Do-it-yourself infrared heated floor under the tiles. How to lay infrared underfloor heating under tiles - installation instructions

Today, in many bathrooms, the floor is tiled. However, its cold surface is not always pleasant. The installation of a warm floor will help to correct the situation. By installing an infrared heating system, you can enjoy your time in the bathroom and save a lot on the electricity you use for underfloor heating.

The principle of operation of film coatings

Many owners have a problem of choice, cable or infrared underfloor heating under the tile, which one can show itself better only during operation. It must be said that the opinions of experts on this issue are ambiguous. Electric cable heating requires a solid concrete screed, which significantly reduces the height of the bathroom. In addition, it is not as economical as its infrared counterpart. However, some specific points during the installation of film structures do not make them an ideal option for laying under tiles.

To finally understand this issue, you should find out the features of infrared underfloor heating. These systems are made on the basis of carbon or bimetallic film. The latter variety is categorically not recommended to be used as a heating element for ceramic tiles.

All such heating designs work on the principle of infrared radiation. The coating is a film divided into sectors. Each of them contains heating elements. During thin coating mounting, terminals are connected to the copper strips. When the power supply is connected, heat radiation occurs.

It must be said that, unlike other electric heating systems, an infrared warm floor does not heat the air, but the surrounding objects, including the human body. Such radiation is absolutely harmless to the body and is completely similar to the effects of sunlight. In addition, during the operation of the floor, the air is enriched with negatively charged ions, which has a beneficial effect on the microclimate of the room and does not dry out the air, as with the operation of other electric heating models.

Characteristics of infrared heaters

The main advantage of film systems was their high efficiency of operation. Maximum energy savings can be achieved by adjusting the temperature to approximately 21 degrees Celsius. Although the highest value for which the design is designed can be about 50 degrees.

The cost of these products has a large price fork, which is their next undoubted advantage. This allows you to choose a design in accordance with your financial capabilities. In addition, you can significantly reduce the budget for repairing a bathroom by installing a heating system yourself, since laying an infrared heated floor under a tile with your own hands will cost much less than the work of professional craftsmen.

When asked what is better than a water or infrared underfloor heating, one can confidently declare the expediency of installing the second option. After all, this system becomes a full-fledged independent source of heating for housing, in contrast to water structures. It must be said that film underfloor heating can replace the central heating of an apartment. In addition, this system is much easier to install than water heated floors.

The versatility of hydrocarbon infrared warm floors allows their installation under any type of floor covering, sometimes they even insulate open balconies and gazebos. In addition, sufficient waterproofing properties of such a system do not prevent their installation in bathrooms and other areas of the apartment with high humidity. Although experts still recommend laying an additional waterproofing layer in such cases.

Disadvantages of infrared systems when laying them under a tile

However, in any material, in addition to advantages, there are always disadvantages. You should know that all the useful properties of infrared radiation when laying such a warm floor under a tile will be absorbed by the floor covering, and not by the human body. The heating of the room will occur due to convection. A warm floor covering will give off the accumulated energy, and due to the movement of air, the walls and other items in the bathroom heat up. Because of this property, the system should not be laid under areas occupied by furniture and plumbing, as they will be very hot from the floor.

Another significant drawback will be the gradual erosion of the thin polymer heating film with tile adhesive, which can gradually disable the entire system, as well as cause a short circuit and a fire. The high adhesion properties of these coatings can be reduced by laying a drywall sheet and a small mesh fiberglass mesh between the heating structure and the ceramic cladding. However, such actions will significantly reduce the heating capacity of the system.

Warm infrared floors for tiles require laying on a completely flat surface, otherwise you can easily damage the thin film during installation. Therefore, you should prepare the rough base of the floor in advance and, if necessary, level it.

In addition, the correct connection of the design contacts requires certain skills and knowledge in electrical matters. If you have never experienced such work, it is safer to entrust the installation to professionals.

