How to choose a substrate for underfloor heating
Choose a substrate for an infrared floor with good characteristics, only in this case you will properly arrange the heating system. Signs of a high-quality and safe substrate for infrared underfloor heating:
- high level of reflection;
- service life of more than 100 years;
- profitability;
- excellent heat and waterproofing performance;
- resistance to temperature fluctuations;
- ease of implementation;
- sound and vapor barrier;
- fire safety;
- deformation resistance.
There is a huge variety of heaters for heating electrical and water structures on the market. The most effective and safe include:
| Groups | materials | Examples |
|
natural |
Jute | "Jute Interventional Insulation" |
| Suberic | "Izospan" D, DM, FB | |
| "Sedacor" thickness 10/4/2 mm | ||
|
artificial |
Mylar underlayment for underfloor heating | PPE laminated "Termoizol" foil, thickness 2-10 mm |
| Merilon polyethylene foam | ||
| "Euroisolation" foil heaters | ||
| Polystyrene | "Izolon" foil foamed, 2/4/5/8/10 mm | |
| "Stenofon" foam insulation | ||
| "Folgoplast" | ||
| Styrofoam | "Polyphos" | |
| "Isobond" | ||
| Polyethylene foam | "Multifolga" from Valtec | |
| "Energoflex" polyethylene foam, thickness 3-5 mm | ||
| Polyvinyl chloride foam | "Arbiton Izo-Floor" extruded polystyrene foam |
The cost of a heat-reflecting substrate for a warm floor varies between 300-900 rubles, it all depends on the thickness and manufacturer.
Characteristics of a quality substrate
Laminate board is a beautiful, aesthetic pleasure, but by no means cheap. Therefore, the accompanying materials must be of high quality. Do not use budget substrates with an expensive, elite board - this can lead to bad consequences. There are times when, in combination with low-quality materials, the laminate board simply swells up. In order not to be mistaken, you need to know what characteristics high-quality materials should have.
So, among the main properties, soundproofing effect, leveling functions, neutrality to substances containing alkalis, thermal insulation characteristics, resistance to moisture are distinguished. Also, various domestic rodents and insects “do not like” a good product - they do not choose such material for arranging a nest or power source.
In addition, a good product has the characteristics of micro-ventilation. This property allows the condensate, which will inevitably accumulate, to evaporate. And the substrate significantly reduces the load that is on the interlock of the laminate board.
Also, when choosing materials, reflectivity, high resistance to temperature extremes, vapor barrier, resistance to various deformations, environmental friendliness and ease of installation are very important.
Do not think that the product for underfloor heating can no longer be used anywhere in construction. The underlay is a completely versatile solution that can be used with parquet floors and regular laminate.
Soundproof properties
When people walk on a laminate floor, a loud impact noise can be heard. The reason for this is the features of installation technologies, as well as the small thickness of the boards of the finishing coating. Often, the thickness is about 8 mm.
The board springs under your feet and all sounds are perfectly transmitted according to the principle of the membrane. In order for these shocks to be extinguished, a substrate is used. In hardware stores today they offer laminate boards that are already equipped with a substrate, but such boards are quite expensive. Roll or sheet materials are a much more profitable acquisition in terms of economy.As for the ability to soundproofing, they are different for different types of materials. Manufacturers indicate the exact characteristics on the packaging.
Leveling Properties
Often, a warm floor is installed in a concrete screed. Even with a perfect finish, the screed is not always as smooth as the laminate requires. It is simply impossible to lay such a topcoat on a bare screed. Due to the heating of the floor, the board will simply swell. Also, if you lay the laminate on a bare floor, gaps may appear in the uneven areas at the joints of the boards.
An expanded polystyrene underlay can smooth out these defects in the subfloor, but the use of such a substrate under the underfloor heating laminate will be redundant. This is unacceptable, because in this way the locks on the boards can be damaged over time.
Moisture-proof characteristics
Laminate flooring is practically resistant to moisture. Prolonged exposure has a very negative effect on this finish. Laying should be carried out on a completely dry screed. The substrate will protect the coating from moisture and condensation and create an excellent microclimate under the board.
Thermal insulation characteristics
You should know that substrates are excellent heat insulators. Together with a warm floor, such products will be very effective, but without it, the floor surface will not warm up well.
How to choose a substrate for underfloor heating
Any underfloor heating system must provide high heat transfer. At the same time, thermal energy should not go anywhere. If the underfloor heating is based on water technology, then in the event of a possible accident, the substrate will also serve as a waterproofing.
Often, manufacturers use foil as the basis for the substrate. It perfectly reflects the heat that will not be spent on heating the ceiling of the neighbors on the floor below. If the thickness allows, then the foil can be in its pure form, or based on various polymers. Along with good thermal insulation, a high-quality substrate also has high waterproofing characteristics.
For water-heated floors, manufacturers offer products made of extruded polystyrene foam or cork in rolls. Isoplast is also used. But still, one of the most reliable and popular is expanded polystyrene.
