair work in existing residential premises. Electric floors can also serve as an additional source of heat throughout the room or heat the desired spaces (kitchen, bathrooms, nursery, etc.).

The use of warm electric floors in apartments and houses is currently not a tribute to a fashion trend, but a necessity that is caused by such factors:

creation of comfortable conditions;
health care;
economy.

The structure of the electric floor heating

The essence of creating a floor of an electrical structure is laying a special cable, electric heating mats or sections under the main floor covering. A huge plus of such heating is that it can be carried out at will, as well as programmed to turn on and off at a certain time.

A warm electric floor is a complex structure, its performance depends on the correctly selected materials, components and devices, as well as the installation of all components in their place. Insulation is an important component of such a system. Properly selected for specific needs, it will direct and retain heat in the room, help save electricity consumption and household money.

Features of electric floor heating

A well-known fact from the basics of physics: warm air in a room tends to rise to the top, while at the same time it remains cold below. Such fluctuations negatively affect the well-being of a person. You can get a cold, there is a feeling of discomfort. The body will be healthy only when the feet are warm.

When creating an electric underfloor heating, you must adhere to 5 prerequisites:

it must occupy at least 70% of the area of the room in which it is installed;
it is necessary to use a resistive one when arranging - preferably a two-core heating cable, always shielded, infrared film or special electrical mats;
high-quality insulation must be selected and correctly laid;
the screed must be made necessarily sand-cement in compliance with the required proportion, it must be no more than 50 mm thick;
as a floor finish after installation of the electrical system, you can use ceramic tiles, natural and artificial stones, laminate, carpet, parquet and other materials that will match the installed electrical system.

Electric floor systems

The electric fluid system is polyethylene pipes of a certain diameter filled with a heat-conducting liquid, inside of which there is a heating core. The pipes at their ends have a coupling on one side and a damper device on the other. The latter compensates for the expansion of the antifreeze liquid. Such a system is connected to the mains using a special regulator.

The polymer film is not used for laying under tiles.

thermal insulation requirements

must have a low coefficient of thermal conductivity;
be resistant to high temperatures;
easy to fit and not deform in the process;
must even out small irregularities in the base;
must withstand heavy loads;
have soundproof properties;
withstand the action of aggressive environments;
have a high degree of strength;
do not absorb moisture;
be electrically safe;
be made of environmentally friendly materials (should not release toxic substances into the environment);
have a long service life.

Types of thermal insulation

The main types of thermal insulation

Heat-insulating materials for arranging electric floor heating are made from natural and synthetic raw materials. From a large assortment, the following heat-insulating materials can be distinguished.

Installation must be carried out using heat-reflecting material, as in the design there is no obligatory component of the electric floor, which allows reflecting heat to the floor surface.

Thermal insulation cork

Modern heat-insulating materials of artificial origin for the electric floor include the following products:

Penotherm. It is made of porous polypropylene, has a cellular structure, without marking and with it. The latter facilitates the installation process. A foil made of aluminum serves as a heat-reflecting layer. Depending on the quality of the installation, it can increase the thermal efficiency by up to 70%. Insulation is supplied to the distribution network with a width of 1200 mm and a length of 10 and 30 m, of various thicknesses.

Heater "Penoterm"

"Penofol". Made from polyethylene foam. It has a foil layer 100 microns thick. Available in four types with different surfaces. Penofol type A has a foil surface on one side, type B has a foil surface on both sides, type C has one side foiled, and the other has an adhesive layer, type ALP also has a foil side, and on the other it is located polyethylene film. The rolls have a thickness of 3÷10 mm and a length of 10÷30.

Material for thermal insulation "Penofol"

"Folgoizolon". It is made of polyethylene foam and has air bubbles in its design, as well as a foil layer. It is produced in two modifications: from cross-linked (PPE) and non-cross-linked (NPE) polyethylene foam, differing in service life. For products made of cross-linked polyethylene, it is much higher. Thanks to the material with high technical characteristics, it retains heat well. Supplied with and without underfloor heating markings in rolled sheets of various thicknesses and lengths. It is an ideal heat-insulating material for arranging underfloor heating on balconies, loggias and other cold rooms.

