Film underfloor heating under the laminate instruction. How to choose an infrared heat-insulated floor for a laminate and carry out installation? Features of installation work

Now many as floor covering choose laminate flooring because it is quite beautiful, durable and easy to install. But this coating has several disadvantages, one of which is that it is very cold. That is why an excellent solution to this problem is the installation of an infrared warm floor under the laminate.

What is infrared flooring?

Infrared underfloor heating, in fact, is a method of surface heating, which is carried out by increasing the temperature of heating elements with electricity. The infrared heater has special conductive strips that allow electricity to pass through and heat the surface. Electricity flows through the wires and heats the floor evenly. It is this system that determines complete tightness of the infrared floor and its resistance to high humidity.

This design has a thermostat. With it, you can independently change the temperature in the room and in its individual zones. Infrared floor heating is completely harmless to human health. It emits only negatively charged ions, thus even having a positive effect.

Another feature of this floor is that it warms up the entire room. This is due to the fact that a heat-reflecting lining is installed under it, which gradually heats up the objects located on top. Thus, this device will heat the floor, not the ceiling of the neighbors in case it is installed in the apartment. The infrared floor does not warm the air, so the heating is gradual and correct.

This design is perfect as a base for laying laminate precisely because it provides uniform heating of the surface, which is gentle for this coating. In addition, such a system of underfloor heating is economical, allowing you to reduce the cost of electricity for such heating by 20%.

Laminate is an excellent covering for a warm floor as it is quite thin and uniform. Thus, the heat is correctly distributed over the entire area of the room. Underfloor heating does not concentrate radiation inside the laminate, but passes it through. Underfloor heating under the laminate allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room and makes walking around the house with bare feet more pleasant. Such a heating system provides owners the ability to independently control a comfortable temperature regime in any room. In addition, laminate is perfect for such a heat source, so the infrared underfloor heating system is indispensable in modern conditions.

Basically, these floors are powered by foil heaters. They are transparent polyester sheets with parallel strips of carbon paste between them. When exposed to voltage, it emits infrared energy. The average width of such films is either 50 cm or 100 cm. The length may depend on the size of the room, the film can be easily cut along the cutting line. Cutting the coverings in other parts is prohibited.

Under the laminate, floors are most often used, the heating power of which is 150 W per square meter. Thus, the heating will not exceed 40 degrees, this level will be acceptable for the laminate. The infrared-type warm floor has a special sensor with a cable connected to it, which allows you to control the temperature regime.

Types, their advantages and disadvantages

Manufacturers now present two main infrared floor systems. Distinguish:

film;
pivotal.

The first option is a model made of rolls of thin film with heating elements in the form of strips. The second option is a set of carbon rods that are connected to each other using wires. The first type is very popular because it has a number of advantages and is easy to install. In this case, you will not have to carry out any additional or preparatory work... Anyone can cope with this task, even without the appropriate skills or experience in this area. This heating system can be installed on any floor, regardless of its texture, and you do not need to use a screed.

Another important advantage of infrared flooring is that it allows you to adjust the room temperature, creating a feeling of comfort. In addition, temperature changes can occur quite quickly.

If you suddenly decide to turn on and heat the floor, then it will warm up in a matter of minutes, and the temperature in the room will rise noticeably. This is a clear advantage of infrared underfloor heating in comparison with other coatings.

An important advantage of this type of underfloor heating is that it does not harm the finishing flooring. That is why this type of heating system is most often used in combination with laminate flooring. A big plus is the very principle of operation of the heating system. It does not warm up the air and does not allow it to rise up. The system evenly distributes warm streams, and thus, the air temperature below will be significantly higher than above.

Infrared radiation is completely safe and even beneficial. It does not affect the level of humidity in the air, does not dry it out and makes the stay in the room more comfortable. In addition, many experts point out that infrared floors have a healing effect and can prevent a number of diseases. Thus, they do not harm at all, but, on the contrary, help to improve the conditions in the room.

The infrared film floor will allow you to optimally warm the room. This is one of the most economical ways heating. Such a heater significantly reduces energy consumption. In addition, it provides a comfortable level of heating for the feet. Even if any part of the system fails, you do not have to change the entire system completely. You can only replace a certain area and enjoy the warm floor.