Features of laying a film underfloor heating under ceramic cladding

To carry out a competent installation of an infrared warm floor with your own hands, you should follow some rules and recommendations of specialists. Laying this type of coating is somewhat different from other electric heaters. In addition, certain nuances also appear during the finishing coating of such a system with tiles.

First you need to find out what exactly is needed during the installation process. Usually you can get by with the following list of materials:

underfloor heating system;
heat reflective backing;
wires for connecting the structure;
mounting tape dielectric;
drywall sheets;
glue for ceramic products;
tile.

First of all, carefully inspect the flooring. The surface must be dry and clean and free from embossing. If necessary, level the floor.

It is necessary to draw up a project for the placement of floor heating control equipment. Usually it is mounted in the wall outside the bathroom at the optimum height for operation. The wire connecting the sensors and the heating system must be passed through a corrugated pipe, which should be built into the screed layer or drowned in the wall.

The next step is to lay a cork or amalgam insulating material that reflects heat. For ease of installation of the heating film, it is cut into strips of about 50 cm along the perforation line, fastening them together with adhesive tape. The length of the strips in this case should not exceed nine meters. Particular attention should be paid to the joints of the material, their good insulation will contribute to the long and trouble-free operation of the system.

The copper strip running along the entire length of the cut should be on the subfloor.

It is necessary to ensure that the ends of the coating do not overlap each other, but are laid exactly end-to-end. All laying work must be done very carefully so as not to damage the thin surface of the material. To fix the film to the floor, it is covered from above with a mounting grid and fastened with brackets. This must be done carefully, trying not to touch the electrical contacts in order to avoid damaging them.

Holes are made on the copper strip with a hole punch, onto which the terminals are subsequently fixed.

Connecting the underfloor heating to the energy supply of the apartment

First you need to fix the sensor with temperature readings and the control relay on the wall and lead the wire through the corrugated hose before the start of the film coating.

Through the terminals with the help of wires, you need to connect the strips of the warm floor together and connect them to the cable coming from the control equipment.

To do this, at the junction points, the wires are stripped of the insulating braid. Then, using pliers, they are crimped on the terminals and at the junction with the devices. After linking the systems together, all exposed areas must be carefully insulated. It is important to ensure that all cables do not cross, but are parallel to each other.

It is better to entrust the final connection to the power supply to a qualified electrician in order to avoid a short circuit and a fire in the home.

Laying tiles over underfloor heating

Before proceeding with the flooring, you should test the operation of the system. In case of any problems, they need to be identified and eliminated. If the design is workable, you can start laying tiles.

To do this, lay drywall sheets on top of the film coating. They will become a kind of buffer between the polymer surface and the alkaline tile adhesive. For reliability, they need to be fixed with self-tapping screws to the floor, trying not to touch the electrical contacts of the structure.

Then you can start laying tiles. It is important to use a comb spatula to avoid air cushions between the tiles and the underfloor heating system. But in general, ceramic products are laid in the same way as usual.

Nuances when installing infrared floor heating

To ensure a positive result with self-installation of film heating systems before laying tiles, the following rules should be observed:

installation of the structure is possible only if the room air temperature is positive;
grounding infrared systems is mandatory;
damage to the film during installation must be carefully insulated, but it is better to try to prevent them;
it is forbidden to lay heater strips longer than ten meters;
do not fold the material or overlap the film cuts on top of each other.

Compliance with all the above standards will help you to qualitatively insulate the floor in the bathroom, even in such an atypical way for tiling.

Despite some opinions about the unsuitability of using warm infrared floors under ceramic cladding, it is still possible to install this particular heating system under tiles with high quality. All complex and lengthy installation work will be compensated for by an economical and comfortable floor in the bathroom.

Sensor equipment is best installed next to the bathroom

For self-assembly of an infrared heating system, you need to purchase some tools and materials

Infrared floor heating is much easier to lay than water

Film underfloor heating can only be laid on open areas of the floor

The shielding surface of the substrate will help to avoid heat loss during the operation of the floor

It is necessary to fix the film to the floor very carefully so as not to damage the contacts.

