Film warm floors: criteria for proper selection and installation

electric floor ideal for rooms in which often go barefoot (bathroom, sauna) or you can not put the traditional batteries (loggia). In addition, the film warm floor protect from the cold in a baby Children's and will be a lifesaver in a particularly cold days, when the ground heating It will not cope with the task. Today we will focus on how to pick up and properly mount infrared film, coated in this way, you can use and how to operate the device.

Where and what is set Film floors

Infrared heating film is gaining popularity among developers of new apartments. Despite the relatively high cost of electricity, more and more owners of their own homes opt for such heating. To begin, consider the cases in which film floors only right choice:

As you can see, the application of film systems are quite extensive. By the way, if you have a corner apartment and two walls constantly cold, despite running heating - the situation can be corrected by using a film placed under the wall-coverings.

How it works

Infrared heating method It involves heating the objects in the room. Thus the film itself is practically not heated and the temperature rises only material that covers the floor. In turn, the coating gives the heat to the air. Hot air rises from the bottom-up, optimally warming up the entire room.

floor heating system consists of three main elements:

• film;
• temperature sensor;
• thermostat.

The film consists of a thin polymer with embedded copper-silver conductors and strips of graphite. The conductors deliver current to the graphite and, in turn, generates infrared radiation. The sensor monitors the temperature of the system mode and prevents excessive heating. The thermostat allows you to raise and lower the temperature within the capabilities of the system.

Note!The film begins to melt at a temperature 210ºS.

Energy consumption and efficiency

Averages for calculating the energy consumption of no film floor. The fact that the system components may have different power, the number of heating elements can also vary. The variables in the calculation of the level of energy losses and acts premises, which depends on the degree of insulating walls, door and window openings.

To calculate using the following data:

1. Dimensions of heated space. The film is not usually placed throughout the area. It takes 50 ÷ 70% of the floor area. What's the point to post heating, for example, under the wardrobes?
2. The level of insulation of the room. To conserve power consumption necessary insulate the walls and securely seal the windows. Doors should also have slots, resulting in a loss of heat.
3. The cost of electricity in your area. If you have installed counter "Day - the night" is also affect the total cost.

Roughly speaking, infrared heating underfloor fifty square meters per month out of 350 ÷ 400 kW. Multiply these figures on the cost of electricity and get the average monthly budget for this type of heating.

And that tells us reviews of electricity consumption in the warm floors Film? Few uses infrared heating as a full replacement radiator heating. Still, the cost of it is higher than water heating. But users report that this type of heating is much cheaper in terms of installation, wiring and maintenance. It really is. Costs for radiators, pipes, their installation, permission to connect equipment and replacement of parts in the repair process a lot. A IR film can easily be stacked with their hands and repair, easy to replace parts of the system.

Tip! With the calculation of the energy consumption of your consultants will help in the shop where you plan to purchase the material.

qualitative floor insulation increases its efficiency by about 40 percent. If you do not isolate the bottom layer, you will be heated from below the ceiling, and neighbors to spend their money on it.

Variety of infrared film to warm the floor

The films are distinguished by type of heating element. They may be carbon or a bimetallic. The carbon heating elements are made of carbon.

Such a film can cover not only horizontal elements, flooring, but also vertical - walls. The only disadvantage of this type of film - their cost.

Bimetallic elements are cheaper and are arranged in a different way. The polyurethane is used as the base, and heating the two layers: one made of aluminum, the second - from copper. Stacking of such elements is complicated by the need to connect the RCD. In addition, a bimetallic system can not be installed under ceramic floor.

More IR film differ in the degree of heating on the high and low temperature. High-temperature heated to + 55 ° C. They are suitable for ceramic floors and saunas. Low-temperature heated to + 27 ° C, suitable for laying under parquet, laminate and even linoleum.

Tips from the pros at the choice of the film:

• framework should have a milky - this means that it is made of fireproof material. Transparencies are deformed by heat;
• strip conducting current, should not be blurred or translucent. The minimum width of the strips - one and a half centimeters;
• radiators should be placed solid or striped manner. Different patterns and designs - an attempt to distract you from faulty goods;
• the wider the element, the easier it is to install. Large canvases do not overheat;
• Strips of silver and copper must be connected by "dry" method, it is more durable. Clarify this point by the seller.