Manufacturers guarantee a long service life of such heaters, even if they work smoothly. These heating systems do not require special maintenance, they are distinguished by their versatility, simplicity and functionality. That is why they are so widespread and very popular among buyers. But this heating system also has several disadvantages. The first is the high cost of the heating system.

Not everyone can afford such a warm floor, especially if you purchase only high-quality proven heating models. Besides, with improper installation or some mechanical stress, such floors can be easily damaged b and partially disable the system, and some heating elements will have to be replaced.

Also, many manufacturers warn: there is a possibility of fire film warm floors. That is why it is very important to take into account the operating requirements of manufacturers, and carefully study the entire manual. Another disadvantage is that not everyone can correctly connect the necessary contacts, especially for models of the second type.

For some, especially very thin models, a flat surface is also required for laying the floor, so you have to additionally level it and smooth out all defects. Another disadvantage is that energy savings can only be achieved if the floor warms up the room at least to 21 degrees. Moreover, this additional heating cannot replace the main one in any way.

Some have cited other disadvantages of infrared flooring. So, buyers complain that its installation and installation is not as easy as the manufacturers say it is. It is quite easy to calculate the size of the film and correctly spread it over the floor surface, but connecting all the contacts is a very time-consuming and complex process that only an electrician can handle.

Another disadvantage is the clear requirement for a perfectly flat and smooth surface. This is because the film is in some cases very thin, so there is a possibility of contact breakage or damage.

If the film is deformed, the heating system will malfunction.

Also, many manufacturers claim that infrared floors do not dry the air. This statement is only true if they are used separately from the general heating system, but together both systems dry the air and lower the humidity level in the room. Although manufacturers often cite advantages such as air ionization and health benefits, this radiation can still lead to allergic reactions. Thus, the system is not hypoallergenic and may cause some problems.

During installation, it is important to pay attention to the air temperature and floor temperature sensors: they should not be covered. Failure to comply with this requirement can lead to unpleasant consequences - the system will crash and will not work correctly.

How to choose?

When choosing warm infrared floors for laminate flooring, make sure that the floor surface is perfectly flat, otherwise the system will not work. Preference should be given to film infrared floor... This is due to the fact that the rod system creates certain difficulties during installation and requires a screed. It does not work well with laminate flooring, but it is acceptable.

Before choosing, you need to make and all measurements in the room and calculate how many rolls of film you need to buy... An infrared electric floor can be installed in any room, including a balcony, the choice will depend only on the available area.

In this case, it is important not only to choose the right floor system itself, since in some cases it is identical, but also a laminate for a film type of warm floor. Resistant vinyl laminate can be purchased. It is important to pay attention to the labeling.

The packaging must indicate that such a coating is suitable for installation on underfloor heating. A pack of laminate flooring must be marked accordingly, and some manufacturers even indicate the permissible heating temperature (the limit is 27 degrees). It is also important to consider the density of the laminate and its structure. It is better to give preference to models that have a looser structure, since they conduct heat better and warm up the room well. A denser laminate, on the contrary, heats up for a very long time and practically does not give off heat.

When choosing, it is important to pay attention to the composition of the lamellas. So, if they are made using formaldehydes, which is typical for models from MDF, which are the basis of the laminate, then when heated, this component can emit harmful substances. If such a laminate is heated to no more than 25 degrees, then the level of discharge is normal, but at higher temperatures, the level increases. That is why it is better to give preference to class E1 laminate. It can be heated up to 27 degrees without fear that harmful substances will be released.

Also pay attention to the price of the cover. Many people strive to save on this material by purchasing cheaper lamellas, but in the case of a warm floor, this is wrong.

Cheap, low-quality lamellas quickly deteriorate, and therefore the coating has to be renewed. Thus, by saving on it, you will later spend even more.

Pay more attention to the substrate as well. Its choice is extremely important when installing a warm floor. It can equalize the pressure on the locks connecting the lamellas and reduce the load on them when walking. The substrate must be laid on the underfloor heating film. It also allows you to provide uniformity of heating. The film should also be chosen very responsibly and carefully. Only a specific underlay may be placed on the film floor. So, technical cork, extruded polystyrene foam, materials with reflective surfaces, liquid composite systems are perfect for this.

In no case do you purchase a foil backing, since it is unacceptable for laminate and underfloor heating. It intensifies heating by raising the permissible temperature level.

