Mats for underfloor heating

The desire to live in a cozy and warm house since ancient times led people to look for more and more new technologies for construction and insulation, invent heating and insulation systems. The modern level of comfort has reached heights that previously could only be dreamed of. A special comfort and atmosphere of protection in the cold season is created by warm floors. This type of heating is very popular. The market offers a huge assortment of various systems and additional materials that have the necessary technical characteristics and ease of installation.

The technologies for arranging such systems are such that without the involvement of specialists, it is quite possible to mount a warm floor in an apartment or in a house on your own.

Destination

The underfloor heating system is a multi-layer “cake.” »By the type of heating elements, it is divided into electric and water, and recently a new type has appeared on the market - infrared warm floor. In all cases, the heating element is laid on a heat-insulating substrate or a special mat, the use of which makes the operation of the entire system efficient and economical.

Mats perform several important functions at once:

• The special relief design and the applied marking facilitates the correct layout of the heating elements and their reliable fixation in a given position.
• Many types of such mats have soundproofing properties. The sound absorption level is 23 dB for a 2 cm layer.
• Mats are also available with film waterproofing layers that prevent flooding of the lower floors during leaks.
• The main function is thermal insulation. Mats direct heat flow upward, preventing significant heat loss and lowering energy costs, and hence finance.

• Heat-reflecting function - provides redirection of heat fluxes up to the surface of the finish coating.
• Mats withstand significant loads, including dynamic ones (when tenants walk on the floor), the severity of the screed and the heating circuit with hot water, and the mass of the finish coating.
• Plates are produced with clamps for heating pipes, special locks for quick connection of plates.

Advantages and special properties of mats:

• Correspond to fire safety standards, they ignite when ignited.
• Absolute non-toxicity and environmental friendliness.
• Excellent elasticity, retain their shape throughout the entire life cycle.
• Resistance to temperature jumps when turning on and off a warm floor (from +180 to -180 degrees).
• Chemical inertness, resistance to bacteria, rot, oxidation.

• Do not absorb water and do not swell when immersed in it.
• Inaccessibility of hot elements for residents, children.
• Profitability during operation.

In order to withstand all these loads and stably keep their shape, mats should have a certain material density - at least 35 kg / m3.

Types and Features

Roll foil substrates are made of penofol (a type of polystyrene foam) or polyethylene foam with a layer of foil and a marking on one side. The canvas is rolled up. They are very light and easy to carry. They are also mounted very easily - they simply roll up with foil. At the joints glued with a special tape.

The disadvantages of this material include the need to lay a special metal mesh for attaching heating elements using clamps or clips. The coil heat insulator is suitable for underfloor heating systems that perform the function of additional heating or create separate comfort zones in the apartment if there is a heated room below the floor.

On the ground floors and in private houses where there is soil or a basement under the floor, the foil substrate is not suitable, it will not be able to effectively retain heat under such conditions.

Foiled frosted slabs of mineral wool, polystyrene foam, basalt, expanded polyethylene have a thickness of 2-10 mm for penofol to 20-100 mm for basalt.

Thermal insulating mats with a film are made of high density expanded polystyrene and are covered on one side with foil and a layer of polymer film. The film protects the foil from the aggressive environment of concrete screeds. The marking on the film facilitates the placement of the pipeline. It is possible to fasten the tubes using brackets.

Warmer and denser than foil, they are recommended for use in systems where warm floors play the role of primary heating. Installation becomes easy thanks to lamella mounting.

Foam plates are made of various thicknesses, sometimes with a spike-groove system. If there is no such fastening, the plates are put on the butt end-to-end to each other. Thermoplastic plates have a foamed structure and have high thermal insulation performance. They can have special grooves for pipes.

Mineral wool is also a long-standing and widespread heat insulator, but on a thick layer there is no reflective film and marking.

Profile polystyrene mats are equipped with special relief projections on the surface (the so-called bosses). Hydropellent stamping bosses are arranged in rows over the entire surface. The distance between them is such that the standard tube of the heating circuit is clearly laid and fixed on the mat.

This ensures complete fixation and facilitates the placement of a standard pipeline with tubes with a diameter of 14-20 mm according to the selected layout.

The thickness of such plates is 35 mm. Lugs come in various configurations: cubic, cylindrical, curly, and 20-25 cm high. Plates are equipped with locks that securely fasten the canvas together without cracks into a single canvas. Such mats can also be laminated for better vapor barrier. Specifications:

• The density of the material is 40 kg / m3, it has high strength.
• Thermal conductivity - 0, 037 - 0.052 W / m x K, provides reliable thermal insulation.
• Noise absorption - 23 dB at 20 mm thickness.
• The dimensions of the mats are 0.8 x 0.6 m or 1 x 1 m.

The cost of this type of insulation is higher than smooth mats, but the ease of use, technical and operational indicators make them popular components of the warm floor.

How to choose?

When choosing mats, you need to verify the authenticity of the material presented, since the market is full of various fakes, and with strict requirements for the properties and functions of heat insulators, an error in this matter will be very expensive. To avoid such problems, You need to check the availability of documents for the goods, certificates of conformity and warranty cards.

If the buyer is faced with the choice of plates without and with a laminating layer, then, of course, it is advisable to give preference to laminated sheets. The thickness of the insulation boards takes into account the thickness of the screed layer and the decorative coating.