Material "Folgoizolon"

The foil layer must have a lamination.

An additional insulation can be a polyethylene laminated film with markings for underfloor heating. Use products with a thickness of 3 or 5 mm, a width of 1 m and a length of 10 to 30 m.

Insulating film

Mounting Features

All work on the arrangement of an electric underfloor heating is reduced to the following operations:

ground preparation;
installation of thermal insulation;
installation of heating cable/mats/film;
screed execution;
floor finish installation.

Before proceeding with the laying of thermal insulation for electric underfloor heating, it is necessary to determine its thickness. It has been experimentally established that over unheated premises it should be 50 ÷ 100 mm, and for interfloor ceilings - 20 ÷ 30 mm. Seams and joints of thermal insulation must be glued with special tape (foiled), between the wall and the screed - damper tape. When laying several thermal circuits with different temperatures, a T-shaped damper profile is used to separate them.

Thermal insulation material is laid not only on the base of the floor, it must be laid along the perimeter of the wall to a height of up to 20 mm.

The installation of electric heating elements must be carried out taking into account the characteristics of the system being laid (cables one or two cores, mats, UV films).

It is better to screed the floor with a sand-cement mortar with the addition of special plasticizers that will prevent cracking. Its thickness should be at least 3 cm. After drying, they begin laying the floor finish. They can be tiles, parquet, linoleum or other types. They are installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Video

A heat-insulating layer under a warm electric floor is not a luxury, but a necessity. It will help to evenly distribute heat from the heating elements, save it and direct it in the right direction. Poorly executed installation at any stage of creating electric underfloor heating will entail negative consequences. This will affect comfort, increased energy consumption and, as a result, waste of money.

The choice of insulation for a water heated floor

The device of a water-heated floor requires competent design and strict adherence technological standards. The choice of insulation is one of important points. Consider the main types of heat-insulating materials, their properties and characteristics.

Which heater is better

The heater is an obligatory element of a heat-insulated floor. Without it, the system will not be economical, and most of the energy will be wasted on heating the underlying floor or ground floors. This issue is especially acute when arranging the system on the ground.

So, what heat-insulating materials should be used when installing water-heated floor systems? In general, any material that meets certain characteristics is acceptable. First of all, it must be different sufficient level thermal insulation, also be resistant to moisture and chemical substances from a concrete screed, to have sufficient rigidity.

In one way or another, all these requirements are met by such materials:

expanded polystyrene (polystyrene);
extruded polystyrene foam;
mineral wool boards;
foamed polyethylene (penofol);
natural cork.

Let's consider each of them in more detail.

Styrofoam

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is popularly called Styrofoam. This material is obtained from polystyrene by foaming. In addition to polystyrene itself, the composition of the insulation includes a large number of additives and modifiers that improve its properties. Thanks to foaming materials, up to 98% of the volume of PPS consists of air bubbles.

Consider the characteristics and properties of expanded polystyrene. The heat transfer coefficient, which is the main characteristic of thermal insulation materials, in expanded polystyrene varies from 0.030 to 0.047 W / m ° C. It depends on the manufacturer and on the density of the material. PPS is produced in different densities, on which the rigidity and weight of the material depend. In this case, the thermal conductivity depends little on the density.

Expanded polystyrene refers to combustible materials. Also, when heated to a relatively low temperature (about 80 degrees), harmful substances. Other features of this material include:

resistance to fungi and microorganisms, but the material can be destroyed by rodents;
PPS poorly absorbs water (not hygroscopic), which is convenient when installing it in wet screed.

Expanded polystyrene is convenient to use and is often used in underfloor heating systems.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Extruded polystyrene foam (EPS) is a type of expanded polystyrene. It is produced in the same way as PPP, the only difference is in the method of obtaining granules. Its characteristics include low thermal conductivity of 0.029 - 0.034 W / m ° C, not high hygroscopicity.

Issued different types XPS, density from 25 to 45 kg/m³. In terms of thermal performance and lightness, it surpasses expanded polystyrene up to the PSB-35 grade and is similar to the characteristics of high-density PPS.

This material is tougher, better resists mechanical stress than polystyrene foam, so it is more convenient to use and it is less destroyed. The main disadvantage is its higher price.