After connecting the terminals, insulate the junction of the wires

A thin layer of tile adhesive is applied to a drywall sheet and leveled with a notched trowel.

Wiring diagram for infrared floor heating

It is necessary to cut the film strips along the perforated line, without touching the contacts

Connecting the infrared floor to the power supply is best left to professionals

Infrared long-wave radiation is absolutely safe for humans

Heating the house will play an important role in providing comfort and coziness. One of the innovative ways of warming is laying an infrared warm floor. Installation of such a floor is carried out under different types of coating, including under tiles.

Consider the feasibility of using an infrared floor for tiles, describe the features of the types of film insulation, and also give step-by-step instructions for arranging a warm floor with your own hands.

Infrared floor under the tile: pros and cons

Infrared floor heating is one of the most functional and efficient modern methods of home heating. Its popularity is due to comfortable, high-quality and uniform heating.

The main idea of heating is to use a special thermal film. The polymer coating emits infrared rays, the size of which varies in the range of 5-20 microns. The main emitter in this case is a carbon carbonate paste placed in a protective polyester film.

By itself, the heat-insulating material as an infrared film is quite versatile. Unlike water floors, it can be used in different rooms (apartment, residential building) under various coatings. However, disputes between experts about the advisability of laying infrared floors under porcelain stoneware or tiles do not subside. Of course, tiles are a cold finishing material that needs additional heating, but there is an opinion that installation under such a coating of infrared insulation is not desirable. This is due to a number of reasons:

Low film adhesion. If you immediately lay tiles on the film coating or pour a screed, you will get a “floating” floor that is unstable to deformations. When tapped, concrete makes an empty sound, and if a heavy object is dropped on such a floor, then the screed has every chance of cracking. Some "masters" try to make a lot of serifs and cutouts to increase the hitch. But if these micro-holes are not securely insulated, then subsequently the floor can “beat” with current from leaks, while the RCD will constantly work.
Risk of short circuit. Tile mortars and screed adhesives are alkaline. Over time, the polyester film corrodes regardless of the number and thickness of the layers. The least dramatic outcome is a short circuit, the worst is sparking from exposed electrical connections.

Advice. Infrared floors are optimally suited for "dry" installation under linoleum, laminate, PVC tiles or carpet. Under porcelain stoneware, tiles, ceramics, it is better to use cable or rod electric floors.

Despite the listed disadvantages, not everyone is ready to abandon infrared tile insulation. During installation, special technologies are used to reduce the disadvantages and risks to a minimum. Such perseverance is due to the significant advantages of infrared floors:

efficient and uniform heating of housing;
ease of installation;
duration of operation;
minimum loss of room space - the thickness of the infrared floor is from 5 mm;
acceptable cost of an infrared floor under a tile (price);
heating of the room is improved due to the secondary convection of heated objects;
the concentration of negatively charged ions increases by 4 times - this has a positive effect on indoor air quality;
minimum electromagnetic radiation;
The operation of the infrared film is not accompanied by noise, vibration or dust emission.

This is interesting! 90% of the cure from the infrared floor freely passes through the screed and tiles, heating not only the air in the house, but also the human body

Choosing an infrared floor

Features of rod floors operating on the principle of infrared healing:

it is possible to lay the system directly into the adhesive solution;
the use of additional reinforcing mesh is not required;
installation of the core floor is easy to do on your own without the involvement of specialists;
automatic heating system adjustment mode - at maximum performance, an economical mode of operation is activated.

During the installation of film-type heating, it is important to comply with certain requirements, which will affect the increase in the cost of repairs. Infrared film, in turn, is available in two versions: with carbon and bimetallic heating element.

In the first version, the role of heating elements is performed by carbon fiber (carbon paste with various additives). The basis of the material is lavsan film, which has such qualities as: wear resistance, strength, elasticity and good dielectric characteristics.

