Of course! Here is a brief synopsis of the article:
Since underfloor heating systems offer a cozy and effective means of home heating, their popularity is growing. Specifically, warm electric floors provide a contemporary alternative to conventional radiators. Making the correct substrate choice is crucial if you want to get the most out of your electric floor heating system. The substrate is essential to the longevity and efficiency of the system because it supports the heating elements.
Substrates come in a variety of forms, each with special qualities and advantages. Plywood, concrete, and different insulating materials are typical choices. The type of flooring being used, the particular requirements of the heating system, and the general construction of the building all play a role in the substrate selection process. To guarantee that the electric floor heating system operates as efficiently as possible, it is helpful to understand the features of each type of substrate.
Choosing the appropriate substrate is not the only step in installing warm electric flooring. Achieving even heat distribution and avoiding problems like heat loss or flooring damage require proper installation. From preparing the substrate to laying the heating mats or cables and putting in the last floor covering, this process calls for meticulous planning and attention to detail. Maintaining the proper laying rules increases the system’s lifespan and guarantees its effectiveness.
In this post, we’ll look at the different substrates that work well for warm electric floors and go over the critical procedures for installing these systems correctly. Understanding these concepts will help you get the best results, whether you’re a contractor looking for advice on best practices or a homeowner looking to install underfloor heating. Now let’s get into the specifics of warm electric floor installation methods and substrate choices.
- Is it always necessary?
- Is it possible to do without?
- General requirements
- Infrared films
- Heating cable
- Mats
- Types
- Polystyrene foam board
- EPPS
- Magnesite sheets
- Fiberboard
- Penofol
- Lavsan
- Cork
- Isolon
- How to make the right choice?
- Laying features
- Errors and difficulties
- Useful video
- Video on the topic
- Floor covering for heated floors
- Underfloor heating: is it necessary, which one to use, how to lay it?
- Look BEFORE purchasing LAMINATE under heated floor! About the SUBSTRATE, Film ..
- What kind of underlay to put under a heated floor??
- REPAIRING AN APARTMENT WITH YOUR HANDS. COMPARISON OF WARM FLOORS #097
Is it always necessary?
Underfloor heating comes in a variety of layers. One of the design’s essential components is a substrate composed of materials that reflect heat.
The interlayer will enhance heating capabilities and shield the system from heat loss. One of the functions of the material is to direct the flow of heat into the space, preventing it from being used to heat the subfloor or ceiling.
The substrate is also required for the following uses:
- protects the heating elements from moisture from below;
- improves the level of sound insulation;
- speeds up the heating of the floor.
Is it possible to do without?
The heating elements’ operation will become illogical in the absence of a lining layer in a warm floor. Such a system will release some of the heat to the basement in a private building and to the neighbors below in an apartment building.
The cost of heating the room will go up as a result of this. Accurate substrate selection and installation will result in faster and more consistent base heating.
General requirements
Even though substrates come in a wide variety, they must meet a set of specifications. Materials that satisfy every requirement are trustworthy and offer the right constraints for the heated floor. Fundamental requirements:
- Thermal insulating properties that reduce heat loss.
- Resistance to deformation. Any substrate experiences heavy loads, both static and dynamic. The material must simultaneously compensate for these loads and not be subject to deformation.
- Low level of water consumption. This ability prevents the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.
- Resistance to temperature changes. The lining is in direct contact with the heating elements. They heat up to high temperatures. The ability of the material to withstand not only high temperatures, but also frequent cooling without destruction is required.
- Good soundproofing characteristics. The underlay helps reduce noise levels when walking on the floor.
- Chemical inertness. This is important for floors installed in a screed or under tiles.
- Elasticity.
- Easy installation.
- Durability and light weight. This combination reduces the load on the floors.
- Environmental friendliness. The material must not emit harmful substances to human health.
The material’s service life is yet another crucial parameter. The substrate must maintain its functional properties while in use.
Apart from the standard prerequisites, there are specifics concerning substrates for various kinds of heated flooring. The kind of heating elements must be taken into consideration when choosing the material.
Infrared films
For this kind of heated floor, the substrate has two crucial roles to play:
- provide good thermal insulation;
- reflect infrared radiation that is directed towards the floor.
Foamed polystyrene or polymers work best. Metallized lavsan is the reflective material. Heat is dispersed uniformly by it. Selecting a substrate type with a minimum thickness is advisable.
For an infrared floor, a foil substrate cannot be used to prevent the heating elements from short-circuiting in the event of damage.
The installation technology must be closely followed in order for the substrate to serve its intended purpose.
Heating cable
Aluminum foil is preferred in this situation. The material’s job is to efficiently and uniformly disperse heat from the heating elements throughout the base. Stated differently:
- create the same temperature level over the entire surface of the floor;
- dissipate excess heat to other areas to avoid overheating of any heating element.
The heating cable is in operation all the time. It needs to be supported in order for it to endure as long as possible.
The substrate, such as expanded polystyrene, can be used without a metallized layer. The material is chosen because of its low thermal conductivity value. In this scenario, there will need to be a space kept between the polystyrene foam and the cable. The cable will overheat if not.