Please note: Both XPS and ordinary polystyrene foam are produced in a special modification for underfloor heating, in which a system of special grooves and channels is made on the upper edge of the plate for laying a floor heating pipe. This simplifies the job.

Mineral wool boards

Rigid slabs of mineral wool are sometimes used for underfloor heating systems. basalt wool. Its characteristics are similar to ordinary mineral wool. The difference is in rigidity and ease of installation. To the main positive characteristics mineral wool relate:

zero flammability - the material is not exposed to high temperatures;
high soundproofing characteristics;
good ones thermal insulation properties;
chemical resistance.

Rigid mineral wool boards with a density of 175 to 200 kg/m³ are used for screeding, the thermal conductivity coefficient of which is about 0.039 W/m °C. The main negative property of mineral wool is hygroscopicity and vapor permeability. Because of this, when installed in a wet screed, they require careful hydro and vapor barrier.

Foamed polyethylene

Recently, polyethylene foam has been used for thermal insulation of underfloor heating. He represents himself roll material thickness from 3 to 10 mm. Foamed polyethylene can also be foil-coated on one or both sides. Foiling allows you to create a reflective layer for infrared rays. The use of foiling allows you to reduce the thickness of the required heat insulator.

However, there is a nuance: the reflection of infrared rays by such a layer is difficult in a solid body, such as a cement screed. But still, the use of such material can significantly save on the height of the screed. This will not reduce the height of the room.

According to its thermal characteristics, foamed polyethylene is similar to expanded polystyrene and other materials. The thermal conductivity coefficient of this material in a dry state is in the range of 0.037 - 0.049 W / m ° C, while it must be borne in mind that the foamed polyethylene absorbs water, while its thermal insulation properties decrease.

It is also important to know that foil can corrode chemical materials as part of concrete mix. To overcome this problem, many manufacturers produce sheet material, which is covered on top of the foil with special polymer films.

Natural cork

For water-heated floor systems, a natural heat-insulating material is also used - cork. The heat transfer coefficient of cork is 0.034 and is similar to the best artificial materials. Main positive characteristic plugs - naturalness. It does not include outsiders. chemical additives and harmful substances.

The main disadvantage is the high cost. Usage natural cork in a cement screed of a warm floor is justified mainly by its naturalness. But the question arises: is it worth it to flood the expensive and natural material into cement.

Cork is a relatively hygroscopic material. It can absorb up to 12%. In order to protect against getting wet, the cork insulation must be closed dense layer polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride film with or without foil.

"Pie" underfloor heating

After parsing possible types heaters for a water-heated floor, we will analyze the composition directly, the so-called pie. After all, the quality of the system depends not only on right choice insulation, but also from competent installation. In what order are all layers of a water-heated floor mounted?

The order depends on what the system is mounted on. If the underfloor heating device goes to ground base, then first of all it is advisable to arrange a rough concrete screed, on which the cake will continue to be laid.

insulation of the required thickness, and when installed on the ground, the thickness of the insulation can reach 150 mm, and for ordinary floors, the thickness of the insulation is selected up to 50 mm;
if the insulating material is not covered with a protection on top or a system for laying pipes is not arranged on it, then it must be covered vapor barrier film to protect against moisture cement mortar(except for polystyrene and EPPS);
next, set special panel for laying pipes or reinforced frame to create rigidity;
the pipeline is attached to the frame or to the panel.

The whole system is ready for pouring the screed and the device decorative coating gender.

Underfloor heating scheme.

When choosing a heat-insulating material for a water-heated floor, you need to focus on financial capabilities and availability. For most applications, extruded polystyrene foam or conventional polystyrene boards. If it is not possible to arrange a thick screed, polyethylene foam is used. Mineral wool boards often used in the design of the system in wooden floor. But it can also be used in cement screed. Cork - for connoisseurs of natural materials.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for their selection. Just send in the form below detailed description work that needs to be done and offers with prices from construction teams and firms will come to your mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

Almost every instruction for self-laying a water floor indicates the need to use insulation. The insulating layer helps to evenly distribute heat in the room. Insulation for a water-heated floor reduces heat losses and provides uniform heating of the room.