Infrared floor under the tile: photo

The heating elements are soldered in two layers, the electricity is supplied through copper or silver-copper conductors. The underfloor heating is connected in parallel.

Important! Carbon infrared film can be used to insulate vertical surfaces and ceilings

The best option is an IR film with graphite sputtering. The material is characterized by high reliability and long service life. The disadvantage is the high cost.

The structure of film heating with a bimetallic heating element consists of two layers: aluminum and copper with additives.

The basis of bimetallic floors is a polyurethane elastic film. The circuit must be supplemented with a ground wire, and the installation procedure is a little more complicated. The connection is made through RCD and RCBO.

Important! Bimetallic infrared floor can not be laid under the tiles.

Technical characteristics and calculation of a warm film floor

Infrared heated floors under the tiles have the following characteristics:

maximum power consumption in heating mode - up to 250 W/sq.m.;
power consumption when setting the temperature control mode - 35-85 W/sq.m.;
radiation wavelength - 5-20 microns;
the peak percentage of infrared radiation in the spectrum is about 90-95%;
maximum heating temperature - 130°С;
operating voltage - 220 W.

High performance parameters make it possible to use film heating not only as an auxiliary, but also as the main element of the heating system.

When planning the arrangement of a warm floor, it is necessary to first calculate the area covered by the infrared film and the power consumption of the coating. The empirical value of the heat output for normal space heating is taken as 100 W/sq.m. heated area. Considering the 90% efficiency of IR film, this value equates to 111.1 W/m2.

For efficient use of underfloor heating, IR film must cover all places free from furniture. For example, if the free area is 80% and the whole room is 25 sq.m., then the size of the IR film will be 20 sq.m.

In the thermoregulatory mode (35%), power consumption will be: 0.35 * 220 W / sq.m. * 20 sq.m. * 1 h = 1.540 kWh.

Infrared floor for tiles: installation technology

Necessary materials

For arranging an infrared floor under a tile with your own hands, you can purchase a ready-made kit "Warm floor" or buy the materials yourself.

Standard equipment of the film underfloor heating system:

thermal film in a roll;
contact clamps;
a set of electrical wiring;
bituminous insulation on an adhesive basis;
PVC insulation;
detailed installation instructions.

Additionally, you need to prepare:

Step by step instructions for laying underfloor heating

The base under the warm floor must be even, without depressions, protrusions and other visible defects. Permissible height difference - maximum 3 mm. Before laying, the surface should be checked with a level and, if necessary, leveled - make a concrete screed according to the level. Let the screed “set” (28 days), clean the surface from dust. After carrying out the preparatory measures, you can proceed with the installation of the infrared floor.

Important! It is better to entrust electrical work on installing a warm floor to a professional master.

After connecting, it is necessary to check the performance of each heating strip at temperatures up to +30°C. If the system works well, then you can proceed to the next step - pouring the screed and tiling the surface.

As an additional protection against leaks, lay a polyethylene film on top of the infrared floor. Then cover the surface with a paint (plaster) mesh - this will improve the adhesion of the film and the screed. Fill the floor with a self-levelling mixture or screed, layer thickness - 8-10 mm. Leave the floor for 3 weeks for "coupling" and lay out the tiles.

Installation of infrared floors under the tiles: video

Basic requirements and recommendations for laying infrared underfloor heating under tiles

So that if the temperature sensor breaks down, it can be replaced, the device is passed through a strobe inside the corrugation.
If the infrared floor consumes more than 2 kW in total, then it is advisable to connect it through a separate machine.
Before pouring the cement screed, the integrity of the chain should be re-tested so that later it is not necessary to beat the tile.
After pouring the screed, the warm floor can be turned on only after complete drying, namely, not earlier than after 28 days.
If during the installation work the IN-film was damaged, then it is better to insulate it with aluminum tape on both sides.
When laying tiles, you can not use a metal reinforcing mesh.
Laying the floor must be carried out exclusively on a dry surface.
Underfloor heating must not be placed above heating elements such as a stove or fireplace.
Do not bend the film at an angle greater than 90°.
It is undesirable to lay a segment of the film floor exceeding 15 meters.