Some features of the infrared film floor heating

It is important to choose the right surface finish for the infrared floor. If you find a low-quality material, the result would be catastrophic. Under the influence of heat, cheap products are not simply deform, they emit unpleasant odors and it will continue ad infinitum.

Tip! After laying the film is not too lazy to draw floor heating circuit. It will help you in the future, if you suddenly decide to do a permutation of furniture and drill a hole in the floor.

Arguments of the skeptics: the shortcomings of film genders

On the advantages of film genders has been said a lot. They help out in different situations and create a comfortable temperature in the bathroom or hallway, balcony and a loggia. But there is this type of heating and opponents, they bring a lot of "against" arguments, let's deal with them:

As you can see, the price, and the service life of the infrared film warm floor you are completely satisfied. All the arguments of skeptics crumble if competently approach to the issues of the film selection and its installation.

Rod, cable or film warm floor?

Radiant floors are of three types: rod, film and cable. We have already discussed the specifics of film sexes, but it is impossible not to mention the form of a core. This system consists of a graphite - silver rods in copper sheath fastened cables, the supply electricity. Such systems require a coupler, and otherwise working with the same success as the film.

The cable system consists of heating cablesWhich is placed as a film, a topcoat. The cable can not fill the screed.

The film will give the required temperature in the room, but the cable heats up more, so if you need a very warm floor - choose cable.

In terms of styling wins film. She quickly mounted rod or cable version and repair it is more convenient. Damaged element is simply replaced, but the cable will have to extract the full, and for repair of a core mat tie break.

IR floor and two finishes: what can and can not do

As already mentioned, a lot depends on the choice of finish. The film does not require a tie, so that it is in direct contact with the material that you will cover floors. That he would be a kind of battery that gives off heat the room.

Is it possible to lay a warm film floor under the laminate?

Laminate It absorbs heat and not so willingly gives it. Furthermore, the laminated coating does not tolerate excessive heating and a sharp temperature drop. All these factors can lead to the fact that the laminate is deformed, can crack and form numerous slits.

They give too high a temperature. Low Temperature film - that's an appropriate choice for this coverage. It is not heated above + 27 ° C, and a heat resistant laminate completely. To increase the heating efficiency, the film should be put under the heat insulating layer.

Small video material of the mounting film warm floor under the laminate:

IR flooring and parquet

Parquet flooring - a natural material. Wood is very sensitive to external influences, it should be taken into account when deciding in a room with parquet floor heating installed.

It turns out that it is necessary to think twice. Parquet - quite expensive, it is worth wasting money? There will have to decide what is more important - the beauty and reliability of the floor or comfortable temperature.

What happens when you lay a warm film floor under the linoleum?

On the one hand this type of floor - it's fast, easy and inexpensive. Indeed, what could be simpler: spread a film unrolled from the top linoleum - and all the cases. But there is one thing: if you choose a cheap linoleum, then you are waiting for a very unpleasant consequences of such haste. Cheap kinds of linoleum is not adapted to higher temperatures. They will be without heating for a long time to smell a terrible smell from the heat will literally chase you, and it may even cause adverse reactions of the body.

Hence the conclusion: for mounting film underfloor heating for linoleum suitable only low-temperature film, and the coating itself should choose more expensive, with characteristics allowing use Heated floor.

Tip! Ask the seller a certificate of quality linoleum on the product and the characteristics that describe what toxic substances are contained in the coating.

Related article:

Not everyone knows how to properly mount floor heating on the wooden floor beneath linoleum. In this review, we will consider in detail types of technology and sequence of works by independent coating installation.

Installation of warm floor under the tile of the film

Tiled Floor - durable and practical surface. But it has one drawback - this floor is very cold to walk barefoot across the sky - something else fun. Therefore, and placed in bathroomIn the corridor and the kitchen, on balconies IR film to warm the cold stone. It would seem that the problem is solved, but it was not there!

film sex stacking technology provides a dry method, the film does not tolerate "wet" installation. How to put on top tilesIf you do not use tile adhesive? No way! Clay has an alkaline base, and it destroys the polyester film and once it comes to the point that you do not get a strong but refreshing discharge, deciding to walk barefoot on the floor in the bathroom.

