Warm floors for laminate flooring with your own hands

Underfloor today are increasingly used as the main heating.But not always material flooring allows you to arrange a heating.Among them, recently took the laminate.The fact that this material is highly impractical in environments with high temperature and humidity.After all, according to changes in temperature and humidity, he can change the geometric parameters.However, there are some exceptions.Let's see how to make a warm floor under the laminate.

How to choose laminate under floor heating system?

Many people in the houses where the floor, covered with laminate, know that there is no insulation will not be able to make it warmer to the touch.After all, the surface of this material is not wood.In order to resist abrasion, the construction material is coated with a solid resin layer.Because of this, the surface remains cool even in the hot weather.If put under the laminate floor heating, the room will be much warmer.But it is worth to say that not any kind of laminate flooring and underfloor heating, each system is suitable for such a purpose.

laminate itself in its composition still contains wood.Therefore, it has some properties of this material.In particular, it absorbs moisture and swells for this reason.Furthermore, it can in some cases deform and shrivel.For example, when a sharp rise in temperature.

course, these properties are not as strong as that of pure wood, but when choosing a laminate still need to pay attention to some important indicators.In particular, the packaging of the goods, as a rule, there is a special symbol that stands for compatibility with the coating underfloor.It is important that the material has a thickness of at least 9 mm.If the laminate is thinner, it could become deformed due to temperature changes.

Before you choose a laminate, you need to understand what it consists of.It is made by compaction components (such as wood dust).These components are fastened together by tight various resins, which has a formaldehyde gas.And it, in turn, under certain conditions, becomes harmful for our health.This gas is released when heated above 25 degrees laminate.Therefore, this material is normally used in those areas where the temperature is in the range 0 ... 25 degrees.

When the choice is made in favor of one or another type of laminate is to learn more about the characteristics of the material, which is usually indicated on the package.Covering necessarily have conductivity.For underfloor heating suitable value ratio is considered to be 0.05 - 10 (measured in m2 x K / W).It is recommended to ask the seller a certificate for selling of laminate flooring.It should be mentioned condition in which this material can be used.In addition, there should be clearly defined its characteristics.

It is, perhaps, all the basic requirements for laminate.Next, consider how to choose the right underfloor heating system.

Selecting the right floor heating system

Today, there are three variants of floor heating systems:

• electric,
• water,
• film (infrared).

Immediately is to say that not all of them are suitable laminate.To find out, let us consider a little more detail each of these options.

Electric warm floor under the laminate.Most often used for space heating is an option, but it is ill-suited for laminate and, in general, for most floor coverings.This is due to the fact that it has low thermal conductivity.The cable, which is the basis for heat, filled screed, which then laid the flooring material.First, using a cable tie is heated, then it should be set to transfer heat flooring.When working on laying the laminate beneath it usually is laid substrate having low emissivity.Consequently, it further reduces the already weak obgorite.Therefore, to laminate could warm to a suitable temperature, to wait long enough.During this time, to spend large amounts of electricity.By the way, the electric floor heating system most effectively be used to transfer heat to the coating of tiles and porcelain tiles.This is due to the fact that these materials, unlike the laminate have high heat conductivity.

will understand now, that is a radiant floor heating.So, this system is a small section of pipe, which is directly connected to the central heating.This warm floor construction is usually placed underneath the laminate, but not in the apartment buildings.This can be done only in private buildings.The disadvantages include more worth the cost of installation and maintenance of water warm floor under the laminate.If a fault occurs, its redecoration owners results in a fairly large amount.Even if a small leak will have to change the entire system of pipes and, most likely, himself a laminate, which is due to a malfunction can come into disrepair.In addition, because of the connection of floor heating systems for central heating possible severe changes in temperature, which is harmful to the laminate.

As for infrared film floor, it is a system whose operation is based on infrared radiation effect.The base material of the coating is a thin film, filled with special strips of conducting current.This system of floor heating is the most suitable for installation under a material such as laminate.This is facilitated by some important features.In particular, to establish this type of coating can be, even if the tie and glue is not available.He shows himself well in heating coatings with low thermal conductivity.In such embodiments, the floor heating can be adjusted by the intensity of the heat.This allows you to choose the most comfortable temperature for the room occupants, and for flooring (so that it does not spoil and is not deformed).

From the above we can see that the most appropriate insulation for floors with laminate film is an infrared system.By the way, even today there is a laminate, which is already built-in film for heating.But as long as the material has a very high price.

How to style warm floor under the laminate

Film floor heating system under laminate flooring is easy to install.In this case, a very useful electrical knowledge.Due to the fact that the film is very thin, such a floor in contrast to other heating systems do not reduce the height of the room.Laminate flooring is laid directly on it.The substrate for mounting can take special material with mild base.It should necessarily be coated with a metallized film.

phased order of execution of works:

• When installing infrared warm floor under the laminate is not necessary to remove the old paint.But sometimes it's still worth doing.For example, when it can no longer fulfill their function.In that case, if the coating is still in a good state, to prepare it to be quite clear from debris and dirt.
• surface may not be perfectly smooth, as required by the installation conditions.So you should check for differences and cavities using a spirit level.For infrared floor permissible bending equal to the thickness of the film.If the differences are greater, they should be aligned.Then it is necessary to dry the floor.Now you can start the installation of the system of floor heating.
• It makes no sense to warm the floor area, which will be furniture and appliances.But if you plan in the future to change the layout of the room, it is better to warm the entire surface of the coating.It must be remembered that the power of the floor heating system depends directly on the area of ​​the room.The larger it is, the less power is consumed.
• How to put warm floor under the laminate?The first step in laying the waterproofing should be done, which is necessary for the protection of heating from moisture.Next, a layer of insulation, which prevents heat loss by radiation downward.This layer of material to reduce power consumption and improve the efficiency of the system.