How to install it yourself?

When installing an infrared floor with your own hands, you need to acquire some tools and comply with a number of requirements. So, you will need:

a substrate with heat-reflecting functions;
infrared film;
temperature sensors;
temperature regulators;
wiring;
fasteners - clamps for installing infrared cloths;
insulators;
polyethylene film that protects against moisture;
insulating tape;
knife, scissors;
ruler;
roulette;
pencil.

In order to properly lay the laminate and make a warm floor, it is important to follow the technology and check all the components.

This heating system must be removed from other heat sources such as a radiator, stove, fireplace and others. Better if the distance is about half a meter. When installing, you should also take into account the location of the furniture in the room. It is better if the warm film is located only in those areas where the furniture will not stand, it is important to calculate this in advance.

During installation, it is necessary to provide the ability to control the functioning of the warm floor, additional access to the system to troubleshoot problems when they occur. Laying the laminate is very important. It must provide the necessary ventilation for the warm floor and the level of thermal conductivity. You also need to take care about a perfectly flat base of the floor and get rid of all bumps and cracks... In addition, you need to install sockets in order to connect the warm floor to the power supply.

After that, preparation and isolation can be carried out. Initially, you should clean the floor and remove all dirt and debris, even small specks can damage the film surface. To do this, it is better to use a vacuum cleaner. After that, you need to take measurements: the area of the room excluding the areas of the floor where the furniture will be located... Be sure to calculate the material correctly.

Under no circumstances should the infrared foil floor be laid overlapping. It is better, if there is a shortage of length or width of such floors, to leave a small distance than to put one film on top of another. After that, you need to mount a special heat-reflecting substrate. The underlay spreads over the entire floor area. It is much easier to shorten or cut it.

Then it is necessary to glue on the outside all the joints of this protective substrate, correctly cut the infrared film, based on the measurements made. Moreover, it can be cut only in areas specially designated by the manufacturer. They are usually marked with white frames. The film can be laid on the floor in the room around the entire perimeter in case there is no large furniture standing directly on the floor.

If there is one, then it is better to bypass it. Then you need to insulate the tires. Copper busbars need to be glued with electrical adhesive tape, while twisting along the cut. Try to provide complete insulation with no air intake. After that, you need to process the grounding bus. This is the element that is located in the center of each heating sheet.

It must be bent on both sides without deforming the remaining sections. Electrical tape should be used to insulate the film in other areas. It must be applied in such a way that the fold is on the seamy side. After that, you can insulate the film with tape. It is glued in half the width and folded through a cut of the infrared sheet. After insulating and laying, you can proceed to connecting the thermostats and soldering all the wires.

So, it is better to align the film in the place of laying and fix the edge of the substrate with the side opposite to the temperature regulator. Then you need to solder the wires connecting different parts of the infrared film floor. Having folded the film in the part where the temperature regulator is installed, it must be folded with the wrong side up. You can temporarily fix it in this position with adhesive tape.

Then, using a heated soldering iron or a utility knife, you need to get rid of the insulation layer. You can also mark points to melt the insulation and then clean the sections with a knife. After that it is important to make complete insulation... This can be done using electrical adhesive tape.

After that, proceed to the installation of the floor temperature sensor. This device must be installed under the film in special grooves. Thermal sensors are installed in the warmest place of the infrared floor, which is the central part of the film. In this way, overheating of the entire floor can be avoided. The temperature sensor has a wire to the thermostat. There it must be fixed with a special tape. Then you should strip the wires and connect them. After that, you need to connect the grounding buses, and it is important to strip them, undercut and connect with a cable.

Outgoing wires should be placed in a corrugated pipe.

Then you need to fix the film. This can be done by fixing it to the substrate with mounting tape. This way you can create a flat surface and avoid overlapping different areas. Next, you can proceed to testing the infrared underfloor heating film and laying the laminate. A plastic wrap is laid on top of the floors. It protects the infrared floor from moisture.

Laying the film should be done with an overlap on the walls, and the thickness of the plastic film must be at least 160 microns. Only after that, you can proceed to laying the laminate, correctly fixing all the locks and providing the necessary ventilation during installation.

