Warm floor under tiles infrared. Infrared heated floor under tiles: features of use and installation
When planning to renovate a bathtub or toilet, the question of a heated floor often arises and one of the available options becomes infrared heated floor under the tiles. This type of thermal coating has its own subtleties. In this article we will study in detail film heated floors under tiles and figure out how to properly lay them under tiles.
How does infrared floor work?
There are two main subtypes of this thermal coating: carbon film and bimetallic.
It is prohibited to install an infrared floor under bimetallic tiles under tiles.
Both subtypes of infrared heated floors for tiles work on the principle of radiation. The product is divided into equal segments heating elements. During installation, conductive terminals are connected to the copper strips and when the power is turned on, current flows through the segments and due to this, thermal energy is released.
It should be noted important feature, infrared heated floors heat objects located in the room, not the air. This type of heating is absolutely safe for a living organism, which is why infrared heated floors are allowed for sale. Also, this type of heating does not dry out the air and also charges it with negative ions, which is very useful for living organisms.
Advantages of thermal infrared floor
Below are the main positive points use of this heated floor:
- The heating elements produce a wave of up to 20 micrometers, which easily allows them to overcome tile adhesive, the tile itself and further heat objects inside the room;
- Using a film floor under tiles, you can reduce the usual temperature inside the room to five degrees, for example, if your usual temperature is 23 degrees, then by heating with infrared radiation you can warm the room up to 18 degrees, while comfort will remain. And consequently, financial expenses on energy resources are significantly reduced;
- Also, a thermal floor of this design creates the effect of an auxiliary convention, which significantly reduces the time required to warm up the room as a whole;
- Weak generated electromagnetic radiation compared to other types of electric floors, which significantly reduces the impact on the body;
- The effect of ionization of the air mass is created, which is a plus.
Disadvantages of underfloor heating
Modern building elements, unfortunately, have not reached such a level as to have no negative aspects, and installation of an infrared floor has its negative features, and we will consider which ones below:
- It should be taken into account that furniture should not be installed above the laid film, otherwise it will become extremely hot, and this can lead to negative consequences. That is why the film should be laid on open corridor-type passages and areas free of furniture;
- When installing a film heated floor, it is imperative to lay a fiberglass mesh with a fine-mesh structure on top of the film together with a plasterboard sheet. This will ensure the safety of the film and prevent possible short circuits due to corrosion tile adhesive protective polymer film;
- When we lay a film heated floor under the tiles, it is necessary to pay attention to the base, because... this requires it to be perfectly aligned.
- Ditto minor minus should be attributed high requirements to the connecting contacts made during installation, if a poor-quality connection is made, then this place will overheat excessively during operation and subsequently fail, and repairs without dismantling the laid tiles will be impossible.
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The necessary material for the work and preparation of the base
- A set of thermal infrared floors, which must include regulatory and supervisory authorities.
- Reflective effect insulation with a minimum thickness of 4 millimeters.
- Dielectric mounting mesh.
- Wires with a sufficient cross-section for proper power supply of the mounted connections.
- Double-sided adhesive tape.
- And the tile you choose directly with a sufficient amount of specialized adhesive
Before installing an infrared heated floor under the tiles, it is extremely important to prepare the base.
To do this, we completely dismantle the previous coating. Next, we carefully clean and dry the base. If the base is severely damaged, it is necessary to carry out mandatory surface repairs. Next, select a location for installing the regulator and connect the supply line to this location. Next, we determine the areas for laying infrared floors, remembering that they cannot be placed under heavy furniture.
We carry out installation
The installation is divided into several important stages:
- It is necessary to lay a heat-reflecting fabric on the manufactured surface; most often, isolon is used in this role, since this stage is important, you should not skimp on inexpensive analogues of insulation;
- We lay out the infrared film into pre-planned areas, do not allow the product to overlap, maintain a gap of half a centimeter between them;
- We lay a protective film over the heating elements;
- We produce so-called reinforcement using a dielectric mounting mesh. This is fixed to the surface of the base using dowel nails; they must be driven into the spaces left between the film. Proceed with extreme caution, as the heating elements must not be damaged;
- Next, you can fill a thin screed, no more than seven millimeters thick, and then lay the tiles, or using specialized tile adhesive, immediately begin laying the tiles.
