How to make a warm floor on the balcony yourself. Warm floor on the balcony and loggia: an overview of optimal heating systems

The floors in any room are always the coldest part. People are constantly in contact with the floor covering, so it is the floor that needs to be insulated and made as comfortable as possible.

Insulation that fits under the finishing coating, like the cladding itself, is passive as a heat insulator, since it only retains heat, and does not generate it.

Underfloor heating solves many problems, adds comfort and coziness to living. A private house or apartment has a balcony or loggia, on which floor heating is done.

Consider how to make a warm floor on a balcony with your own hands, what kind of heating will be the best for a loggia, what is better to lay under different coverings and many other nuances.

Read in the article:

Review of existing types of underfloor heating

Any heating equipment is aimed at heating the room, and the warm floor increases the degree of coverage to the temperature of comfort for a person. The principle of operation of a heating circuit or pipeline in a concrete screed is very simple, despite the thickness of the layer of a mixture of sand and cement.

All floor heating systems are reminiscent of a layer cake, in which all the heat is transferred to the screed, which heats the finishing layer. Heat flows evenly rise to the ceiling, due to which the room heats up gradually.

Circuit heating systems differ in the type of heat carrier, which can be electric or water. The floors are also called water or electric. Let's take a closer look at why they are better than conventional batteries.

Water heat-insulated floor

The water floor piping is a flat tube coil that contains hot water or antifreeze. The heating medium moves along the constructed circuit, while the tube transfers heat to other layers of the floor covering, and heats up again inside the circuit. Water enters the pipeline from the boiler or the central heating system, while the coil itself, when connected to the central system, does not require the purchase of equipment - it is enough to put valves on the tie-in points.

The use of an autonomous boiler involves the purchase of an expansion tank and an automatic control system. In Moscow and other large cities, it is possible to buy heating equipment cheaper than in the periphery.

Electric underfloor heating

In the case of electric underfloor heating, the heating circuit is automatically connected to the general household network. Electric heating is in the form of mats or cable, infrared. The cable for such a heating system can be single-core, with two cores, as well as self-regulating type.

With a self-regulating heating cable, small sections are used that are heated by current, the mats are a cable on a grid, and infrared heating consists of plate-type radiators.

Features of the warm floor on the balcony

Open and closed balconies differ in their location, operating parameters, as well as design features:

The slabs at the base of the balcony are not equipped with supports from the outside, protruding as a cantilever from the common façade. According to GOST, the load on the balcony can be up to 200 kg per sq. meter;
The fence on the balcony from the street is rather thin, so in winter it is colder in a room with a balcony than in the whole apartment;
On the upper floors, outdoor work on the balconies is very difficult;
The glazing of the balcony requires a large area, and if it is left open, then there will be water on the floor.

A warm floor on a loggia or on a balcony requires insulation of the fence, while thermal insulation materials are laid from the inside. Decorating with decorative materials is carried out from the inside, and in places of contact with moisture, they should not be vulnerable to it.

Warm floor on a balcony for laminate or other flooring needs a prepared base. If the neighbor downstairs does not have heating on the loggia, then this will increase the heat loss through the concrete slabs.

In country houses, where high ceilings on the loggia, the plate has supports in the form of a wall or a column, the owner can choose a variety of heat insulators made of polymers (polyurethane foam, polystyrene or foam). It is allowed to use expanded clay or slag, which are covered with a layer of the required thickness.

In apartments of multi-storey buildings, materials for insulating a balcony or loggia are chosen depending on their location and many other factors. It is recommended to minimize the insulation layer so as not to overload the floor. The minimum layer should be from 5 cm, the greatest thermal insulation requires 20 cm.

Do I need to insulate the walls when installing a warm floor?

Solid insulation on the walls is not fundamentally important for the arrangement, they can be chosen soft, sheet, roll, mineral or based on polymers. In a residential environment, it is recommended to abandon mineral wool insulation - in addition to hygroscopicity, they must be protected from mechanical damage.

Additional wall insulation will make the room warmer and protected from winds and frost - this is important for the correct operation of the warm floor. The surfaces are pre-prepared.

It is impossible to make water heating of the floor on the balcony, since it contradicts building and communal norms. Warm floors are very sensitive to temperature changes, even in closely spaced areas.

Automatic equipment will eliminate the imbalance, but with cold walls, the operation of the coating heating system will be unstable and impractical. In addition, wall insulation will reduce noise from the street, which, in turn, will make the apartment itself quieter and more comfortable.

