Types of underfloor heating in an apartment: tips for choosing Where to install underfloor heating in the apartment. In which rooms is it better to make underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is not a modern idea, it was used by the ancient Romans when building their baths (terms). Underfloor heating is currently one of the options for using a coolant to create comfortable conditions in rooms.

The advantage of a warm floor is the uniform distribution of temperatures along the vertical of the room, which is much more comfortable than a radiator heating system. To decide which underfloor heating is better, you should take a closer look at what underfloor heating are. Floor heating is possible with different heat carriers and today various types of underfloor heating are used.

Advantages and disadvantages of underfloor heating

Types of heating circuit: water, electric, infrared

Existing radiator heating systems have significant drawbacks - the impossibility of temperature control in apartments with centralized heating and zonal heat distribution.

It turns out that "feet are cold, and the head is warm." Warm floors are deprived of these shortcomings. In addition, the use of underfloor heating allows you to reduce the temperature of the coolant, which means saving up to 30% of the heating budget. The undoubted advantage of underfloor heating is the ability to control and regulate the temperature of the premises and connect this function to the "smart home" system.

You will need permission to install water floors

Of course, underfloor heating has its drawbacks:

for the installation of a water heated floor in apartments with central heating, permission from the relevant services is required;
the need for free air circulation from the floor, which limits the use of carpets, paths, and it is better to have furniture on legs;
inertia of the system; first, the concrete screed is slowly heated, then the coating and air; this can take three to five hours;
installation of underfloor heating systems reduces the height of the room by the thickness of the floor screed;
the complexity of the repair.

Of course, if all the installation rules and operating standards of underfloor heating systems are observed, many disadvantages can be avoided, and this type of heating can be successfully used for many years. Some characteristics of underfloor heating can be seen from the table.

It should be remembered that underfloor heating is an externally imperceptible heating system that does not catch the eye and does not affect the overall appearance of the room.

Using this type of heating in small rooms, it will not take up space (like radiators, fireplaces and stoves), interfere with the passage and general access to various objects and common areas (shower, toilet bowl).

Types of warm floors

To date, there are the following types of underfloor heating - water and electric. Each type of heating system has distinctive features and design features. Electric underfloor heating comes in several varieties, which you can find in more detail below.

Water heated floor

Water floors can be safely poured with concrete screed and mount the finish coat

Water is used as a heat carrier, which flows through pipes laid on the floor. Basically, the pipes are poured with a concrete screed, on which the flooring is then laid.

Installation of a water heated floor is more difficult than installing an electric one and requires high initial costs, in addition, these types of underfloor heating (water) are more difficult to adjust the room temperature, but this is more than offset by savings in operation. In terms of energy costs, a water floor is three times more efficient than an electric one, the efficiency of this type of underfloor heating is higher.

The water circuit is laid on a layer of waterproofing material

This type of underfloor heating has a fairly large scope. It is often implemented in new buildings where there is no finish coating yet and the “pie” with heating pipes can be properly laid.

One of the mandatory requirements for its installation is the creation of a waterproofing barrier under it; this is not necessary when installing an electric underfloor heating.

It should be remembered that a water heated floor is an expensive and time-consuming product. For the smooth operation of the system, it is necessary to install a water supply controller, a collector - the brain center of this type of heating, on which all outgoing circuits will be connected into a single whole, and the temperature and amount of water supplied will be sequentially adjusted.

Electric underfloor heating

Cable underfloor heating is a simple two-core or single-core heating cable

Different types of electric underfloor heating use the same principle - the release of heat due to the electrical resistance of the conductors. Let's get acquainted with the varieties of electric underfloor heating:

It should be remembered that all types of electric underfloor heating have one common drawback, these are possible interruptions in work due to a lack of electricity.

Therefore, quite often when installing floors of this type, additional uninterruptible power supplies are mounted.

The water pipe system of underfloor heating is more expensive and more difficult to install, but it pays for itself due to the cost-effectiveness during operation. It can be used both in small and large (more than 60 square meters) rooms, but only during the operation of the heating boiler (or hot water can be taken from a centralized hot water or heating system). For information on which type of underfloor heating is better to choose, see this video:

Electric underfloor heating has significant advantages:

can be used in any conditions (except wet, where a large amount of water gets on the floor);
heating at any time of the year;
ease of temperature control;
durability of operation (at least 50 years);
does not require maintenance.

