How to install infrared underfloor heating under a laminate. We lay the warm floor
Laminate, despite the external similarity with natural wood, the heat capacity differs for the worse. But if you put an infrared floor under the laminate, then additional heating is not needed. Can laminate flooring be installed on an infrared floor? Is it safe, how to prevent overheating, because overheating can result in a fire.
Can an IR floor be installed under a laminate?
In terms of heat capacity, the laminate significantly surpasses the tile coating, in addition, it has low thermal conductivity. But too high temperatures have a negative effect on laminated floors, so the floor is not allowed to overheat.
If a water or electric heating system is installed under the lamellas, this will lead to an increase in the temperature of the heating elements and can lead to deformation of the coating. Temperature fluctuations are not desirable for the laminate. In these systems, this cannot be avoided, and therefore it is better to abandon this idea. Plus, there will be a significant increase in water and electricity bills.
When installing an infrared floor under the laminate, an even distribution of heat radiation throughout the coating volume is ensured and the room warms up very quickly. With proper installation, thermal radiation is not transmitted to the rough base on which the film is placed, therefore, the heat will be used rationally.
The film floor under the laminate is the best solution for organizing warm coatings.
Laying technology under the laminate
Before proceeding with the installation, it is necessary to select in advance the type of coating, calculate its required volume, plan the location of the heating elements and develop a general scheme of the system.
Possible laying patterns
It is necessary to determine the points of placement of the control unit and the thermostat - this is where all the wires are connected. For laying and hiding the cables, a groove is made in which the corrugated pipe is laid, or a surface arrangement in a closed PVC box is provided.
The sketch is drawn up with the obligatory consideration of the following requirements:
- The infrared foil under the laminate must be cut into elements of a smaller area only according to the cut-off contours specified by the manufacturer.
- To minimize the number of joints, the film should be laid along the room.
- It is necessary to indent 25-30 cm from stationary heaters and walls.
- It is impossible to place heating parts under massive furniture - this causes overheating of the film, leading to excessive consumption of electricity or to its burnout.
- A distance of at least 5 cm should be maintained between adjacent elements of the coating. Laying the elements of the film on top of each other or crossing is not allowed.
- Covering the floor area of up to 40-60% is considered sufficient for heating a room.
The figure also needs to indicate the cable connection diagram, which can be executed in one of two ways:
- connecting elements on one side;
- connection of zero and phase from different sides.
In the second case, the intersection of the phase and zero is excluded. The work requires attention during the installation process, as a result of an error, a short circuit may occur.
It is equally important to determine in advance the location of the temperature sensor - it is desirable that it be in the coldest part of the room or in the middle of the carpet. In this case, the length of the "native" cable should be taken into account so that it is sufficient for connection with the corresponding block of the thermostat.
When the diagram is drawn up and verified, you can proceed with the installation of the film floor under the laminate.
Preparation of the base
Consider the process of installing a film floor on the condition that the rough coating is already prepared for work in advance. It has been pre-leveled, the horizontal position has been checked, all irregularities have been eliminated, and the treatment has been carried out with special impregnations - dedusting and strengthening.
Foundation preparation includes several types of work:
- Thorough cleaning, which removes all existing debris, the surface is vacuumed to remove even small dust particles.
- To exclude heating of the concrete screed, which is extremely irrational, a heat-reflective material with a foil side with a thickness of 2 mm or more is laid on the rough coating. Laying of this material is done with the foil facing up. Fastening to the floor is carried out by means of double-sided tape, the strips lie joint to joint, connected with self-adhesive tape.
- The thickness of the heat reflector is selected in such a way that it is possible to make holes in it for terminals, cables and a temperature sensor. At the installation site of the device, the underfloor heating line should not be located above the film material so as not to interfere with the subsequent laying of the topcoat.
Film laying rules
Cutting and laying of the film should be carried out in strict accordance with the existing scheme. Special precautions must be taken when cutting, laying and moving the film. Accidental cuts or damage to radiating and conductive parts are not allowed. If this happens, the site is discarded and not applicable.
The joints along the cutting line will not be involved in the switching; they should be immediately insulated with a bitumen tape-sealant.
Place infrared foil heaters so that the copper strip is at the bottom. You can glue the film to the thermal reflector with ordinary tape.
When installing, the clips for the contacts are immersed in the cut so that one part of the terminal is inside, and the other is below the surface of the film. Then the clip is crimped with pliers to ensure reliable contact.
The cabling is also carried out according to the existing scheme. The ends of the wires are stripped and immersed in a pre-set terminal, crimped with pliers.
Then a thermo-sensor is installed, located under the film approximately in the center of the sheet so that its working surface is located on a black iso-strip. The device is attached with a bitumen tape, which also insulates all the connection points of the terminals. The tape must be glued from above and below, this is how you can completely ensure the tightness of the assembly. Terminals with wires lie in special grooves in the substrate and are attached to the tape.
Connecting the thermostat and checking the operation
Each of the cables is led to the place where the thermostatic control unit is installed.
Precautions:
- If the developed scheme provides for its own connecting cable for each of the sections of the floor, then twisting of wires should not be allowed, as this can lead to a decrease in the reliability of contacts, overheating of the cores and arcing.
- In this case, it is recommended to use standard connecting devices, the reliability of operation of which is beyond doubt, for example, “Wago” terminal blocks.
To connect the electric heating, it is recommended to invite a professional electrician who will be able to select an automatic machine that is suitable in terms of power, connect the power cable to the control unit.
Connecting the infrared heat-insulated floor to a regular household 220 V socket is not allowed. For safety reasons, it is allowed to connect the system only through a special device that provides reliable protection - an RCD.
After completing the connections of all wires and checking the quality of the commutation, the system is tested. If there are no complaints about the work, you can start work on the laminate flooring - the topcoat.