How to insulate the wall on the balcony with expanded polystyrene?

Expanded polystyrene is a type of foam, cheap and of high quality, it is attached depending on the material from which the base is made. The finish that will come next also affects the installation process.

Fastening of expanded polystyrene when installing a warm floor can be done on PVA glue, fungi with a special wedging type, or on a frame assembled from bars. On top of this structure, you need to lay a mesh for reinforcement under putty or paint, or trim it with clapboard or panels made of plastic or wood.

Infrared floor heating on a balcony or loggia

In places where there are temperature sensors, holes are cut out, then the elements will not protrude outward. The film is supplied with a web that is cut along the marking lines. Pieces of the required size are placed on an isolon and connected to control elements with insulation of each of the contacts. From above, waterproofing is made with polyethylene overlap, then trimmed with decorative materials.

If it is planned to install a laminate with a low thermal conductivity, then a screed is not required - it is placed on top of a film with infrared emitters and polyethylene insulation.

Mats with a heating cable or a heating circuit snake for a laminate can also be used for heating floors on a loggia or balcony, but due to the cross section in these heaters, a reinforced screed is required.

This is required to protect the elements through which the current flows from ruptures at moments of load - a person's walking, installing pieces of furniture and other factors. If the laminate is worn out over time, then it is not necessary to dismantle it and lay a new one - its surface is suitable for linoleum or its analogues.

Every year, the number of apartment owners, characterized by the presence of balconies, whose plans include the year-round use of free space, is increasing exponentially. In most cases, they are faced with the question: "How to create comfortable microclimatic conditions not only in residential premises, but also where developers have not provided heating radiators in the winter and autumn-spring periods?" In this case, we are talking about balconies and loggias. They are especially appreciated by homeowners if the apartment is characterized by a small area. In this case, the loggia can be converted into a bedroom, a private office, a winter greenhouse, or even a small gym. Another quite justified solution - equipment on the workshop loggia - ease of airing, compact size and a large amount of light - all this contributes to the creation of favorable conditions for creativity. However, the whole atmosphere will quickly disappear if, in order to go to the balcony, you need to look for slippers for a long time, and dust from the balcony constantly gets into the room. In cities where typical apartments are small, homeowners prefer to convert them into living space, which becomes their favorite lounge. But, in order to turn a balcony or loggia into a full-fledged room, it is necessary to determine its intended purpose. In the event that you intend to use the balcony for domestic needs, in order to carry out its optimal insulation, you have to carry out only glazing and partial laying of the heat-insulating material. But if you plan to re-equip the balcony for a separate living space or its continuation, experts recommend equipping a warm floor on the balcony. Next, we will consider the main types of underfloor heating and installation methods for the most popular options.

Warm floor on the balcony: ways to insulate a balcony

There are several ways to insulate a balcony, and before deciding on the most optimal one, you must clearly understand the difference between a balcony and a loggia. Having dealt with this, you will understand that it is impractical to insulate the floor on an unglazed balcony. If you plan to turn the balcony into an additional room, first of all, take care of installing the walls, and, in the case of the location of the apartment on the top floor, installing the roof. Only after carrying out all the above measures, you can proceed to the insulation of the internal space, including the floor. If we are talking about a loggia, it is necessary to ensure that there are no cracks and gaps in the windows through which heat will escape.

There are several ways to heat a balcony or loggia:

Use of central heating radiators. Despite the fact that this method is effective, in the process of its application it is necessary not to forget about the legislative prohibition of bringing central heating to the balcony, neglect of which can lead to serious consequences;

Another popular way to insulate a balcony is to install electric heating devices. Currently, the modern construction market offers the consumer electric radiators, electric convectors, electric fireplaces, as well as combined heating devices. The safest in terms of operation are oil coolers.

Important! Despite the variety of ways to insulate a balcony, in modern conditions, the most popular is the arrangement of a warm floor on a balcony, which can be carried out in several ways, each of which is characterized by its own advantages and disadvantages.

Heating element selection rules: what to look for?

The first thing to look for when choosing a heating element is concrete screed thickness... To effectively carry out the installation of a cable underfloor heating, the thickness of the concrete screed must be at least 5 cm. If the thickness of the concrete screed is less than 5 cm, an infrared underfloor heating or a heating system using heating mats will be the best choice for you. It should be borne in mind that in the case of installing heating mats, the floor height will increase by one centimeter, while the infrared heating film is mounted directly under the floor covering.