When self-installation, you should also adhere to some rules. The temperature controller is best positioned about 20 cm above the floor in an accessible area. Also keep in mind that when laying, all extreme film elements must have gaps near the walls. It is important not to press them tightly and retreat about 30 cm from each wall.

When decorating the interior in a room where such warm floors are installed under the laminate, in no case should you use carpets or other warm floor coverings. Thus, warm air will linger on the surface of the laminate and spoil its structure. The room will not be warm enough, but the coating will overheat.

In addition, if you lay a carpet in the place where the temperature controller is installed, then the power relay will constantly turn off, and all heating of the room as a whole will be completely ineffective.

In appearance, an infrared warm floor resembles a dense film with black stripes on it. However, thermal mats are only part of a complex electrical system that allows you to heat the base in an apartment.

In this case, floor heating occurs due to infrared radiation, which appears due to the carbon paste located between the sheets of the transparent film. It is drawn in parallel lines and looks like those same black stripes. The emitted waves have a length of 5-20 microns. The system, thanks to additional elements, is connected to the mains, where a copper and silver connection acts as a conductor.

Laying sheets of film underfloor heating

The main part of the infrared heating system is exactly the same striped film heaters. They are sold in rolls and can have a width of 50 cm or 100 cm. It is convenient to cut them, since about every 25 cm there is a cutting line here, which allows you to buy exactly as much film as you need to equip a heating system in a particular room. The film is sold by meters.

The power of infrared films is 150, 200 or 440 W / m2. These indicators will come in handy during calculations regarding the arrangement of a floor heating system, to identify the load on the electrical system of the house. For laminate flooring, it is optimal to use mats with a power of 150 W / m2. They will allow you to heat the floors up to a maximum of 40-45 degrees, and no higher temperature is needed.

Also, the underfloor heating system with infrared heating necessarily includes:

thermostat;
thermal sensor;
special clips or clips;
wires for connecting the system.

The infrared floor system is highly reliable, since individual elements are connected in parallel - in case of malfunctions in one of the elements, the rest will continue to work.

IR underfloor heating has many advantages that make it one of the best options for heating laminate floors:

optimal and uniform temperature distribution over the entire floor area;
frugality;
the optimal level of floor temperature is within 45 degrees;
rapid heating of the surface;
ease of installation and repair;
no need to install the screed, since the floor covering can be laid on thermal mats;
long term of uninterrupted work.

The main disadvantage of such floors is the rather high cost of equipment and materials, but the investment will be fully justified if all the advantages of the system are taken into account.

The main advantage of the underfloor heating film is that no screeds are required, the finishing coat is laid directly on the film.

The use of this system is explained by some features of other underfloor heating systems, which do not correspond to such a coating as laminate. Of these, the main ones can be distinguished:

Electric floors, which are based on heating mats or cables, produce heating rather unevenly, which is undesirable for a laminate;
Temperature drops in the system water underfloor heating when connected to a non-autonomous system, they negatively affect the characteristics of the laminate and can cause deformation of the coating, as well as the formation of creaks and cracks;
Installation of the water system requires an additional screed, which reduces the height of the room and takes the longest time to equip.

Underfloor heating "pie" device

When comparing these features of underfloor heating with an infrared floor, you can see that it does not have such disadvantages. In addition, IR underfloor heating under laminate has a number of advantages:

The film underfloor heating under the laminate does not have very high heating temperatures, which excludes the occurrence of deformation of the coating;
This type allows you to reduce energy costs, compared to other underfloor heating systems;
The surface is heated very quickly and evenly;
Long service life;
Quick and easy installation, which makes it possible to lay it with your own hands;
Does not create dry air in the room.

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.

There are a number of advantages inherent in these systems:

Well, the last plus is the price. Installation of a film underfloor heating under linoleum will cost much less than the implementation of complex water cooling of the floor. It's about the cost of the installation, not the film itself. However, depending on the manufacturer, the film itself may be cheaper than "outdated" floor heating systems.

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 floor 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 big cities Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc.) or order in the online store, based on specifications and owner reviews.

The main advantage of the underfloor heating film is that no screeds are required, the finishing coating is laid directly on the film.

Electric floors. based on heating mats or cables, they produce heating rather unevenly, which is undesirable for a laminate;
Temperature drops in the water floor heating system, when connected to a non-autonomous system, negatively affect the characteristics of the laminate and can cause deformation of the coating, as well as the formation of creaks and cracks;
Installation of the water system requires an additional screed. which reduces the height of the room and takes the longest time to equip.