Laying laminate
A waterproofing layer is placed between the installed heating foil and the laminate. As such a material, you can use a dense PET film or a branded substrate supplied with the system.
Sections of insulating material are overlapped with an overlap of 15-20 cm, the connection lines are glued with tape. Waterproofing is designed to ensure the safe functioning of the floor in the event of unforeseen circumstances, for example, spilling a bucket of water on the floor.
The lamella laying technology does not have any specific features, it is produced depending on the type of the lock connection and the instructions of the coating manufacturer.
After the lamellas have been laid, you can turn on the system by setting the temperature on the regulator from 25 to 28 degrees.
How to choose a laminate for an infrared floor?
The thickness of the laminate, which is classified as a good thermal insulator, is different. Therefore, not all types of lamellas are compatible with the IR heating system.
When choosing a laminate of a suitable brand, you should pay attention to the following factors:
- Marking. Material suitable for IR heating is indicated by manufacturers with a special icon. Also, the instructions for handling lamellas indicate the permissible heating temperature, the recommended type of underfloor heating.
- The strength and durability of the laminate. For foil heating systems, classes 32 and 33 are suitable.
- Thermal resistance parameter. The higher this indicator, the more resistance the material has. For infrared floors, you should choose a laminate with low parameters, low density and thickness. When laying too dense lamellas, too much energy will be spent on heating the coating, the room will heat up slowly.
- Connection method. Lamellas are connected in two ways - lock and glue. In our case, one should prefer a castle one, which can have hammer-in locks or latches.
- The permissible heating temperature for infrared floors is 27 ° C.
Requirements also apply to the substrate, leveling all the unevenness and roughness of the floor. It should be selected with a thickness of 1-3 mm and have high thermal insulation properties.
Floor covering with laminated panels is chosen by the majority of owners of city apartments and country buildings. This material is very practical. And it is quite affordable in terms of cost. In addition, the successful imitation of natural wood adds coziness and comfort to any room. Of course, laminate is less warm when compared to natural wood. However, this problem is easily solved by organizing a film-type floor heating system. The article will tell you how to make a warm floor under a laminate and how much this installation costs.
Laminated panels are 90% wood. During heating, the moisture content of the wood decreases. Therefore, many owners are interested in whether it is possible to put underfloor heating under the laminate, and if so, under which one. This issue is especially relevant in families with small children. After all, kids love to run barefoot on the floor. And so I want to protect them from various diseases.
You can lay laminate flooring on a warm floor. The main thing is to comply with certain conditions during installation. The choice of the type of heating structure is also important. So you can use infrared and cable underfloor heating under a laminate, but which one is best remains to be understood. Each of these types of floors has certain characteristics. But there are benefits common to all.
The benefits include: 
- Uniform heating of the room.
- No dust circulation.
- Effective system operation.
- Aesthetic appearance. The heating elements are hidden under the floor covering, so they do not spoil the interior of the apartment.
A film-type heating structure is most suitable for laminate flooring. The product is a film. It is quite thin. A conductive material in the form of stripes is located on the film. The film is mounted on a substrate. A substrate for laminate flooring is sold under either an electric floor, in any specialty store. At a cost, the product is quite affordable. No screed is required. The film floor is very economical to use. Warming up is carried out quickly.
The film floor has the following advantages:
Today on sale you can find a laminate with an already built-in infrared floor heating system. True, the price of such models is high. In view of what, not everyone can purchase a structure. But before you put a warm floor under the laminate, you need to know what kind of material to use. After all, not all types of laminate are well tolerated by contact with the heating system. Manufacturers have taken this into account and have developed a special technology for the manufacture of laminated flooring. Such panels are ideal for all types of underfloor heating. You can find out which laminate to use by the marking, which is either on the box or in the instructions for the product.
Installation features
When asked whether it is possible to lay laminate on warm floors, the answer was given. But how to carry out the installation of the structure on your own, and is it possible? With a certain level of knowledge, a minimum set of tools, self-installation is a completely feasible task. But it is extremely important to observe a certain technology, to adhere to the rules. It should be noted that the installation of a warm floor under the laminate does not require a concrete screed. And this greatly facilitates the work.
So, the installation of a warm floor under the laminate is carried out as follows:
Thus, the work on the underfloor heating equipment is simple and quite doable on our own.
Knowing how to lay a warm floor under a laminate, you can create an efficient, high-quality heating system and at the same time save money.
To minimize temperature fluctuations, it is advisable to equip the system with a thermostat. It should also be noted that when buying a heating structure, instructions are mandatory for the product. Therefore, having bought a film heat-insulated floor for a laminate, the instructions should be carefully read before carrying out installation work.
Price overview
Today the choice is very diverse. On the market, you can buy an electric warm floor under the laminate of both imported and domestic. Designing a heat supply system based on a warm floor in a cottage will cost about 13,000-20,000 rubles. The installation itself costs from 800 to 1000 rubles per square meter. If you need a heat meter, you will have to pay another 10,000 rubles.
Depends on the price of electric underfloor heating under the laminate on the quality of the product, the manufacturer. So a square meter of infrared film from a good company will cost at least 1200 rubles. Of course, if there are more budget options. For example, the price of a Chinese-made laminate for a warm water floor will be cheaper. But the quality of products with low cost will also be low. And quality is a very important parameter on which the reliability and durability of the heating structure depends. Therefore, saving is not recommended. It is advisable to buy products from well-known companies.
Today the Russian market offers manufacturing firms from South Korea, Great Britain, Germany, USA, China. More than 90% of all products on the market are Korean products. So, the ultra-thin heating films of the RexVa company, which are produced under the XiCA trademark, are in good demand. The products of the Seggi Century Corporation have also proven themselves well. The product is known under the Heat Plus brand. The systems of these companies are of high quality and reasonable price. Provide uniform and high-quality heating. As for the floors of English and American production, they are extremely rare. And, as a rule, these are Chinese fakes.
conclusions
Thus, underfloor heating today is chosen by most of the owners who plan to create an efficient heating system at home.