Floor covering material is another factor that you need to pay attention to when choosing a heating element. If you have chosen porcelain stoneware, concrete, tile or stone as your flooring, experts recommend giving preference to a cable heating system. Carpet, laminate, linoleum or PVC flooring is best combined with a warm floor equipped with heating mats. Another suitable option for flooring using linoleum, laminate or carpet is infrared floor heating.

In addition to the above options, there are other methods of installing a warm floor that must be taken into account depending on certain conditions. When arranging wooden floor coverings, it is important to remember that its thermal conductivity will be significantly reduced compared to floor coverings made of other materials.

How to make a warm floor on a balcony?

Installation of cable heating system

Speaking about the insulation of a balcony, a warm floor in the structure of which performs one of the most important functions, we will consider how to make a warm floor based on a cable system. During the installation process, most likely you will encounter difficulties associated with the limited space and design features of the room. Laying an electric cable, which is the main heating element, is one of the most acceptable solutions when arranging a warm floor. The installation of the cable is carried out under the finished floor covering, while the thermostat must be left in sight - another important element of the electric underfloor heating, designed to regulate the intensity of heating. The setting of the most optimal level is done manually and is determined by weather conditions and individual preferences of the owners.

Important! The laying of single and double-core cable elements is carried out during the installation of the concrete screed. At the same time, it is important to remember about the need to lay heat and waterproofing materials, which helps to reduce heat loss.

In short, the installation of an electric underfloor heating is as follows:

Leveling the base floor surface;
Laying of heat-insulating material, which is the basis for further fastening of the mounting tape;
Fastening the mounting tape, over which the heating cable is laid;
Installation of a thermostat in a place accessible to you;
Filling the entire floor area with a cement-concrete screed;
Laying ceramic tiles.

Installation of a water-heated floor: a brief instruction

Prepare the floor surface. Preparatory measures include leveling the surface with subsequent marking of the room for expansion joints and cleaning the working surface from debris;
Install heat-insulating material, the thickness of which does not exceed 30-140 mm;
Install the reinforcement mesh designed to secure the pipeline. To exclude deformation of the material, it is mounted on both sides;
Install the control group and manifold in a cabinet located on the wall;
Perform a zigzag fastening of the pipeline, which implies an increase in the spacing between the pipes as you move from the wall to the center;
Connect the pipeline to the control system and carry out a hydraulic test of the heating system during the day;
Pour the concrete screed, adding plasticizers to the solution, which increase the thermal conductivity of the coating;
Install the topcoat.

DIY infrared floor heating

Installation of an electric infrared floor is not difficult. It is based on film elements that warm up the floor covering and do not accumulate heat. At the same time, for the installation of the floor covering, it is not required to pour a concrete screed. Installation of an infrared warm floor necessitates the arrangement of high-quality steam and waterproofing, and in the case of laminate laying, the use of a substrate under the laminate. The floor must be covered with Penoplex, on top of which a special thermal film is laid, capable of emitting infrared waves, under the influence of which furniture and flooring heats up. In this regard, it is important to remember that the installation of thermal foil is not carried out under furniture.

Warm floor on the loggia video

Essential if you are considering it as additional space. A comfortable workplace, an area for relaxation, an extension of a nursery or a bedroom - all this will become cozier if the floor is made warm. After all, then the balcony can be used even in winter and cool autumn. Of course, this will require some cost and effort, but if done correctly, the costs will be justified.

Varieties

Do not think that there is a universal remedy for your balcony, you need to select everything individually. Let's analyze the most popular varieties:

Electrical coating, which is carried out with cable and film
Water floor with special contour system
Infrared floor

Water floor

The water floor provides even heat, the floor is warmed up over the entire area of the balcony. You will spend money for installation once and forget about spending. More economical than electric floors. Does not require additional batteries against the walls.

Of the main disadvantages, they immediately note the complexity of the installation, the decreasing pressure that needs to be regulated, the likelihood of leakage and the difficulty in adjusting the temperature.

Therefore, the water floor is installed on balconies and loggias of private houses, where there is no risk of flooding neighbors and it is easier to draw this circuit.

Electric floor

An electric floor heats up the entire balcony, but not as evenly as a water floor. But in this variety it is easy to control the temperature and it costs much less (due to the fact that the water floor on the balcony is more difficult to mount).