The presence of a warm infrared floor in the room creates a special cozy atmosphere. The advantages of IR coating are that the heat transfer of the floor is noticeably increased, and the cash costs for electricity are reduced. Installing a warm floor under a tile is not an easy task, it has a number of features. In this material, we will consider the technologies that are used in this area.

Peculiarities

The infrared radiation of the warm floor is evenly distributed over the walls, ceiling, objects in the room, heating them. The technology works wirelessly and is suitable for coated floors:

Laminate;
Linoleum;
Carpet.

Infrared underfloor heating under tiles is most often needed in such rooms:

Greenhouses;
Pools;
Kitchens;
Bathrooms;
technical rooms.

There are two types of infrared floors that are used under tiles:

Rod;
Film.

The second is notable for the fact that flat elements are used in its production, in which there is a carbon suspension. On both sides of it, film polymer coatings with a thickness of 0.5 millimeters are mounted, while the strip width can be from 30 to 120 centimeters.

When installing the floor, be sure to follow the safety rules and use grounding. Such a design creates comfort and coziness in the room, which cannot but affect the mental and emotional state of a person.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantage of IR floor heating system:

No electromagnetic radiation;
Simplicity in work;
Profitability;
Does not dry out the air
No risk of fire;
Does not provoke accumulation of dust;
Versatility - IR film can even be mounted on a wall or ceiling.

The height of the IR structure does not exceed three centimeters, and even in rooms where the ceilings are only two and a half meters high, the film is almost invisible.

Another advantage of the IR film is the fact that it does not dry the air in the room. The traditional technology of radiator heating does not have such advantages.

Disadvantages:

For mounting IR equipment high qualification required. It is better for a master without solid practical work experience to take on such projects;
It is forbidden to mount such devices under furniture. Tiles should be carefully checked for defects, as infrared radiation can cause delamination of this material. It is better to buy ceramic flooring from well-known brands, since, for example, Chinese tiles are of poor quality and cannot withstand even small loads.

When installing equipment and tiles, all technological requirements must be observed. This is the main rule of this type of work.

Scheme of work

A floor with an infrared film under the tiles is an option that is quite common. It is quite possible to connect an infrared film floor to electricity, it will work fine if you pour a screed on top and put tiles on it. These works are simple, they can be done, if not independently, then with the involvement of a master.

There are two ways to lay tiles on a film:

A masking grid is mounted on top of the film to increase adhesion. A screed or a special self-leveling mixture is poured onto it. Layer thickness - no more than 10 mm.
GVL sheets are placed on the film, fixed with self-tapping screws that pass between the strips of heating elements; great precision is required from the master, since fragile structures can easily be damaged.
Next, the tiles are mounted according to standard technology using glue for underfloor heating.

At the beginning of work, you should draw a diagram with dimensions, in which all cables and heating elements will be reflected.

The rod floor is specially designed for tile flooring, so in this case, it is not necessary to do a screed. For ceramic tiles, rod infrared heaters have been created that are connected to a thermostat. They have a ceramic coating.

Between the two conductors are rods (they look like steps), which are made of graphite and silver carbon. Canvas sizes:

Width - 82 cm;
The space between the rods is up to 10 cm.
Length - up to 20 meters.

When current passes from the rods, IR radiation is emitted, it has a wavelength of 8 to 14 microns. This technology saves a lot of money. The electrical circuit is designed in such a way that the minimum amount of energy is spent during operation.

How to connect?

Before starting work on the installation of a film infrared floor, you should:

Prepare the base;
Place heat-reflecting material over the entire plane;
Prepare a place for the thermostat.

Installation begins with the fact that the material is distributed throughout the room. It is necessary to fix it with electrical tape or tape, seal the joints.