Some rooms already have thermal insulation, then you need to take the material thinner. In warm rooms, it is possible to use mats without thermal insulation properties, but equipped with bosses for a clear fixation of the heating circuit.

Advantages and disadvantages

Differences in the designs of various heat-insulating materials are determined by various factors - especially buildings and premises, pipe diameters.

Roll material, for example, is not recommended for use on basement levels, on ground floors in private homes, since its thermal conductivity is quite high. They also have low waterproofing properties.

Thick sheet plates and foil polystyrene blocks are excellent waterproofing agents and provide maximum values ​​of heat transfer to the surface of the finish coating.

Profile polystyrene mats of high density are able to withstand all the necessary loads with a margin of safety. Warm stoves lead in the arrangement of underfloor heating as the main heater. Roll webs are suitable for use for additional heating.

Manufacturers review and reviews

The company is deservedly considered the flagship in the field of energy-saving materials Knauf. Engineers of this brand create mats for underfloor heating, unique in their properties and characteristics. Knauf Therm mats made of expanded polystyrene are widely used in construction and are very popular, they are of high quality and affordable. This material has the following advantages:

• The relief structure with special bosses with a reverse bias clearly fixes the heating pipes.
• The manufacturer guarantees a tight, without cracks, fixation of paintings among themselves with the help of locks around the entire perimeter of the plates.
• Mats have markings for cutting the canvas on both sides.
• The company sets a warranty period for its products at 100 years.
• The thermal conductivity of the material is up to 0, 038 W / mK.

German company Rexay Is a recognized leader in the production of reliable components for all types of underfloor heating.

Oventrop specializes in a variety of models and ease of design. Swedish and Finnish companies produce products with increased frost resistance, which is popular in the northern regions of Russia.

A recognized leader among domestic manufacturers is the company Energoflex. It is famous for its affordable prices and a huge assortment of goods for construction and, in particular, components for underfloor heating systems. Of the new models of mats for thermal insulation, aluminum-coated boards with protection from a thin polymer film are very popular. This material is resistant to the aggressive alkaline environment of cement, lime or gypsum. Mats with a relief of various shapes are also available.

The reviews of experienced masters and lay people agree that the use of heat-insulating mats is necessary when installing any systems of underfloor heating. Buyers note that with their use it is possible not to turn on the heating, if there is no frost, a very pleasant feeling of comfort and security appears in the house.

Excellent reviews get warm floors and for their efficiency. Installing them costs a pretty penny, but subsequent operation can reduce heating costs. This is a worthy replacement for fan heaters and heaters that were used before.

Where can i apply?

In the bathroom, floor heating is mounted quite often. Thanks to it, humidity decreases and the microclimate improves, and it’s just nice to walk barefoot. An ideal option for such an installation would be a mat with bosses, a water floor. In the case of using ready-made single-core mats, you can immediately proceed to laying porcelain tiles, which will serve as an excellent heat conductor. Affordability and ease of connection make this technology for the bathroom very popular.

In a private house, where the rough screed is on the ground, and the warm floor is the main heating system, it will be right to choose a water floor. As a heat insulator, thick dense laminated plates with relief are suitable so that they are not corroded by concrete. In this case, warming up will be sufficient, and heat loss will be low.

Stacking

There are several ways to install the heating circuit. The length of the pipeline is usually from 60 to 70 meters. One end of the tube is connected to the supply manifold, the other to the return. The entire circuit is laid with a single piece of pipe, it can be cut only before connecting to the return manifold. Also, the electric cable cannot be shortened or cut, otherwise its rated resistance and power will be violated. You cannot connect such a system directly - the floor will simply burn.

With the parallel method, the pipes are positioned so that they form a snake, laying and bending them 180 degrees in parallel. With this method, the highest temperature will be observed at the beginning of the pipes, so they should be mounted starting from the outer walls or windows.

The spiral method involves the installation of a contour in the form of a double spiral, the turns of which are parallel to each other. The supply part is laid parallel to the return to compensate for the cooling of the adjacent turns of the spiral. This is the best solution for large areas.

Pipeline installation methods:

• The reinforcing mesh is spread on a heat insulator and screwed with a flexible wire. To prevent deformation during operation, it is necessary to make a small gap between the tube and the reinforcement mesh.
• Fasteners with clamps, clips and clips, brackets, plastic harpoons to the heat insulator plate. This method requires special marking.
• The distance between the parallel tubes should be 30 cm, and near the external walls, windows and doors, the installation step is 15 cm, the distance to the nearest wall should be at least 7 cm.

What's better?

They produce mats not only for water floors, but also for electric, infrared carbon (so-called Unimat).

If the system of underfloor heating does not play the role of primary, but of additional heating, is purchased for use in certain areas in an apartment, house, or underfloor heating only additionally heats the bathroom or kitchen, then ready-made electrodes will be a possible solution.

Heating cable mats are single-core and two-core. Single core have less power, lower cost. Advantages of mats:

• The main advantage of electrodes is that the largest and most difficult part of the installation work is done by the manufacturer. The cable is already placed on a substrate or mesh of fiberglass or other polymer according to the marking. All you need to do is spread the mat on the surface of the floor and stick it to prevent displacement. Many types of mats are coated with a film-protected adhesive.
• Heating mats can be mounted directly under the finish or under tile adhesive. In this case, the thickness and weight of the so-called pie are significantly reduced compared to other types of warm floors.

