What we do warm floor? For what purpose? On heating efficiency when choosing a heating system, we naturally think first. However, in the case of under-floor heating in addition to the effectiveness of the first role beyond comfort. Warm water floor was originally coined in order to increase the level of comfort in the living room, not as the main heating system. Accordingly, the owners are always questions. What should be coverage for warm water floor heating to be effective and to ensure the interior aesthetics.
Already since consumers have appreciated the advantages of this method of heating the interior spaces. Practical use of underfloor heating in many different versions gives an idea of how different floor coverings behave in a given situation. Thanks to modern technology now available to the consumer there is a fairly wide range of materials that can be used as a coating for water floor. What is possible in this case to use the types of coatings, as well as their technological parameters and operational capabilities? This article will try to give answers to these and other questions.
General information about the warm water floors
Traditionally made use home water heating systems. Heated in the autonomous boiler water or heat transfer fluid coming from the central line of the CO, the cost of the pipeline, providing a warm heaters. Previously, most of the work carried out by space heating radiators. When connected properly, the batteries and the lack of air pockets that option is quite effective heating. Minimum number of consumables and accessories makes the installation of a heating system convenient and affordable. Bribes and the cost of such an option.
With warm floors, the situation looks different.
As a result, heating of the coolant water loop stowed within the floor, the thermal energy spreads over the entire area of the heated space. There is a natural thermal energy transfer the lower layers of air in the heated room. Next is exposed to the laws of thermodynamics arises the circulation of air masses, warm air rises upwardly, whereas the cooled cool air is lowered. And so it happens all the time, in a circle.
Such a method of heating allows to build up inside the dwelling optimum temperature, thereby increasing the level of comfort. In contrast to the radiators, which mainly operate as platten, the heated flooring supplies heat to the entire inner space.
For reference: just look at the sanitary norms specified in SNIP. In accordance with the standards, the floor surface temperature should not exceed 290C, and the heating medium should not have a temperature above 550FROM.
The heated floor surface plays the role of a heating device with a large heating surface. The effectiveness of such a system depends not only on the functionality of the entire heating of the complex, but also about what kind of flooring is used for water floor heating equipment. Initially, heat is transferred from the water circuit concrete screed or inlaid structure, and only then through the heating heat is transferred to the floor covering surrounding air layers. The table lists the values for the processing of various materials used as a floor covering.
In homes and in general in the living room, heating flooring is very easy to use. In addition to the original and efficient method of heating, warm floors reveal the designers opportunities to work with the interior living space. Normal operation of the heating equipment - this is only half the battle. It has a number of important factors. How to make a concrete screed floor heating is laid a wooden floor and a floor finishing material is used. We often absorbs flooring on the basis of aesthetic considerations, giving little importance to the fact, as far as the floor surface is pleasant to the touch. When choosing a finishing material for floors in your home you need to take into account how the coating will react with the heating system.
Which today can be used coating, tooling in an apartment or in a house heating inside-floor heating systems.
Types of flooring their thermal conductivity
What would a warm floor in your home please you, worked for a long time and with the maximum benefit, you need to choose the right flooring. Finishing work in this case decisive importance, since errors can neutralize all the advantages of floor heating.
Issued today by companies - manufacturers of materials for the finishing of floors, may be used as a coating for your floor heating. In principle, no matter what material is used. Virtually compatible with most heated flooring. The differences may be the base material and the thermal conductivity of the coating, which naturally affects the quality of the heating system.
Today, the following types of flooring for underfloor heating equipment:
From natural raw materials:
- flooring;
- industrial, technical flooring;
- laminate;
- wooden boards (oak, beech, ash);
- ceramic tile;
- granite;
Synthetic materials:
- linoleum.
All of these types of coatings and materials available for the consumer. It differs only in price. In accordance with the physical properties and operating characteristics and defined the scope of each species. Living room is perfect for flooring, wooden board and laminate. For domestic premises, where there is high humidity and is required to comply with health standards, can be used linoleum, ceramic tile and natural stone.