The top coat can be used in different ways.
But most often, consumers prefer laminate, linoleum. Many are interested in whether it is possible to make a warm floor under a laminate, whether it is harmful for the floor covering. In fact, it all depends on the type of underfloor heating chosen and the brand of laminate used. Installation of the film floor is quite simple. The work is made easier by the fact that no screed is required. Therefore, styling can be done by hand, thus saving a lot of financial resources.
Self-laying infrared heating film under the laminate
Laying an infrared heating film under a laminate is a simple process, all stages of work are easy to do with your own hands. This variety is optimal for installation under floor coverings with minimal thermal resistance, such as carpet, parquet or linoleum, it can be used as a mobile warm floor. The choice of power and scheme is carried out in advance, if necessary, the infrared film is easily cut into pieces of the desired size. The nuances of technology include: the need for the most even and clean base, installation of a thermostat, reliable insulation of contacts and placement of wires in specially designated grooves.
1. Calculation and planning of the placement of heating strips, the allocation of zones with furniture and appliances.
2. Preparation of the base: cleaning from debris, leveling (all possible cracks and protrusions are eliminated). The permissible level difference is up to 4 mm.
3. Laying a heat and waterproofing layer, maximum efficiency is achieved when using reflective materials (but not based on aluminum, especially when combined with cement mortars).
4. Marking and cutting of infrared floor heating strips (carried out exclusively along the lines marked with dotted lines).
5. Preparation of the site for the thermostat. Temperature sensor placement.
6. Laying pieces of film, stripping and insulating wires, connecting the floor to the mains and thermostat.
7. Testing the operation of the entire infrared floor system.
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8. Coating with a top protective layer.
9. Installation of laminate.
In order to properly lay the infrared film, it is recommended to adhere to all the requirements of the technology, in particular, to minimize the amount of differences in the level of the floor screed. The permissible deviation is 3-4 mm, it is noticed that if it is violated, the system increases the power consumption. The elements are maximally insulated from moisture and heat loss from below, experts advise to lay a polypropylene or polypropylene film with a thickness of 50 microns or more on the floor, while it is better not to use materials foiled with aluminum.
The cut pieces are placed with a copper strip downwards, the minimum indentation from the walls is 10 cm. A prerequisite for the technology is the installation of a thermostat (1 device per 15 m2, unless otherwise indicated in the manual for the infrared film floor, the total resistance should be 20%). A mid-sized section is selected for it, this will save wires, since all the strips are connected to it in parallel. The connecting cables are stripped 8-10 mm and inserted into the shank of the terminal clamp, one edge must be laid on the copper bus, the other remains inside the heating element.
All connection zones are insulated with special tape, it is advisable to place the wires under the plinth, if necessary, some of the cores are removed under the heat-insulating film, but do not go over the heating strips. Overlapping or overlapping of adjacent elements is unacceptable, the temperature sensor is located in an unloaded area. The latter is especially important when using an infrared warm floor with soft or thin floor coverings, then it needs enhanced protection. After connection, a trial switch-on and testing of the system is carried out: the film should not spark, and the contacts should not overheat, it is required that the entire surface evenly emits heat. If there is no spark, then you can proceed to the finishing stage.
Flooring
To protect the heating elements and wires from accidental ingress of moisture under the finishing panels, a dense polyethylene film is provided. The recommended thickness is 200 microns, it does not represent an obstacle to infrared rays. Laying the laminate with your own hands proceeds according to the usual scheme: the cured flat panels are joined to each other and the locking joints snap into place. They avoid damaging the thermal film in every possible way, do not walk on it and do not scatter tools.
After the installation of the infrared underfloor heating under the laminate is completed, do not suddenly start the system to the maximum mode, this can damage the wood. It is recommended to increase the temperature by no more than 5 ° C per day. Another nuance of operation is wet cleaning: the surface is cooled before washing, especially when aggressive detergents are added to the water.
What to consider when working?
The gross violations of the installation of an infrared (film) underfloor heating include:
1. Placing wires and heating elements on an uneven, dirty or damp surface, no backing.
2. Fastening the film with nails, staples, punching carbon strips, the only admissible fixation is scotch tape.
3. Laying the infrared floor system without grounding.
4. Bending the heating strips 90 ° over a 5 cm area.
5. The strip is too long, the exact permissible value is prescribed in the instructions, but in general it should not exceed 15 m.
6. Installation in unsuitable conditions: with high humidity or subzero air temperatures.
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8. Laying infrared film at a close (less than 30 cm) distance from heating devices or radiators.
9. The absence of a top vapor and moisture insulating protective layer or its installation without overlap.
10. Placing one section (strip) of floors in two adjacent rooms with different operating conditions (a vivid example is the combined loggia).
11. Fastening laminate or other type of flooring without preliminary testing of the system, laying carpet on sparkling floors is strictly prohibited.
Correctly placed and connected strips have a service life of at least 15 years. When carrying out all the work on your own to achieve maximum reliability, it is worth consulting with specialists, in particular, at the stage of choosing an infrared floor heating system for a laminate, this will exclude the costly purchase of an unsuitable option. It is noticed that the uniformity of heating partially depends on the location of the temperature sensor, the best option is the coolest area. Heavy furniture should not be placed on it; it is advisable to place all connecting wires with a thermostat in a corrugated tube (for a stationary version, in a specially provided channel).
If an infrared film floor is placed over a basement or damp subfloor, a thicker layer of dense polyethylene film should be laid on the concrete. Climatic conditions are very important: in some regions, the use of this variety is impractical even as a source of additional heating, that is, with significant heat loss in the floor structure itself, laying an infrared film does not make sense. To reduce heat escape zones, before installing the system, tape insulation is glued along the perimeter of the room along the wall, which does not overlap or creep onto the film.