In some cases, special molded foam-based coatings can be applied. It is very easy to fix the pipes of the system in it. Roll materials should not be fixed in any way. The substrate is laid on a layer of insulation, and then pressed against the reinforcing screed.
Varieties and characteristics of various substrates
When purchasing a bed, you need to navigate the types and types of this material.
On sale you can find "Lavsan". This is a polyethylene foam coating. The top layer of the material is metallized and has reflective properties. This material is resistant to various aggressive environments. This substrate is perfect for infrared underfloor heating, as well as for electric ones.
"Lavsan" differs in specific power. It is necessary to choose the appropriate material according to the finish coating. So, for a laminate, a coating with a power density of 150 W per M2 is suitable. If you lay a material with a higher specific power, the coating will deteriorate due to overheating.
The market also offers expanded polystyrene. It is a cellular insulation, which has a very high temperature threshold. The material does not lose its characteristics at temperatures from -180 degrees to +180. Also, expanded polystyrene is not crushable, and its soundproofing properties are also very high. The cover is either foil or polypropylene. This material is an excellent choice for working with water systems.
The peculiarity of this substrate is that it is produced in sheets with ready-made markings, which greatly simplifies the installation process.On sale you can find plates with a thickness of 20 to 50 mm.
The cork backing is very eco-friendly and hypoallergenic. This material is a failure of compressed cork oak bark with an astringent. Among the advantages - mice and other rodents do not eat this substrate. Cork is ideal for laminate and all types of underfloor heating. Cork does not burn, and is also very resistant to various kinds of mechanical stress.
Polypropylene is a combined material based on polyethylene foam, one side of which is covered with a layer of foil. This structure allows excellent heat retention. The material is practical and also very durable. For an electric underfloor heating, this product should not contain aluminum in its composition, since there is a risk of a short circuit.
Functions
Laminate has long and deservedly enjoys great popularity. This finishing coating is inexpensive, easy to install, has an attractive appearance. When it is planned to equip the room with underfloor heating, the presence of a shelf will allow you to isolate the laminate from the floor and the concrete base. If you do not use the substrate, then over time, a backlash is formed at the joints of the laminate boards. If you walk through these areas, the flooring will begin to knock and make other unpleasant sounds.
In order to avoid such troubles, substrates are used. Their thickness is from 2 to 5 m. Today, products with increased thermal conductivity characteristics are used specifically for arranging underfloor heating.
Such a product can solve several important problems at once. So, the material will take on the role of an additional insulation, will absorb the load, and will also be able to even out the minor differences in height remaining after finishing the subfloor. With underlays, the laminate board will not creak.
The substrates are laid between the underfloor heating elements and the laminate. Manufacturers of such boards recommend rolled polyethylene as this material. It is believed that this is the best and most suitable option of all those that the modern market offers. This polyethylene-based material works well in combination with alkaline concretes and cements. Polyethylene perfectly withstands various aggressive effects of chemicals and prevents the appearance of various microorganisms.
Substrate for warm electric floors
The underlay for electric underfloor heating is structurally similar to the options described in the previous section. But almost all models of such underfloor heating do not require preliminary laying of waterproofing material under the substrate.
The surface is pre-levelled. Then a substrate is laid on it, on which a special mounting tape is attached. The heating cable is attached to it with special brackets.
Important! When installing under electric underfloor heating, it is not recommended to use such material as a foil substrate under a warm floor. This is explained by the fact that the metal (foil) is a conductor, and if the contact in the system is broken, the probability of a short circuit is very high.
The most suitable material in this case is a substrate made of the following materials:
- PP (polypropylene);
- Penofol (metallized film);
- Cork;
- foamed polymers.
The leader of thermal insulation for underfloor heating is Energofloor Compact.
Laying technology secrets of specialists
Observe the following list of stages of work, laying the substrate under the infrared film underfloor heating:
- Prepare a hole for the thermostat.
- Provide power to your system by choosing a convenient outlet.
- Perform thermal insulation work. Use reflective insulation. Correctly calculate the thickness of the lavsan substrate layer under the infrared warm floor, it should be within 3-5 mm.
- When laying the insulation, fasten with mounting tape, direct the film to the wall with a thermostat, so you will significantly reduce the size of the wire.
- Keep a distance of 10-20 cm near the walls. If there are heaters installed, such as a fireplace, stand back at least 1 meter.
- Lay the substrate evenly under the infrared heat-insulated floor under the laminate, monitor the density of the material. If you do everything right, then the approximate value will be 150g / m2.
- Lay the film clearly at the joints.
- Use IR film systems for underfloor heating.
- Cut the coating only in bright places.
- Glue the edges of the docking and extreme sides with tape.
- Isolate the ends of the film, stick the bituminous insulation.
- Lay the wires in the thermal insulation of the coating.
Carry out professional work taking into account the type of heating system and the selected material of the heat-reflecting substrate.
Order a consultation with a specialist for the correct choice and installation of a substrate for underfloor heating film: infrared, electric, water. Call or leave a request on the site.
