What heating system to choose when installing a warm floor under the laminate?

Warm floors under the laminate today are already not something out of the ordinary, but quite a common thing. Moreover, now we can say that the “smart” warm floor is gaining more and more positions in the market of heating systems. Moreover, such a trend is not the result of advertising or pressure from utilities. Such a choice indicates that, finally, innovations take root in our lives, crowding out morally and physically obsolete heating systems. This system is best characterized by the reviews of those people who, through personal experience, have ascertained its excellent performance.

First you need to clearly understand that the laminate flooring, in fact, refers to wood flooring, since it consists of 90% wood. And it is, as you know, capricious - all wooden products require special maintenance during operation. In this regard, the laminate is no exception. Just like an ordinary wooden floor, it is sensitive to moisture, which means that its volume is constantly changing depending on drying or saturation on the contrary. Unfortunately, these processes are extremely relevant in the case of arranging warm floors, because there is a change in the temperature regime. When heated, the tree loses its moisture more intensively. Therefore, you need to choose the right laminate for a warm floor. He has different classes and which one will be needed for you - you will need to consult with consultants.

Is it really impossible to lay this system under the laminate? Of course, this is not so! A warm floor under a laminate flooring is a reality, just the process of arranging it requires certain conditions to be met. Currently, manufacturers offer three types of underfloor heating: water; electric; film.

Option # 1 - Water System

Water floor heating refers to safe and reliable methods of floor heating. Its main advantages include uniform heating of the base, for example, concrete screed, which increases the service life of the laminate.

Preliminary preparation

To ensure the required level of moisture in the screed after laying the underfloor heating, the system just needs to be turned on. This will allow to dry and warm concrete well, while the temperature regime must be gradually increased. Before laying the laminate, you must ensure that the base meets the conditions recommended by the manufacturers of this flooring.

Substrate

There is no fundamental difference what type of screed will be used when installing such floors - in any case, it is necessary to protect the laminate from moisture. For this purpose, the screed is coated with a substrate, for example, a 200 micron thick plastic film, which is fastened with adhesive tape or lapped.

When using the system, you should adhere to a very simple rule: the temperature in the water system at the beginning of the season should be increased gradually, somewhere by 5 degrees a day. Thus, it will be possible to avoid sudden temperature changes, and mean to protect the laminate from deformation

Recommended! In order to soften the impact of the laminate on the screed on top of the waterproofing, it is necessary to lay a layer of soundproofing material. As a rule, foamed polyethylene with a thickness of the order of 2–3 mm is used for these purposes. Such a substrate is laid end-to-end along the length and is fixed with adhesive tape.

An example of the installation of a water floor on a wooden base

Option # 2 - Electric Floor

Electric underfloor heating is a good option if you need local heating of the room and is used as additional heating.

When choosing such floors, you need to consider the power:

• 150 W - the best option for a warm floor in the living room and kitchen;
• 220 W - can be used as the main source of heat, for example, on the balcony, as well as additional heating in rooms with significant heat loss.

The functioning of this floor is ensured by heating the cable. Its work can be compared with the work of a conventional electric heating pad, that is, the cable is powered from the network, and in this way it heats up

Advantages and disadvantages

Electric underfloor heating is very easy to install under the laminate. Moreover, this work can be done by a person who does not have special knowledge and skills. This floor is laid on an existing screed. And this means that there is a significant saving of time and financial resources in the arrangement of this system.

As the main heating system, this type of underfloor heating is extremely rare. There is only one reason - the high cost of electricity. In addition, before installing it, it is necessary to determine the exact placement of the furniture, since no furniture should be located above the electrical wiring in order to avoid local overheating of the cable and as a result of its burnout.

Option # 3 - infrared film floor

Currently, this type of underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular among consumers. It is believed that it is he who provides a truly gentle heating mode that is really gentle for a laminated coating.

The infrared film allows you to maintain optimal temperature conditions, which avoids overheating of the flooring

Note! Due to the frequent arrangement of strips of heating elements (after 5 mm) on a special thermal film, the laminate is not threatened with cracking or other deformation.

Advantages and disadvantages

It is because of the high heating rate that installing such a warm floor under a laminate is economically feasible. Firstly, although it is actually one of the varieties of electric underfloor heating, it is configured for economical energy consumption. Secondly, even in the case of mechanical damage, the entire heating system does not completely fail - this only happens with a certain section or strip. This feature is provided by the parallel connection of the heating elements. Thirdly, the film is not afraid of corrosion processes and destruction - it is known that the decomposition of polyethylene is longer than the “life” of most buildings. In addition, the film floor is characterized by such features:

1. Installation work takes 1-2 hours.
2. When working, there is no need for screed, glue and special skills.
3. Ready for use immediately after installation.
4. Creates a healthy indoor microclimate.
5. Ecologically safe - no harmful substances are released.
6. The minimum film thickness does not affect the usable height of the room.
7. Serves at least 50 years.
8. It does not require any maintenance during operation.
9. No need to purchase additional equipment.
10. The cost of heating is reduced by almost a third, due to the possibility of selecting a rational heating mode based on the specific situation.

This type of underfloor heating significantly exceeds the price of the cable and water system at the initial stage, although it pays off during the first 2-3 years.

You can lay the underfloor heating under the laminate yourself, but if for some reason this is problematic, then you will need the help of professionals.We hope that with our tips you can easily find a really good company, because now you know all the qualities, features and nuances of each of the 3 types of underfloor heating that exist today.

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