This type of underfloor heating is the only mobile one; when asked whether it is possible to put a carpet on top, manufacturers answer positively, of course, provided that the upper protective layer is sufficiently reliable. But such operations are best performed with solid (uncut) strips, ideally specially designed for this, this will reduce the risk of contact separation. Laying in tile glue or cement screed is not only unnecessary, it even worsens the heat transfer of a film-type infrared heated floor (but if this does happen, then the system is started no earlier than a month later). There are no complaints about other types of flooring, you can lay the carpet immediately after testing. At the same time, the softer the outer material, the tougher the heat-insulating layer is required and the base should be smoother; in terms of reliability, laminate and parquet will benefit.
The most reasonable option for arranging a warm floor, followed by laying a laminate, is an electric, in particular an infrared film warm floor. Due to the fact that the principle of its operation consists in radiation in the infrared range, as a result, the surfaces of surrounding objects are heated, and not air convection upwards. Therefore, the IR floor has proven itself well as a heating base under the laminate.
Laminate is a moisture-resistant material, resistant to mechanical damage, with a reasonable price / quality ratio. Laminate flooring is 90% shredded wood bonded with various adhesives.
Laying an electric underfloor heating under a laminate is questionable for many. After all, wood is distinguished by its ability to dry out at high temperatures, crack when it drops, and formaldehyde, which as a binder is part of the laminate board, begins to release intensively.
Film infrared warm floor under the laminate - advantages
- uniform thermal radiation - makes it possible to warm up the laminate over the entire surface;
- economical energy consumption. Allows you to save up to 30% in comparison with other underfloor heating systems;
- there is no risk of damage to the integrity of the laminated coating, because there is no need to heat the system to high temperatures. Thanks to the use of infrared radiation, first of all, objects in the room are warmed up, and not the air;
- no need to perform "wet" works. Laying the laminate does not require pouring the screed;
- the ability to use any type of substrate;
- availability. In large shopping pavilions there are demo models where you can visually (visually and tactilely) evaluate the operation of the system (available in large cities of Moscow, St.
Laminate for a film warm floor - which is better to choose
Despite the fact that manufacturers and craftsmen recommend laying a film underfloor heating under a laminate, you should not discount the features of the laminate itself.
In particular, when choosing a laminate for an infrared warm floor, you need to pay attention to several factors:
- laminate marking... Most manufacturers quickly reacted to the changing market trends and added laminate flooring specifically for underfloor heating to their product range. Whether it is possible to use laminate for underfloor heating will be indicated on the packaging (the corresponding icon on the label). Moreover, some manufacturers indicate the maximum heating temperature;
Note. The maximum temperature up to which the laminate floor can be heated is 27 ° C.
- structure (density) of the laminate... The ability of the lamellas to conduct heat depends on how "loose" the structure of the floor is. The denser the laminate, the higher its thermal resistance value. In practice, this means that the underfloor heating system will heat the lamellas, and not the surfaces of the surrounding objects;
- laminate thickness... All other things being equal, the thicker the lamella, the slower it will transmit heat;
- formaldehyde content... This component is part of MDF, which serves as the basis for the laminate board. At a temperature of 20-26 ° C, formaldehyde is released normally. Those. according to this indicator, most sexes belong to the E1 class. However, when the lamellas are heated, the release of formaldehyde is activated, so you need to pay attention to this indicator. It should also be borne in mind that the intense release of formaldehyde begins when heated above 27 ° C;
- laminate cost... Many reviews contain complaints not about the operation of the underfloor heating system, but about the need to lay the laminate again because of attempts to save on material;
- substrate... Laminate installation technology involves the use of a substrate. The installation of the substrate will allow leveling the pressure on the locking connection of the strips from moving along the lamellas. Due to the fact that the substrate is laid not under the floor film, but on it, the choice of the film must also be approached responsibly.
What kind of substrate can be used for laying on a warm film floor
- technical plug;
- liquid composite system;
- extruded polystyrene foam;
- polystyrene backing;
- material with a reflective surface.
Note. It is unacceptable to use foil-clad material (aluminum foil, pnofol) as a substrate.
DIY installation of an infrared film underfloor heating under a laminate
The laying technology involves performing several sequential steps.
Note. For autonomous heating (the main source of heating), it is necessary to install a film floor on 70% of the area of the room. With an additional one - by 40%. At the same time, it is taken into account that the film does not fit under furniture, heavy and low objects in order to exclude its overheating.
Note. When installing an infrared floor heating system over a basement, ground or garage, a waterproofing film should be laid on the prepared base.
Note. The sensor wire can be laid on top of the insulation, or you can cut a hole in its thickness and place the sensor wire in the corrugation. So, if necessary, you can repair the wire or sensor.
Note. The number of thermostats depends on the capacity of the system. If the installation of the system is carried out over a large area, it is reasonable to use several thermostats.
Installation of an infrared film underfloor heating under a laminate - video
In order for the infrared floor heating system to run smoothly, it is recommended to gradually increase the floor temperature (by 3-4 ° C per day) to the set value.
The price of installing infrared underfloor heating under the laminate
For many years, the main source of heat in apartments and private houses was radiator heating. Recently, however, there have been great changes in the heating equipment market. Many new systems have appeared to create a comfortable temperature in your own home.
Relatively recently, film thermal conductors have become available to consumers in the Russian market, which can be installed under any floor covering... They, like other home heating solutions, have their merits. Further in this article we will talk in detail about how to arrange an infrared warm floor under a laminate.
Types and nuances of choice
Currently, there are two types of infrared heating systems:
What unites them is that they, differing in their price, have the same principle of operation. As for the differences, the former are film of minimum thickness with graphite elements... For floors of the second type, the structure is based on rods made of carbon or copper, fastened together with polyurethane jumpers.