But there are also disadvantages of using:

it is economically unprofitable to heat an area of more than 40 square meters;
there is (albeit small) electromagnetic radiation (within the limits of sanitary standards), but the background adds.

You should also know that electric (cable) underfloor heating should not be used in places with very high humidity (pool locker rooms, dressing rooms), as there is a small chance of a short circuit.

Having considered all the pros and cons, having learned the difference between the types of heating systems and having received general recommendations on the use of such heating devices as types of underfloor heating, you can make a choice.

Each owner, before “putting an end” to a certain type of heating system, will use not only the above material, but also his own personal considerations.

Heating of floor surfaces works on the principle of convection - warm air heats up at the bottom and rises up, and due to the high level of heat transfer from the coating, the room warms up in a matter of minutes.

Underfloor heating - pros and cons

The most significant advantage of a modern underfloor heating system is the significant savings in heating costs. In addition, the obvious advantages of the presented system are expressed in:

High level of thermal comfort;
Relatively low temperature heating elements;
The absence of bulky radiators that require additional decoration for visual "masking";
A wide range of thermal control functions;
Long service life (up to 30 years);
Ability to quickly repair local faults.

Along with this, the system of warm floors has its drawbacks. They are expressed as:

With a long stay in a room (bedroom, kitchen, living room) with a high temperature of the floor covering, a warm floor can provoke an exacerbation of vascular diseases of the legs;
When using an additional coating in rooms, the coefficient of heat transfer resistance of the material should not exceed 0.15 m2 * K / W;
The warm floor in the apartment does not heat up instantly, and in order to completely heat the room, some of its varieties will need about 10-12 hours;
There is a need to raise the floor during installation by 6-10 cm;
Underfloor heating in the kitchen, as well as in other rooms, can adversely affect the plastic furniture installed on top, which, when heated, can release harmful volatile compounds.

Features and design of a water heated floor

Underfloor heating system can be installed in the bedroom, kitchen and other rooms. The technology involves the use of hot water as a heat carrier, which circulates through pipes under the floor covering. A floor heating device of this type can be compatible with any type of boiler, regardless of fuel. If desired, you can power the presented heating system from central heating. This can be done by prior agreement with a number of licensing authorities. The underfloor heating system consists of:

Metal-polymer or polymer pipes;
Waterproofing layer and heat-insulating materials;
Fittings with which you can connect the heating pipes and the distribution cabinet, which houses the valves and regulators;
damper tape;
Fasteners (brackets, anchors, slats);
thermostat;
circulation pump.

The technology for laying pipes of a water-heated floor can be of two types:

Snake - double or single;
Spiral (shell or with a shifted center).

The presented system of warm floors has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are expressed in:

Relatively low installation cost - you can equip a warm house with your own hands using such a system at a relatively low cost (if you have an individual heating system);
Water heated floor technology can be installed in conjunction with any topcoat;
Autonomous operation capabilities - the system is not affected by power outages;
Savings on thermal costs. For example, if you make underfloor heating in the kitchen or in the bedroom, it will help save up to 30% of energy.

It is worth noting that with proper operation, the service life of a water floor can be more than 30 years.

Along with this, the presented system, placed in the bedroom, in the kitchen or in any other room, has certain disadvantages. The cons are in:

Long and rather complicated installation;
The inconvenience associated with painstaking styling;
The need for reinforcement of pipes and screeds;
The need for the mandatory use of a waterproofing layer (it must be made of polyethylene).

Features of the core underfloor heating

Carbon (rod) flooring can be done under tiles and any other types of flooring. It is also combined with laminate, parquet, wood. The design is presented in the form of a heating mat, which consists of carbon rods with a thickness of 0.3 cm and a length of 0.83 cm. The rods are connected to each other using a power cable in parallel. The system of a warm carbon floor has its advantages and disadvantages. The pluses are that:

The technology allows heating the premises with infrared waves;
Carbon warm mat is versatile and can be combined with any decorative floor covering;
Since the construction is connected in parallel, the heating mats can be divided into any number of segments, which is especially important in rooms with a complex layout, for example, in a bedroom;
The presented heating system can be regulated in automatic mode. The carbon rods adapt to different temperature areas of the floor and provide uniform heating over the entire area. In some areas (cold) the temperature increases, and in warmer areas it decreases;
The service life of the heating circuit can be 10-15 years.

