To make the heating system more efficient, it is necessary to purchase suitable mats before installing it. warm water floor. Manufacturers offer various options, each of which has its own advantages or disadvantages. To make the right choice, it is worth getting to know the characteristics of each.
Read in the article
- 1 Why do we need heat-insulating mats for a warm floor
- 2 Features of mats for a warm water floor by type
- 2.1 Roll materials with a foil layer: option for rooms with low ceilings
- 2.2 Expanded polystyrene plates
- 2.3 Foil mats for warm water floors with a film coating
- 2.4 Mats for a warm water floor with "bumps" - the best solution
- 3 Advantages and disadvantages of matte underfloor heating
- 4 How to choose mats for a warm water floor - our editorial team's recommendations
- 5 Leading manufacturers of underfloor heating mats
- 6 What is better to buy mats for a warm water floor: popular models
- 6.1 Mats for underfloor heating Knauf Therm underfloor heating PRO
- 6.2 Mat for underfloor heating Varionova REHAU
- 6.3 Mats for underfloor heating Foam Shield WF16-50
- 7 Nuances of laying mats for a warm water floor
Why do we need heat-insulating mats for a warm floor
The efficiency of any heating system directly depends on the level of heat loss. In order for the heat given off by the heating circuit to remain inside the room, as a rule, heat-insulating mats for underfloor heating with suitable technical characteristics are used. Thanks to their use, it is possible to warm up the room much faster. In their absence, the generated heat will go to warm up the basement.
Features of mats for a warm water floor by type
The characteristics and effectiveness of the elements to be laid directly depend on the material used for their manufacture. Before giving preference to a specific option, it is worth getting to know the main ones. This will allow you to choose the optimal solution for specific operating conditions.
Roll materials with a foil layer: option for rooms with low ceilings
For the manufacture of roll material, penofol with a thickness of 2-10 mm is used. On one side of such a heat insulator, a layer of aluminum foil or polymer film is applied. Their main purpose is to reflect the heat flow towards tiles or other types of flooring, as well as to spread heat along the floor surface.
Roll materials are referred to as mats rather conditionally. Their thermal insulation properties are low, which significantly narrows the possible area of ​​use. The choice in favor of foil insulation is made only when using a water floor as an additional source of heating, while the floor surface is insulated.
A comment
Mikhail Starostin
Head of the team of the repair and construction company "Dom Premium"
"Refuse to use foil-lined roll materials when performing installation work on the ground floor or in the room under which there is an unheated basement."
Some difficulties arise when laying pipes on a foil surface. For secure fixation, it is used clamps, reinforcing mesh, staples and other elements. To ensure sufficient tightness, the joints of overlapping canvases are glued with special foil tape.
Expanded polystyrene plates
Often, flat polystyrene foam mats are used for the installation of a warm water floor. The density of the material used for their manufacture must be more than 35 kg / m³. Less dense polystyrene foam will not cope with the task, since it will not be able to withstand the applied load.
The price of expanded polystyrene mats for warm floors makes them a very popular option due to their availability. To improve the thermal insulation characteristics of the formed layer, roll foil insulation is often placed on top.
Foil mats for warm water floors with a film coating
This type is a heater, on the surface of which a foil and film layer is applied. Manufacturers offer a heat insulator in the form of:
- plates with a lock joint, which is additionally glued with waterproof tape;
- panels, at the junction of which a common film coating is laid. During the installation process, the elements are simply laid out on the surface.
On the surface of foil mats for a warm water floor, a coordinate grid is applied with a step of either 50 or 100 mm. The presence of markings simplifies the installation of the heating circuit.
The thickness of the slabs is 2.5 cm. The width of each underfloor heating mat is 100 cm with a roll length of 5 m. For some models, the connection elements are carried out using a self-adhesive layer, which greatly simplifies the implementation installation work. The hot water heating circuit is fastened with brackets. In some cases, during installation, a reinforcing mesh is used, which is laid on top.
Mats for a warm water floor with "bumps" - the best solution
This type is the most convenient option. Their design was developed specifically for the installation of a warm water floor. Special protruding elements greatly simplify the installation of the water circuit.
Mats for warm water floors with bosses are made of expanded polystyrene with a density of at least 40 kg / m³. This is enough for the material to withstand a significant load. The protruding elements are formed due to the use of hydropellant stamping technology.
The shape of the bosses can be very diverse: round, cylindrical, cubic, multifaceted, and so on. The distance between the elements is chosen so that they can reliably fix the water circuit in the required position. Due to this, it is possible to avoid the displacement of pipes during installation under the influence of the poured concrete.
The height of the bosses of 20 - 25 mm is sufficient for the installation of a warm water floor using pipes with a transverse dimension of 20 mm. Depending on the model, the thickness of the mats is 40 - 50 mm. The type of coverage depends on the manufacturer. Some mats do not have a protective layer, which does not affect their performance in any way. Some are available with a top film coating or covered waterproofing film.