Rod type mats used only for underfloor heating purposes. Laying is done directly on the concrete screed. Installation of the infrared floor is carried out on a vertical, as well as on an inclined surface.
And one more thing that unites both systems - they are powered from a common power grid. However, due to the fact that such systems are connected via a thermostat, the consumption of infrared heated floors varies in the range from 160 to 200 W.
If you run all over the dwelling installation of a "warm" floor made of foil or core mats under the laminate, you can provide a comfortable temperature in any of the rooms of your apartment. Such solutions can be used not only in city apartments, but also in the country, as well as in country houses.
What is the price?
Many people who are thinking about arranging an IR film warm floor under a laminate in their home, of course, are of interest t the question of the price of such a heating system... In this regard, it should be said that the price of an infrared floor device largely depends on factors such as:
The popular film underfloor heating system currently on the market, Caleo Gold has a film width of 50 cm and its power is 200 watts. As for the price, it will cost a potential buyer 730 rubles. If the owner decides to arrange a less powerful heating system in the home... then you can choose underfloor heating NanoThermal Premium. It is also produced by Koreans, and the power of the system is 140 watts. As for the price, it is noticeably lower - 430 rubles.
Cost calculation
Now let's calculate what costs the owner bears when arranging such a heating system in his home under a laminate:
Having carried out simple calculations, you can see that by spending 6500 p. you can arrange a system infrared film underfloor heating under the laminate on your balcony. If you decide to carry out the work not independently, but by the forces of specialists, then in addition to this you will have to pay for the services of a master at the rate of 240 rubles. for one square meter on a finished base or 650 p. per square meter with the creation of a concrete screed.
Will cost more core heat-insulated floor... Using Unimat Rail mats with a similar area to create it, you will have to spend 7990 rubles for such a system.
Infrared floor device for laminate flooring
Earlier we said that a film infrared heat-insulated floor can be laid on a concrete screed or plank flooring. What basis to arrange - each owner decides for himself, starting from the state of the base floor surface.
It is also necessary to take into account the structural features of the structure. So that everyone work on the installation of film heating systems was completed quickly... and after the completion of the work, it could be used; during installation, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions that are attached to any underfloor heating system.
If an infrared film heat-insulated floor is arranged in a wooden house in which there is no concrete covering, then it is not worthwhile to carry out work to create a concrete screed. These are just additional costs. Using plywood or OSB boards, you can mount the top layer of the beam structure. Such a base will be quite suitable for laying heating elements. If the house is just being built, and it has already been decided that warm film floors will be used as a heating system... then cement-particle boards should be used for the foundation. In this case, you can save a lot. If you want to get a better base, then the choice should be made in favor of magnesite sheets.
It should be noted that all of the above materials can be used in a house built from reinforced concrete floors. In such a situation, p The installation of the coating is carried out directly on the logs... Before laying them, it is necessary to arrange a waterproofing layer on the floor surface. The following can be used as materials for its creation:
- mastic;
- liquid glass;
- deep penetration impregnation.
A crumb of polystyrene or vermiculite is usually poured into the cells between the logs, then the flooring is laid.
Self-installation of IR underfloor heating
The process of installing a warm floor under the laminate involves laying a thermal insulating layer. To create it, a roll-type insulator of small thickness is used. On the one hand, it has a foil coating.
Most often, the following materials are used for the device of such a layer:
Work technology
To avoid gaps, when laying the material, it is necessary to fix the edges of the strip using adhesive tape. After that, you can proceed to the most important stage - installation of underfloor heating and its connection... First of all, it is necessary to resolve the issue with the place where the thermostat will be installed. Once you've decided on this, you will know where to pull the cable. Usually this device is placed on the wall.
Thermal Reflector Laying Procedure should start from the central part of the room... If work is being carried out to insulate the floor over the entire area, then it is necessary to leave a gap of at least 10 cm from the wall.
- Cloths of a film warm floor must also be fixed using adhesive tape. Special clips can be found on copper busbars. You need to connect wires to them.
- The contacts should be well pressed and wrapped with electrical tape.
- The temperature sensor should be placed in the corrugated tube, and then placed inside the structure.
- The wire, which is protected by a corrugation, can then be connected to the regulator. Connection should be made through a residual current device.
Underfloor heating installation is a simple task. Its device can be done by hand. The main thing is to adhere to the recommendations contained in the instructions.
Before proceeding with the installation of the topcoat, it is necessary to run the system in test mode and check its operability. To simplify the task, you can use a portable infrared sensor... By directing this device to separate areas, you can see the temperature on the display. If, after starting the system, individual sections of the warm floor remain cold, then in this case it is necessary to check the connection.
Perhaps the lack of the required temperature is due to a poorly clamped contact, which should not heat up. When you have checked everything and made sure that all sections of the underfloor heating are working, they are necessary cover with polyethylene foam backing... Cork covers can also be used. Laminate panels must be placed on top of the laid layer.
Base flooring is optional. You can make the screed using a common mortar of cement, sand and water. Alternatively, you can create a self-leveling floor, for which a dry mixture with a certain composition of components is used.
It should be noted that when installing a concrete screed, the quality will be higher when using factory mixes, since they contain plasticizers. They not only increase the strength of the coating, but also make it moisture resistant... Before pouring the base, it is necessary to treat the surface with concrete contact, and the corners and joints must be glued with insulating tape. After seven days, you can proceed to the next stages of work, which were indicated above.
Conclusion
Laminate flooring is used in many apartments. Under it, you can easily arrange a warm floor if you want to add an additional heating system to your home. There are no difficulties with this work. Each owner can do the installation of a warm floor under the laminate with his own hands. For this, the most important thing is to choose the right heating system, and strictly follow the instructions when performing installation work. Then the warm floor will serve for a long time, and a warm atmosphere will reign in your home.