Along with this, the core warm floor has its drawbacks. You can install a carbon mat only in a layer of tile adhesive, otherwise you need to make a thin cement screed. Despite the rather long service life, the system is not mobile - it can only be installed capitally.

Film underfloor heating in the apartment

Film electric (infrared) warm is presented in the form of a polymer film 5 mm thick with strips of carbon heating elements deposited on it. They are connected by copper conductive bars coated with silver sputtering. This design is fused on both sides into a polymer that protects it from moisture penetration and transmits infrared waves through itself. The film is powered by electricity from a household network of 220 V and is regulated using a thermostat.

The advantages of infrared film floor are:

Low cost compared to similar systems;
Simple and quick installation - installation requires a minimum set of tools, it can be done without a concrete screed;
Possibilities of accommodation both during major and cosmetic repairs;
Convenient separation of the film into segments of the desired length;
Uniform heating of the room;
The absence of influence on the air in the bedroom, kitchen and other rooms. Such a floor does not dry the air and does not burn oxygen;
Possibilities of combination with various types of flooring - wooden parquet, carpet, linoleum or ceramic tiles can be laid on top.

The service life of the infrared floor exceeds 25 years.

Advice! Before laying the infrared floor, it is necessary to level the surface of the base floor well, otherwise the film may deform during installation, which will lead to malfunctions.

Along with this, the film floor has its drawbacks:

If the infrared film is the main source of heating, then the energy consumption will increase significantly;
Mandatory need for careful installation - during the installation process, you must constantly monitor the correct connection of the contacts, and to level the floor surface, you need to use chipboard or plywood;
In the absence of grounding, there is a possibility of ignition of the coating and electric shock to people. You need a device that provides a protective shutdown of the system;
The technology requires compliance with operating conditions - such a floor can be easily damaged by heavy furniture, therefore, laying should be carried out in areas free from it.

Cable underfloor heating

Underfloor heating cable type is one of the most common floor heating systems. The main element of this design is a heating cable that can be laid in the bedroom, corridor, kitchen and other rooms. The technology can use two types of cable - single-core and two-core.

A heating cable is needed to ensure the optimum temperature in the room. It is placed in a concrete screed 3-5 cm thick. Such a heating system can be mounted under porcelain stoneware, ceramic tiles or stone.

The advantages of single-core cable structures are expressed in the fact that they have a long service life compared to two-core ones. Along with this, it is much easier and safer to mount a floor using a two-core cable. Pluses also lie in the ability of the insulating material of the cable to withstand temperatures of more than 100 ° C and the overall degree of reliability of the system. The service life of the cable floor depends on the operating conditions and is 10-15 years.

The disadvantages of the presented system lie in the difficulty of connecting cables to the temperature controller. The so-called "cold ends" may not be long enough; before installation, they will have to be increased. In addition, the cable creates a fairly strong electromagnetic radiation, which, however, does not exceed the established sanitary standards.

Which underfloor heating is better to choose

Most experts recommend choosing electric cable heating systems. It is worth doing this because of their practicality and overall safety. Cable floors are convenient and easy to install; you can make such a heating coating in any room - bedroom, kitchen, bathroom.

Cable electric floors are characterized by reduced power consumption, and the heating of the room is carried out evenly and continuously. This is due to the fact that the heated air from the cable heater rises from the bottom up and spreads throughout the room, regardless of the location of the furniture. The floor with cable heating can function in two modes - this is a "comfortable floor" and "full heating". The user can organize the heating of not the entire surface, but only the desired part of it. Cable underfloor heating consumes 90-150 W per 1 m².

If you need an electric floor for laminate or linoleum, and you do not plan to fill the screed, then you should choose an infrared heating floor system. With a film thickness of 0.3 mm, this system will perfectly match the resin finish.

In which rooms is it better to do underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is needed to organize continuous and uniform heating of the premises. Before choosing it, a logical question arises: in which rooms should floor heating be done? If the system will be the only source of heating, then it must be installed in all rooms. In the case of an addition to the main source of heating, it will be necessary to decide in advance where to make a warm floor.

In the bathroom and bathroom, floor heating is installed in order not to become barefoot on cold tiles and reduce the overall level of humidity. In addition, while drying clothes, a warm floor in the bathroom will significantly speed up the drying process.