For ease of installation, such mats are supplied with special locking joints. Thanks to their presence, a quick connection of elements and the formation of a sealed layer, used as a base for the device, is ensured. screeds of any kind.
Attention! Mats for a warm water floor of this type reduce the noise level by up to 25 dB.
Advantages and disadvantages of matte underfloor heating
For the manufacture of such products, modern heat-insulating material is used. The active introduction of modern technologies has led to the fact that a matte heat-insulated floor:
- has excellent performance characteristics;
- can be used for semi-dry and wet screeds;
- maintains geometry and dimensions throughout the entire period of operation;
- easily mounted with a locking system;
- simplifies styling pipes due to the presence of special markup;
- does not rot;
- not afraid of exposure to water;
- safe for humans;
- able to withstand significant temperature fluctuations;
- has a long service life.
Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the flammability of expanded polystyrene. At the same time, toxic smoke is emitted during the combustion. To reduce the negative impact on humans, manufacturers introduce flame retardants into the material. Such products have the letter "C" at the end of the marking.
How to choose mats for a warm water floor - our editorial team's recommendations
In order not to make a mistake when choosing a suitable option, you should pay attention to:
- waterproofing level;
- the ability of a particular model to withstand static and dynamic loads;
- pipe diameter suitable for laying this type;
- requirements for the room in which installation work will be performed.
For the first floor, you should choose mats or foil-coated polystyrene foam blocks. Roll materials should be discarded. Due to their low waterproofing characteristics, they will also not be the best option for second floors, since in the event of a leak they will not be able to retain moisture. To fully insure against leaks, you may have to give preference electric underfloor heating.
Leading manufacturers of underfloor heating mats
Many domestic and foreign manufacturers offer quality products. If you have a choice, attention should be paid to products released under the trademarks:
- Oventrop. The German company offers slabs with lugs for dry laying. Produces rolled insulation, as well as folding in a polypropylene film. The dimensions of the underfloor heating mats from this manufacturer are 100 × 100 cm². There are thermal and noise insulating properties or without additional insulation;
- Rehau. The products of this German manufacturer are quite in demand in the market. Slabs with lugs are especially in demand;
- Energoflex. The Russian manufacturer offers a wide range of models, allowing you to choose the best option;
- Ecopol. Heaters from a Russian manufacturer are of high quality.
What is better to buy mats for a warm water floor: popular models
A large assortment creates certain difficulties at the time of selection. To buy high-quality mats for a warm water floor, you should get acquainted with the models that are in the greatest demand.
Mats for underfloor heating Knauf Therm underfloor heating PRO
Designed for laying the water circuit with a pitch of 50 mm. Knauf Therm underfloor heating mats PRO have special protrusions. They securely fix heating pipes with a diameter of 14 - 17 mm. Additional rigidity is provided by using a rigid polystyrene film. The markings are applied on both sides of the slabs. A lock along the entire contour. A soundproofing surface is installed on the reverse side. Thickness 45 mm. Base 25 mm. The size of the slabs is 1.2 × 0.6 m.
Mats for underfloor heating Knauf Therm underfloor heating PRO
Mat for underfloor heating Varionova REHAU
The price of Rehau mats for a warm water floor is slightly higher than that of analogues offered by other manufacturers. This is due to the design features of the model. The material is highly durable. Withstands significant loads. On top there is a black polystyrene film that provides the necessary level of waterproofing. The markings are printed on the back. The pitch of pipes with a diameter of 14 - 17 mm is 5 cm. The height of the Rehau underfloor heating mat is 24 mm. The price is fully justified considering the service life of the product.
Mat for underfloor heating Varionova REHAU
Mats for underfloor heating Foam Shield WF16-50
Affordable offer from a domestic manufacturer. Designed for the installation of a warm water floor with pipes with a diameter of 16 mm. They have a dense base 30 mm thick, providing the required level of thermal protection. Mounting openings for mats for underfloor heating water foam are located with a pitch of 50 mm. The size of the slabs is 100 × 100 × 5 cm.
Mats for underfloor heating Foam Shield WF16-50
Mats for underfloor heating Foam Shield WF16-50
We offer you to watch a video, which tells in more detail about the mats of this manufacturer:
Nuances of laying mats for a warm water floor
So that during the installation of a warm floor there are no nuances, the mats should be laid in compliance with certain rules. The sequence of actions directly depends on the type of insulation used. In the most general case, the work is performed in the following sequence:
- laying a waterproofing film on the base of the floor. Around the perimeter of the room, the film should be secured with a damper tape;
- installation according to the manufacturer's instructions. You should get an airtight layer. The joints of foil-clad products should be glued with tape.
We offer you to watch a video, which tells about the features of laying mats for a water-heated floor with bosses:
Share in the comments if you have used mats for laying a water-heated floor? At what price did you get them? How satisfied are you with the result?