Underfloor heating "pie" device

Principle of operation

Laying the wiring of the film underfloor heating must be carried out from the center to the skirting boards on the walls in order to avoid excessive pressure of the floor covering. The wires are laid under the film, in which holes are pre-cut for them. After fixing the place of the incision, fasten it with tape. The wiring must be routed so that it does not protrude beyond the thermal insulating substrate.

The cable is connected to the clamps in a parallel method. The ends of the wires are cleaned, pushed through an incision in the film and inserted into the clamp attachment points, after which they are pressed with pliers. The junction is insulated and fixed to the film with tape. In order not to confuse the wiring lines, you can choose two colors of cables.

After laying the thermal film, it is necessary to attach a thermal sensor to it. Place it, as a rule, in the area of the second section. Under its wiring and the sensor itself, cuts are made in the film. In addition, it is worth making sure that the film makes a smooth turn in the place where the cable passes under the temperature sensor. This will prevent the cable from kinking.

Once the sensor is installed, you can proceed with the installation of the thermostat. It is preferable when it is connected permanently, however, connection through an outlet is also allowed.

Connect the thermostat to a film infrared heated floor in the same way as other types of heated floors. Two wires, suitable for the temperature sensor and the warm floor, are connected in pairs on both sides of the thermostat. The two remaining free connectors are used to connect the power cables. The ground is connected using the terminal.

System check

Before laying laminate flooring, make sure that the underfloor heating is functioning properly. If there is no overheating of individual elements or sparking, then the thermal film is of high quality.

As soon as it is established that there are no malfunctions, the heating elements should be covered with a layer of protective polyethylene, not narrower than 80 microns, designed to prevent moisture from entering the thermal film. In addition, such a layer will increase the service life of the warm floor. Lay a plastic wrap over the entire surface of the warm floor.

And finally, a few tips for installing an IR heating system:

humidity in the room where the work is carried out should be no more than 60%;
installation of infrared floors is carried out at a temperature of 0 degrees and above;
the thermal film, even for testing, must be connected to the network only in the expanded state - it cannot be connected in a roll;
if the film was damaged at the place of the graphite (black) layer, then the place of damage is necessarily insulated on both sides;
the temperature sensor must be connected so that, if necessary, it can be easily replaced;
if a flood occurs in the apartment, then it is important to turn off the floors urgently and not use them until they dry out.

If the infrared floor heating system was connected correctly, it will last for decades. It is important to carry out all work carefully and accurately - only in this case you can get the desired result!

Conventional heating systems operate on a direct heat exchange scheme. For example, batteries receive energy from hot water, which is heated in the nearest boiler room. This energy is then transferred to the air in the room, and thus the heat is distributed throughout the room. The same happens in the case of using electric heaters, only there the heating element is heated.

V warm floors, created on the basis of water or electrical (non-infrared) systems, the simplest heat exchange also takes place, only in this case the screed heats up, under which the cable or pipes are located. The disadvantage of such systems is inertia. It takes a lot of resources to preheat the floor, but on the other hand, when the power is turned off, the floor cools down slowly, since the pipes or cables under the screed do not cool down for some time.

Film underfloor heating under linoleum or tiles works differently. Here below the surface (tile, linoleum or laminate) are transparent polyesters with carbon-coated stripes (or paste). Each strip is connected to a copper bus - voltage is applied to it. When current passes through the carbon paste, a radiation flux with waves 5–20 µm in length is created.

The film itself and the tire heat up very little. The generated infrared energy flow heats the surfaces it hits, in this case the floor. Consequently, in infrared systems there are no intermediate surfaces through which heat is transferred, the floor itself heats up here - it is he who is the first and last "obstacle" to heat. An analogue is the sun, which is also a source of thermal infrared radiation. Its rays heat the surfaces that meet in their path.

The principle of operation of infrared systems has been known for a long time and is successfully used in wall, ceiling or hanging heaters. It has successfully proven its effectiveness over the years. With the development of technology, they learned how to lay an infrared warm floor under a laminate or other coating. This became possible due to the development of carbon-coated film heaters.