You can use the laid heated floors under the tiles after a week; during this period of time the glue will dry completely.
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In this article, we examined such an interesting issue as installing infrared film under a tile covering, having studied this material, you will be able to draw a conclusion about what needs to be done in your particular case.
The heated floor system is widely used today in the design of residential premises. Such heating helps to distribute the temperature evenly and maintain a comfortable microclimate in the room. The choice of system and its installation technology depend on the type of floor covering.
Let's figure out how to make an electric heated floor under tiles and indicate acceptable installation methods. In addition, we present step-by-step instructions on the arrangement of underfloor heating and describe important points connecting the system to power supply.
With all the “advantages” of floors finished with tiles and its competitor, porcelain stoneware, it is difficult to classify them as warm coatings.
The easiest way to eliminate this drawback is to install a floor system that can function all year round, which is especially important for apartments that depend on centralized heating.
Image gallery
Using pieces of construction tape, heating plates are glued to the heat-reflecting layer, the conductive busbars of which “look” down
The laid floor system is covered plastic film and begin laying the concrete screed. To do this, a cellular layer is placed on top of the film. plastic mesh, the size of the sections is 5*5 cm or 10*10 cm.
It will act as a reinforcing frame. The mesh is attached to the previously laid layers, being careful not to damage the thermal film.
A concrete-cement mortar is applied on top of the laid and fixed mesh, forming a layer 5 mm thick so that it completely covers the technological holes. Leave the screed for a week and a half until completely dry.
When the screed acquires the necessary strength, proceed to the stage of gluing tiles or porcelain tiles. The cladding technology is conventional. The only thing is to “plant” the coating on glue, which is not afraid of temperature changes.
Technology for installing cable floors under tiles
Installation of cable heated floors under tiles requires certain qualifications. In addition, such a system can only be turned on a month after installation.
Drawing up a layout plan
Before proceeding with the installation of the system, it would be correct to first draw up a scale plan of its layout on paper. When developing a plan, areas where furniture is placed and where heavy household appliances are supposed to be installed are excluded from the total working area.
It should be understood that further rearrangement may negatively affect the performance of the floor system.
Taking into account all the nuances, the finished layout plan will have the outline of an irregularly shaped figure that is inscribed rectangular and square area coverings.
Based total area work surface, calculate the cable length taking into account the fact that the cable must cover 70-75% of the total quadrature. Its effectiveness will depend on how well the flooring system is designed.
At the design stage, it is necessary to think about a convenient place for it. In some cases, when installing a floor system, it is necessary to lay a separate electrical wiring line of the required power.
Preparatory and energy-saving work
Key condition correct installation, both the heating system and the finishing facing tiles is a carefully leveled surface. The master’s task is to bring the base to zero, since the worse the base is prepared, the worse the final result will be.
In case of severe damage to the base, it is better to complete dismantling old coating, and subsequently level the finished floor concrete screed 3-5 cm thick
A set of tools that will be needed to complete the work:
- building level;
- tape measure and ruler for marking and control;
- and cutting wires;
- soldering iron with solder for tinning wires before switching;
- construction hair dryer for heating heat-shrinkable tubes;
- hammer drill and grinder with a stone disc;
- multimeter for control measurements of circuit conductivity and resistance;
- megohmmeter to check insulation resistance;
- construction mixer and container for mixing cement mixture;
- roller and brushes for applying liquid primer;
- gear and regular spatula for distributing paste-like cement mixture.
To prevent a situation where the installed system will heat the neighbors’ ceiling, it is necessary to carry out energy-saving work.
Ceramics, glazed tile It is considered the best floor for sanitary rooms and kitchens. A cold surface will become comfortable if you install an infrared floor under the tiles. Radiant heat does not dry out the air and is beneficial. Which method to use, dry or wet, when creating layered cake film heated floor under tiles? Are there any special features in installing slab cladding heating? Here we will talk about the advantages of installing a warm film floor under the tiles.
