Do-it-yourself installation of electric (cable), water and film underfloor heating

To solve the problem of a cold floor today is not difficult. If you have the finances, you can choose any film system and do-it-yourself floor heating installation without resorting to the help of companies specializing in this type of service. However, if you are not sure about something, then you should not start. Today we will try to figure out how to install all the floor heating systems that exist.

Installation technology infrared warm floor

Before buying an infrared thermal film, determine the surface area of the heated floor, and estimate a more economical arrangement of the cut strips. Typically, film covers about 80% of the floor surface, leaving room for the installation of massive pieces of furniture. Thermofilm is available in rolls and has a different width. Calculate how wide the material is more profitable for you to purchase. In addition to infrared thermal film, related materials, such as building tape, heat-reflecting substrate, connecting wires, electrical tape, a temperature sensor and a temperature controller, if they are not included with the underfloor heating system, will be needed.

So, the installation procedure:

A heat-reflecting substrate is laid on the cleaned surface of the base floor, while its silver side should be on top. Note that experts do not recommend using aluminum foil instead of a heat-reflecting substrate.
The strips of the heat-reflecting substrate are attached to the base with construction tape.
Next, thermofilm strips measured by the size of the room are rolled out over the substrate so that the copper strip is at the bottom. At the same time, they make sure that the films do not overlap each other.
To prevent the shift of the strips of thermal film, carry out their fixation using the same construction tape.
Then proceed to install rivets under the connecting wires. The operation requires the use of a special tool.
For reliable insulation of the places of connection of wires using a bitumen tape and ordinary insulating tape.
The exit points of the copper floor located on the cutoff line of the thermal film also need insulation. At the same time, a layer of electrical tape is first glued, then a bitumen tape, and then a strip of electrical tape is again applied on top.
Having prepared the contacts, connect the wires and insulate the connection points with ordinary insulating tape.
Next, a thermostat and a temperature sensor are connected to the system using the circuit.
After connecting the thermostat to the electrical network, an operability test of the installed underfloor heating system is carried out.
Then lay the finish flooring, which will be uniformly heated to the temperature set on the thermostat.

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Laying scheme of a warm film floor - in principle, there is nothing complicated here!

Important! Thermal film strips should not be longer than seven meters. In places of placing heavy objects, it is not recommended to lay the film. It is forbidden to punch black graphite stripes by attaching the film to the base with metal brackets or self-tapping screws.

Features of installing an electrical cable system

Floor heating can be done using an electric cable or heating pipes with a diameter of 20 mm, in this case it will be necessary to fill the underfloor heating system with a concrete screed. Work begins with the dismantling of the old flooring and leveling the surface with a cement-sand screed.

Next, a heat-insulating material used as a heat reflector is laid on a dried layer of screed. An electric cable is placed over the heat-reflecting material by a snake. A distance of 15-20 cm is maintained between the turns. After a test run, the underfloor heating system is poured with a thin layer of concrete screed. At the last stage, the selected floor covering is laid, which can be linoleum, parquet, tile or carpet.

Important! Each room has a separate heating system, which allows you to set different heating parameters depending on the functionality of the room.

Unlike film infrared systems, newly laid underfloor heating cables do not operate for three weeks. That is how much time is required for the complete hardening of the concrete screed. Turning on the underfloor heating system, a gradual increase in its power to a final temperature is carried out. If the manufacturer of the flooring does not indicate in the instructions the maximum level of temperature of the warm floor, then adhere to an average value of surface heating of 27 degrees.

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Analysis of the nuances of installing a water floor

The installation of a water floor heating system begins with the installation of a manifold cabinet and the installation of a pump-mixing unit with a manifold block. The unit maintains the set temperature level depending on the user's preferences.

The collector block is responsible for the distribution of the coolant in individual loops or contours of the warm floor. The assembled structure is mounted in a manifold cabinet

Further, the work procedure is carried out according to the following algorithm:

Proceed to the preparation of the floor, freeing it from debris and checking the horizontal surface using a building water level.
A damper tape is laid around the perimeter of the room, which will reduce the amount of heat loss through the walls.
Then, a layer of vapor barrier material is laid, which protects the system from moisture from below.
At the next stage, polystyrene foam boards are laid out, which provide thermal insulation and serve as the basis for quick pipe laying. Plates have an overlap, for this purpose, their design provides for the presence of grooves.
Then they start laying metal-plastic pipes according to the “snake” or “snail” scheme, distributing them between the bosses and maintaining the distance provided by the project. The power and intensity of heating depend on this. To better fix the bending of the pipe, a special spring conductor is used.
After completing the design of the contours, the ends of the pipes are connected to distribution manifolds, install servos that allow you to regulate the operation of the warm floor using a room thermostat. Servo motors and room thermostats are connected to communicators.
After completion of work, the system is checked for leaks and concrete screed is poured. The system can be operated after 28 days.

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What determines the cost of the device?

The cost of installing a warm electric floor depends on:

the cost of a set of underfloor heating systems, calculated by the square of the room;
of the volume of installation work, the payment of which may amount to one third of all equipment costs;
from the need for leveling the floor;
from the complexity of laying the finish coating.

If you choose an underfloor heating system for heating, the final cost of the work depends on the choice of the type of pipe. The most accessible are plastic pipes, which are one and a half times cheaper than polypropylene pipes. The most expensive are copper pipes. Having found out how much it costs to install a heated floor in different companies, you can determine the average prices prevailing in the market of your region. Do-it-yourself installation will save about a third of the cost.

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3 comments

Vladimir
6 years ago

Even at the stage of planning the heating system, I first of all drew attention to the installation of a water heated floor, since the choice of heating device was to a mounted condensing boiler. In this case, the combined use of these boilers and underfloor heating allows to achieve a higher value of efficiency, as well as significantly reduce fuel costs. Since the heating of the room with warm floors is more even, so the comfortable atmosphere as a result is more pleasant. And the use of a room thermostat will create conditions for ease of operation of the system. Some users do not dare to install underfloor heating, but in vain, because the process is not too complicated, which is well described in this article. Although initially you will have to invest a certain amount of funds, however, the final version will allow you to enjoy the comfort created in your own home.
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Dmitry
7 years ago

Now warm floors have become very relevant. I like infrared film floors better. They are easier to install. And you can insulate exactly those places in the room that are needed. Now I have already made all the calculations for my apartment and in the spring I will install. Moreover, I have long been thinking about installing a laminate, and under it I will put a warm floor.
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Marina
7 years ago

Unfortunately, it happened that our apartment has very cold floors, in principle, we walk in slippers and we could not warm the floor, however, we have a small child and he likes to run barefoot, so the need to warm the floor is urgent. Thanks to this article, we learned the basic installation criteria for such floors, it will now decide which option is most suitable for us.
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