Choosing insulation for a warm water floor: advantages and disadvantages of thermal insulation materials. Insulation for water heated floors - options and their effectiveness Why do you need insulation for underfloor heating
A necessary stage during installation is thermal insulation. Without insulation, too much energy will be required for heating, because... most of it will go through the ceiling into the basement.
The requirements for heat-insulating material are different for different floors: one of the main priorities is fire resistance, for water resistance. How to choose the right insulation for a warm water floor?
In addition to good water resistance, the material must also have other important properties: affordable price, ease of installation, low thermal conductivity.
The thickness of the layer depends on the last characteristic: the lower the thermal conductivity, the thinner the layer can be. The less free space a warm floor will take up.
Minvata
Good price, high thermal insulation properties, simple installation, noise absorption, fire resistance (NG class). The best option for electric floors (melting point not lower than 600 degrees), for water floors there are two serious disadvantages: the thickness is greater than that of other heat insulators, and hygroscopicity.
When wet, the material loses more than half of its heat-insulating properties, i.e. If the pipe leaks, the insulation will have to be replaced.
Ecological cleanliness is relative. Some varieties contain phenol. Basalt dust generated during installation is harmful to the respiratory organs of the installer.
When installing () mineral wool (if you still choose it), in addition to the waterproofing substrate, you also need a vapor barrier layer on top, because the material has high vapor permeability. The vapor barrier membrane should be laid with the discharge side away from the insulation, i.e. up.
Expanded polystyrene
Many types, from regular foam to dense extruded PPS. To install floors (), choose a material with a density of at least 35 kilograms per cubic meter.
Depending on the installation features (on the ground, on a warm floor, in southern region, on permafrost, etc.) the thickness of the insulation for a warm water floor can be 3-20 centimeters. Using EPS, you can perform insulation of the smallest thickness.
The flammability of PPS depends on the brand, from G1 to G4 (a decrease in flammability is achieved through flame retardant impregnations). There are no completely non-flammable types. When burned, the material releases toxic substances. Since in the case of water floors the probability of fire tends to zero, this factor can be neglected.
The advantages of the material are water resistance and vapor tightness. Waterproofing before installation is still required; vapor barrier is not needed. Low thermal conductivity, easy installation.
In addition to conventional slabs, ready-made PPS mats can be used for thermal insulation: their upper surface is profiled and made with ready-made channels for laying pipes. Some mat models do not even require additional fixation of the pipes after installation.
Using mats (), you can make heated floors without screed (): the profile ribs will take on the entire weight of the coating, furniture, etc., there will be no load on the pipes themselves. The slabs are equipped with locks to connect the heat-insulating coating into a single whole, which makes the installation procedure extremely easy.
Cork
All its features speak in favor of this material, except the price.
Excellent heat/sound insulation properties, water resistance, rot resistance and biological factors, environmental friendliness, simple installation.
The price is significantly higher than other insulation materials.
Foil insulation
Foil covered materials. In addition to the well-known penofol, the foil surface can have any material: basalt wool, PPS, PPU. The above-mentioned mats can be either with or without a foil coating.
When installing any heated floor, foil is necessary in any case: it is a screen that reflects the heat of the pipes into the room. If you choose insulation without a foil layer, you will have to additionally put foil on top of the heat insulator.
Other options for creating a heat-reflecting effect:
- wrap the pipes themselves with foil;
- place reflective aluminum or brass plates in the channels of profile mats or chipboard flooring;
- a combination of these two methods.
Features of choice depending on conditions
The above heat insulators can be used for all floor installation options (). On a concrete slab - with or without a top screed; when installed on the ground after preliminary preparation of the base. On wooden base– without screed, because wood will not support the weight of concrete.
Installation without a screed is possible in several ways. When using mats, place a sheet of plywood on top and finishing coat. In addition to laminate (): it can be laid without plywood, directly on mats.
If there are no mats, the flooring method is used: chipboard sheets with milled channels or nailed slats to form channels. You can also lay pipes () directly between wooden joists, and on top - a sheet of plywood (or laminate without plywood).
Laying on the ground requires initially pouring a sand and gravel cushion and performing a rough screed.