Laminate for a film warm floor - which is better to choose

Before you finally decide on the infrared type of floor heating, you need to study the information about which laminate can be laid on top of this type of heaters without harm to itself. Suitable material must be specially marked in the form of a "snake". It is this designation that informs the future owner of a warm laminate floor that the laminate is suitable for arranging a heating system.

The process of laying laminate on top of an IR warm floor

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 laminate flooring can be used for underfloor heating will be indicated on the packaging (the corresponding icon on the label). Moreover, some manufacturers indicate the maximum heating temperature;

Before deciding to install a warm floor based on IR-film, you need to understand its positive and negative qualities.

The advantages of the material include:

The film is located only in those places that need to be heated. There is no need to spend energy on heating the space occupied by furniture;
The ease of installation of the material allows you to do all the work yourself, which has a positive effect on the overall costs;
The infrared film perfectly withstands temperature changes and can work even at minus temperatures. This feature allows it to be used in country houses not intended for permanent residence;
Infrared underfloor heating can be installed not only in apartments, but also in office buildings;
Heat waves emanating from the installed system correspond in their characteristics to the sun's rays;
Failure of one or more elements does not affect the operation of the entire system;
The penetration of heat waves from below allows you to evenly distribute heat, creating a comfortable environment in the room;
IR systems have a long lifespan.

And the disadvantages:

High energy costs;
With the wrong choice of flooring, the effect of using the material can be significantly reduced.

Infrared underfloor heating construction

The IR system of underfloor heating is based on the ability of certain materials to emit heat waves when heated. This phenomenon is based on electromagnetic radiation, which produces waves up to 100 microns in length.

Such an emitter in an infrared film is a carbon coating, which heats up when an electric current passes through conductive copper and silver strips, as a result of which the flooring and the room are heated.

Some rays have the ability to pass through the floor covering, and therefore the placement of infrared films under the overall furniture is prohibited, as the system may overheat. Manufacturers produce infrared material with a consumption of up to 440 W / m2, but for a heating device under laminate floors, the maximum power is limited to 150 W / m2.

IR films are available in rolls of various lengths, the width can vary from 500 to 1000 mm. For ease of installation, independent blocks with cutting points with a step of 200-250 mm are formed along the entire length of the roll.

Installation instructions for infrared underfloor heating

It is recommended to install IR-film for further installation of the laminate floor in the following sequence:

Prepare necessary materials and tools.
The location of the strips is planned taking into account the further operation of the premises.
The foundation is being prepared.
Assembly in progress.
Electrical connection is being made.
The self-regulation device of the system is installed.

Materials and tools

The underfloor heating installation kit includes:

IR film;
foil-coated substrate;
bituminous adhesive tape;
scotch tape;
foil tape;
thermostat;
connecting terminals;
wires;
temperature sensor;
polyethylene film.

The following tools are required:

knife and scissors;
roulette;
pencil;
pliers;
insulating tape.

Planning

Before laying the material, it is recommended to apply the future arrangement of the furniture to the floor plan, since the infrared film does not fit under heavy objects. After you figured out where the large-sized furniture will be located, calculate the required number of IR film strips and their length.

The results obtained will form the basis for calculating the power consumption of the entire underfloor heating system. The calculation of the power consumption will be required to select a suitable machine that insures the system. On the wall, they choose a suitable place for installing the thermostat and are determined with the connection diagram to the general electrical network of the apartment.

When calculating the length of the IR film stripes, you should be guided by the marks along which you can make a cross-cut - they are usually at a distance of 20 cm from each other.

It is better to arrange the stripes on the very long side rooms.

When planning the arrangement of strips, it is necessary to observe indents from the walls of 200 - 300 mm, and the distance between adjacent strips should not be less than 50 mm.

Preparation

Before laying infrared underfloor heating under the laminate, it is necessary to level the base and remove all debris. The preparation of the screed is carried out taking into account the requirements for the installation of a laminate covering, which means that differences of more than 2-3 mm are not allowed.

Before installing the film, you need to do the following:

The leveled base is cleaned of fines and debris;
The base is covered with a foil backing. The top layer of this material serves as a reflective surface that does not allow heat to escape into the floor slab;
It is necessary to lay the substrate end-to-end. The individual strips of the backing are connected with adhesive tape to form a single sheet.