Why do you need insulation under water floors

Why do you need a heater at all?

A special heat-reflecting substrate under the water-heated floor serves as a kind of screen that prevents thermal radiation from escaping in an unnecessary direction. Simply put, with the help of insulation, the heating system does not heat the apartment of the neighbors living below, but its own housing.
The use of a substrate serves another purpose related to the peculiarity of underfloor heating. The substrate evenly distributes thermal energy throughout the room, allowing you to stabilize the convection heat flow in one direction and at the same speed of movement.
Heat-insulating mats for a water-heated floor with bosses make it easier to install a water circuit. The device of such a system includes special latches, due to which the laying and fixing of the pipe is carried out quickly and reliably.

The choice of insulation thickness is primarily related to technical parameters premises. Where the ceiling height allows, it is best to use thick polystyrene plates with markings or a ready-made substrate with recesses for pipe installation. If the distance to the ceilings is critical, it is better to choose foil insulation.

Types of heaters for underfloor heating

Although there are a large number of very different thermal insulation, in fact, it can be roughly divided into just two categories.

Plates

This category includes polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam under a warm water floor. The advantage of polystyrene systems is high strength and ability to withstand mechanical stress.

This group should also include a profile mat for installing a warm water floor. The use of a profile system (lugs or guide grooves) is very convenient for pipe laying.

Profile guide mounting mats for a water-heated floor, after laying the pipeline, are poured from above with a small layer of adhesive solution. After drying for 1-2 days, you can start operating the heating system.

Styrofoam for underfloor heating is an unprofitable option. Plates after laying are easily deformed, after which the thermal insulation ability of the material decreases.

Roll thermal insulation

Enjoys well-deserved popularity. Foil reflective thermal insulation for a water-heated floor allows you to reduce the thickness of the "pie". The foil effectively reflects heat radiation.

Foil insulation for a water-heated floor often has a special marking that facilitates the installation of a heating circuit. The thickness of the roll-type substrate does not exceed 1-1.5 cm.

Mineral heaters are rarely laid, since a protective layer will need to be laid on top. It is not advisable to use mineral material for the substrate.

According to customer reviews, one of the best solutions is to purchase a heater such as Teploizol.

You can also use cork insulation. Cork insulation has good performance in terms of: compressive strength, sound insulation and lack of adhesion to cement mortar.

When deciding which thermal insulation material to choose, one should be guided by the technical characteristics of the heated room. Possible disadvantages of the substrate should be taken into account: cost, thickness, maximum allowable compressive load, etc.

If planned self-assembly warm floors, it is better to choose polystyrene plates with markings (with bosses). In this case, it will be much easier to lay the heating circuit.

How should a water floor cake look like in layers

Preparation of the pie under the floors should be carried out in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation. Installation work is carried out as follows:

Laying a warm water floor on mats, as shown by a comparison of heat-insulating materials (their technical characteristics and difficulties associated with installation), is more appropriate. Permissible load on the polystyrene foam system is 50 kN/m². The weight of the structure allows installation even in high-rise buildings on the last floors, where the use of a concrete cake is prohibited.

Features of laying insulation

When installing insulation, you should take into account the types of mats used, since the nuances of laying the material depend on this:

A foil substrate must be laid on top of the foam. A reinforcing mesh is laid, along which pipes are installed.
The thickness of the mats varies from 5 to 10 cm. It is allowed that the thickness of the cork sheet substrate be reduced to 2-3 mm.
The joints of the insulation are glued with adhesive tape. The plates are fixed with anchor dowels and adhesive.
The foil material is spread in such a way that the best way reflect heat, i.e. metal side up.

Some installation details are indicated in the instruction manual. Strict adherence to the manufacturer's recommendations is the key to high heat transfer heating with underfloor heating.

The device of a water heated floor requires competent design and strict adherence to technological standards. The choice of insulation is one of the important points. Consider the main types of heat-insulating materials, their properties and characteristics.

So, what heat-insulating materials should be used when installing water-heated floor systems? In general, any material that meets certain characteristics is acceptable. First of all, it must be distinguished by a sufficient level of thermal insulation, also be resistant to moisture and chemicals from the concrete screed, and have sufficient rigidity.