If suddenly some breakdowns and malfunctions appear, they are very quickly eliminated, it is easier to diagnose the wiring. Such a warm floor is suitable for any loggias and balconies, so you will not cause inconvenience to neighbors with leaks.

The obvious disadvantages are increased electricity costs, some are still highly susceptible to electromagnetic radiation.

An electric floor is more typical of modern interiors than a water floor. Ease of installation and savings on the services of professionals attracts more than the additional consumption of electricity.

Among electric floors, there are also several categories that are worth paying attention to. Maybe one of them will suit you better.

Cable system

Cable is the most common, cables are laid on the floor as a circuit. They are placed between special heating sheets. Be sure to make waterproofing and insulation, it is better to use a cement screed with a thickness of at least 4 cm.The cable itself runs at a depth of 3 cm.Under it, you should choose a good finishing coating that can conduct and retain heat. For example, ceramic tiles, concrete, porcelain stoneware.
One of the drawbacks is that it cannot be used right away. It will take a month before the floor is completely dry and can be connected to electricity.

Heating mats

Heating mats also perfectly heat the room, they reduce the risk of pressure on the balcony, perfectly replacing the cement screed. The mats are laid even on old floors or concrete; they can also be switched on faster than cables: as soon as the glue dries. The topcoat must also conduct heat. The main disadvantage is the high risk of damage and the rather high price.

Infrared floor

Creation of a warm floor by infrared method helps to warm up the room quickly enough, while not taking up much space. Installation is very simple - such coatings are accompanied by instructions according to which anyone can install what they want. But infrared radiation is not able to completely warm up the cold floor in winter. Therefore, try to combine it with carpets, carpet or linoleum.

DIY installation

All three varieties are easy to stack. The cable is a special loop that is mounted under the topcoat. Be sure to install thermal insulation on the balcony.
It is better to leave the thermostat in an accessible place so that you can always arrange comfort on the loggia without too much effort.

Almost everyone can install underfloor heating according to the instructions or master classes on the Internet. This significantly reduces installation costs.

But nevertheless, it is better to entrust the wiring itself to specialists, they will be able to connect everything on time and indicate the exact dates when the warm floor can be put into operation.

Photo: yaplakal.com, vk.com, ideas.vdolevke.ru, babyblog.ru

The warm floor on the balcony is installed only after walls, floor and ceiling. In addition, you need to install energy-efficient plastic windows. Otherwise, you will warm up the street. Decide why you need a warm floor: to keep your feet warm or as a source of heating the room. If only the second, then it may be easier to hang it on the wall.

Thermal insulation is a prerequisite for a warm floor

EPPS - metal-plastic pipes - screed.

The warm floor on the balcony is mounted on top of a layer of thermal insulation. Insulation is needed in any case, otherwise the heat will be used irrationally, respectively, costs will increase. The calculation of the thickness of the insulation is carried out for each region separately, the minimum layer is 5 cm. What kind of insulation should be used:

basalt wool;
Styrofoam;
extruded polystyrene foam.

The finishing floor on the balcony can be concrete or wood. If the floor is concrete, then the thermal insulation is laid on the rough covering and poured on top with a screed. If the floor is wooden, then the insulation is laid between the logs, which serve as the basis for future finishing. At the same time, it is possible to make a warm floor on the loggia in both cases.

It is appropriate to do floor heating on the balcony and loggia only after high-quality comprehensive insulation, of course, with the replacement of windows.

If basalt wool is used as a heater, which fits between the logs, then it is definitely needed. It will prevent moisture from entering the thermal insulation from the room.

Water heat-insulated floor on the loggia

The heating cable with fiberglass mesh can be laid in a layer of tile adhesive.

You can legally make a water-heated floor on the balcony with your own hands only if you have autonomous heating. It is strictly forbidden to remove the heat exchanger from the central networks outside the living area. An increase in the volume of the circuit in an apartment leads to a drop in pressure in all heating systems. As a result, the neighbors' batteries will become colder. We have already told ... If the requirement is not met, then you can complain to the ZhEK. The violator faces a fine and forced dismantling.

The water-heated floor on the balcony is made of metal-plastic or PEX pipes. They can be walled up in a screed layer or bred under a wooden floor. The second option is less attractive in terms of functionality. The concrete screed acts as a heat accumulator, according to the principle ... The effect of such heating is much more noticeable.