With this installation method, in addition to those mentioned above, natural insulation materials can be used:
- expanded clay;
- sawdust. A rough screed can be made from a sawdust-clay mixture;
- granulated slag;
- foam glass;
- ecowool (fluffed cellulose);
- expanded clay sand.
For the right choice thickness of thermal insulation, it is recommended to draw up a heat calculation for the house taking into account climatic conditions in a given region and materials of construction.
Installation on the ground is usually carried out with two screeds, rough and finishing, the thickness of the insulation is maximum.
If a heated floor is installed on the second floor of a heated house, one layer of foil foam is sufficient. When mounted on wood () or concrete floor it is necessary to take into account the permissible thickness of the floor and, depending on it, calculate the thermal insulation.
Video about insulation for warm water floors.
When installing a warm water floor, the main task is to direct all the thermal energy into the room, so it is important to correctly distribute it over the entire area, and also not allow it to escape to the neighbors.
For this purpose, special materials are used - insulation. There are a number of other reasons to use floor insulation:
Types of materials used for floor insulation
There are many options for pipe insulation, but all materials can be divided into:
The choice of insulation depends on:
Bulk materials and technology for their laying
The main advantage of bulk materials is their low cost and ease of use. In many respects they are not inferior to more expensive analogues. The only enemy of bulk compounds is moisture - they are hygroscopic and lose their characteristics when wet.
Before laying insulation for pipes in the form of bulk materials, the base of the floor should be prepared:
- make wooden logs, the distance between them should not exceed 800 mm;
- under each log you need a sheet of roofing felt;
- instead of lags, you can use reinforcing mesh;
- the material is poured in (the layer thickness should be at least 5 cm) and compacted well - this is a very important point, since bulk compositions shrink more over time;
- Then you can start laying out the pipes. Doing this on a bulk base is not very convenient, since there is nothing to fix them to. That is why such insulation materials are not in great demand.
Insulation with sprayed compounds
The most common type of sprayed composition is polyurethane foam. Its advantages:
- it applies quickly;
- fills all the cracks;
- quickly adheres to any coating;
- creates an airtight coating.
The disadvantage of this method of insulation is that it will be difficult to do it yourself, with your own hands, since it is necessary special equipment, which is not practical to buy for one-time use. If you really want to do all the work without involving specialists, you can rent the necessary equipment.
Before applying to the concrete base of the floor, they are mounted on it wooden molds no more than 50 cm wide. The composition is distributed using a special pneumatic gun.
At the same time, it is important to take care of the skin and respiratory protection system - you need a special suit, since polyurethane foam is quite toxic.
The thickness of the layer should not be more than 3 cm - it increases in volume very quickly. If necessary, you can apply a second coat. The next stage is cutting off protruding reliefs. After this, the floor is ready for pipe laying. To make it easier to secure them, you can lay a reinforcing mesh with small squares on top.
Installation of heated floors, insulation of the base before laying pipes
How to use roll insulation
The most common roll insulation for a warm water floor - foil material. It is two-layer:
- a basis that can serve as a variety of heat insulators:
- expanded polystyrene;
- cork;
- foamed polyethylene;
- mineral wool;
- reflective coating - metallized polypropylene film or thin aluminum foil.
The thickness of rolled polyethylene foam is from 2 to 10 mm and can have a self-adhesive surface, which greatly facilitates the installation process.
The most popular brands in Russia:
- Folgizol;
- Penofol;
- Isoflex;
- Ecofol;
- Izolon.
Insulation for a warm water floor, based on mineral wool or fiberglass, should have a layer thickness of up to 100 mm.
The most common brands:
- Rockwool;
- Paroc;
- Knauf;
- Isover.
Rolled foil insulation for pipes is very popular due to its distinctive properties:
- high reflectivity;
- moisture-proof surface;
- durability;
- good sound and heat insulation properties;
- ease of installation;
- low weight;
- low cost.
Installation technology:
Technology for laying tile insulation
Among the most common tile insulation materials are the following.
If you were wondering about the procedure for installing a heated floor, then you paid attention to a kind of cake that has to be laid. One of its layers is insulation under a warm water floor. But if the floor heats, then why is there insulation there? And if you need it, then which one to choose from the abundance? This article will help you not to get confused in the variety of insulation materials and choose the one that will perform best in specific conditions.
