Which dry floor heating system is best for tiles?
Your portal describes several ways to implement a dry warm water floor (without screed). It is also indicated that ceramic tiles can be used as a topcoat in such a structure. Forgive my incompetence in this matter, is it possible to lay a tile on an uneven surface with a screed or concrete slabs? Please tell me how reliable such a combination is, which of the systems of a warm dry floor (wooden or polystyrene) is better suited for tiles?Thanks in advance!
Anna
Expert Answer
Anna, laying ceramic tiles on a water-heated floor equipped with a “dry” method does not present any difficulties and practically does not differ from a traditional tile covering either in strength or in durability.
The thing is that the floor heating system is a durable multi-layer cake, at the base of which are wooden lumber or polystyrene boards. On top of the insulation layer, special aluminum or galvanized steel lamellas are laid, in the grooves of which heat pipes are placed. In addition to the function of fastening the contour, metal plates play the role of a heat distributor, which is necessary so that the surface under the legs warms up evenly.
This whole “pie” is completed by a coating of gypsum fiber sheets, on which, in fact, ceramic tiles are laid using the most ordinary tile adhesive. Practice confirms the high strength, reliability and durability of such a floor, so you can safely use the technology described above at home.
As for the final part of your question, it is best to use high density extruded polystyrene boards. This material has high hardness and is absolutely not affected by moisture, mold and other harmful factors.