Why are film floors under tiles better than cable ones?
Both types of heating circuits operate from the electrical network. But the cable is laid on a base made of mats or filled with concrete screed. This slightly raises the floor surface and is applied using screed or fill.
The tape structure of the infrared heater consists of graphite rods in a film 3 mm thick. Infrared heated floors under tiles are laid on a prepared base; no screed is required. You can install a warm film floor under the tiles yourself.
Both heating systems require wiring to connect the circuit, with the installation of a thermostat. There are features of the use of insulation and adhesive composition.
Features of infrared heated floor
Laying tiles on the prepared surface of the room can be done wet or dry. We suggest you carefully consider the composition of the IR tape.
Infrared heated floors under tiles have their own characteristics. When using self-leveling floors or screed, you need to consider:
- The cement mortar does not adhere to the coating film. If you put notches on the film surface and do not insulate them properly, the floor will receive an electric shock.
- The alkaline solution of the screed leads to structural changes in the film surface; the tape will quickly become unusable.
- An IR film heater based on a bimetal cannot be used for laying under tiles, only a carbon one.
Based on the characteristics of film infrared heated floors, installation under tiles is best done using a dry method. Experts consider Teplolux film to be the most effective IR heater.
Installation of infrared floor heating under tiles
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The figure shows the sequence of work for laying a heated film floor under the tiles.
Before installation, the heating circuit should be outlined. It should not be located under furniture. Taking into account losses, efficiency is 90%, it is optimal to choose a material with a power of 200 W/m2. The larger the volume of the room, the greater the heat transfer should be if the IR film is the only heat source.
Sequence of operations for laying IR tape
The infrared heated floor is installed under the tiles in compliance with all the recommendations of specialists.
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It is important to carry out all operations for laying an infrared warm field under the tiles in strict sequence and carefully. If you lack skills in working with electrical appliances, invite a specialist. At each stage, you need to ring the circuit to make sure there are no areas with a short circuit. Carefully insulating the wires, crimping the terminals, installing a thermostat is the most important part of installing a heated floor.
Do you have any doubts about what material to choose for installing heated floors? Where is the best place to buy a film heater? Call, our specialists will advise.
The presence of a warm infrared floor in the room creates a special cozy atmosphere. The advantages of IR coating are that the heat transfer of the floor is noticeably increased and the cost of electricity is reduced. Installing a heated floor under tiles is not an easy task; it has a number of features. In this material we will look at the technologies that are used in this area.
Peculiarities
The infrared radiation of a heated floor is evenly distributed over the walls, ceiling, and objects in the room, heating them. The technology works without the use of wires and is suitable for coated floors:
- Laminate;
- Linoleum;
- Carpet.
Infrared heated floors under tiles are most often needed in the following rooms:
- Greenhouses;
- Swimming pools;
- Kitchens;
- Bathrooms;
- Technical rooms.
There are two types of infrared floors that are used under tiles:
- Rod;
- Film.
The second is notable for the fact that its production uses flat elements containing a carbon suspension. Film panels are mounted on both sides of it. polymer coatings 0.5 millimeters thick, the width of the strip can be from 30 to 120 centimeters.
When installing the floor, be sure to follow safety rules and use grounding. This design creates comfort and coziness in the room, which cannot but affect the mental and emotional state person.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantage of IR floor heating system:
- No electromagnetic radiation;
- Ease of operation;
- Economical;
- Does not dry out the air;
- There is no risk of fire;
- Does not provoke dust accumulation;
- Versatility - IR film can even be mounted on a wall or ceiling.
The height of the IR structure does not exceed three centimeters, and even in rooms where the ceilings are only two and a half meters high, the film is almost invisible.
Another advantage of IR film is the fact that it does not dry out the air in the room. Traditional technology radiator heating does not have such advantages.
Flaws:
- For installation of IR equipment High qualification required. It is better for a master without solid practical experience to take on such projects;
- It is forbidden to install such devices under furniture. The tiles should be carefully checked for defects, as infrared radiation may cause delamination of this material. It's better to buy ceramic flooring famous brands, since, for example, Chinese tiles - Bad quality and cannot withstand even light loads.