In one way or another, all these requirements are met by such materials:

expanded polystyrene (polystyrene);
extruded polystyrene foam;
mineral wool boards;
foamed polyethylene (penofol);
natural cork.

Let's consider each of them in more detail.

Expanded polystyrene refers to combustible materials. Also, when heated to a relatively low temperature (about 80 degrees), harmful substances can be released from it. Other features of this material include:

resistance to fungi and microorganisms, but the material can be destroyed by rodents;
PPS poorly absorbs water (not hygroscopic), which is convenient when it is installed in a wet screed.

Expanded polystyrene is convenient to use and is often used in underfloor heating systems.

Various types of XPS are produced, with a density of 25 to 45 kg / m³. In terms of thermal performance and lightness, it surpasses expanded polystyrene up to the PSB-35 grade and is similar to the characteristics of high-density PPS.

This material is tougher, better resists mechanical stress than polystyrene foam, so it is more convenient to use and it is less destroyed. The main disadvantage is its higher price.

Please note: Both XPS and ordinary polystyrene foam are produced in a special modification for underfloor heating, in which a system of special grooves and channels is made on the upper edge of the plate for laying a floor heating pipe. This simplifies the job.

Mineral wool boards

Rigid rock wool slabs are sometimes used for underfloor heating systems. Its characteristics are similar to ordinary mineral wool. The difference is in rigidity and ease of installation. The main positive characteristics of mineral wool include:

zero flammability - the material is not exposed to high temperatures;
high soundproofing characteristics;
good thermal insulation properties;
chemical resistance.

Foamed polyethylene

Recently, polyethylene foam has been used for thermal insulation of underfloor heating. It is a rolled material with a thickness of 3 to 10 mm. Foamed polyethylene can also be foil-coated on one or both sides. Foiling allows you to create a reflective layer for infrared rays. The use of foiling allows you to reduce the thickness of the required heat insulator.

It is also important to know that foil can be corroded by chemicals in the concrete mix. To eliminate this problem, many manufacturers produce sheet material that is coated on top of the foil with special polymer films.

Natural cork

For water-heated floor systems, a natural heat-insulating material is also used - cork. The heat transfer coefficient of cork is 0.034 and is similar to the best artificial materials. The main positive characteristic of cork is naturalness. It does not include foreign chemical additives and harmful substances.

The main disadvantage is the high cost. The use of natural cork in a cement screed of a warm floor is justified mainly by its naturalness. But the question arises: is it worth pouring expensive and natural material into cement.

Cork is a relatively hygroscopic material. It can absorb up to 12%. In order to protect against getting wet, the cork insulation must be closed with a dense layer of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride film with or without foil.

"Pie" underfloor heating

After analyzing the possible types of heaters for a water-heated floor, we will analyze the composition directly, the so-called pie. After all, the quality of the system depends not only on the correct choice of insulation, but also on proper installation. In what order are all layers of a water-heated floor mounted?

The order depends on what the system is mounted on. If the underfloor heating device goes to the ground base, then first of all it is advisable to arrange a rough concrete screed, on which the cake will be laid further.

insulation of the required thickness, and when installed on the ground, the thickness of the insulation can reach 150 mm, and for ordinary floors, the thickness of the insulation is selected up to 50 mm;
if the insulating material is not covered with a protection on top or a pipe laying system is not arranged on it, then it must be covered with a vapor barrier film to protect it from moisture from the cement mortar (except for foam plastic and XPS);
further, a special panel for laying pipes or a reinforced frame is installed to create rigidity;
the pipeline is attached to the frame or to the panel.

The whole system is ready for pouring the screed and installing a decorative floor covering.

Underfloor heating scheme.

When choosing a heat-insulating material for a water-heated floor, you need to focus on financial capabilities and availability. For most applications, extruded styrofoam or conventional styrofoam boards will do. If it is not possible to arrange a thick screed, polyethylene foam is used. Mineral wool boards are more often used when installing a system in a wooden floor. But it is also possible to use it in a cement screed. Cork is for connoisseurs of natural materials.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for their selection. Just send in the form below a detailed description of the work that needs to be done and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and firms by e-mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

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