Proper cover for underfloor heating: overview of the options and limitations

What should be the final layer in the floor heating system

When you select a decorative covering for the usual gender restrictions are mainly associated with taste preferences and financial capabilities. And when you need to choose the finish for floor heating, at the forefront of very different priorities and its own "Wishlist" have to relate to the specifics of the system. Bed you can almost anything, and another thing, what will turn a "maybe", taking into account the special temperature conditions, as well as the composition and properties of various materials. Let us examine, what covers warm floor "friends", which "suffers", but with some "fighting".

Content

• Heated floor - replacement of the main part
• Significant characteristics of decorative coverings, floor heating system,
• Coatings for floor heating
• Unwanted cover for underfloor heating

Heated floor - replacement of the main part

Underfloor heating, a multi-layered system, based on the thermal circuit, laid in the concrete floor, at least, between the layers of drywall. Initially the system is designed as an auxiliary element, supplementary to the usual radiator pipes and wiring. However, the constant rise in energy perfectly stimulated the construction industry in prices, including the private sphere and the concept of energy efficiency was dramatically urgent. And today, that in the construction of the new, that the reconstruction of houses, focusing on the reduction of heat loss through the building envelope all. And when openings sealed, insulated walls and ceilings, and doors and windows, "warm", and the underfloor heating is sufficient to maintain a comfortable temperature. Therefore, there are difficulties with the choice of coatings, it is one thing, a warm floor in the hallway, bathroom and kitchen, and the other - around the house.

Significant characteristics of decorative coverings, floor heating system,

Since the system under consideration taken as the basic, it does not make sense to go into electrical or infrared subspecies - the leaders of a water main. But its specificity is that rise quickly and become critical, the coolant temperature can be, but instantly cool down without causing damage, for example, from the parquet exclusive brand collections, no longer out. In a floor construction topcoat carries not only and not so much decorative load as practical - loop transfers heat from the room. It turns out, the basic requirements to the finish line two:

• stability not only to the constant heating, but also to the possibility of overheating;
• sufficient thermal conductivity.

But if you delve, the list will expand at least one position - environmentally friendly. About the environment today, shouting at each corner, often turning the care of the environment in real farce. However, at his home does not have to open a branch himproizvodstva when you can avoid it. Materials in which there are no aggressive substances, we counted on the fingers, save that they are in a bound form in ordinary conditions on the outside do not stand out. The constant heating, though not strong, can not be attributed to normal conditions. Perhaps not so devil as he is painted, and the risk of discharge of the mythical, but when it comes to the health of loved ones, it is better to be safe.

Coatings for floor heating

Conduct heat in the room will be any floor covering.

mike8

Member FORUMHOUSE

The direction of heat flow depends on the ratio of thermal conductivities of fluids above and below the heat source. Somewhere he still go - otherwise the energy will be stored. In order to heat the floor slab is less than screed made of thermally insulating material, such as foam.

With the same effect copes with this problem insulation layer (Epps), laid under the circuit. Regardless of the conductivity of the finished floor, the system will operate and heat the room. The difference is that the high thermal conductive coating transfer heat almost instantaneously without losses, allowing the system to operate with maximum efficiency. With increased thermal resistance of the finishing layer, consumption of energy increases.

Univer

Member FORUMHOUSE

Now we live in a house on the 1st floor. The floor in the kitchen, hallway, bathrooms tiles coated, in two rooms laminate. The temperature in the room was the same, in the contours of a laminate valves open fully, under the tile is less than half. So, the smaller the thermal conductivity of the laminate leads to greater gas flow to heating.

However, it is unlikely to increase in heating costs is critical, given the combination of materials.