• The use of non-combustible materials, multilayer insulation.
• The time for heating the floor to a comfortable temperature is only 10-15 minutes.

Unimat is the most innovative technology in the field of underfloor heating systems. It consists of parallel elements - flexible rods made of carbon, silver and graphite, assembled in a single circuit using connecting wires, form a carbon rod mat that heats the room with infrared waves. Such radiation heats objects, which, in turn, transfer heat to the room air.

Advantages:

• Temperature self-regulation. If it reaches a certain value, carbon rods begin to produce less heat and the temperature decreases. This reduces the risk of overheating of the system, although a purchased thermostat will allow you to control the consumption of electricity, will save budget.
• Infrared radiation is considered beneficial for health, ionizes the air and eliminates unpleasant odors.
• It is possible to lay the topcoat immediately on the mat, it is compatible with tile adhesive, while the thickness of the tile and glue should be at least 2 cm.

The disadvantages of this material include its high cost compared to film infrared floors, the relative complexity of the connection and installation.

The core floor is sold in rolls from 1 to 7 m long; there are 25 m variants. To save energy, an effective heat insulator must be placed under the core system.

In the next video you will find a video tutorial on laying pipes for water heating on mats.

The main functions of the mats and the requirements for them

• Heating under the "warm floor" system only in that case will prove its effectiveness if reliable thermal insulation is laid under it. Agree, it makes no sense to spend precious kilocalories on the absolutely unnecessary heating of the floor slab with its huge heat capacity. Thus, the key task of the mats is to create a reliable thermally insulating layer through pipes, directing the heat flux exactly upward.
• The substrate under the pipes, in all evidence, is experiencing very serious mechanical static and dynamic loads. pipes filled with water weigh a lot on their own, plus the mass of concrete screed, topcoat, and loads from external influences on the floor. To maintain its integrity, to avoid deformation and become a kind of damper lining for pipes, the material for the mats should have a density of at least 35 kg / m³.
• The mats laid under the pipes copes well with the function of effective additional sound insulation of the premises.
• Good mats should have a film waterproofing layer. This is another barrier in the event of possible leaks, and they themselves are protected from the aggressive effects of cement screed.

There is a category of “grief-masters” who deny the importance of mats, motivating that thermal insulation of the base will be enough. However, such neglect will only lead to unnecessary heat loss, which could have been avoided. The cost of mats, if we take into account the entire "budget" of the warm floor, is very low, and the costs will fully justify themselves in the near future with significant savings when paying bills for energy.

Features: Pros and Cons

The main function of the heat-insulating material for any type of heating device, including underfloor heating, is to reduce heat loss, as well as redirect heat to the room itself, where such a floor is mounted. When installing pipes without insulation, the efficiency will be extremely low, because most of the heat will go to the ceiling from below: to the neighbors or to the basement. It is for this that there is thermal insulation, which not only fulfills the task of preserving heat in the room, but also prevents the penetration of cold air from below, especially from the basement (mainly on the first floors in private residential buildings).

Also, insulation performs the function of uniform distribution of heat throughout the room.

Properly selected and, importantly, mounted thermal insulation directs the flow of warm air mainly up and prevents the accumulation of condensate. Equally important is the property of thermal insulation, which almost completely prevents the appearance of mold on walls and partitions.

Previously, quite classic varieties of insulation were used, such as polystyrene and ecowool. At the moment, these materials have not lost their customer, since their cost is relatively low, and in terms of technical properties they have not changed much, if they have not improved due to new technologies. But at the same time, with the progress of technological progress, more convenient and practical options for heat-insulating materials appeared - mats for underfloor heating (water).

The main material for the production of modern mats is polystyrene foam.

It is distinguished by its excellent thermal insulation properties. But, in addition to this, he has another advantage - good vapor barrier. In other words, expanded polystyrene does not pass steam and does not accumulate moisture, which leaves it dry all the time, and this prevents condensation. It also has low thermal conductivity, which has a positive effect on the conservation of heat in the room.

One of the properties of this material is sound insulation. For country houses, it is also notable for the fact that it is an “inedible” material, which prevents the appearance of various rodents and microorganisms. The average service life is 50-60 years, subject to the temperature thresholds indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer. The density of this material reaches 40 kg / m3, which makes it adapted to high loads. This is good for installing a warm floor, since not only a grid of reinforcement or rods is laid on the mats, but also a layer of concrete and a leveling mortar (over water pipes) is poured.

For the construction, it is better to use a carbon cable.

Mats for underfloor heating (water) are modern heat-insulating material, which is manufactured according to European standards (quality and safety). They are manufactured using the latest advanced technologies. According to technical characteristics, they combine the advantages of conventional heaters, rejecting the disadvantages.

The main advantages of mats are:

• decent heat and sound insulation properties,
• allow both semi-dry laying and laying in a wet (even wet) screed,
• during prolonged use are not subject to deformation and resizing,

• on modern mats there is a system of locks that allows them to be connected much faster and better and does not allow construction exits,
• most of the manufactured materials are marked, which greatly facilitates the installation of pipelines,
• do not rot, bacteria do not retain,

• not exposed to moisture,
• non-toxic (at ordinary temperatures, from -180 to +180 degrees), safe for humans,
• the service life is about 50-60 years.