How to make a warm floor on the balcony correctly:

at least 5 cm of insulation (foam or EPS);
damper tape around the perimeter;
reinforcement mesh not attached to the floor;
PEX-b pipe laid with a snake or snail;
7 cm screed.

The mesh does not need to be fixed in order for it to rise slightly and the concrete flowed under the pipes. It is impossible for the contour to come into contact with the insulation. Most likely, you will need to install a separate electric pump on the TP. To control the temperature, a three-way valve is installed.

Electric underfloor heating on the balcony

IR films are the cheapest and most dangerous floor heating.

With electric heating, things are a little different. There are no legal restrictions on the installation of such heating in non-residential premises. The following heating element options are available:

cable in coils;
fiberglass cable;
infrared film;
infrared rod tapes - many connection points, unreliable option, alternative to cable on a grid.

The cable in coils is single-core and two-core. The latter is shielded to minimize the magnetic field. It is covered with very strong insulation, which can only be damaged with a drill or grinder. The thickness of the cable is approximately 5 mm, it is placed in the screed layer, rarely under the wooden floor along the logs. This is a time-tested option, the reliability of which is beyond doubt. Installation is carried out in the same way as for the water circuit, with the exception of installing a temperature sensor between the wires at the place of a 180-degree turn. The distance from the cable to the sensor on all sides must be the same.

A newer type of heating element is a 2.5mm thin cable glued to fiberglass. Such a warm floor is produced in rolls, it can be put in a screed, or it can be directly under the tiles. Such heating is placed where there is no furniture and equipment. The temperature sensor is mounted similarly to a single cable.

The newest type of electric underfloor heating is infrared films with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm. Their peculiarity is that they are placed directly under the topcoat (laminate or linoleum). At the same time, there are only two advantages of underfloor heating under the laminate on the balcony - they are low price and easy installation. There are much more cons:

no grounding - only RAM saves from electric shock;
contact with moisture should not be allowed;
it is too easy to damage;
to keep the floor warm, the heating element must always be switched on.

Installation of IR films is carried out on top of a thin layer of insulation made of foamed polyethylene. The effect of such thermal insulation is small, respectively, the heat goes not only up, but also down. Hence the overspending of the energy carrier.

Output

If you want a high-quality warm floor on the balcony, then the heating elements should be placed in the screed layer, or at least over the screed under the tiles. The screed is poured onto insulation (foam or EPS). There is a water heated floor and an electric one. In apartments with central heating, the water circuit must not be led outside the living area. They use metal-plastic and PEX pipes. Additionally, a pump is installed, and a three-way valve is used to adjust the temperature. From electrical heating elements, you should choose between a thick cable in coils and a thin cable glued to fiberglass. IR films, laminate or linoleum flooring are bad and dangerous. Infrared bar floor - high probability of breakage due to the large number of joints.

In our apartments, where every square centimeter of area is used, making a warm floor on the balcony and loggia with your own hands and using them as an office or relaxation area is a tempting solution. It's nice to go out on the balcony with a cup of coffee in winter, feeling the warm floors with bare feet!

A warm floor on the balcony or in the loggia is also necessary when you need to additionally insulate and heat this room. For example, if you want to use it as a separate room (say, an office) or equip a winter garden.

What is "warm floor"?

Underfloor heating is a space heating system in which heating elements are located in the floor, and no batteries are required. The technology is relatively new, but it is quite possible to make a warm floor on the loggia with your own hands.

Today, there are three known floor heating systems with different heat carriers:

Water heat-insulated floor;
Electric underfloor heating has two subsystems:

Cable
Heating mats

Film (infrared) warm floor.

Hot water is used in the water floor heating, as the name implies.

Despite its apparent simplicity, this option is not suitable for execution in apartment buildings for the following reasons:

in the heating system, the temperature of the coolant is 90 °, for a warm floor no higher than 40 ° is required;
coolant pipes laid on a heater and embedded in a screed, the thickness of which is 20-30 mm greater than the diameter of the pipes, will significantly raise the floor level. It is impossible to maintain the height in the light from floor to ceiling required by the standards of 2.4 m with a floor height of 2.8 m, without taking into account the thickness of the floor;
to connect to the heating system, a permit from the housing department is required;
if you manage to obtain such a permit, and the height of the ceiling will allow you to make a warm water floor, you will need a complex system for regulating the temperature of the coolant, and the warm floor will be warm only during the heating season!

If your goal is to install a water underfloor heating on a balcony in a cottage with an individual water heating system - then this system is optimal.