In this article, we will talk about installing an infrared warm floor with your own hands under a laminate flooring in detail. Such popularity of laminate floors is quite simply explained - they are durable, easy to install, strong and beautiful.
But no matter how you would like it, there are also disadvantages of this gender. Laminate is very similar to wood in color and texture, however, it does not have such heat capacity, and it can also seem cold when moving on it.
That is why most of the owners of houses and apartments, especially those who live on the first floors, are quite seriously concerned about floor heating.
An infrared warm floor under a laminate can be the best option for a simple solution to such a problem as a cold floor.
What is infrared heating
In appearance, an infrared warm floor resembles a kind of dense film with black stripes. But the so-called thermal mats are just part of the electrical system, which makes it possible to heat the base in the apartment itself.
Infrared film floor
The so-called infrared film floor is considered the most optimal material for laying under such lightweight coatings as parquet, laminate, carpet and linoleum, in contrast to heating analogs.
This is due to the uniform heating of the carbon film contained in it, which emits infrared light of the far spectrum over its entire surface. There is also another plus in front of the so-called cable floors, as well as other heating systems, this is a simple and quick installation.
Even a beginner can handle this. Infrared rays from the floor are absolutely harmless to humans and their bodies. In terms of sensations, it is like the warmth of the sun.
The very process of floor heating in this case occurs due to the infrared radiation itself, which manifests itself in the carbon paste, which is located between the sheets of a transparent film.
The waves emitted by the carbon paste have a length of five to twenty micrometers, and the system itself, with the help of additional components, has the ability to connect to a network, where a silver-copper compound will act as the main current conductor.
Carbon has an increased thermal conductivity, due to which energy consumption can be reduced. It is because of this that the infrared film floor can be considered the best economical option.
The main part of the infrared heating system itself is the striped films, that is, the heaters. They are realized in simple rolls and are capable of reaching a width of one hundred and fifty centimeters.
Cutting such rolls is quite easy and convenient, because about about twenty-five centimeters (each) a cutting line is provided, which, accordingly, will give you exactly the same amount of heater as you need to equip your heating system in your room. Basically, the film is sold in meters.
It is strictly forbidden to cut the film in an area where there is no line, because this can damage the film, and it simply will not work.
The power of such infrared films ranges from one hundred fifty, two hundred and four hundred and forty watts per square meter. These indicators will be very useful to you during the calculation process, which will directly relate to the arrangement of the underfloor heating system itself to identify the load on the electrical floor system.
For laminate flooring, the most suitable option would be to use mats, which have a power of one hundred and fifty watts per square meter. Such mats are capable of heating the floor to the limit of forty - forty-five degrees, which is already considered an excellent indicator, because there is simply no point in heating the floor further.
Otherwise, it will be somewhat uncomfortable for you to walk on your hollow ones, and very high temperature thresholds will have a rather negative effect on the laminate. The standard temperature threshold for your feet is twenty-seven degrees.
So, let's look at the characteristics of comparing infrared underfloor heating and water heating:
Also, in the system of this warm floor with special infrared heating, the following will be a mandatory item:
- Thermal sensor;
- System connection wires;
- Special clips or clips;
- Thermostat.
The very system of such an infrared floor can be incredibly reliable, because the connection of individual components can be done in parallel, and in case of problems in one of the components, the rest can continue their work.
Is it allowed to install infrared underfloor heating under the laminate?
The heat capacity of the laminate is higher than that of the tiles, and its thermal conductivity is the same as that used below. Laminate floors do not like high temperatures in any way, and therefore they do not have to warm themselves more than they should.
If a water or electrical heating system is installed under the laminate, it will be necessary to guarantee a constant rise in the temperature of the heater, which will affect badly both the material that was used and the volume of utility bills.
Laminate does not tolerate sudden temperature changes, which cannot be avoided with any other heating system. In the case of a negative temperature effect, there is a risk of cracks and cracks in the material that was used; the flooring may start to squeak. Neither water nor electric flooring will in any way give rational heating of the plane in accordance with the level of heating and uniformity.
Due to their small thickness, the lamellas are heated efficiently, since the infrared rays will spread quickly enough. Also, if the floors are laid correctly, the radiation will not retreat in any way towards the rough base on which the film lies, which means that there will be no heat leakage. Thus, infrared floors are the very best option for heating laminate floors.
Advantages of using film heating
IR underfloor heating has many advantages that make it one of the best options for heating laminate floors:
The main drawback of such floors is the rather high price of the equipment and materials that were used, but the investment will be quite reasonable if all the advantages of the system are taken into account.
How to choose a laminate for warm infrared floors?
Before deciding exactly on the infrared type of floor heating, you need to remember which laminate is best suited. Suitable laminate that has been used must be specially marked in the form of a "snake". The specific designation will show the future owner of a warm laminate floor all its properties.
Important! Experts advise getting a Belgian laminate from Quick-Step. The terms of its application are more than twenty-five years with a careful attitude.
We lay an infrared warm floor under the laminate
Subtleties of technology
The installation of an infrared floor system, although simple, requires attention and has certain features. All work is carried out with the introduction of the building's power supply system, so errors cannot be allowed here. Otherwise, the floors will either not work in any way, or simply become dangerous for the owner of the house.
Even before the installation of an infrared underfloor heating, an absolute and clear method of laying the floors is drawn up, on which the infrared mats themselves and all the components of the system control are distributed. It is also necessary to mark the places of installation of thermostats, temperature sensors and other equipment. It is important to keep in mind all the wires that will come from the heating system, since they are fed just to the thermostat.
The thermostat is traditionally installed on the wall, and in order to hide all the wires, it is recommended to pierce a narrow groove in it, into which the communications will be laid.
Thus, they will not in any way be thrown into the eyes, since after laying the wires, the cavity is sealed. In this case, the wires must be placed in a corrugated tube.