So it is better to choose tile in the form of infra-red heating rod and cable-based.

How to install and connect the floor heating network

Installation of floor heating does not take more than an hour, provided that the base was prepared in advance. Little instruction on how to lay and connect the infrared heated floor:

Photo	Description of work
	The basis under the floor should be smooth, without bumps and hollows. The film is very thin, so can simply break under load. Be prepared to place a thermostat and a temperature sensor do with Stroebe flexi hose for wiring and output wiring to connect.
	On the basis laid folgizirovanny thermal insulating material with a soft foam base.
	The film is laid with a gap of 5-7 cm from the wall and fixed on substrate reinforced tape.
	On one side of the room, close to the place of connection to the copper strips are installed terminals. Typically, these terminals are supplied with the system. To install them need regular pliers. terminals just put on the band and are crimped.
	After installing the wires connected to the terminals. You can use wires of different colors, it's easier to navigate.
	Designated insulated wires connecting liquid rubber on both sides.
	On the side where there is no connection, the output also insulated copper conductors with liquid rubber.
	The tip of the temperature sensor is placed under film. So it does not damage the delicate coating, thermal insulating layer to make a small indentation.
	After placing the film all contacts are displayed to the thermostat according to the instruction.
	Before switching on, carefully check all connections and contact isolation.
	Make a test run and wait for a while for the system to work.
	Spread topcoat.

Thermostat IR-floor

In principle, the film floor can function without the thermostatic device. You can simply install a regular switch and then heating will continue until the maximum temperature of the film. Much easier and more economical to use a thermostat. It can be mechanical or electronic. Electronic models can be programmed, they are controlled by sensitive sensor.

To a thermostat connected temperature sensor and the floor wiring. Wiring diagram:

safety requirements for the installation of the warm infrared floor

• For any electrical work hand guard against accidental discharge, use special gloves.
• If there is no in-depth knowledge in electricity, do not attempt to make changes to an existing scheme IR floor.
• Do not bend or laid film overlap.
• Brass bands should not be in contact.
• All contacts must be properly insulated.
• Before connecting to the network unplug the apartment.
• Verify the operation of the floor are not carried out slowly, better insulating shoes.
• Do not use wet film sex screed or other activities that imply the use of water.

What is a resistive floor

We have not mentioned about another film as sex, however, it is used less frequently. This so-called resistive floor. Such a film does not contain graphite and metal strips which are heated by the side rails.

Like graphite, after the film stack should only be dry can not bend or be laid on an uneven surface. The rest of the warm floors have the same characteristics and the method of installation and connection to the network. They are underlain by carpeting, laminate or linoleum-quality.

A little about flooring manufacturers IR

Popularity infrared floors and has spawned a wide offer in the domestic market. Their goods are manufacturers from Europe, Asia and Russia.

Traditionally, we would like to warn you against the purchase tempting cheap material from China. Very often you can find unfavorable reviews about the poor quality of these products.

Noteworthy Korean film company REXVA. They are characterized by a solid basis and perfect the process of lamination, leaving no air gap in the regions of contact. Since the film is not formed on the "dead" zones, and the system has a high efficiency.

Ukrainian company MONOCRYSTAL It offers products at an affordable price good quality. from Kharkov experts have studied and have adopted all the advanced Korean technology. For their products manufacturer gives a ten-year warranty.

In addition to these, are worthy of attention and other companies: CALEO, HEATPLUS, DEVI, TEPLOLUX.

Summing up: what to buy, where to buy and how much it costs

Thus, infrared film warm floor you can buy not only in specialty stores, but also on the Internet sites. Buy goods from manufacturers. It should not be less than 1500 rubles per square meter. Lower prices should make you fear for the quality of products.

The most practical is a graphite film, its service life - up to 30 years

Installation of the floor does not cause difficulties even for a beginner. Such flooring can be covered in just one hour. It is best to use as a topcoat laminate or carpet.

If you are already using such floors - share your experiences and recommendations, it will greatly help our readers!