An electric underfloor heating is easier to perform. With minimal electricity consumption, its device does not require a permit. It can be difficult to lay cables, but the installation of heating mats is simple and accessible to a person without the skills of a builder.

A film warm floor is even easier to perform, it does not require a screed. Heating films are placed in a layer of tile adhesive (if the flooring is a tile), or covered with a substrate (in the case of a laminate covering).

Infrared floors are not much more expensive than heating mats. Cable floors are cheaper than mats, but a thick screed is required, and this is an additional waste of money and time, since it takes time for the screed to mature.

Floor insulation is a necessary preliminary stage

We begin the work on laying a warm floor of any system with the insulation of a concrete slab of a balcony or loggia. This stage is necessary if you do not want to heat the street together with the floor. Even if the neighbors below have insulated their balcony, your insulation is still necessary. You will need materials:

Several solid bricks;
Vapor barrier material;
Insulation;
Cement-sand mortar for masonry;
Wooden beam with a section of 50x50 mm;
For subfloors - moisture resistant chipboard, fiberboard or cement - particle board;
Level;
Self-tapping screws.

At this stage, you make a warm floor on a loggia or balcony - the difference is small: in terms of material consumption for the loggia, you do not need a brick and mortar - there is initially a wall around the perimeter.

We begin laying the warm floor on the balcony by laying a brick side on the outer edge of the slab. We put the brick on the mortar on the edge, the side is 130 mm high (120 - brick and 10 mm mortar). After 3-4 days, when the solution has set, we put a layer of vapor barrier on a cleaned, washed and dried base. The vapor barrier protects the insulation from absorbing moisture from the air, the wet insulation does not work.

As a vapor barrier, a special non-woven material is used - geotextile or rolled bitumen-polymer materials (technoelast, uniflex). The budget option is plastic wrap.

It is not recommended to use materials such as roofing material (cardboard impregnated with bitumen), roofing felt (leather or fabric impregnated with bitumen), glassine (kraft paper impregnated with bitumen) for vapor barrier - they last up to 5 years, and they are permissible only in temporary structures ... The vapor barrier is laid dry.

On top of the vapor barrier, we build a frame from a bar on self-tapping screws, the cell of the frame is not more than 60x60 cm. The bar for the frame must be antiseptic (protected from rotting in a humid environment) and impregnated with a fire retardant (protection from fire). Using wedges made of wood or chipboard according to the building level, we bring the frame to the horizontal. We put insulation in the cells of the frame.

As a heater, we use slabs based on stone (basalt) wool - an effective lightweight material with excellent thermal performance, 50 mm thick. As a budget option - plates from extruded polystyrene foam grade 35. The insulation has a zero water absorption rate, low density and thermal conductivity. Both materials belong to the group of non-combustible. We cover the insulation with another layer of vapor barrier, which we attach to the frame with a stapler.

We put a subfloor on the frame - cement - fibrous, chipboard or wood - fibrous moisture resistant boards, fix them to the frame with self-tapping screws. If you have chosen a water or cable system as the underfloor heating system, the heating elements of which are laid in a screed, we recommend using cement-bonded particleboard for the subfloor, as it is the most resistant to moisture.

The insulation is completed, we are proceeding with the installation of the warm floor.

Do-it-yourself warm water floor on the balcony

How to make a water-heated floor on a balcony? Having purchased the required materials -

coolant pipes,
foil gasket,
temperature sensor,
thermostat,
dry mortar mixture for screed,
vapor barrier,
damper tape -

let's get to work. The technology for making a water-heated floor on the balcony is not complicated, but there are some subtleties:

a foil insulating strip is spread over the subfloor, reflecting the heat flow upward;
if a warm plinth is planned, a groove for the coolant pipe is made in the wall along the perimeter of the balcony at the level of the finished floor;
coolant pipes are laid out with a gap of 30-40 cm and attached to the collector;
we lay the temperature sensor, mount the thermostat on the wall in an accessible place;
along the perimeter, a damper tape is glued to the wall, which compensates for the thermal expansion of the screed at a temperature drop;
perform a screed - pour a solution of light fine-grained concrete or another, recommended by the manufacturer of the floor system. The screed should be homogeneous, without voids, with a height of 20-30 mm more than the diameter of the coolant pipes. The air is driven out with a brush. The horizontal is verified by the beacons. The screed is left for 3-4 weeks to ripen;
cover the screed with a layer of vapor barrier;
lay a clean floor.