When installing equipment and tiles, all technological requirements must be observed. This is the main rule of this type of work.
Scheme of work
Flooring with infrared film under the tiles is an option that is quite common. It is quite possible to connect an infrared film floor to electricity; it will work normally if you pour a screed on top and lay tiles on it. These works are simple, they can be done, if not independently, then with the assistance of a specialist.
There are two ways to lay tiles on film:
- A painting mesh is mounted on top of the film to increase adhesion. A screed or a special self-leveling mixture is poured onto it. Layer thickness – no more than 10 mm.
- Placed on film GVL sheets, are secured with self-tapping screws that pass between the strips of heating elements; Great precision is required from the master, since fragile structures can easily be damaged.
- Next, the tiles are installed using standard technology using underfloor heating adhesive.
At the beginning of work, you should draw a diagram with dimensions, which will reflect all the cables and heating elements.
The core floor is specially designed for tile covering, That's why In this case, there is no need to make a screed. For ceramic tiles Infrared rod heaters have been created that are connected to a thermostat. A ceramic coating is mounted on them.
Between the two conductors are rods (they look like steps), which are made of graphite and silver carbon. Canvas sizes:
- Width – 82 cm;
- The space between the rods is up to 10 cm.
- Length – up to 20 meters.
When current passes, IR radiation is released from the rods; it has a wavelength from 8 to 14 microns. This technology allows you to save a significant amount of money. The electrical circuit is designed in such a way that a minimum amount of energy is consumed during operation.
How to connect?
Before starting work on installing an infrared film floor, you should:
- Prepare the base;
- Place heat-reflecting material over the entire plane;
- Prepare a place for the thermostat.
Installation begins with the material being distributed throughout the room. It is necessary to secure it with electrical tape or tape and seal the joints.
It is possible to reduce wire consumption if the contacts are directed towards the regulator. A clamp is attached to the copper strip; its side is located inside the coating, the other is located on top of the copper strip. Cut lines are insulated with bitumen. The film is fixed using electrical tape. To do this, you need to level the base and put heat-reflecting material on the floor.
Stages of work:
- Installation of heat-reflecting material;
- Film installation;
- Connecting blocks, connecting them to a thermostat;
- A temperature sensor is installed between the first and second layers of screed in corrugated pipe
- The layers are laid and secured with self-tapping screws.
- The screed is poured, you can do it yourself
- The tiles are placed on the screed.
When working, please consider the following:
- An IR system can be installed under furniture only when it is located on legs at a height of at least three centimeters;
- It is necessary to install thermal insulation correctly, this will protect against excessive energy consumption;
- You cannot use insulation that contains foil, it is susceptible to corrosion;
- To place the coating on the desired side, you should carefully study the instruction manual.
Film-based insulation may be used:
- Lavsanova;
- Polypropylene.
The thermostat is installed on the wall, electrical wiring is connected to it
Wires cannot be laid on the floor; they should be placed in a plastic box. The wires should not create any unevenness. You need to do the following:
- Cut a notch in the heat-reflecting insulation for the wires;
- Clean the wires at the ends before installing them;
- The tip of the wire is inserted into the contact clamp and secured;
- The connection point is insulated with bitumen mastic.
Then you need to secure the thermostat; it is recommended to do this inside the corrugation; then the device is connected to the temperature controller. His top part mounted from below to a black silicon strip of blocks that heat up, while using bitumen mastic. A cut should be made at the point where the installation took place, this will guarantee that no deformation will occur.
The sensor may fail, so it is necessary to place it in such a way that it can be easily removed.
Installation work should be entrusted to an experienced specialist.
Correctly selected material is the key normal operation equipment. It is recommended to know its basic technical characteristics:
- The film is able to heat up less and give off more heat;
- Standard film can withstand temperatures up to 80 degrees Celsius;
- You can connect silver and copper busbars to each other, due to this it is possible to reduce the thickness of the interlayer, and therefore prolong the life of the device;
- Conducting strips are made from alloys that contain silver. They show up clearly on film, and the more silver, the better the film. If main basis It has White color, this confirms that the composition contains a high-quality durable polymer.