Insulation as an important component
The task of a warm floor is not only to heat a specific area. At the same time, it is important to achieve minimal heat loss. One circuit of a laid pipe with a diameter of 16 mm can heat up a screed with a thickness of 15 cm without any particular difficulties. It should be borne in mind that heat does not spread only upward. It also goes down. If there are neighbors below who heat their premises well, then this will not be so noticeable. But if there is a basement, then the heat loss will be noticeable. This will be noticeable not only in the air temperature, but also in the bill for the media.
Another very important reason why insulation is important in the overall pie is the uniform distribution of waves. Due to the presence of insulation, the temperature is not concentrated only in the place where the pipe passes, but is transmitted to the entire surface. Some types of insulation make it possible to facilitate the process of creating a pattern along which a warm water floor pipe is laid. The main types of insulation are polystyrene derivatives, products made from mineral components and polyethylene. Each of them deserves separate consideration.
Mineral plate
Known to almost everyone and used in production and construction for quite a long time. Their predecessors were glass wool, which had to be scrubbed off for a long time to avoid itching your hands. But mineral wool, which comes in rolls, is not suitable for heated floors. This is due to the fact that its rigidity is insufficient, and due to such insulation, subsidence of the poured screed occurs. Only basalt or other materials are used, which are sold in slabs. This insulation has excellent compression resistance. Among the others positive points you can note;
- resistance to moisture;
- good thermal insulation;
- sufficient sound insulation;
- resistance to fire;
- resistance to chemical solvents.
Mineral insulation is also called stone wool, because it is made from molten rocks. This insulation does not have harmful impurities and emissions. For heated floors, insulation boards with a density of 175 kg per m3 are suitable. One of the obvious disadvantages of such insulation is the presence of pores that allow water and steam to pass through. Therefore, additional waterproofing will be required during installation.
Polystyrene boards
Insulation, which consists of foamed polystyrene, is also not new. Initially, this material was known to builders and users as polystyrene foam. But pure foam has its drawbacks. Although it has excellent thermal insulation properties, such insulation is very fragile in compression. This is due to large air bubbles that are formed during the manufacturing process. To eliminate this deficiency in insulation, it was necessary to change the technology. Thanks to this, extrusion technology appeared. Its essence lies in the fact that the formation of the canvas occurs under high pressure. Thanks to this, the balls with air in the insulation take the correct shape and become smaller. This allows for reduced thermal conductivity at the same thickness compared to conventional foam. The choice of many falls on insulation in the form of extruded polystyrene foam for the following reasons:
- light weight;
- ease of installation;
- compression resistance;
- no toxic emissions;
- excellent waterproofing properties.
Such insulation is rarely called by its composition; more often you can find a name such as “Penoplex”. In fact, this is the name of the plant that produces it. It is better to take insulation for a warm water floor that has locking ends. They are cut in half, which eliminates cold bridges. There are also options for insulation boards with bosses. These are small guide protrusions. Thanks to them, the pipe is fixed without any additional clips and is easier to bend. For a water heated floor, insulation with a thickness of 5 cm and a density of 35 kg per m 3 is suitable; it is usually labeled as “comfort”.
Note! Insulation made from extruded polystyrene foam is resistant to exposure to various solvents and burns well, emitting toxic smoke. When working with insulation, it is important to avoid the presence of these factors.
Roll material
There are situations when it is necessary to fill the screed, but the height of the ceilings does not allow this to be done. In order to reduce the overall height of the cake, roll insulation is suitable. Most often, its representative is foamed polyethylene. By itself, this material does not have sufficient density to guarantee high thermal insulation properties, so foil is applied to one or two of its sides. It allows you to reduce the thermal conductivity coefficient to 0.037 W/m×°C. This insulation is commercially available in thicknesses from 3 to 10 mm. Many people choose this material because:
- has low weight;
- easy to install;
- has a low cost;
- Often it has markings for installation.