It should be borne in mind that untreated polystyrene foam is considered to be a combustible and fire hazardous substance and, when burned, separates poison gas.

In order to reduce this feature, flame retardants are added to the material during production, which makes it a self-extinguishing substance. In Russian-made products of this kind, the material is marked with the letter C at the end.

The heating element must be used with extreme caution. Among the minuses, it can be noted that it can cause a fire.

Varieties

There are 4 types of mats that are suitable for arranging warm floors. Any of them has its own characteristic features and serves for laying in specific situations.

The following types are distinguished:

• narrow-roll materials equipped with a foil layer,
• polystyrene plates, consisting of expanded polystyrene with foil spraying, sometimes film spraying is also encountered,
• profile mats with special design features (bosses).

The selection of a thermally insulating coating depends on the characteristics of the building, the coating on which the masonry is being made, the mechanical load that the heater is to carry, as well as the dynamic load on the insulation. Plates have various sizes, including height, for this reason the thickness of the upcoming screed should also be taken into account.

Narrow web foil material

It is made of material with a width of 2 to 10 mm. From one edge, the insulation is covered with a duralumin foil or a polymer layer, the role of which is to direct the thermal jet and heat distribution according to the total floor area. This type of heat-insulating material is allowed to be classified as mats very conditionally, since it has low heat-insulating quality. This leads to a rather narrow area of ​​its operation. It is used only when the heated floor is used as an additional heating structure and the main flooring already contains a certain level of insulation.

It is by no means rational to put rolled material on the ground floors of buildings and in rooms, below which there are unheated areas, since the productivity of insulation in this case will become close to sad indicators. The installation of the pipeline in this heat-insulating material also presupposes some difficulty, since it is necessary to use auxiliary fixing components: brackets, clamps, reinforcing mesh, etc. When installing the canvas, the coverings are placed end-to-end with each other. In order to ensure the best insulation, the seams are glued with special foil tape. But despite the extremely modest properties, the material in rolls under specific conditions is considered the only acceptable type of insulation, for example, with a low building height, if every meter of the plot is counted.

Polystyrene insulation boards

It is possible to use thin polystyrene foam mats as thermal insulation of a warm floor. A very light and inexpensive look is ordinary polystyrene foam, the most reliable and high-quality material is tile from extruded polystyrene foam. When a decision is made to dwell on the most inexpensive polystyrene, then upon its acquisition it is necessary to concentrate interest in the density of the material. This coefficient must be no less than 35 kg / m3. If this value is less, then the material may not be enough to hold the load of the heating structure.

You can still use a different view, which has significantly better performance. The optimal representative of this series is penoplex. It has a closed coarse-mesh texture, is durable, and can withstand overloads. In order to improve the thermal insulation characteristics, foil material in rolls can be placed on top of the mats.

The sides of the plate are equipped with special locks that simplify their installation. In trade, material with previously marked markings still comes across. The pipes are fastened with plastic brackets, which are easily inserted into the plates in a suitable place.

Expanded polystyrene panels with foil

This type of insulation is nothing more than polystyrene mats, where foil or another layer is already applied. They are produced either in the form of separate tiles equipped with a castle connection, or in the form of panels fastened together by a single film spraying. In one case, when laying the tiles are fastened together with waterproof tape, in the other, the mats are easily laid out on a plane. On the outside of the panels there is a coordinate network with a pitch of 50 to 100 mm. Marking can help you figure out how best to lay pipes, and also makes it possible to lay pipes in a short time according to the chosen scheme.

Staples can still be used to fasten the pipes.

Laying with reinforcing mesh, which is laid on top, is also possible.

Profile mats with "bosses"

The most ideal, practical and comfortable material. Mats are specially invented for the installation of a warm floor. The material from which they are made is still the same - expanded polystyrene, however, due to the use of improved technology for the production of hydro-pellet stamping on mats, there are special protrusions (bosses).

Lugs can be of various shapes: round, tubular, cubic, polyhedral and others.

The protrusions located at a specific distance from each other guarantee a safe connection and fixation of the pipeline in the required position. When using these mats, the probability of displacement of pipes during their installation and further pouring with concrete almost disappears.

Mat coating depends on version and manufacturer. Certain types of thermal insulators are produced in principle without any spraying, however, it is possible to purchase models with an upper film layer or a stretched waterproofing sheath. This coefficient does not have a greater effect on the product properties. For comfort and straightforward laying, the material is equipped with special locking joints, which, apart from the rest, guarantee excellent tightness of joints. Mats form a continuous plane in the absence of gaps and gaps on which it is possible to lay any type of screed.

Another indisputable advantage of profile polystyrene mats is that they form an excellent anti-noise barrier: the material makes it possible to significantly reduce the degree of hum to 25 dB.

Device

Regardless of what type of mats will be used for a warm floor, a layer of waterproofing should be put under it. This is necessary to preserve and protect the lower layer from moisture, and also with the aim of forming a strong barrier that can prevent flooding of the lower floors of the structure in case of leakage. Waterproofing can be a very compacted polyethylene layer, bitumen coating or passing insulation. If a film is used, then it should be attached to the walls with a damper tape. This strip is installed around the entire perimeter of the building after laying mats.