Certain substrates have unique markings made by some manufacturers, which makes installing the cable with a specific step much easier.
Mats
Thermomat is a prefabricated electric floor in a roll that is heated cable that is laid on plastic mesh at the same pitch. There are specific steps involved in the installation process; first, the layer needs to be placed on concrete and filled with tile adhesive.
If a substrate is used when installing heating mats, the adhesion between the tile and the concrete base will be lost. The screed that the heating mat will be placed on needs to be insulated.
Types
The elements are separated based on the substance that was utilized. There are just three primary classifications:
- natural (pine needles, felt, cork, flax, jute);
- synthetic;
- mineral (fiberglass).
Fiberglass can be used to create a contour between the water floor and the finishing coating; natural materials, with the exception of cork, are not appropriate for use as substrates. Substrates are made from synthetic materials in two variations: one with and one without a foil heat-reflecting layer.
Polystyrene foam board
This substance, which is derived from polymerizing styrene, belongs to the foam plastic group. accessible in a variety of size slabs. Sheets can have the following dimensions: width: 50–60 cm, length: 100–120 cm, thickness: 2 mm, 3 mm, or 5 mm.
There are sheets as well:
- with projections without coating;
- with projections and coating (650 rubles per 1 sq. m);
- smooth (100 rubles per 1 sq. m).
During installation, the first type’s protrusions could distort. Additionally, foil polystyrene exists. The material’s performance characteristics are considerably enhanced by foil. Usually utilized beneath laminate. advantages of substrates
- elasticity;
- long service life;
- absence of deformation under heavy mechanical impact;
- thermal insulation properties (due to the porosity of the material);
- noise insulation level (up to 70%);
- wide operating temperature range (from -50°C to +75°C);
- breathability;
- environmental friendliness;
- no condensation;
- light weight.
Minuses:
- poor leveling ability;
- primary drawdown;
- flammable;
- low resistance to aggressive substances;
- brittleness under strong bending.
Cost per square meter: 20 to 55 rubles.
EPPS
Laminate can also be made from extruded pressed polystyrene foam, although its density is lower (30–40 kg/cube m). It has high thermal insulation but is less brittle and hard as a result. Additional benefits include high levels of noise absorption and environmental friendliness.
There are cell-filled slabs available; mounting pipes or a heating cable on them is simpler. The material’s substantial thickness is among its drawbacks. This lowers the room’s height and thickens the layer of warm flooring. Other drawbacks of EPPS include its flammability, short service life, There are two versions of the substrate produced: sheets and rolls. Additionally, sheets are separated into regular and accordion plates. Starting at 265 rubles for each slab.
Magnesite sheets
IR floors are laid using this widely used building material. Magnesite sheets are made up of a variety of sheets, including composite materials, wood chips, fiberglass, and perlite. Standard sheet sizes are 2.44 m x 1.22 m, with thicknesses ranging from 3.0 mm to 20.0 mm.
Benefits of the content:
- excellent moisture resistance;
- non-flammability;
- eco-friendliness;
- density;
- durability;
- good quality of sound and heat insulation;
- resistance to biological influences;
- light weight;
- high strength.
Either side of the sheet can be mounted.
Customers view the price of the sheets as a drawback. The cost of a sheet ranges from 1,370 to 1,860 rubles.
Fiberboard
This kind of underlay is placed underneath linoleum and used when installing IR floors. The screed should be covered with aluminum foil, followed by insulation and fiberboard sheets. Benefits
- environmental friendliness;
- strength;
- no deformation during operation;
- easy processing;
- heat and sound insulation;
- cost.
Drawbacks:
- cannot withstand high transverse loads;
- average moisture resistance.
Price per sheet varies from 200 to 420 rubles based on material thickness.
Penofol
Foamed polyethylene serves as the material’s foundation. Its dual action is its primary benefit. Penofol works well as both a heat insulator and a reflector. both single- and double-sided foiling is used in production. Suggested for installing cables and film floors in pies. advantages
- environmental friendliness;
- waterproof;
- thermal insulation performance;
- low vapor permeability;
- ease of installation;
- price;
- fire safety.
Its excessive softness is a drawback.
The price per square meter ranges from 40 to 163 rubles.
Lavsan
Suitable for all kinds of heated floors, but it’s most commonly used with IR film installation. advantages
- good tensile strength;
- levels the base;
- high-quality sound insulation;
- safety;
- resistance to chemicals and pathogenic microflora;
- non-flammability.
Minuses:
- fear of moisture;
- need for water protection.
Cork
Being a natural material, cork is regarded as the safest and most environmentally friendly. In addition, it has a lot of advantages:
- resistance to deformation;
- durability;
- good noise and heat insulation;
- ease of installation.
Cork’s primary drawback is that it is easily wetted out. While installing a water floor, this disadvantage should be considered, though it is not very significant for IR film. Furthermore, static loads are not tolerated by the cork. The material is applied in sheets and rolls.
Price per sheet ranges from 230 to 600 rubles.