Different scope of use and operating conditions determine the effectiveness of the heating floors. However, the decisive factor for the heating system "warm floor", played by the thermal conductivity of materials. The figure shows the thermal conductivity of flooring used today in everyday life, which can be used in combination with water-heating floors.
Ceramic tile. Coatings of natural and artificial stone
By thermal conductivity parameter is one of the foremost is a ceramic tile and other coatings made from natural or artificial stone. An example of such a high efficiency can be flooring itself already concrete screed. Yes, the concrete floor will have a long time to heat, but then, the concrete will be perfect to keep warm, giving a part inside the heated space. The same principle applies ceramic tile.
For reference: warm terracotta ideal flooring for the bathroom, sauna and baths. In rooms with tiled floors high humidity not only add to the comfort and coziness, but also have an important sanitary function. Fast drying floor surface prevents the formation of mold and other pathogens.
It is important to consider not only the good thermal conductivity of ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles, but their heat capacity. For the normal heating boiler, you will need a strong and definite scheme of laying the water circuit. Properly selected step of laying pipe underfloor provide uniform and stable heating of the entire surface of the concrete and ceramic floor.
Laminate and wooden coatings
Most Running flooring for residential, habitable rooms - laminate. Today this material is so very popular. Captivate high aesthetic characteristics of the laminate, its practicality of use and simple laying method. Moreover, much cheaper laminate wood flooring, though outwardly not much inferior to the original wood.
Due to manufacturing technology laminate it has a dense structure which is naturally a positive effect on the thermal conductivity of the material. laminate coating is fine and harmonious look in a residential area and at the correct installation can satisfy you in all aspects.
Important! Laminate flooring to be installed only on a dry concrete floor. Otherwise, the lower surface of the material absorbs the residual moisture that will ultimately lead to disastrous results. As the drying of the laminate tiles will change their physical properties and shape. Coverage will begin to "walk", creak and deformed.
For laminate allowable underfloor heating temperature is 270C. This temperature is very comfortable for a human foot and has a positive effect on the condition of the flooring.
The use of underfloor heating in conjunction with a wooden board, the option is not the best. Natural wood has low thermal conductivity, so the efficiency of the water floor in such a room will be extremely low. Under heat the board quickly dry up, which naturally affects the floor strength and its esthetic characteristics. Similarly, we can summarize and parquet behavior in combination with underfloor heating. Expensive and luxurious appearance that gives the parquet interior decoration, will become an obstacle to normal to heating the interior space.
synthetics
Familiar to us all linoleum floors with water does not behave in the best way. In practice, more than once, it was noticed. Different types of linoleum in many ways behave in conjunction with the heating floor, although some species cope with the tasks. What kind? Linoleum without a heater, on a smooth basis has the necessary conductivity, resistant to heating and retains shape for a long time.
On a note: use linoleum without batt insulation and PVC foam. For floor heating, coated with a thin linoleum, the optimum heating temperature is not more than 270FROM. Otherwise, under the influence of high temperature linoleum can change color, become excessively soft and out of shape.
Strongly recommended for covering underfloor vinyl tiles or tiles made of PVC. These materials have a high coefficient of linear thermal expansion (thermal linear expansion factor), which adversely affects their behavior at the time of heating. Remember the version with plastic pipes used in the communications system.
The most unadapted material for water underfloor heating, carpeting. Material completely suppresses heat coming from below, preventing the main action of the heating system.
Marking flooring used for underfloor
As with any building and finishing materials, floor coverings must be marked accordingly.
At each material should be the appropriate icons, symbols and icons that indicate that this type of coating can be used in a range of water underfloor heating. Pay particular attention to the laminate. Its basis is contained formaldehyde harmful in high concentration chemical element. According to the values on the label E0-E3 can be seen on the permissible norms of formaldehyde content in the material. For underfloor heating is ideal value E0 or E1.
And granite tiles also have markings indicating the scope of use. For underfloor such materials generally have a smaller thickness, which accordingly reflects on the degree of warming.
In conclusion I would like to say. If you have a warm water floor heating is the main option, try to combine a ceramic tile and laminate. Other materials as floor coverings are ineffective, and in some cases useless.