The easiest type of laying is the use of profile mats.

They must be placed on the waterproofing layer and fastened together with a lock. Further, pipes are selected in the openings of the bosses by the selected laying method and are fixed in the required position by simply pressing the legs. Installing thin polystyrene plates also does not cause any difficulties: the panels are either fastened with locks, or simply glued, and their joints are fixed with a waterproof adhesive tape.

Narrow-roll material causes the most problems in laying. It is laid in such a way that there is a foil shell on top. The thermal insulator should still be attached to the base, and the joints between the tiles should be sealed with mounting tape. Next, marking is applied to it, and pipes are placed. Fixing of the pipeline is carried out using clamps or clips.

The complexity of laying is that the thinnest and lightest material is very mobile. For this reason, it is necessary to very carefully carry out its screed in order not to move the system attached to it. It is necessary to take into account that when laying mats of each type it is allowed to use exclusively plastic fastening components - iron parts have every chance of spoiling the entire system of mats and violating their density. Installation of the pipeline system is allowed only after all work without exception has been completed regarding the installation of thermal insulation.

Manufacturers and reviews

Mats for underfloor heating are produced by numerous foreign and Russian companies. But the best positions belong to only four companies whose products are in great demand and have numerous positive reviews from builders and customers.

Insulators of a German company have good characteristics on the quality of the material Oventrop and Knauf.

For sale there are: profile mats with bosses, plates for dry floors, prefabricated narrow-roll and folding heaters in a polypropylene shell.

Another German manufacturer of thermal insulation is a holding company Rehauwhose mats also attract increased attention from buyers. The main product is expanded polystyrene mats with bosses, equipped with layers with thermal insulation and sound insulation.

Russian manufacturer of mats Neptun IWS produces mats with bosses. Insulation is very inexpensive for its segment. Polystyrene plates, with a special film on top. The kit comes with holders that allow you to quickly and efficiently mount this type of insulation. But these mats perform the functions of both a thermal insulator and a waterproofing insulator, but their sound insulation is much worse than that of competitors.

Which is better: comparison with others

The choice of mat depends primarily on the construction of the structure, as well as on financial costs. The cheapest heat insulator is ordinary mineral wool in rolls with a duralumin layer, but the most expensive is insulation with bosses.From the point of view of installation, the installation of mats with bosses will be the fastest, but at a price - it is more profitable to take rolled material. Sheet mats for a warm floor with a duralumin layer are average in all respects: they are not so complicated, but also not elementary during installation, and their price is higher than for rolled materials.

A warm water floor is the most economical and effective solution compared to others.

Comparing it with an electric heated floor, the main difference is safety. The electric underfloor heating consists of infrared rods, but in some cases it is IR plates (this is the most maintainable solution). With direct mechanical damage to the water mat, a lower room can be flooded, but in the case of damage to the electric floor, a short circuit can occur (the structure will have to be completely changed).

The installation is approximately the same, from here we conclude that when troubleshooting, the financial costs will be equal, but if you can put a patch on the water warm floor, then this will not help with the electric one. The service life of a high-quality warm floor is 35 years (water) and 20 years (electric). Of the well-known brands, one can distinguish the Rehau company, which has long established itself in the construction market, as well as Unimat. These companies give a long guarantee and warranty repairs at the expense of the company. And if a marriage after installation is suddenly discovered, construction work is also included in the company's account, but it is better to check this information with the manufacturer and seller.

Conclusion

For the installation of a warm floor, specialized knowledge is not required. However, for selection, it is better to contact a specialist who will select materials for a particular room. Also, in the field of floor insulation, a plumber can also help, which will install directly the main (pipe) structure.

The process of mounting a warm water floor on the mats is waiting for you in the next video.

Why do we need mats?

Minimization of heat loss during the arrangement of any heating system in the room is a priority task that any foreman faces. The heat coming from the heating circuit should not leave the room, but should be sent directly inside, otherwise there is simply no point in arranging a heating system. Rather, the room will still warm up, but much longer, and the thermal energy, if improperly arranged or if there is no thermal insulation, will not be retained at all inside.

The principle of operation of a water floor heating

When creating a system of warm floors, it is important to remember that the heating circuit itself does not make sense to lay on a bare base. There will be little sense from this - the heat energy will be partially spent on heating the environment and can go to the neighbors or to the basement, depending on where the apartment is located. It is the correctly laid thermal insulation that will avoid the appearance of this unpleasant side effect. It will make it possible to direct the heat just toward the room, preventing it from spreading out.

Log water floor heating scheme

Previously, such materials as foil polystyrene, polystyrene foam, mineral wool, etc. were used for thermal insulation during the installation of warm floors. They still continue to be used, since they have a number of advantages, among which, at least, their low cost can be noted. But now on sale there are special mats used to equip a warm floor, which not only provide an excellent level of thermal insulation, but also give the floor additional soundproofing properties, they are also able to perform other functions.

Installation of a warm water floor

On a note! A number of masters still continue to prove the futility and inefficiency of using floor mats, also referring to their cost. You should not listen to them - sometimes mats can not be used, but still progress is progress, and new materials in any case are distinguished by higher performance.