Tile

For underfloor heating systems is considered optimal coating ceramics and all its derivatives, and natural stone. This is not only good thermal conductivity tile and granite or marble (who have the opportunity), but also a way of laying. In the intermediate layer of the assembly is also an excellent thermal conductivity. Significantly, as the operating conditions including not only constant heating, but also swings the temperature in the heating season, and seasonal downtime in any way on the characteristics of the materials in this category are not effect. The downside of such coatings for aesthetics alone becomes "do not want to live in the hospital / castle", for others - the invoice. And if a visually contemporary ceramics can simulate virtually any material, and only the wood of all breeds and species, the softer and more pleasant tactile terms, it did not, and is unlikely to be. Although the taste and color of all the markers are different.

shket 61

Member FORUMHOUSE

The third winter in the house. The entire house TP. Everywhere tiles, except for children (laminate). Gray floors 27-30 ⁰S (in rooms 24-26 ⁰S). No special discomfort - all year round barefoot the whole family. The only "minus" - dishes constantly updated.

specialized laminate

With the growing popularity of floor heating, the manufacturers warning in advance and began to produce a specialized laminate - with a safe (as far as possible) the composition and high thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the coating is designed to stringent performance mode and the heating does not cause warping, cracks of joints and similar "bonus." Substrate is an indispensable element for laying laminate, specialized heat resistance and compliance. Minus coatings and components is considered to be far from the fiscal cost, but specialization is always more versatility.

natural wood

To neutralize the negative impact on the underfloor wood coating, it is necessary to maintain a certain substrate temperature (to 27 ⁰S) and humidity (40%). But even under these conditions, the usual tree (decking, flooring) is not the best choice.

Roracotta

Member FORUMHOUSE

The tree is not recommended, will still go to crack and crevices. Now apply a special "reverse engineering" parquet, designed especially for the TA. It has several glued layers in different directions, like plywood, and is not affected by changes in its geometry. But it is quite expensive.

Manufacturers offer engineered flooring / array for underfloor heating, with the laying of a floating way, but its thermal conductivity is even lower than that of a simple board that need to be taken into account when calculating system.

vinyl derivatives

Relatively recently appeared on the market kvartsvinilovaya tile, consisting for 60-80% of quartz sand, with the addition of polyvinyl chloride and modifiers. Covering the authentic character of the valuable timber species, and is acceptable for application to the base, is not heated above 28 ⁰S.

aparket

Assistant Moderator FORUMHOUSE

For TP suitable quartz-vinyl floors, my sister laid in the bedrooms and they go barefoot - very comfortable. Not slippery, R10 anti-slip indicator, not tough, water-resistant. I'm very happy. Tile stiff and not comfortable. Also, the plug is suitable, but it is worse than heat flows and the class of 31, as a rule, and the quartz-vinyl 43 class.

An improved version kvartsvinila - Keramin, it does not contain the TFC.

aparket

By the way, there was that somewhere between ceramics and kvartsvinilom. Keraminovye floors - soft ceramics. At Batimat in Moscow at the exhibition were presented. Combine the properties and design tile flooring (quartz-vinyl):

1. no weight limits of things;
2. thermal stability - 0,02 m2K / W.

When the mass of merit as in the case with other luxury segment materials, many confuse the issue price - the collection of well-known manufacturers "bite". And what is actually sculpt these budgetary cover in makeshift conditions, history is silent.

Unwanted cover for underfloor heating

First of all a question of specialized materials - if the coating is designed for use in underfloor heating systems, this is indicated in the marking. But do not tempt fate and budget categories:

• Normal laminate - except that when heated can be released pollutants from the composite, the ends appear slit interlocks diverge warps board. The material is simply not designed for such a mode of operation and saved today will result in the need for repair tomorrow.
• Linoleum - such species as Gliphtal (alkyd), relinovy ​​(rubber) and kolloksinovy ​​(nitrocellulose) for heating are not designed in principle. As for the vinyl (PVC), opinions differ, but definitely not worth the risk with cheap universal coverage. The fact that the scent will erode two weeks, does not mean that because of him, and then nothing will stand out when heated. At the well-known brands have a special collection designed for underfloor heating, and only worth it or not is an individual matter. Linoleum, known as Marmoleum, allocate nothing will happen, because there is no chemical in the composition. A worthy alternative to laminate or tile kvartsvinilovoy if no seams in principle.

Output

So - if you do not like "home, rolled up in the tile," there are plenty of other compromises. "Everyone chooses for themselves ..." and "Everyone chooses for themselves ..." Choose.

For those who prefer to collect as much information as possible - discussion of the selection of the coating on the TP 57 pages. About that, what is the natural linoleum - the material "Marmoleum - new / old flooring." The warm floor - in a previous publication. About kvartsvinilovoy tiles can be found in this article. In the video - about heating in Chetverthaus, Including underfloor heating.