Another most functional place for underfloor heating systems is a loggia or balcony. Thanks to the heating, this room can be turned into a small additional room.

Before you install a warm floor in the kitchen, you should weigh all the pros and cons. So, for example, if tiles are laid on the floor, and small children spend a lot of time on it, then heating of this kind will be quite appropriate. If the kitchen has laminate flooring, and the ventilation system copes well with excess moisture, then the warm floor will only dry out the air.

The underfloor heating system in the bedroom is made under a soft covering - carpet, cork, massive parquet board. There is an opinion that installing underfloor heating in the bedroom is not recommended, since according to the recommendations of doctors, sleep should take place in a room with a temperature lowered by several degrees (compared to other rooms).

In the living room, heating elements are needed if different types of flooring are combined on the floor. Underfloor heating is recommended to be installed under a porcelain stoneware walkway, which will divide the room into several zones.

Step out of the shower and get goosebumps? The cold air and the icy floor underfoot destroy the feeling of comfort.

But this problem is solvable. A heated towel rail will help warm the air in the bathroom, and there are several ways to warm the floor at once: a regular rug (which, however, can get wet) and a warm floor system. By the way, underfloor heating can also replace the radiator in the bathroom.

Electric floors, contrary to fears, absolutely safe if they are well made, mounted and connected. And their arrangement allows you to solve several problems at once:

cold floor
high humidity
Fungus on walls and floors

Varieties of electric heating for the bathroom

The most popular flooring for bathrooms is tile or porcelain stoneware. Ironically, it is they who “please” us with their cold, as they cool down a lot. Laminate, linoleum - in principle, not the best idea for a bathroom. In addition, they do not cool as much, so a warm floor is hardly needed under them.

The undoubted plus of the tile is that it conducts heat well. It not only cools down, but also heats up quickly. And due to its high strength and resistance to heat, it can be used with any kind of electric underfloor heating.

The two main ones are screed heating cable and mats.

Cable tie:

It is placed on thermal insulation in a layer of screed 3-5 cm thick
Because of this, raises the level of the floor
It is more difficult to install: you need not only to level the floor and pour the screed, but also to calculate the cable laying step and fasten it to the mounting tape
Has more power - the temperature of the floor will be higher
Can be used for main heating
Ready for use only 28 days after pouring the screed

Heating mats:

Mounted without screed and thermal insulation
Do not raise floor level
Ready-made sections are easy to pick up by area
No need to fasten the cable to the base - it is already fixed to the mesh
Used for floor heating only(not for main heating)
The adhesive solution covering the cable dries quickly. Floor ready to go in 14 days

Safety when installing electric floors in the bathroom

As with other electrical devices, safety precautions must be observed when installing underfloor heating in wet areas.

In particular:

The cable itself must have increased waterproofing (protection class that allows use in the bathroom - at least IP 67)
When installed in wet rooms, cable floors must be connected through an RCD.
It is better to take out the thermostat outside the bathroom - to the next room.
The cable is not laid under the bath, shower.

All heating systems from Energy can be used in bathrooms, toilets and kitchens. Heat-insulated floors Energy are:

Heating mats Energy Mat and Energy Light Plus for additional heating.

cable tie energy cable and Energy Universal for primary and secondary space heating.

In which room to make a warm floor
With the advent of summer comes the most favorable time for construction and repair work. Just at this time, without sacrificing comfort, you can start improving the heating system by supplementing it with a warm floor.

The "warm floor" system is located between the base and the floor covering. Under it is a layer of heat-insulating materials, so as not to let the heat down. From above, the heating elements are covered with a concrete screed, wood, polystyrene or just a floor covering. Heating elements raise the temperature of the floor surface, from where heat is distributed throughout the room.

The first question to be answered is: which underfloor heating option is the best solution for your apartment?

You may already be choosing between a “water” floor (in which the heat carrier is water or another liquid that gives off its heat to the floor covering) and an “electric” floor (for which a heating cable with a high resistance alloy core is laid under the floor covering). However, for interiors, there are also "air" floors (with hot air as a heat carrier circulating through the air duct system), "infrared" floor on carbon rods - the most modern offer on the market (electricity is supplied to carbon rods, which heat the flooring). Another type of infrared floor (light option) is a heated floor made of thermal film with carbon elements, to which electricity is also connected.