Choose mats

There are several main varieties of mats for underfloor heating, which are used in the installation of these systems. They may differ in appearance, type used for the manufacture of the material, functionality, etc. Consider each of the main variations.

Mats for water floor heating

Table. Types of mats for underfloor heating.

Roll with foil

On a note! When choosing mats, one should take into account weather indicators of the environment, the purpose of the structure, number of storeys, and a number of other parameters. Of course, the budget will play a significant role in the selection.

When choosing a material, it is necessary, first of all, to clarify the level of its thermal conductivity, as well as the possible loads that it will have to experience. For example, on the ground floor it is not recommended to use thin versions of the material, no matter how pleasant at the price they seemed. Also, the material must be able to withstand the weight of the warmest floor and screed without visible deformation. If you have a previously installed insulation layer, you can stay on thinner mats, but if the house is built from scratch and the insulation layers have not been previously equipped, it is better to choose thick and dense mats.

How to choose mats for underfloor heating

Foil mats

Foil mats - are made of foamed polymers (most often polyethylene, penofol), and have a layer of foil on one side. They are necessarily covered with a foil part outside, and pipes for the coolant are laid on this surface.

The simplest, thinnest foil foam mats

The option is not the most successful, and possible only if the base of the floor already has a sufficient level of thermal insulation, and the warm floor itself is considered only as an addition to the existing heating system. This type of mats is absolutely not applicable in apartments on the ground floors, under which there are basements or basements. They are also ineffective in private one-story construction.

Another significant minus - for laying pipes on top of such coatings, special additional structures will be required - metal mesh, “combs”, etc.

Fixing pipes to a metal mesh

Extruded polystyrene thin mats

Flat mats made of extruded polystyrene (EPS) with a thickness of 40 ÷ 50 mm with a foil coating are quite applicable for a water heated floor, but with some reservations. High density of PPP is important - about 40 kg / m³. The material itself does not have a hydroprotection, therefore, before laying pipes, it will be necessary to lay it with a plastic film.

A slight inconvenience on some mats of this class is the lack of marking lines, so they will have to be applied on their own. But fixing the pipes in place is very simple - using special brackets.

Pipe clamp

The use of such mats allows you to mount a warm floor, which can become the main source of heating in the room.

EPPS coated mats

More perfect are EPSS mats made of high-strength material, which, in addition to the foil layer, also have a film coating with a marking grid applied on it, which greatly simplifies the process of laying pipes in accordance with a pre-drawn diagram.

EPPS coated mats

Extremely comfortable, these mats are also laid on the floor. They roll out from rolls like a tractor caterpillar, turning into a dense monolithic surface without any cracks. To pair adjacent rows, special grooves are provided - lamellas. Fastening to such mats is also carried out using brackets or “combs”.

Their installation is simple and convenient.

Expanded polystyrene profile mats

Of course, polystyrene profile mats are the most convenient for a warm water floor. They are made using stamping technology, which makes it possible to give them a complex configuration. On the upper surface of such material there are figured protrusions of various shapes (rectangular, cylindrical, triangular, etc.) with a height of 20 to 25 mm (so-called bosses).

Laminated mat with laid pipe

In the grooves formed between the bosses, the heating pipes fit tightly, while obtaining excellent fixation, which completely eliminates the displacement of the pipes during the filling of the screed.

Profile mat without lamination

On sale there are polystyrene foam mats with bosses without a laminating film coating, but it is better to opt for coated mats - they are a bit more expensive, but their reliability is much higher, since they also play the role of a waterproofing layer.

Such mats have many advantages:

• The density of polystyrene foam used in their manufacture is 40 kg / m³, which allows them to easily withstand all mechanical loads.
• The thermal conductivity of the material is extremely low, from 0.035 to 0.055 W / m² × ºС - they perfectly retain heat, avoiding unnecessary heating of floors and flooded subfloors.
• Both the physical characteristics of the EPSS and the complex cellular configuration of the mats make them excellent noise absorbers - the room receives additional sound insulation.
• As already mentioned, the film layer has good waterproofing properties. In addition, a special system of end mats centering locks allows you to collect them in a continuous surface, without gaps at the joints that can let moisture through.

Typically, mats are available in standard sizes 1.0 × 1.0 or 0.8 × 0.6 m, with a thickness (without lugs) of 5 to 50 mm. The placement of the protrusions allows you to strictly maintain the step of laying the pipe - from 50 mm or more, with a distance that is a multiple of 50.

Mat Selection Tips

• Do not be shy to require in the store certificates of compliance with technical specifications (TU) and applicable environmental and fire requirements. Buy mats that do not have manufacturer's warranty, is not worth it. The trouble is that the market is oversaturated with cheap fakes made of fragile polystyrene, unable to withstand the stresses placed on the water floor.
• If there is a choice, then, without hesitation, it is necessary to purchase mats with lamination. They are equally good for both traditional screed and semi-dry.
• The desired thickness of the mats is selected taking into account the thickness of the future closing screed and the finish flooring. Be sure to take into account the general thermal insulation of the room, the degree of insulation of the already laid base. In some cases, when the floor has received reliable thermal insulation in advance, thin mats with profile bosses can be dispensed with - only to facilitate the process of laying pipes according to the scheme.