Foil is metal, so it can react with water or other components that are included in the screed mixture. To prevent damage to the insulation, you will need a layer of waterproofing or take insulation that is initially covered with an additional layer of polymer. The disadvantages of the material include low resistance to compression. Over time, polyethylene foam tends to shrink, which will affect its effectiveness.
Cork insulation
If you are a supporter of everything natural and want the insulation to be free of chemical impurities, then you should look towards cork slabs. This natural material, which is best known for the corks used to seal wine. The thermal conductivity of such insulation is on the same level as high-quality foam plexus, around 0.037 W/m×°C. There are also no problems with its installation. There are insulation options that are supplied in rolls. Sufficient rigidity of the material will not affect the strength of the future screed. The disadvantages are the rather high price and the availability of the material not in all regions. Cork also absorbs moisture well, so it will require several layers of waterproofing membrane.
Insulation for various bases
Warm floors are installed not only in apartments, but also in private houses. Some insulation for warm water floors are universal, others are more suitable for specific situations. For example, in some dwellings the thermal insulation has to be laid on the ground, in others on wooden joists. For the first case, one that absorbs moisture well will not be suitable. It is worth considering the general cases in more detail.
Floor slabs
Concrete floor slabs are most often used in apartments or private houses with basements. In new buildings they may be located without a screed, so they will require additional maintenance. Due to the presence of a metal base in floor slabs, they conduct heat very well. This means that if a heated floor is installed on them, its efficiency will be low. That is why a rough screed is applied before starting work. Some craftsmen use expanded clay as a filler for concrete. It creates additional air gap, which ensures blocking of heat loss. If there is a basement or other room below where there may be dampness, then it is advisable to lay waterproofing under the screed.
Any of the listed insulation materials will be suitable as an insulator for a heated floor that will be laid on top. For those sensitive to moisture, the rough screed and the insulator itself are waterproofed on top before pouring the finishing screed. Concrete slabs can withstand the load well, so there should be no problems with the thickness of the screed.
Insulation on the ground
There are cases when insulation has to be carried out directly on the ground. The reason for this may be the special design of the house. Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare the foundation well. To do this, you will need to go deep to such a level that there is 50 cm from the bottom point to the top point of the future floor. The bottom layer of soil is well compacted. If there is excess moisture in it, then it is necessary to dry it. This can be done by constant ventilation or using heat guns.
A gravel cushion is laid on top of the compacted soil. Its thickness should be at least 20 cm. It is leveled and brought to approximately the level. Next, medium-grained sand is poured at 20. It is compacted as much as possible and brought below the level. The next step is to install waterproofing, which will prevent the development of fungus and excessive heat transfer. Insulation is placed on the membrane. In this case, it is better to use penoplex. It has excellent compressive strength and does not absorb moisture. It is better if its thickness is 10 cm. Another layer of waterproofing is laid on it, then a reinforcing mesh is laid and a heated floor pipe is laid, followed by a concrete screed.
Note! If in your area groundwater are at a shallow depth, then it makes sense to think about building a house on a strip or pile foundation. In this case, there will be less likelihood of moisture rising into the living space and the insulation will last longer.
Floor in a wooden house
Insulation of the floor under water in wooden house has several options. If the house has a rough concrete floor, then you can proceed as in the case of floor slabs. If there is dry bulk insulation under the beams, then you can use a heated floor system with a dry screed. Extruded polystyrene foam with bosses can be used as insulation. But first you need to level the surface of the wooden floor and lay waterproofing on it. If the ceilings allow, then it is good to use insulation with a thickness of 10 cm.
If the house is on a pile foundation, then the subfloor will need to be well insulated. To do this, the finished floor is dismantled and the condition of the joists is assessed. If fungus has already appeared on them, then you will need to scrape everything off and treat it with an antiseptic. Next, boards are packed onto the lower end of the joists to create a small cavity. Waterproofing is placed in it, and insulation is placed on top. Can be used stone wool or polystyrene foam. In the second case, with the same thickness as mineral wool, the effect will be better. The next step is to install another layer of waterproofing, and then a heated floor system with a dry screed. Some information about the insulation process can be gleaned from the video:
Conclusion
How could you be sure there is big choice insulation for water heated floors. Some of them are not applicable in certain situations due to their characteristics. Others are universal. If you are faced with the task of installing a heated floor, first of all, take a good look at the existing foundation and analyze what condition it is in and whether repairs are necessary before installing insulation.