- The stripes should not show signs of oxidation;
- A film is considered bad if the width of the copper strip is less than 14 mm.
- The system consumes power from 125 to 440 W/m2. If the film is placed under the carpet, then a power of up to 160 W/m2 will be sufficient. If the film is placed under tiles or porcelain stoneware, then a power of at least 215 W/m2 will be required. If the heated floor is in the sauna, then the power will be required more than 220 W/m2;
- The minimum film thickness is 0.3 mm. The thicker the coating, the longer it will last, so when choosing, you need to focus on a film that is thicker than 0.3 mm
- The film is installed in such a way that adjacent sheets fit tightly to each other, but do not overlap one another. If you choose the width of the roll according to this calculation, it will reduce the amount of waste and save money.
High-power models are used in paint shops, saunas, etc. In such devices, graphite rods are sealed in a heavy-duty coating.
You should know that carbon and graphite have a similar molecular structure, but their properties are noticeably different. Carbon is more resistant to stress, while graphite is not as durable.
It is recommended that you connect the IR device with the help of a professional with practical experience. You can lay tiles with your own hands, especially if it is small area, such as in the bathroom or on the balcony. If you entrust the most complex work to professionals, and do the simpler ones yourself, then you can equip your apartment without spending extra money.
Manufacturers
Heat Life film is popular all over the world. Heat Life is the manufacturer that invented carbon coated film. There are many of its analogues on the market, but they are all inferior in quality to the products of the South Korean company. Heat Life also produces a unique IR film that can be placed directly into the screed. The film can withstand temperatures above two hundred degrees Celsius; its manufacturing technology is the company’s know-how.
Heat Plus is another South Korean company that has been confidently present on the market for a decade now. Russian market. Heat Plus has opened many service centers throughout the country and makes both striped and continuous film, the power of which ranges from 85 to 460 W
Firm Caleo (South Korea) has been producing IR film since 2006. Considered one of the best, the company has many developments and innovative know-how. For example, it was Caleo that invented floors with a mesh that prevents sparks.
The company has production facilities on three continents (Europe, America and Asia) and confidently continues to conquer the market. Using Caleo film allows you to save up to 20% energy compared to conventional heating devices.
The company has a very wide range of IR films: from cheap models to very expensive ones. The warranty is provided by Caleo for up to 15 years, which in itself already speaks of the quality of the product. The South Korean company also produces a variety of components and systems that provide heating for pipes and roofs.
The average price for purchasing and installing film will cost from 5 to 10 US dollars. Infrared film from the USA Carolique is also very popular in Russia and is suitable for almost any coating.
The film is inexpensive and represents an innovative generation of IR heating systems. Infrared energy is distributed evenly and quickly throughout the room. Manufacturers claim that this type of technology makes it possible to reduce electricity bills by at least fifty percent. Reviews about IR film from Carolique are only positive.
When purchasing IR film, it is recommended to pay attention to the presence of quality certificates, because very often products of famous brands are counterfeited. It’s better to overpay a little when purchasing a branded product than to spend a lot of money on repairs later.
Teplotex- another South Korean manufacturer that produces quality products thickness from 0.36 mm. The width of the rolls is 0.5 and 1 meter. The film can work normally for three decades.
Rexva– this company is better known in its homeland, in South Korea, there it occupies more than 50% of the market. In Russia, little is known about the film from this manufacturer. This company leads the industry in terms of quantity scientific developments. The company uses a special lamination that guarantees 100% insulation from moisture.
Eastec is a company that developed and implemented IR flooring technology. It continues to offer new original models that are in constant demand among consumers. Film power – from 60 W, width – from 30 cm.
Monocrystal (Ukraine) is a company that positions its products as the best in Europe. The company really has unique developments, for example, a film with a reduced content of silver paste, but a more massive carbon layer. There is an interesting model that is designed specifically for ceramic tiles. This film has a high adhesion coefficient.
The company produces both striped and continuous films. Roll thickness – 30 and 64 cm. Power – from 130 to 620 watts. This film is good to use for insulating loggias and installed around the perimeter of windows and doors.