And finally, a video with tips on how to approach the choice of pipes for a warm floor

The main functions of heat-insulating mats for underfloor heating

When installing a heated floor, the heating circuit is laid on a heat insulator. The use of mats as a heater makes the operation of the heating system more economical and efficient. Such a layer simultaneously performs several basic functions:

• accuracy of the positioning of the heating circuit due to the relief surface and the applied marking,
• ensuring a sufficient level of soundproofing properties. With a thickness of 2 cm, noise absorption reaches 23 dB,
• sufficient waterproofing characteristics in the presence of a special film layer,
• high heat-insulating and heat-reflecting characteristics. By directing heat up, the mats can significantly reduce the heat loss that occurs during the operation of a warm floor. As a result, the cost of heating a house is significantly reduced,
• high strength characteristics that allow the heat-insulating layer to withstand the operational load,
• increase the speed of installation work. The presence of special clamps and locks allows you to quickly connect the heat-insulating mats for the underfloor heating to each other and fix the elements of the heating circuit.

Related article:

Film underfloor heating for home: reviews, power consumption, applications, operating principle, advantages and disadvantages, proper installation and connection to the network - in this material.

Foil layer roll materials

The thickness of the roll material is 2–10 mm. For its manufacture, penofol or polyethylene foam is used, coated on one side with duralumin foil. Sometimes a polymer layer is applied. The marking is made only on one side.

It is convenient to transport twisted roll

Due to the fact that the material can be rolled up, transportation is greatly facilitated. During installation, it is laid on the base with the foil up. A special tape is used to connect the individual elements together. A reinforcing mesh is also used.

Attention! Roll materials are relevant when using a heated floor as an additional heat source. For a private house and ground floor, such material is not the best choice.

Polystyrene foam boards

For the manufacture of mats, polystyrene foam with a thickness of 0.4-0.5 cm, having a density of about 40 kg / m³, is used. Products are resistant to load, they are well resistant to deformation. To fix the elements on the surface of polystyrene foam boards, special brackets are used.

Markup is not always present

Attention! On some products there is no marking that should be applied before the installation work begins. This greatly complicates the process.

Mats for a warm water floor with "bosses": distinctive features

Many manufacturers offer products with characteristic embossed protrusions. The shaping of mats for a warm water floor with "bosses" is carried out by the method of hydro-pellet stamping. As a result, a uniform distribution of protrusions on the surface of the web is ensured. The distance between the "bosses" is chosen so that the pipes of a standard size (14–20 mm) can be easily laid and fixed.

The distance between the "bosses" may vary

The thickness of the slabs is usually 35 cm. The dimensions of the floor mats are 0.8 m × 0.6 m or 1 × 1 m² with boss height 20–25 mm. Elements with locks allow you to form a single canvas without cracks.

A special locking connection ensures the integrity of the laid web

Materials have a density of 40 kg / m³. Due to this, the laid layer has high strength. Due to the thermal conductivity, it is possible to guarantee high thermal insulation characteristics of the stacked layer.

Attention! The price of floor heating mats with "bosses" is always higher than smooth analogues.

Advantages and disadvantages of matt warm floors

In the presence of a wide range of heat-insulating materials, the choice in favor of a matte warm floor is made because of its characteristics:

• compliance with fire safety standards. In case of fire, the stacked layer self-extinguishes and, thanks to the introduction of flame retardants, does not emit toxic substances,
• these floors are environmentally friendly and free of toxins,
• elasticity. Even after a long period of use, floor mats do not lose shape,
• resistance to temperature fluctuations,
• chemical and biological inertness,
• water resistance. In case of violation of the integrity of the water circuit mats do not absorb water and retain their geometry,
• economical operation,
• universality. Cookers are also suitable for electric heating,
• fast installation thanks to convenient fixing of pipes.

Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the high cost of most models.

The price depends on the manufacturer and a number of other factors.

How to choose mats for a warm water floor - recommendations of our editorial office

At the initial stage, you should determine the type of stacked insulation. The choice will depend on:

• places of work
• purpose of the mounted water floor,
• the diameter of the pipes of the water circuit,
• features of the structure in which work is to be performed.

If the work is to be performed on the ground floor, the rolled material will not be able to cope with the task. It is also worth abandoning its purchase if it is planned to lay the underfloor heating in an apartment building. For such operating conditions, foil polystyrene boards with sufficient waterproofing characteristics are the best option.

The place of work is an important criterion when choosing

If the installation of a warm floor will be carried out in a room with increased operating load, special attention should be paid to the strength characteristics of the stacked mats. Good performance is demonstrated by profile mats with a density of 40 kg / m³. Thin insulation or foil plates can not cope with this task. However, they are ideal for residential buildings.

When choosing a material, the geometric parameters of the laid plates should be taken into account. Not only the width is important, but also the thickness of the floor mat. The choice in favor of thinner elements can be made only if a layer of heat-insulating material has been previously laid on the floor. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the height of the ceilings in the room, the thickness of the screed to be filled and the characteristics of the decorative coating to be laid, such as tiles.