Mounting

Installation of infrared underfloor heating under the laminate is carried out using the following technology:

Given the length of the wire, a space is prepared on the wall for mounting the thermostat. The wall is channeled under the network cable and power wires of the infrared floor. After the installation of the device and wiring, the grooves in the wall are sealed with gypsum mortar;
IR material is cut to size and stacked according to the markings;

Open contacts that are not used for installation must be insulated with bitumen tape;

Laying the film is required with a copper strip to the base. To ensure that the strips do not shift during work and operation, they are fixed with adhesive tape;
Special terminals are inserted into the technological cuts on the conductive strip on one side, wires are brought to the other and the fastening is pressed with pliers. Each connection is carefully insulated with bitumen tape, which, when energized, softens and tightly covers the assembly, forming a hermetic protection;

Insert terminal.

Terminal crimp.

Terminal insulation.

To install the temperature sensor, a small recess is made in the foil base for the device itself and the cable. The sensor and the lead wire are fixed to the substrate with adhesive tape so that the upper part of the device falls on the carbon strip;

Place for a thermal sensor.

Mounting the temperature sensor.

So that when laying the lamellas there are no problems due to an uneven base, all joints are recessed into the substrate, for which they make small indentations for terminals and wires;
Before laying the laminate, the surface of the warm floor is covered with a plastic wrap to ensure water protection. Separate strips are fastened together with adhesive tape, forming a single carpet.

Connecting to the network

Electricity is connected through an RCD, direct switching on of the infrared film to a voltage of 220V is prohibited. To collect individual strips of film into the network, special terminals are used, for which attachment points are provided (connection by twists is prohibited). Each connection must be insulated with bitumen tape.

The connection is made according to the diagram that comes with the kit.

Connecting the thermostat

The installed system is independently regulated based on signals transmitted by the thermostat, which, in turn, receives information from a sensor that monitors the temperature value.

To connect this device, manufacturers have provided a special wire. It is not recommended to change the length of this wire, as the reliability of the transmitted signal is impaired.

Connection diagram.

The connection diagram is individual for each type of product, therefore, when assembling the system with your own hands, you should follow the instructions.

Which laminate to choose for subsequent installation over an IR warm floor

Laying the laminate on an infrared warm floor is carried out in the usual way, but in order to avoid possible side effects, it is recommended to select certain flooring models.

Unsuitable lamellas wear out quickly, cause the heating film to rupture, and also, in some cases, begin to release substances hazardous to health.

So that in the end you do not have to completely redo everything, when choosing a laminate, you should adhere to the following instructions:

The choice begins with the type of lock connection. The installation of the lamellas should be carried out exclusively by fixing them in the spacer, without the use of adhesives... Otherwise, with periodic heating and cooling of the base, the joints will rupture.
The task of the flooring is to transmit heat waves into the house, and therefore, when choosing a specific type of laminate, it is recommended to select boards with a minimum coefficient of thermal resistance. The corresponding marking is applied to the packaging of finished products. Recommended parameters: no more than 0.1 sq.m. x ° K / W.
The thickness of the board also matters. On excessively thin boards, with changes in the temperature regime, locks will break, and too thick lamellas will become an obstacle to the passage of heat into the room. For floors with infrared heating, it is recommended to use lamellas with a thickness not more than 9 mm and not less than 8 mm.
It should be remembered that for the production of laminate boards, adhesives are used, which include formaldehyde. This substance begins to evaporate at temperatures above 27 ° C, therefore, when choosing a coating, you need to carefully study the characteristics of the material. Laminate of class E0 and E1 does not emit harmful substances when heated.
The durability of a flooring is influenced by its ability to resist surface wear. On this basis, for laying an infrared warm floor under a laminate, it is recommended to use boards with wear resistance class not less than 3.
When installing an infrared film underfloor heating under a laminate, it is allowed to use not only wooden laminate products, but also made of vinyl, which significantly expands the list of options available for selection.

Following the above tips, you can easily find and buy an infrared floor heating laminate. How to choose a material taking into account the listed characteristics? It is necessary to pay attention to the designations that are applied to the packaging material (see photo below).

Product device

Infrared underfloor heating under the laminate has its own system, which includes the following elements:

Wiring;
IR film;
Heat-reflecting material;
Temperature sensors and regulator;
Film insulation or waterproofing;
Fastening clamps;
Installation instructions are also included.

