For warm water floor one of the most important design element is the insulation. Neither the boiler, nor the quality of the heating circuit pipes are not able to exert such influence on the efficiency of the underfloor heating as properly laid in the floor construction insulation. The structure of any of underfloor heating, whether it be electric or water systems, or a water circuit for the electric cable is required to fit a layer of insulating material. The task imposed on the thermal insulation is to create a reflective surface, whereby the thermal energy goes up. In the absence of proper insulation layer thickness, the heat from the coolant will rush down without incurring no use for heating.
Traditionally used for this purpose the most affordable and common materials. As a rule, it is an extruded polystyrene foam, normal foam or mineral wool. All of these materials combines low thermal conductivity, due to which the necessary conditions for the normal operation of the heating system. For more practical and modern materials are mats for water floor heating. They began to use recently. The practical application showed high practical and technological characteristics of the materials of this kind, which opens before them fairly broad prospects.
Mats for underfloor heating. Main purpose and scope of application
Before you use the mats as insulation material, it should be kept in the hands of the finished project or scheme "layer cake". The entire floor construction, including the concrete screed must be solid, stable and reliable. This is a prerequisite for the proper functioning of the water heating circuit and stay all constructive elements of the floor in the normal state. To obtain sufficient strength of the substrate, it is necessary to use materials whose density is more than 25 kg / m3.
Until recently, the installation of underfloor heating in residential facilities used foil polystyrene, easy to use and inexpensive material. However, technology does not stand still. Today there were a wide variety of insulating materials, which make it possible to warm the floor faster, cheaper and with less labor costs. Mats for laying under warm water floor are universal product. I had a polystyrene layer on top of the foil layer, which provided a high heat transfer to heat the floor surface. With universal characteristics of such insulating materials to be quickly assembling of the assembly.
However, despite all the obvious advantages, foil and the mats were failing. In direct contact with the foil layer concrete screed, a chemical reaction occurred. Liquid concrete corrodes foil, nullifying all the effectiveness of the use of this material.
On a note: to eliminate such negative effects need to lay additional PE film.
Another drawback is the complexity foil mats conduit mounting surface of the heat insulating layer. In practice, for this purpose we used a variety of devices, starting with the guide grid, finishing mounting rails, clips and clamps. The emergence of new versions of the finished product is significantly simplified the situation, made the really underfloor installation easy, enjoyable and quality.
In order to understand the role played by the mats in the system of underfloor heating, it is necessary to know the principle of the warm water floor. Like foam, like mineral wool, these izdediya perform the same function - heat savings. Low thermal conductivity insulation materials, one of their advantages, does not provide the necessary strength to the heat-insulating layer. On teploizoyaltsii layer is quite considerable mechanical load, which is created by a circulating water pipe, a concrete screed or plank system. Dynamic loads also have an impact on the thermal insulation. Therefore, by selecting material for the floor heating, guided by a density of 35 kg / m3, not less.
Whether you use as thermal insulation ordinary polystyrene, mineral wool or mats, in principle it does not matter. It is important that the finished floor warm water is securely insulated, worked fine water circuit and heat without interference spread on the floor surface.
Against the background of the total expenditure on the organization of the underfloor heating, the cost of the mats is not critical. Once invested in a good thermal insulation, you get the reliability and efficiency of the heating system.
Modifications mats for underfloor heating
The first thing that is decisive in the choice of material, it features underfloor heating, tasks that are put before the heating system. In each case, the following modifications and mats for floor heating water used in a practical way:
- foil mats;
- mats with the film;
- flat mats;
- flat base mat, polystyrene.
First Embodiment - foil mats are usually used when a water floor planned to be installed on a limited and small space.
Typically, this option is suitable for combined heating. The main heating is carried out by the radiators, while in the nursery or in the bathroom, you have decided to equip the water heated floors. In penofol based material is foamed polyethylene. Foiled hardened material layer up, provides the necessary insulation layer for underfloor heating in small square areas.
Important! Foil mats are not used when installing vodogreyuschih floors on the first floor. The density and thickness of the heat insulating material in this case is insufficient to create a full insulation layer.
Do not be amiss to recall and inconvenience, which you will encounter when working with this material. For mounting pipes of the water circuit require special grid, clamps and mounting clips.
Second Embodiment - film mats are mounting materials, which are based on high-density polystyrene. (30-35 kg / m3). To increase functionality further coated polystyrene plastic film and foil.