Heating the house with underfloor heating is gaining more and more popularity. These systems differ in the type of heating elements, which allows you to make a choice for any home. In order for such a heating system to work efficiently and reliably, it is necessary to properly insulate it. In order to prevent heat from escaping in vain, a substrate under a warm floor is intended. It is made of heat-reflecting materials that will keep you warm.
Secrets of mounting substrates under the infrared floor
In order for the film system to function correctly, it is necessary to install the components as efficiently as possible.
The correct laying of the underfloor heating substrate is also very important, and when working with it, you should know some features:
- If the substrate under the warm floor is made of fiberboard or magnesite tiles, it is laid on a screed covered with aluminum foil;
- If it is made of a polymeric metallized film, then it is placed under the film with infrared resistors, with the reflective side up;
- Insulating material is placed in a continuous mass over the entire surface.
If individual elements of the substrate require connection, this can be done with adhesive tape or ordinary adhesive tape, which will provide additional vapor and waterproofing properties.
The underlay under a modern warm floor is very important when installing the system. This detail will allow you to fully experience the possibilities of heating systems, and will help the house to keep warm inside.
Today, underfloor heating is no longer a luxury item. There may be several variants of such an additional heating system. It all depends on the type of heating element. These systems are compatible with most floor finishes, including laminate. When it is used as a top coat, a special underlay under the laminate for underfloor heating is used. This product will allow you not to waste precious heat, since it consists of modern high-performance materials with a heat-reflecting effect.
Expert answer
Hello Valery.
The information you received about the materials for laying laminate flooring on a warm floor is completely true. The fact is that cork is one of the best heat insulators of natural origin. In a floor heating system, it will prevent the transfer of heat from the water circuit to the finished floor, therefore, when arranging floor heating, this type of substrate is used last.
It would be ideal to lay the laminate directly on the screed, but this is not recommended for a variety of reasons, ranging from the need to eliminate small irregularities in the concrete base to soundproofing.It is best to take a substrate made of perforated EPS (extruded polystyrene foam), which is designed specifically for underfloor heating. If you do not find such material, then you can use foamed polyethylene sheets - it has the highest heat transfer coefficient among similar materials.
In Europe, when arranging TS, special construction cardboard is often used as a substrate, the heat transfer coefficient of which is almost equal to the thermal conductivity of the laminate. We should not forget that the thinner the lining layer, the more efficient the underfloor heating will work. That is why the thickness of the substrate should not exceed 2 mm. Of course, this will require maximum accuracy when arranging a sand-cement screed - differences in height per 1 m should not exceed 1–2 mm.
As for specific brands, in practice, Quick-Step Uniclic 2 in 1 or Arbiton Izo Floor Thermo (perforated) shows excellent results - they are just intended for use in underfloor heating systems. Finally, I would like to remind you that when choosing materials for arranging a finished floor, preference should be given to those on the packaging of which there is information that the products are intended for installation in conjunction with floor heating systems.
What should be the substrate under the warm floor laying features
Depending on the type of floors, various materials are selected. The main nuances are presented in the table:
| Gender variety | Types of materials | How is the work carried out? | Meaning |
| Electric | Pressed technical cork | Performed in 2 levels | Uniform distribution of heat from the cable, elimination of its overheating, removal of excess heat energy |
| Foam materials | The first - at the stage of rough work | ||
| magnesite slabs | The second - at the final installation | ||
| infrared film |
Expanded polystyrene |
The substrate for infrared floor heating under the laminate is laid only on the screed, which is previously covered with foil | Heat redirection in the room, reflection of IR radiation, prevention of 30% heat loss |
| Polymer | Installation of metallized lavsan is performed on a film with resistors. Reflective side pointing up | ||
| Metallized lavsan | The insulation is applied completely, the joints are connected, glued | ||
| magnesite slabs | Heating elements are applied over the reflective coating layer | ||
| HDL sheets | Then comes the heat reflective underlay for the infrared floor, IR film | ||
| Water | Roll cork | Lay a layer of polymer-based foil | Reduced heat loss, auxiliary waterproofing |
| Isoplat | |||
| Extruded polystyrene foam | Fix the coating material | ||
| Expanded polystyrene foam | Perform a reinforcing screed of a water floor | ||
| molded foam | |||
| Laminate flooring | Substrate for underfloor heating film under laminate | Installation is carried out on a cement screed between the insulated system and the laminate | Prevention of deformation of laminate panels, exclusion of creaking due to backlash |
| Roll polyethylene | Use the thinnest material up to 3mm, the thickness varies from 2 to 5mm | ||
| PPE laminated |
When choosing polystyrene, pay attention to self-centering locks. With their help, you will perform the laying of foam boards easily and conveniently.
You do not need additional fasteners, the pipe system is guaranteed to fit in special valves.
Underlayment for underfloor heating laminate flooring infrared serves at the same time:
- insulation;
- shock absorber;
- protection for laminate panels.
Therefore, choose a specialized material with enhanced thermal conductivity.