In this article we will talk about insulation for water heated floors, its thickness and installation features. Nowadays, very often in houses you can see such a heating system as a warm floor, because it works effectively and creates comfort.
A very important component is thermal insulation, which performs many functions, so special attention must be paid to it. The main task of each floor is to distribute heat evenly over the area of the room. Incorrect spread of temperature can even lead to colds.
In order to avoid problems and ensure that your heating system works efficiently, we will review thermal insulation materials.
The need for thermal insulation
Thermal insulation is a design element that reduces heat transfer. The term can also mean materials for the implementation of such elements or a set of measures for their construction.
With the development of civilization, when the struggle for heat ceased to be so acute, massive hearths and Russian stoves were replaced by batteries central heating, and new thermal insulation materials replaced turf, moss, felt and tow. However, even now the problem of heat conservation remains acute.
- There are several reasons:
- To warm hundreds of millions square meters Poorly insulated dwellings require spending a lot of money on fuel, and the reserves of fossil fuels are not endless.
- Secondly, in Lately intensified anthropogenic impact on environment, the progressive development of the “greenhouse effect”, not least caused by emissions from the combustion of coal, oil and other energy resources. Therefore we have to look for new ones efficient materials and methods of thermal insulation.
After the introduction of new building codes, which have tightened the requirements for thermal protection, correct application high-quality thermal insulation has become an urgent need. In construction today, modern heat-reflecting materials and technologies are used to save heat more effectively.
It is on this that the energy consumption of the floor in operating mode and the reduction of heat loss to a minimum depend.
- The main function of thermal insulation is:
- Preventing heat loss through the subfloor.
- Thermal insulation under an electric heated floor ensures uniform heating of all elements, with further heat transfer floor covering over the entire surface.
- Since high-quality heat distribution occurs, this significantly reduces energy costs.
- It creates additional sound insulation, which is especially important in an apartment building.
- If there is under the floor unheated room or soil, then thermal insulation eliminates the penetration of moisture and cold from below.
- If the insulation for an electric heated floor is selected and laid correctly, then the whole pie underfloor heating turns into a closed thermal zone in which heat spreads in the desired direction and in a uniform flow.
Reducing heat loss, saving energy, preventing the appearance of mold or mildew are important tasks that can be solved by installing floor insulation. In an ordinary house, up to twenty percent of the heat can escape through the floor, since heat goes into the ground through insufficiently insulated floors.
Thermal insulation device allows not only to reduce these heat losses, but also to more efficiently use the heat capacity of the floor. If the floor has low temperature, then moisture may condense on its surface, at the junction of floors and walls.
And this can lead to the appearance of mold and fungi, which negatively affect building construction, as well as on the health of people in the room.
By properly designing the structure and insulating the floor, you can prevent these phenomena. Maximum efficiency can be achieved if you additionally insulate both the ring beam, the plinth, and the basement wall.
In other words, good thermal insulation of floors should be organized in rooms whose floors are close to the ground or in contact with outside air. Thermal insulation is also recommended for the floors of those rooms that separate heated rooms from unheated ones.
This way you can solve three problems at once. The first is to reduce heating costs, the second is to reduce pollution. external environment and the third is to create a room comfortable conditions for human habitation.
The modern market of heating systems already offers ready-made insulation materials, created specifically for electric floors. Currently, there is a huge range of thermal insulators on the market. But not all of them are suitable for heated floors.
Although, if you add to their use some protective films or membranes, then there will be much fewer problems with the choice. Manufacturers approached this issue from a professional perspective. They produce insulation materials specifically designed for installation under heated floors.
There are still a few of them, but they meet all quality and safety standards:
- Penofol
This is a type of foamed polyethylene covered with a foil layer. A reflective surface is the main requirement when choosing thermal insulation, since it is it that directs heat waves towards the ceiling.
- The material is devoid of any pores, dense enough to withstand heavy loads, and comes in 4 types:
- The foil surface is only on one side.
- Both sides of the material are covered with a reflector.