Important! If there is a lack of desire to gouge the walls, then all communications can be hidden in plastic gutter embedded on the wall.
Even at first on paper, and later on the floor itself, the technique for the location of all infrared films is depicted. This operation, in addition to the convenience during the next installation, will literally help to reduce the consumption of all materials that will be used - wires, films, etc. The diagram also marks the connection points for all wires.
Aspects when working with IR film, which must be taken into account even before starting installation:
Important! There is no need to worry that the floor heating will become missing if the film does not lie on the entire surface of the floor. The fact is that for rational heating it is enough that the heaters cover only 40-60% of the reason for the room.
Work progress
Preparing the base (base)
The rough flooring must be even and spotless - rubbish and bulky debris are not allowed in any way, it is also important to remove stones, dust, sand. It is recommended to test the flooring for strength, repair cracks and gaps, and level them according to applicable characteristics.
Important! So that the concrete base is not so dusty, it is recommended to treat it with a primer mixture, but this operation is optional.
An insulating layer must also be laid on the subfloors. It is recommended to use foil-clad. The shiny side has to be at the top. The strips are stacked joint to joint.
The thickness of the foil layer that has been used must be approximately 2-3 mm. It is more comfortable to strengthen the layer that was used only with the support of double-sided tape, and the gaps between the individual strips can be covered with simple tape.
Further, small recesses will be cut in it, into which the terminals, wires and other communications will fit. Then the base for the laminate will be flat. It is also recommended to spread a layer of waterproofing coating on the base of the floor.
Materials used and devices
What can be useful for you to install an infrared underfloor heating system?
The following devices and materials that have been used will be useful to us:
At the beginning of our article, the display of infrared film was given, but in fact it is not only carbon fiber.
In film Heatflow carbon fiber cloth is used as a heating agent, which gives a mixture of carbon fiber with carbon paste.
There is also one more discharge of IR film. It appeared relatively not so long ago, but it has already become in great demand. Unlike conventional carbon IR film, the material that was used does not actually fail in the event of a defect - that is, the floors will be constantly warm.
Important! If one or more strips of a conventional infrared floor are destroyed, then in their location it will not be steamed. But when using a film with a continuous strip of carbon, the flooring will begin to warm up, even if it was damaged. Elementary - in the place of the cut or breakage of the material that was used, it will become a little cooler, but the heating will continue.
Installation features
- the humidity in the room where the work is carried out must be no more than sixty percent;
- installation of infrared floors is done at a temperature threshold of zero degrees or more;
- thermal film, including for testing, must be connected to the network only in the expanded state - it is impossible to turn it on in a roll;
- if the film was damaged at the location of the graphite (dark) layer, then the space of the defect is certainly insulated on both sides;
- the thermal sensor must be turned on so that, if necessary, it can be simply changed;
- if a flood occurs on the territory of the living space, then the floors must be turned off immediately and not connected until they dry out.
If the infrared floor heating system has been connected correctly, it will serve you for more than ten years. It is important to carry out all work carefully and accurately - only in this case you will be able to get the desired result!
Warm floors are the ideal solution for any home or apartment. They provide the comfort of living, so many people cannot imagine their life without this system at all. For apartments, the device of a water floor is considered unacceptable, therefore the installation of an infrared heated floor under a laminate is considered the best choice, because such a system provides uniform and high-quality heating of rooms, and is also considered suitable for a laminate that can easily withstand high temperatures from infrared films.
The advantages of using an infrared floor under the laminate include:
- uniform heating is provided, which is especially important for laminate that cannot withstand excessive overheating in one area of the coating;
- there are no temperature drops in the system, which are very common when using a water-heated floor, and they are considered the most negative factors for the durability of the coating;
- the process of laying infrared film itself is considered very simple, and if you watch the training video in advance, then no difficulties will arise during independent work.
Where is the best place to use the system
Initially, you need to figure out what elements the system consists of. It includes the following components:
- electrical wiring;
- direct infrared film, and it must be sufficient to perform work in a particular room;
- temperature sensors;
- clamps for fastening;
- a temperature controller that allows the owner of the room to independently control the heating process;
- insulation.
Infrared floor composition 
Infrared Floor Film Films are available in different lengths and widths, so elements are selected that are ideal for a particular room. Manufacturers create a special line for each element, along which cutting is performed. In other areas, it is prohibited to deform the material in any way.
You can use an infrared floor under a laminate in different rooms. Often, it is formed directly throughout the apartment. It is considered optimal to use it in the kitchen or in another room in which it is not planned to use carpets.
When planning the location of the film, the following points are taken into account:
- you cannot work in a damp room, since the infrared film will last a long time and in accordance with its purpose exclusively in a dry room;
- it is allowed to twist rolls, but it is impossible to create kinks that lead to rapid damage to the product;
- it is impossible for the film to be located next to different heating devices or a fireplace.
The installation of infrared underfloor heating under the laminate itself is considered an understandable and uncomplicated work, therefore, often the owners of residential real estate prefer to carry it out on their own. 
Infrared floor heating installation diagram
Infrared underfloor heating installation technology under the laminate
This work should only be performed in a specific sequence of actions. Each stage is large and important, so you must strictly follow the instructions. In order to visually see the installation process, it is recommended to preview the training video in advance, which takes into account all the nuances and features of the process.
Preparation of tools and materials
Installation of infrared film and the creation of a full-fledged floor covering from above from a laminate is considered a simple job, which will require the preparation of the following elements:
- direct infrared film, and its quantity is calculated in advance, for which the area of the room in which it is planned to carry out the work is taken into account;
- electrical wires, which are usually sold complete with film, but often they are of poor quality or they are not enough to do the job, so you have to buy them separately;
- thermostat;
- special film with a heat-reflecting effect;
- bituminous insulation;
- contact clamps;
- double sided tape;
- underlay intended for installation under laminate flooring.