Isolon
Also describes the class of foil products made of foamed polyethylene. Suitable for lamination and IR film application. advantages
- compressive strength;
- high elasticity;
- non -combustibility;
- easily cut and cut out;
- High thermal resistance when heated.
Cons: cost and potential for damage during installation. Depending on the thickness of the material, the price per sheet ranges from 180 to 00 rubles.
How to make the right choice?
Materials can be continually improved thanks to modern technologies. As a result, the following criteria must be considered when selecting a substrate:
- evenness and type of base;
- type of warm floor system;
- type of flooring or finishing covering.
Additionally, you will need to consider the properties of the substance:
- his safety;
- degree of reflection of IR radiation;
- resistance to temperature changes;
- resistance to mechanical stress.
Water and electric floors can be installed with the same kind of underlay (the waterproofing aspect is crucial in this case).
Selecting the appropriate substrate during the installation of warm electric floors is essential for effective heating and long-term functionality. Common substrates include plywood, insulating boards, and concrete, each of which has special advantages such as ease of installation, thermal insulation, and structural support. For the flooring system to be protected from potential damage and to guarantee uniform heat distribution, these substrates must be prepared properly. Before laying the heating elements, it is important to clean the surface, apply a primer, and make sure the substrate is level and dry. By adhering to these recommendations, you can guarantee a smooth installation that improves your space’s comfort and energy efficiency.
Laying features
There are certain subtle differences in installation technology substrates based on the kind of floor system:
- Under the infrared floor, you need to take a substrate with good heat-insulating and reflective characteristics. In this case, the material is placed directly under the IR film with the metallized layer facing up. It is important to lay the material over the entire surface of the heated floor. Join the canvases and secure the seams with thermal tape or adhesive tape. Place IR film on top.
- Cable floor. In this case, it is necessary to fill the screed. After preparing the base, lay the thermal insulation, cover with a layer of screed. Then place the substrate and attach the mounting tape to it with screws. Fix the heating cable in the tape, connect the sensors to the power grid, check the operation of the system and pour the screed.
Generally speaking, installation guidelines:
- The base must be leveled;
- Place the heat-reflecting layer on top;
- Mount the rolled substrate end-to-end using metallized tape;
- Mount the slabs without gaps.
Errors and difficulties
The most typical mistakes are:
- Installation on an unprepared base.
- Laying the substrate the wrong way around. If the material is installed with the heat-reflecting layer down, the heat distribution will be disrupted.
- Choosing a material that is too thick or too thin.
- Installation without being installed on the walls. This will contribute to moisture leakage downwards if the water floor system is damaged.
- Absence of a waterproofing layer. It must be placed on the base in front of the bedding.
- Using foil backing for electric flooring. This can cause a short if the system fails.
The primary error is the ignorant selection of the substrate’s material type.
Useful video
Concerning the substrate as well as the video:
Substrate Type | Laying Rules |
Cement Screed | Ensure the surface is clean and level. Use insulation boards to prevent heat loss, and then lay the heating cables before covering them with a final layer of screed. |
Plywood | Make sure the plywood is securely fixed and free of moisture. Install insulation boards to enhance efficiency, then lay the heating mats and cover with a suitable underlay before installing flooring. |
Concrete Slab | Verify that the slab is dry and level. Add a layer of insulation to minimize heat loss, lay out the heating wires, and finish with a topping compound for a smooth surface. |
Tile Backer Board | Check that the boards are firmly attached and moisture-resistant. Lay the electric heating mat or cables, and cover with a thin layer of adhesive before tiling. |
Wooden Subfloor | Ensure the subfloor is stable and moisture-free. Use a thermal barrier, such as insulation boards, then apply the heating system and cover with a suitable underlayment for the flooring material. |
This is the article’s conclusion regarding the different kinds of electric underfloor heating substrates and how they should be laid:
For a variety of spaces, electric underfloor heating systems offer effective and cozy heating options. Nonetheless, to guarantee the longevity and efficacy of the system, selecting the appropriate substrate is essential. The correct substrate can lessen energy usage, increase heat distribution, and shield the heating components from harm. Through meticulous evaluation of variables such as the intended use of the space, kind of flooring, and weather conditions, homeowners can choose a substrate that best suits their unique requirements.
Different materials, such as concrete, plywood, and insulating boards, have different advantages to consider when choosing a substrate. Although insulation may be necessary to stop heat loss to the ground, concrete is a strong and efficient heat conductor and store. For wooden floors, plywood works well because it offers a sturdy foundation for heating components. Insulating boards, on the other hand, increase energy efficiency by reflecting heat upward. The installation requirements and limitations of each substrate should be taken into account when organizing an underfloor heating project.
For any electric underfloor heating system to be successful, proper installation is essential. The subfloor must be ready, the substrate must be clean and level, and the heating elements must be laid according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In order to guard against damage and guarantee uniform heat distribution, the right adhesives and spacing must be used. Installing electric underfloor heating can be a simple and satisfying project that offers comfort and efficiency for many years to come with careful planning and attention to detail.