- The self-adhesive has foil on one side and special glue on the other.
- One side of the material is covered plastic film, and the other with foil.
- Extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex)
It is the most popular insulation for underfloor heating. This is due to its high strength and heat-insulating properties. Its structure does not change under the influence of high temperatures and does not emit harmful substances.
- Leaf cork
- This is the highest quality, natural, durable, environmentally friendly thermal insulation material. He:
- not subject to rotting;
- fireproof;
- does not change its structure and volume when heated.
The only disadvantage of cork sheets is their high cost.
These are the main types of thermal insulation that can be laid even under a screed. When choosing one of them, you need to focus on indicators such as strength, sheet thickness, durability and heat-insulating properties.
Extruded polystyrene is one of the best options thermal insulation modern type. Its structure is uniform and consists of small closed cells measuring 0.1-0.2 mm.
Extruded polystyrene foam is one of the polystyrene derivatives obtained by mixing under high pressure, at high temperatures polystyrene granules and a foaming agent (carbon dioxide and freon mixtures).
Externally, extruded polystyrene is a rigid board high level strength with excellent thermal insulation properties.
The material began to be produced more than sixty years ago. And, despite this, today it can be called a universal insulation of all times and peoples.
One of its first advantages is its wide range of applications, both in civil and private construction.
- The second advantage of this material is its unique technical parameters:
- most low rate thermal conductivity among thermal insulations;
- high compressive strength;
- chemical resistance
- waterproof and vapor-tight;
- resistance to the formation of mold and fungi;
- environmentally friendly material.
As a result of the tests carried out, it was proven that the characteristic properties of extruded polystyrene do not change as a result of repeated freezing and thawing. It does this material almost ideal for the territory of Russia.
Today the construction market offers a wide range of of this product. The choice is yours. Here are just some popular brands: Penoplex, Europlex, Technoplex and many others.
- For the basic basis of our knowledge about extruded polystyrene, the rule is useful:
- to insulate the 1st floor, the thickness of the slab must be at least 50 mm;
- everything above the first floor is in the range of 20-30 mm.
So, given this information about extruded polystyrene, you can choose the right insulation for your floor.
Mats made of extruded polystyrene foam with shaped molded channels are, of course, cool and very convenient to install, but, unfortunately, they cost like an airplane wing.
Penoplex is one of the best floor insulation materials due to its technical specifications. The technology for installing such material is quite simple and does not have any nuances, so laying penoplex on the floor is possible even with your own hands.
This type of insulation is produced in slabs of different thicknesses. The most common width is 600 mm, with lengths of 1200 and 2400 mm. Thickness starts from 20 mm and ends at 100 mm. One package contains from 4 to 20 sheets, depending on their thickness.
- The most important advantages include the following:
- does not absorb moisture at all;
- low thermal conductivity and vapor permeability;
- does not emit harmful substances;
- not afraid of microorganisms;
- high strength characteristics.
Properly laid penoplex on the floor under the screed will not allow cold, moisture, or excessive noise to enter the room, and will be an excellent shield even in frosty weather. However, penoplex is afraid of solvents and high temperatures, and its price is quite high.
But, even despite this, the material is gaining increasing popularity among other insulation materials, replacing mineral wool and polystyrene foam.
Penofol is a material made from foamed polyethylene, which simultaneously performs the function of heat and vapor barrier. In addition, a layer of foil welded on top of the polyethylene reflects thermal radiation. The material has no pores - this means that it does not allow air to pass through and, therefore, imparts the properties of a thermos to the insulated structure.
Where can it be useful? When insulating baths and saunas, which should be a storage facility for hot and humid air as much as possible for a long time. Also cold floors, for example concrete base On the ground floor of the building there is a heated floor system.
A rolled material made of foamed polyethylene, on top of which a foil layer is applied. This is a reflective surface that repels heat rays, thereby providing better heat transfer heating system warm floors.
The most important thing is that this insulation is quite dense and does not have pores in its body. This is a material that works on the principle of a thermos.
- Currently, manufacturers offer four types:
- Type "A". The reflective foil surface is located on one side of the material.
- Type "B". A layer of foil is glued on both sides.