Without dwelling on the analysis of the pros and cons, let's summarize briefly: a water floor is economically beneficial for use as the main heating, it takes time to lay (especially if the floor is poured with a concrete screed) and the work of the team, but it is most effective when used on large areas . A popular option for supplementary heating is electric flooring: it does not raise the level of the floor as much and does not threaten to leak, in addition, it provides faster heating compared to a water floor. On the other hand, it is accompanied by the presence of an electro-magnetic field, which is not very favorable for the human body. The air floor in Russia is extremely unpopular, as it requires special air ducts, besides, the gas cools quickly. Infrared floors are the "healthiest" option currently available, as electromagnetic radiation is kept to a minimum, but it is more expensive than the others. In addition, the infrared floor does not require a long wait before being put into operation.

The next stage is the choice of premises in which heated floors will be located. If we are talking about underfloor heating as the only heating system, it is clear that they will be in all rooms. But when used as an addition to the main heating, it is necessary to determine in advance where to lay the heating elements.

In bathrooms and bathrooms, it is laid so as not to stand on cold tiles and reduce overall humidity. Black fungus will not form on the tiles and the curtain in the bathroom, and condensation will no longer accumulate on the walls. When drying clothes, underfloor heating in the bathroom or utility room significantly speeds up the drying process. Here, the appearance of a warm floor is fully justified.

The second most functional place for a warm floor is a glazed balcony or loggia. Heating helps to quickly turn them into an additional room or a winter garden.

The warm floor in the nursery is no longer so unambiguous. Of course, children prefer to crawl, sit and lie on the floor. But for the floor in the nursery, "warm" coatings are usually used: children's carpet, cork, solid or parquet board. They do not require additional heating and are heat insulators, which will significantly reduce heating from below.

To make a decision regarding the kitchen, you will have to weigh the pros and cons. If there will be tiles on the floor, and small children spend a lot of time here, then a warm floor will be a good help. If there is a laminate in the kitchen, the children have grown up, and the ventilation system perfectly gets rid of moisture, then the warm floor will only dry out the air.

The flooring in the bedroom is usually made, as in the nursery, from "warm" materials. In addition, according to the recommendations of doctors, a person has a better rest in rooms with a temperature reduced by several degrees. Thus, in the bedroom you can do without a warm floor.

In the living room, heating elements are necessary if different types of flooring are combined. In this case, a warm floor is made, for example, under a porcelain stoneware walkway that separates the zones of the room.

Installing underfloor heating in a house or apartment is a great investment. Such a product was created to increase the effect of the heating system.

The underfloor heating system is very popular today. Due to many advantages and good properties, the demand for this product is growing. This is how a warm floor from an addition to the heating system turned into its basis.

Where is it needed

The question that arises when buying a warm floor is connected, first of all, with the place where to install it. Let's take a look at which room exactly needs additional heating.

Needs a warm floor:

WC and bathroom. Underfloor heating in these rooms will provide a comfortable and cozy atmosphere. Coming out of the shower, it is more pleasant to put your feet on a warm cover than on a cold one. Since the humidity in these rooms is very high, a warm floor will help get rid of excess moisture in a natural way. With its protection, stroke and mold will not be terrible for tiles, whitewash, curtains, places behind the washbasin.
Glazed balcony. When you use the balcony for various purposes and can be on it for a long time, it is very important that it is warm and dry there. Installation of a warm floor will be expedient and logical if the balcony is well glazed and insulated.
Kitchen. This is a place where we spend a lot of time - cooking, gathering at the table with the whole family, arranging gatherings. And since most often the floor in the kitchen is tile, installing a warm floor is the perfect solution to achieve maximum comfort from spending time in this room.
Corridor. To avoid heat loss in the apartment, often a warm floor is installed at the front door.

Varieties of warm floors

The heating element that is included in the underfloor heating system determines its appearance. There are two options on the market:

hydraulic (water) floor heating. This type of floor is used as the main heating system. During installation, it is imperative to properly distribute thermal energy. The hydraulic floor is very heavy. If you are going to install it in an apartment, you must obtain a special permit;
electric. With the help of such floors, small rooms are well heated. He, in turn, is cable and film. The cable underfloor heating is mounted inside the screed, and the film floor is placed on top.

Before buying a warm floor, first decide on the tasks that it will have to perform. After evaluating all the moments that concern you, having familiarized yourself with the qualities and characteristics, make your choice. Underfloor heating will be a great addition to your home.