These materials have special surface markings facilitate further folding water circuit conduit. In comparison with the previous embodiment, film mats effective and frequently used in work. Due to the high density of the material therein sufficiently firmly held by the mounting brackets are used for fixing hinges water circuit.
Mats film under warm water floor perfectly interact with the concrete screed, which is great to lie on the film surface of the mats. This modification is often used when installing heating systems, where the warm water floor plays a major role. Laying process facilitated by the existing slat system.
Third Embodiment - flat mats or slabs of polystyrene, 40-50 mm thick.
Here the focus is on styrofoam density. It should not be less than 40 kg / m3. Usually this type of insulation used in single rooms where the project will be equipped with water heating with underfloor heating. These mats are perfectly cope with their tasks. The structure of the material is sufficiently strong and stable. For the duration of the service life of this material has no equal.
On a note: properly folded radiant floor heating can serve 30-40 years. Thermal insulation for the entire time of operation, made of styrofoam plates, did not lose its main qualities.
Mounting of the heating pipes to the surface contour of the finished insulation is carried out by means of special brackets. Unlike the film of polystyrene plates, here you will have to do their own layout for the future installation of the pipeline. When installing the special plates are covered with plastic film as a vapor barrier.
The fourth option - polystyrene mats, flat and bosses. This is a brand new thermal insulation material that is used today for the laying of water sexes. Products are made by new technology. As a result gidropellentnoy punching on the plate surface are obtained by the boss. These shaped projections are arranged on the entire surface of the product in rows.
For the installation of underfloor heating this type of insulation a real find. Without preliminary marking can be laid water pipe loop in accordance with any selected pattern. To fix the pipe is not necessary to use a special attachment. After laying the heating circuit can proceed to start the system, carry out pressure testing of all heating equipment.
The fifth option - profile mounting plates are characterized by their versatility. It is almost ready to use substrate for underfloor. Unlike the previous embodiments, one can speak of a material with a very high density, over 40 kg / m3. The thickness of such sheets varies between 10-35 mm. Each sheet is equipped with rows of rectangular projections in the form of cubes or cylinders. The projections have a height of 20-25 mm. Neat rows of projections and their number makes it easy to lay heating pipes water directly on the floor mats in any direction and any configuration. The distances between the protrusions allow working with pipes having a diameter of 10-20 mm.
Note: by using specialized mounting plates probability shear heating pipe loops during installation coupler reduces to zero.
It should also be recalled that today issued ordinary plate and laminated, ie those that have an additional top coating film. Laminated mats are ready for installation without requiring additional deck isolating film.
Features mats
Acquainted with the varieties of thermal insulation materials, with modifications mats used in the installation of warm water floor, you can draw some conclusions. In conclusion, we present some of the technological features of the materials through which you will be able to make the right choice.
For reference:
- polystyrene, which is used in the mat should have a density of not less than 40 kg per m3That creates the whole structure necessary reserve strength and stiffness;
- the thermal conductivity for all the mats ranged 0.037 - 0.052 W / m x K (x meter per Kelvin);
- a number of materials, especially when it relates to the core mounting mats have good sound insulation. Indicator soundproofing mats for a 20 mm thickness reaches 23 dB;
- a waterproofing mats except laminated products, by special locks, mounted on the ends of each plate. With these locks can be achieved by a large solid surface area. The slits in this case are virtually absent;
- domestic and foreign industry produces materials of the following sizes:
100x100 cm; 80 x 60 cm; on products with bosses and sculpted ridges not install the water loop the loop with a pitch of 50 mm and more.
conclusion
With all due respect to the independent decision-making, choosing for installation of warm water floor mineral wool or foam, it is best to give preference to the finished product. Profile, flat and on top of that, the laminated mats significantly speed up the whole process of work, ensure reliability throughout the structure layer cake Lifetime warm floors in your house.
Using thermal insulation for the installation, you will achieve the almost complete absence of heat loss during operation of the heating circuit. Not sparing funds investing once money in modern, high-quality materials, you will ensure yourself for years of reliable heating system. You do not need to fear a situation where you can fill with neighbors on the floor below. All the heat radiated by the heating circuit will go upward, uniformly heating the entire surface.
Laminated plate equally suitable for both wet and dry screed. Selection mat thickness determined future screed thickness and the type of floor covering.
In some cases, a sufficient insulation of the sub-floor for the apartments can use the product with the bosses. When you have to actually keep the height of the ceiling in the bathroom or in the kitchen, these products will be very useful and convenient.