- Type "C". On one side there is a reflective surface made of foil, on the other glue solution. This type is called self-adhesive.
- Type "ALP". On one side there is foil, on the other there is plastic film.
Any of these types can be used as thermal insulation for water or electric heated floors. Here it is important to choose the right material thickness, which varies between 3-10 mm. The foil layer itself has standard thickness– 100 microns.
Important. Please note that this insulation should be installed on floors with the foil side up.Now to the question of choice. The type and thickness of the heat insulator for heated floors is determined depending on finishing material, which will cover the floor base. For example, if it is decided to lay on the floors ceramic tiles This means that cement-based tile adhesive will be used.
Everyone knows that cement is a chemically active material, under the influence of which some metals begin to corrode. Our aluminum foil is no exception.
But it’s not for nothing that manufacturers have finished insulation for heated floors with a layer of 100 microns. This thickness allows it to withstand the reaction cement mortar, leaving part of the layer intact.
Thick insulation on warm floors usually used in rooms such as attached balconies and loggias, on terraces, in showers and bathrooms. Insulation of smaller thickness can be installed in other residential and office premises.
But in any case, the thickness of the insulation is selected based on whether the screed on the floors has already been poured or not. If it is already flooded, then in order not to raise the surface too much and lower the ceilings, thinner insulation is used.
Thermal insulation for underfloor heating of this type can withstand loads of 200 kg/m² and at the same time increases heat transfer by up to 15%. Both indicators are excellent results. We also note that foil insulation for water and electric floors is the most cheap option. And this is another big plus.
In rooms where the ceiling height reaches 260 centimeters or higher, you can safely give preference to hard insulation materials. polymer based.
The basis for the manufacture of thermal insulation boards can be polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam.
The first option was created using a non-extrusion method; between its polymer cells there are channels for the passage of air and steam. Polystyrene foam has a low specific gravity and high vapor permeability. In the production of polystyrene foam, the extrusion method is used, due to which the cells of the material are firmly sintered by the walls with each other.
Because of this, the vapor permeability of the insulation is practically zero. But it has high strength and the ability to withstand significant mechanical loads. Specific heat expanded polystyrene is slightly higher than that of polystyrene foam. In the first case it is equal to 1.34 kJ/(kg°C), in the second it is calculated at 1.26 kJ/(kg°C).
The difference is small, but during calculations it can significantly affect the overall thickness of the floor heating system. The standard size of Penoplex thermal insulation sheets is, for example, 120 cm × 240 cm. GOST number 15588-86 regulates width from 50 cm to 130 cm, length from 90 cm to 500 cm.
The density of foamed polystyrene is 150 kg/m³, the same characteristic of polystyrene foam is 125 kg/m³. Depending on the specifics of production and the properties put into products by manufacturers, the characteristics of materials may vary.
If we compare both types of material, foam plastic is disadvantageous in that it is inferior to its extruded counterpart in terms of density. Due to this, it is less resistant to deformation under mechanical loads.
This significantly reduces its thermal insulation properties. It is recommended to lay polystyrene foam in the structures of decking systems between joists.
The most important stage in finishing any room is insulating the floors. Many people underestimate the amount of heat loss through the floor, but properly selected insulation can save up to 30% of energy on heating.
Particularly large savings are achieved when using a heated floor system, which simply needs to be insulated from below so that it does not heat the floors or the ground.
Select the type of insulation, the best way suitable for your space is only half the battle.
It is important that the insulation layer is of sufficient thickness, because even the most best insulation will not provide sufficient thermal insulation if laid in too thin a layer. On the other hand, an excessively thick layer of insulation reduces the height of the ceilings in the room and is an unjustified waste of money.
| Basic thermal conductivity coefficients of insulating materials | λ, W/mK |
|---|---|
| Ecowool | 0,040 |
| Mineral wool URSA | 0.052 |
| Mineral wool ISOVER | 0.048 |
| Rockwool stone wool | 0.045 |
| Ragos stone wool | 0.045 |
| Hard min. cotton slabs | 0.085 |
| Expanded polystyrene | 0.041 |
| Foam glass | 0.12 |
| Styrofoam | 0.05 |
| Expanded clay gravel 800 | 0.21 |
| Expanded clay gravel 200 | 0.11 |
What should be the thickness of floor insulation? It is important to understand that the required thickness of insulation depends on the climatic conditions in your area. It is obvious that when using the same insulation in houses of the same type in Sochi and Norilsk, completely different layer thicknesses will be required.