When choosing a heat-reflecting film, it is important to consider that it should not be conductive. 
All you need to connect a warm floor 
Infrared underfloor heating system thermal film sheet
Surface preparation
Installation of infrared underfloor heating under the laminate begins with the preparation of the existing base. The following features are taken into account here:
- the screed must be of perfect evenness, and it is also not allowed to exist on the basis of any transitions or other problems;
- if there are significant flaws on the base, it is recommended to make a new screed to get a perfectly flat surface;
- it is important to determine in advance the location of the thermostat, and often several of these elements are required if you plan to lay a warm floor not only in one room, but in several rooms at once;
- a heat-reflecting film is laid on the base, and most often an isolon is chosen for these purposes, presented in the form of rolls, which is rolled out throughout the room, fixed with double-sided tape or a stapler.
It is not allowed to lay infrared film under those areas of the floor on which large and heavy furniture will be located, since this can lead to the destruction of the heating circuit, therefore, an optimal film laying scheme is formed in advance. 
Leveling the floor 
Installing the thermostat 
Laying the substrate with a heat-reflective film
Infrared film laying
Next, an important stage begins, involving the use of a directly heating film. Laying is done so that the copper strips are at the bottom. Often in the process of work, it becomes necessary to cut the films into separate elements, and this is allowed only along special lines applied by the manufacturer. Cutting elsewhere will damage the film.
When laying the film, it is important to leave at least 10 cm between it and the walls of the room.
As soon as the film is completely laid out on the base, connection and insulation are performed, and these actions are carried out in the following stages:
- all places where the copper bus was cut must be treated with bitumen insulation, and it is important to make sure that the silver contacts are completely covered;
- contact clamps are mounted, and they are installed on all areas where the wire is connected;
- contacts are clamped onto a copper bus with ordinary pliers;
- wires are placed in the clamps, which are pre-exposed, after which they are also fixed with pliers;
- all connection points are isolated, and it is advisable to check each section several times so as not to miss any places;
- the temperature sensor is being installed, and it is also fixed by insulation;
- at the end of the work, the thermostat is installed in the place where it was planned in advance, and then it is connected according to a well-thought-out scheme.
It is advisable to connect the thermostat to electricity using a separate machine, which is installed in the dashboard. 
Fixing infrared film 
We attach the clamp to the copper sleeve - press the clamp with pliers so as to prevent sparking 
Insulation of contact connections of warm infrared floor
Laying the protective cover
Once the entire system is created, it is important to perform testing to determine the presence of various errors or other problems in the design. If no flaws are found, then a special protective coating is laid.
For this, a special film with high waterproofing parameters is used. It is important to create an airtight layer out of it, so all joints are securely and correctly glued with tape so that there are no gaps. 
A protective coating is laid on the infrared film
Installing laminate
The next stage involves the direct creation of the floor covering. The laminate should only be installed after testing the entire system to ensure that there are no problems or design flaws.
The laying process itself is considered standard, but the following features are certainly taken into account:
- since the laying is carried out on the heating system, the high temperature will certainly affect the coating, therefore it will constantly expand and contract slightly, therefore a small distance is left between the walls of the room and the coating, for which it is recommended to use special wedges;
- it is imperative to glue the joints with glue in the process of work in order to prevent the destruction of the coating;
- all strips are connected to each other very easily and simply, for which special locks are used, which they are equipped with during the production process;
- laying should begin with a window, and it is allowed to perform continuous installation, in which all the covering for an apartment and a house is made with one material without transitions, and in this case, joints between individual rooms can be avoided.
As soon as the flooring is completely finished, the most complex and specific work is completed, so you can use efficient and high-quality floor heating. 
Laying laminate
Test run of the system
After laying the laminate, it is necessary to fix the thermoregulation unit on the wall in the selected area. It is not allowed to connect this system to a regular outlet available in any apartment or house, therefore a separate exit to the shield is created.
For infrared heating, a separate automatic machine is certainly created. After connection, a test run is carried out. If all the work was done correctly and in accordance with safety requirements, the floor covering will heat up in literally 3 minutes.
Connection diagrams
The installation of an infrared structure must be carried out with its indispensable connection to the electrical system and the thermostat. To do this, you must use the special instructions attached to the warmest floor to guarantee the ideal work result and the safety of using the structure.
There are the following schemes for connecting the film to electricity:
- one-sided - in it, the connection and connection of wires is performed on one side. Therefore, they intersect with each other, however, these intersections will certainly hide behind the plinth in order to prevent the system from breaking down;
- two-way - here the connection is made from different sides. The process itself is much faster and also uses a small amount of wires. Typically, connections are made after the system is powered up. Correct wire routing
- before work, the base of the floor is not cleaned of debris and dust;
- there are significant differences and irregularities;
- lack of heat-reflecting material;
- cutting the film not according to the existing markings, but at the request of the employee himself, which leads to a violation of its main elements;
- during installation, the copper strip is located at the top, and not at the bottom;
- installation of a thermostat in a hard-to-reach place;
- poorly insulated wire ends.
Possible mistakes
In the process of creating a system, serious mistakes can be made, leading to a malfunction of the system or to the danger of its use. The main mistakes include:
Thus, the creation of an infrared warm floor is a rather difficult job, for the implementation of which it is necessary to carefully study the corresponding instructions, as well as remember about frequent mistakes in order to prevent them from performing the process on your own. If all actions are carried out correctly, you will get a reliable and high-quality system that provides uniform and optimal heating of any room. At the same time, the laminate laid on top, correctly selected, will not collapse or warp under the influence of high temperature. Only by adhering to all the recommendations can you make a high-quality infrared warm floor under the laminate.
Video installation of infrared underfloor heating under the laminate
The video describes all the stages of laying an infrared type of warm floor under the laminate.