Films usually have different lengths and widths of 50 or 100 cm. They have a special cutting line along which you can cut the material of the required length. In other places, the film cannot be cut.

The power of such a system can be different - 150, 220 or 440 W / m2, but for a laminate, an option is used that has an indicator of no more than 150 W / m2.

Infrared floor laying technology under laminate

Instructions for installing an infrared underfloor heating contains several main points that need to be considered in detail. These items are:

Drawing up a drawing and laying diagram;
Foundation preparation;
Installation of infrared underfloor heating under the laminate - installation of elements;
Connection and trial run of the system;
Laying laminate flooring.

Drawing and laying scheme

Before carrying out work, it is necessary to draw up a scheme according to which the films will be laid. You can make it in the form of a drawing, on which it is necessary to indicate where the sensors and the temperature controller will be located. Cutting of films is also carried out according to a previously prepared scheme.

One of the options for the implementation of the stacking scheme

Subfloor preparation

Since we are talking about a base for laying a laminate, it must be prepared in accordance with the requirements that are necessary for the installation of this floor covering. The concrete base must, if necessary, be repaired and treated with special compounds. You also need to do the following work before laying IR floor films:

Remove debris and dust;
To make a flooring of thermo-reflective foil material (2-3 mm thick). In this case, the foil side of the material should be outside;
Fix the strips of material on double-sided tape and connect together with a special adhesive tape;
Make cutouts in the material for the sensors and the regulator, in the places indicated in the diagram.

Memo on the use of foil-clad reflective backing

Mounting

Do-it-yourself installation of a film floor implies a certain order of work. In order to achieve the desired result, you must follow the action plan:

Cut out the film elements in accordance with the diagram. It should be borne in mind that no cuts in conductive parts should be allowed;
The film is placed upside down, with the copper conductor at the bottom. The distance between the films should not exceed 10 cm;
Those places where the film was cut along the contact joints must be sealed with a sealing tape, which is included in the kit;
Fix the films with adhesive tape to the reflective material and to each other;

Install the clip-on clip in a special cut with one half, and the second will be located below the film element. Then squeeze it with pliers and isolate;
Place the thermostat under the foil and secure with bitumen insulation. Moreover, it should be approximately in the center of the sheet. Contacting the working part with a black emitting strip;
The terminals and wires are placed in the grooves prepared in the reflective material and fixed with adhesive tape.

Connection and test run of the system

After the main work on laying a film warm floor with your own hands is completed. It is necessary to connect the system. To do this, follow the procedure:

Lead the wires to the thermoregulation unit;
If necessary, use standard connectors;
The connection is best done under the supervision of a specialist or use the connection instructions supplied with the underfloor heating set.

Connection to thermostat

After connecting and verifying that all connections are correct, you can perform a test run of the system.

Laying laminate

Once the system has been fully prepared and a test run has been completed, you can start laying the laminate flooring.

Between the laminated coating and the infrared heated floor, it is necessary to lay a polyethylene film or waterproofing material. Sections must be overlapped and glued together with tape. This is necessary to ensure the safe operation of the warm floor and to provide protection against damage and excessive moisture.

Outcome

After studying the recommended DIY installation instructions for a film warm floor, we can say that all the work can be done independently. At the same time, an infrared underfloor heating under the laminate will be an excellent alternative to other types of such floors, and will be a good addition to the heating system.

Dear reader, do not remain indifferent, share your opinion about the article or tell us about your experience in operating the described heating system.

Film underfloor heating under the laminate instruction. How to choose an infrared heat-insulated floor for a laminate and carry out installation? Features of installation work

What is infrared flooring?

Types, their advantages and disadvantages

How to choose?

How to install it yourself?

Principle of operation

System check

Laminate for a film warm floor - which is better to choose

Infrared underfloor heating construction

Installation instructions for infrared underfloor heating

Materials and tools

Planning

Preparation

Mounting

Connecting to the network

Connecting the thermostat

Which laminate to choose for subsequent installation over an IR warm floor

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Product device

Infrared floor laying technology under laminate

Drawing and laying scheme

Subfloor preparation

Mounting

Connection and test run of the system

Laying laminate

Outcome

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