For a water-heated floor on a balcony or loggia, a ceramic tile covering is ideal; a laminate that is approved by the manufacturer for use for a water-heated floor can be laid.

The underfloor heating can be linoleum or carpet.

If you want a warm plinth, to install the coolant pipe, you need to make a line in the wall along the perimeter of the loggia or balcony, otherwise the insulated plinth will protrude from the wall plane by 80-100 mm. Installation of a water-heated floor on a loggia completely repeats the above scheme.

Electric underfloor heating on the balcony

Installation of an electric underfloor heating is easier than a water one. There are no such harsh conditions when pouring the screed, and the screed itself is thinner. Main steps:

Installation of heat-reflecting foil pad.
Layout of the heating cable or mats according to the manufacturer's instructions, installation of the system under a warm plinth;
Installation of a temperature sensor and thermostat, connection of the supply and return cables to the power supply system.
Bonding damper tape around the perimeter of the walls;
Pouring the screed from a light mortar, 15-20 mm thick, along the beacons, forcing air.
Implementation of clean floors and skirting boards.

For an electric warm floor on a loggia or balcony, any material is suitable as a covering: ceramic tiles, natural stone, laminate, linoleum - it all depends on the taste of the owner.

Now let's take a closer look at each stage.

Preparatory work

First, you need to remove all layers of the old flooring from the balcony. Only clean concrete should remain. The surface must be cleaned of dirt and dust so that all layers of the future floor are perfectly mounted.

To install an electric underfloor heating, it is necessary to obtain a flat and insulated surface. Therefore, it is necessary to make a subfloor that will contain the insulation layer. The subfloor must be high enough, but not violate the following technical requirements:

the step between the room and the balcony should not exceed 15 cm;
the total height of the balcony must be more than 2.4 meters;
the height of the balcony railing must be at least 1 meter;
if there are small children in the house, the minimum height of the fence is increased to 1.5 meters.

Work on the insulation of the floor on the balcony begins with the creation of a subfloor.

After completing the insulation work, the balcony fence can be extended. However, do not make the subfloor too high. This will reduce its durability and make the use of the balcony not very convenient for the residents of the apartment.

For more information on the preliminary work before laying the warm floor, see this video:

Thermal insulation of the base of the balcony

On the concrete base of the balcony, screw the transverse beams from the timber at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. They do not need to be leveled in height, since the longitudinal beams will be responsible for the evenness of the floor.

Then screw the longitudinal beams to the transverse beams - after 25-30 centimeters. Select the highest spot on the longitudinal beams and level the entire floor using mounting wedges or pieces of chipboard. By placing them under the beams, make the base of the floor as flat as possible.

The entire space between the beams must be filled with insulation. For example, mineral wool is suitable.

Chipboard sheets are laid on the finished base of the floor. You cannot use plain plywood or boards here. The peculiarities of the use of the floor will quickly render the boards unusable. Chipboard is screwed to the longitudinal beams with self-tapping screws.

Next, you need construction foam. With its help, it is necessary to seal the seams between the chipboard sheets, as well as between the sheets and walls of the house. This will provide proper insulation for the future floor. This is where the rough work ends.

Electrical cable installation

The next stage in the preparation of a warm floor is the installation of an electrical cable. A special heat cable is laid with a "snake", and the laying pitch (the distance between the cable turns) must be calculated in each individual case.

If the step is too small, a huge amount of expensive cable will be consumed, and the owner of the apartment will receive nasty bills from government services every month. If the step is increased, the efficiency of the floor will not be high at all.

Therefore, the calculation of the step of laying the heat cable must be performed according to a special formula:

L = Wsp.kab * 100 / Wsp. sex

Formula values:

L is the step length of the heat cable, cm;
Wud.kab - the power required for one meter of cable (on average, it is 20 W / min, depending on the type of cable);
Wood. floor - the specific power of the floor, which is calculated per square meters. The normal indicator of specific power is considered to be 200-230 W * m2.

The cable should be laid along the balcony. Every bend in a heat cable is a waste of energy and floor efficiency. On standard balconies, with an area of about 5 square meters, the laying spacing is approximately 10 cm. This is the optimal distance between the wires.

Watch this video to see the installation of a warm electric cable floor visually:

Underfloor heating connection

The cable is fixed on a special mounting tape, laid with a snake over the entire future balcony floor. Then the heat cable is connected through the thermostat to the network. This device is necessary to regulate the heating of a warm floor.