• To make the insulation is allowed to use almost any material intended for these purposes.Which one you choose, it should be thoroughly spread and install metal-coated side up.Joints recommended pasted tape.It is believed that as the insulation laminate is best to use a foam material with a thickness of about 4 mm.It does not matter whether it will have reflective properties.The most important thing here - only the thickness of the layer.
• Typically, the reflective coating is made from Dacron.With infrared heat-insulated floor under the laminate is not recommended to use a heat-insulating material made of foil.In order to reduce heat loss, you need to seal the joints of the substrate tape with a special metallic coating.
• for underfloor heating temperature control is needed.This is usually done by a thermostat.The thermostat allows you to do the following: - set the base level of temperature, set heating program periodicity, and it is designed to automate turn on and off.
• Before installing infrared radiant floor heating, you want to select the location where you place the thermostat.It is best to place it at a height of 200 mm above the floor level.The proper placement depends on how the sheets are attached imaging film and routed wires.After that you need to chart a floor heating installation under laminate.
• Installing fuser needs to be done directly on the insulation and on the previously planned scheme.There is no need to insulate the entire floor space.Therefore, the film warm floor under the laminate are usually mounted only on the areas of the room that will be useful.
• When there is a major source of heat and need extra heating, the polyester film is placed on half the area of ​​the floor.In this capacity it should be between 90 and 150 W / m2.In this case, the heated floor in the finished product should be comfortable enough for the room occupants.If the floor is created as the main heating, the film is placed on 75-85% of its area.In this case it should have equal power 150 W / m2.
• There are some important rules of the fuser unit.In particular, from the wall to be indented at least 200 mm.Also, do not place it near the furniture.If the room has strong heating devices (eg, fire), then up to them to be a minimum distance of 1.1 m. In order to properly place the shrink film, it can be cut with scissors by the planned advance marks.We must not forget that the length of the strip should not exceed 7.5 m.
• When mounting the film need to ensure that there is no overlapping of its individual parts to each other.Thermo film may have one or two working parties.In the first case (single-sided if the film), system is laid down enhanced.The double sided tape can be installed by any party.To wire was less, it is recommended to install it in the place where you place the thermostat.Material should be laid so that the copper contacts party looked down, and then to the edge of the copper cable clamps are attached and have them connect the other wires.

• Exposed copper should close the insulation.For this purpose, suitable bituminous insulation, which is sold in the form of a film.Cut off a piece to be somewhat larger in size than the working surface.
• With insulation glued over copper areas on both sides.To place an insulated section, using the indentation in the film to make the holes.Then they are sealed with tape.The attachment point of wire insulation is not necessary to do.Previously should prepare metal clips.For their attachment using pliers.

As you can see, to install underfloor heating under laminate their own hands under the force of each.

mounting plinth

When installing laminate will come to an end, it is mounted on a plinth.Only after this work is completed.In order to install a plastic plinth of the tools needed to hacksaw and drill, and of the fasteners - screws and dowels.By skirting also purchased corners of plastic necessary shade.In the doorway baseboard slats are closed with plugs.Reiki are cut according to the size.The walls should be to make holes for dowels.

If you plan to install a wooden plinth, it is useful joinery miter box, which is a tool that helps you cut wooden parts (in this case the plinth) at an angle of 45 degrees.After you install the miter box material is cut using a hacksaw.As a result, two adjacent skirting boards are connected nice and right seam.

General tips for installation

1. Even before the start of work to prepare the recommended scheme, but rather, a plan under which the installation will be done.It draws best to consult with professionals who will be able to specify the important points.
2. in small rooms with low ceilings, it is desirable to use thin layers of floor heating.The choice of materials is quite broad.
3. should choose the right kind of warm floor under the laminate taking into account qualitative characteristics of the material.
4. went to heat up only recommended under construction underfloor heating install an extra layer of insulation.
5. If the floor is located on the border with a damp cellar or close to the ground, then the installation of the heating system is best to install an additional waterproofing.
6. When installing underfloor heating under laminate sensor is best positioned in the middle of the structure.Due to this mounting process will need fewer wires.Moreover, the sensor must be positioned in a cool place.Also, it should be wrapped in a corrugated sleeve.
7. Installing underfloor heating system should be made strictly in accordance with the existing instructions.
8. If in a building there are different climate areas, you can not use them in the same system of warm floors.For example, it is not necessary to lay a floor for the room and loggia.If the warm room, then each of them should be a separate system.
9. If the room humidity, then it is not recommended to install thermal film.
10. fuser for fixing itself can not be used screws and nails.
11. If a floor plan to install a massive furniture, it is necessary beforehand to make air pockets.
12. in shrink film can not make holes.
13. In addition, this floor should not be set at a low temperature.
14. When mounting film portion of a length of 50 cm should not be bent at a right angle.
15. Make sure to present a ground wire.

warm floor under the laminate: Video