If you live in a milder or more severe climate, then the recommendations need to be adjusted up or down. Let's consider the main types of thermal insulation and the required layer thickness when used in various types floors.
| Factors (TP - heated floor) | Insulation thickness |
|---|---|
| TP above a heated room in which the air temperature is not lower than 18 degrees | 30 mm |
| TP above a heated room with an air temperature of 10-17 degrees | 50 mm |
| TP above a heated room with a temperature of 0-10 degrees | 70 mm |
| TP above an unheated room | 100 mm |
| TP on the ground in the basement or basement with a depth of less than 1.5 m | 120 mm |
| TP on the ground in the basement or basement with a depth of 1.5 m or more | 60 mm |
The substrate installation scheme depends on the type of materials used. But in any case, it must be placed on the most flat surface possible.
- No. 1 - slab laying technology
The substrate, constructed from slabs with a mounting chamfer, is assembled easily - according to the principle of a designer. The slabs are easy to adjust and measure. You can cut the slabs to the appropriate sizes with a regular knife.
The simplicity of laying the substrate is convenient because during installation you can change the configuration of the circuits and the length of the pipelines at any time. To prevent the slabs of material from moving relative to each other during installation and operation, their joints are glued with construction tape.
- Sequence of actions when laying insulation boards:
- Foam boards are laid on the cleaned and leveled base, fixing them with special plastic brackets, anchor dowels, or by placing them on an adhesive composition.
- A foil layer is laid on top of the laid and joined slabs.
- The top layer is lined with a reinforcing mesh, onto which the pipes are subsequently mounted.
If concrete screed the base floor is poured with significant deviations from the level or has rough cracks and unevenness, or the concrete slabs are laid with irregularities, it is better to build a frame before laying the substrate. To do this, wooden logs are assembled from dry and even timber with a section of 50x50, 50x100 or 100x100 mm.
The logs are placed at an equidistant distance of 60 cm, and pieces of mineral wool or foam plastic slabs are laid between them.
A distance of 60 cm between the logs is considered the most optimal option, since this “step” does not require the creation of additional sheathing. The main thing is that the logs are located in the same plane and lie strictly level.
Thermal insulation boards must be tightly laid between wooden joists. If there are cracks, they must be filled with foam.
- No. 2 - installation of roll materials
The roll material is laid on a carefully leveled base and fixed to the base using tile adhesive or double-sided tape.
Cutting strips required size performed with ordinary office scissors. To compensate thermal expansion Screeds and foil layers are recommended to be placed slightly overhanging the wall.
The foil material is placed with the metal side up so that the metallized surface best reflects heat
When laying rolled materials, they are guided by the markings of the printed installation markings. It determines the distance between contours. Typically, rolled materials have allowances of foil polymer film at the edges to enable connection of adjacent webs.
When laying sections, pay special attention to expansion joints. To do this, the joints of the laid strips are glued with one-sided construction or metallized tape.
If cork is used as a substrate, then before laying it it is necessary to take care of reliable vapor and waterproofing.
- No. 3 - mat installation diagram
The stage preceding the laying of mats is the arrangement film waterproofing. After laying it around the perimeter of the room, strips of damper tape are glued along the bottom of each wall.
Mats are laid on the prepared base, fastening the slabs together using a locking system. To reliably fasten slabs of small thickness and light weight, use the adhesive method and use plastic harpoon staples.
Some manufacturers, for ease of installation, include edge strips complete with mats, which can be used to conveniently mark areas of exit from the heating zone
Important point: when laying mats it is not allowed to use metal fastener, since it can damage the integrity of not only the thermal insulation, but also the waterproofing.Choice optimal option The basis for the thermal insulation substrate depends on your capabilities. Yes, good substrate it won't be cheap. But it will significantly increase the functionality of the equipped water floor system.