Screed thickness can make adjustments to the selection process

Leading manufacturers of floor heating mats

In order not to doubt the quality of the purchased mats for laying a warm floor, it is worth choosing products from leading manufacturers. We advise you to pay attention to products:

• Oventropshowing high performance. The German company offers mats with "bosses" for dry installation, roll and folding heat insulators. The first type can be with thermal and noise insulation, as well as without it,
• Knauf. The manufacturer offers high-quality boards with high performance,
• Rehau. Despite the price, floor mats made in Germany are in steady demand. The most popular foam styrene mats with "bosses". Supplied with pipe clamps,
• Energoflex. The domestic manufacturer offers a wide range, in which there is sure to be a suitable option for a water floor heating,
• Ecopol. The Russian company offers smooth mats and with "bosses". The castle connection and the presence of a waterproofing layer ensures the formation of a strong and reliable foundation. The level of thermal insulation characteristics depends on the thickness of the thermal insulation layer. The latter may be 20, 30 mm or absent in principle.

Expanded polystyrene floor mats Knauf Industries

The size of one mat for the Knauf INDUSTRIES floor heating is 1200 mm × 600 mm or 0.72 m². Lugs of large size and special configuration allow you to reliably fix the heating circuit with pipes with a diameter of 16 mm or 20 mm. For the correct fixation of the elements relative to each other, a double lock is provided, located along the perimeter of each mat. The presence of markings facilitates the installation work.

The large size of the lugs allows them to move

Rehau Varionova Lugs

The German company offers mats for underfloor heating Rehau, the price of which is fully consistent with their quality. The size of the polystyrene panels is 1450 mm × 850 mm × 24 mm with the design dimensions of 1400 mm × 800 mm. Laying a water circuit with a diameter of 14-17 mm can be done in increments of a multiple of 50 mm. The formed layer is able to withstand loads of up to 60.0 kN / m².

The special configuration of the bosses ensures a secure fit of the pipes

Foamboard WF 16-50

High-quality products that can become a worthy competitor to foreign analogues. For the manufacture of mats for water-heated floor "Penoshchit" used polystyrene grade PSB-S 35 with a cellular-porous structure with a density of 21-25 kg / m³. Due to this, the plates provide a sufficient level of thermal insulation. The laying pitch can be a multiple of 50 mm. Suitable for pipes with a diameter of 16 mm. Plate size 1000 mm × 1000 mm × 50 mm.

A carefully thought-out design, combining protrusions and openings, ensures reliable fixation of water-heated floor pipes. The products allow reliable fixation of pipes with a diameter of 16 mm without additional fasteners. The base is 30 mm. This is enough for thermal insulation of the laid coating.

Reviews about the mat "Penoshchit":

Read more at ForumHouse: https://www.forumhouse.ru/threads/431443/page-91

How mats for a warm water floor are laid: basic nuances

First, a series of preparatory activities are carried out. The calculation of the required power, as well as the area that the heating circuit will take, is necessarily carried out. After that, the installation scheme of the pipeline is selected. It could be:

• spiral, if the area of ​​the room is small,
• double helix, with a large quadrature of the room,
• "Snake", suggesting a parallel arrangement of the pipes of the circuit.

You can learn more about the nuances of installing a warm floor on mats in the following video:

A bit about mounting mats

Profile or simply mounting mats, which are produced specifically for arranging a floor heating system, are produced by hydro-pellet stamping from high-density foam (40 kg / m 3) or expanded polystyrene. They are quite resistant to mechanical stress and serious loads, are not afraid of exposure to a number of aggressive chemicals. They will not only provide the proper level of heat and sound insulation, but also significantly facilitate the process of installing a warm floor. The fact is that such mats have a special structure, thanks to which it is possible to lay pipes without the use of additional fasteners. And it’s not difficult to lay them - usually mats have special fastenings on the ends, which allows them to be laid flat on the floor.

Hard aluminum underfloor plate

Expanded polystyrene, often used for the production of mats, has high thermal insulation properties, its vapor permeability is also low, unlike the same mineral wool. So you can not be afraid that the mats will accumulate moisture in themselves - on the contrary, they will be dry and will not lose their properties due to humidity, condensation will not accumulate on them. The thermal conductivity of the material is also low, which allows excellent retention of heat in the room.

On a note! Mats for the floor are not afraid of rodents - for animals the material is not of interest. It is not worth worrying about the damage to one of the layers of the underfloor heating system, even if the mice get to it. And bacteria and mold on them practically do not create colonies.

The service life of polystyrene mats is about 60 years. In this case, temperature differences can be significant - from -40 to +40 degrees.

Mats are made in accordance with European standards regarding safety for health, reliability and quality. This is a heater, and the basis for laying the contour, and soundproof material. But, unfortunately, mats have their drawbacks:

• such mats are flammable. During production, special substances are added to them - flame retardants, but, nevertheless, they can catch fire, although they usually go out on their own and quickly,
• high price.

Attention! In order not to run into a fake, it is required to purchase quality certificates for products and fire safety certificates from the seller when buying material.

Video - Installation of expanded polystyrene mats

This is how mats for warm floors are used. Yes, they do not always fulfill the additional role of a heater, as in the instructions above, they themselves can be a heater, but still they significantly improve the quality of the floor and the functionality of the heating system. So do not neglect them. In addition, they facilitate the work and make it possible in some cases to refuse to use the same reinforcing mesh. Of course, this can only be said in the case of a mat with bosses.

Anton Svistunov Chief Editor

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