A floor sensor must also be connected. Otherwise, you will not be able to monitor the normal operation of all systems. If you are pondering how to insulate a concrete cold floor on a loggia with ideal conditions for a tile, then the installation of a regulator and sensors is simply necessary. Different tiles will reduce the heating efficiency of the balcony.

After completing the connection of all the necessary devices, you need to test the system. We check the integrity of all electrical connections, the operation of each piece of cable. If you miss a mistake at this stage, it will be very difficult to fix it later.

Screed and finish for electric underfloor heating

The next step is the screed. It is poured with liquid cement and serves as the basis for the future decoration of your balcony. Do not use metal elements to reinforce the screed. This can cause malfunctions in the electrical equipment of the underfloor heating.

After completing all the work, the balcony should stand for about five days. During this time, the screed will dry completely, it will be possible to lay the finishing material. It is not recommended to use parquet or linoleum, because these materials are heat insulators.

The best option for this type of balcony insulation is tiles. It adds efficiency to the electric balcony heating system.

Tiles are the optimal covering for an electric balcony floor

Film (infrared) underfloor heating device

In terms of ease of installation, an infrared warm floor holds the lead among all systems, since it does not require a screed. Step by step work progress:

We lay out the heat-reflecting gasket;
We lay out and install infrared films into the system, including a warm skirting board;
We install a regulator and a temperature sensor;
We lay the substrate;
We carry out a finishing coating, install skirting boards.

Film underfloor heating is quickly mounted, used immediately after installation, and is characterized by uniform heating of the floor surface. For covering in this system, it is best to use laminate and other wood materials: board, parquet, and carpet.

The film underfloor heating is characterized by low energy consumption and a service life of up to 50 years.

In case of failure of one of the sections, the system will continue to work, and repairs will not be difficult. Higher material costs are offset by lower operating costs.

As a specialist comment

The choice of a floor heating system is a matter of economics and consumer taste. The device of a warm floor on the balcony is fundamentally no different from the device of a warm floor on the loggia.

Not considering the water floor heating system as not widely used due to legal restrictions, of the other two systems, both electric floor heating and infrared have no restrictions.

The choice of a clean floor covering affects the choice of a floor heating system:

Tile - good for any system
Laminate and other wood materials, linoleum, carpet - the best choice is a film warm floor.

When using laminate and other wood materials, linoleum, carpet, make sure that no precipitation falls on the floors - the balcony or loggia must be glazed. It is better to consider the device of a warm floor on a balcony or loggia as part of a comprehensive insulation, use the same materials for insulation.

Installing a warm floor on a loggia or balcony with your own hands is an interesting and useful process that does not cause any special problems to the skillful owner of the room. Anyone who is serious about the process can do all the work with their own hands.

After reading the article, do you have any questions or do you have personal experience in self-installation of warm floors on a balcony or loggia? Please share them in the comments.

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How to make a warm floor on the balcony yourself. Warm floor on the balcony and loggia: an overview of optimal heating systems

Review of existing types of underfloor heating

Water heat-insulated floor

Electric underfloor heating

Features of the warm floor on the balcony

Do I need to insulate the walls when installing a warm floor?

How to insulate the wall on the balcony with expanded polystyrene?

Infrared floor heating on a balcony or loggia

Warm floor on the balcony: ways to insulate a balcony

Popular solutions for floor insulation on the balcony: how to choose the right option?

Electric underfloor heating and its varieties: advantages and disadvantages

Water heated floor on the balcony: the main features

Infrared floor heating: what you need to know about the system?

Heating element selection rules: what to look for?

How to make a warm floor on a balcony?

Installation of cable heating system

Installation of a water-heated floor: a brief instruction

DIY infrared floor heating

Varieties

Water floor

Electric floor

Cable system

Heating mats

Infrared floor

DIY installation

Thermal insulation is a prerequisite for a warm floor

Water heat-insulated floor on the loggia

Electric underfloor heating on the balcony

Output

What is "warm floor"?

Floor insulation is a necessary preliminary stage

Do-it-yourself warm water floor on the balcony

Electric underfloor heating on the balcony

Preparatory work

Thermal insulation of the base of the balcony

Electrical cable installation

Underfloor heating connection

Screed and finish for electric underfloor heating

Film (infrared) underfloor heating device

As a specialist comment