It is possible to reduce the consumption of wires if the contacts are directed towards the regulator. A clamp is fixed on the copper strip, its side is located inside the coating, the second is on top of the copper strip. The cut lines are insulated with bitumen. The film is fixed using electrical tape. To do this, you need to level the base, put heat-reflecting material on the floor.

Stages of work:

Installation of heat-reflecting material;
Film installation;
Connecting blocks, connecting them with a thermostat;
A temperature sensor is installed between the first and second layers of the screed in the corrugated pipe
Layers are laid, fixed with self-tapping screws
The screed is poured, you can do it yourself
Tiles are laid on the screed.

When working, consider the following:

It is possible to install an IR system under furniture only when it is located on legs at a height of at least three centimeters;
It is necessary to properly lay the thermal insulation, this will protect against excessive consumption of electricity;
Do not use insulation in which foil is present, it is subject to corrosion;
To lay the coating on the desired side, you should carefully study the instructions-memo.

It is allowed to use film-based insulation:

Lavsanova;
Polypropylene.

The thermostat is installed on the wall, electrical wiring is connected to it

Wires cannot be laid on the floor; they should be laid in a plastic box. Wires should not create bumps. You need to do the following:

Cut a notch for the wires in the heat-reflecting insulation;
Clean the wires at the ends before mounting them;
The tip of the wire is inserted into the contact clamp, fixed;
The junction is isolated with bituminous mastic.

Then it is necessary to fix the thermostat, it is recommended to do this inside the corrugation; then the device is connected to the temperature controller. Its upper part is mounted from below to a black silicon strip of blocks that are heated using bituminous mastic. At the point where the installation took place, a cut should be made, this will ensure that deformations do not appear.

The sensor can fail, so you need to put it in such a way that it can be easily removed.

Installation work should be entrusted to an experienced specialist.

Properly selected material is the key to the normal operation of the equipment. It is recommended to know its basic technical characteristics:

The film is able to heat up less and give off more heat;
The standard film can withstand temperatures up to 80 degrees Celsius;
It is possible to interconnect silver and copper tires, due to this it is possible to reduce the thickness of the layer, which means prolonging the life of the device;
Conductive strips are made from alloys containing silver. On the film, they clearly show through, and the more silver, the better the film will be. If the main base is white, then this confirms that a high-quality durable polymer is present in the composition.

There should be no signs of oxidation on the strips;
The film is considered bad if the width of the copper strip is less than 14 mm.
The system consumes power from 125 to 440 W/m2. If the film will lie under the carpet, then power up to 160 W / m2 will be enough. If the film will be located under tiles or porcelain stoneware, then a power of at least 215 W / m2 will be required here. If the heated floor is in the sauna, then more than 220 W / m2 will be required;
The minimum film thickness is 0.3 mm. The thicker the coating, the longer it will last, so when choosing, you need to focus on a film that is thicker than 0.3 mm
The film is installed in such a way that adjacent sheets fit snugly against each other, but do not overlap. If you choose the width of the roll in this way, it will reduce the amount of waste and save money.

High-power models are used in paint shops, saunas, etc. In such devices, graphite rods are soldered into a heavy-duty coating.

You should know that carbon and graphite have a similar molecular structure, but their properties differ markedly. Carbon is more resistant to stress, while graphite is not as strong.

It is recommended to connect the IR device with the help of a person with practical experience. You can lay tiles with your own hands, especially if it is a small area, such as in a bathroom or on a balcony. If you entrust the most complex work to professionals, and do the simpler ones yourself, then you can equip an apartment without spending extra money.

Manufacturers

Heat Life film is popular all over the world. Heat Life is the manufacturer who invented carbon coated film. There are many of its analogues on the market, but they are all inferior in quality to the products of the South Korean company. Heat Life also produces a unique IR film that can be laid directly into the screed. The film withstands temperatures above two hundred degrees Celsius, the technology of its manufacture is the know-how of the company.

heat plus is another South Korean company that has been confidently present on the Russian market for a decade. Heat Plus has opened many service centers throughout the country and makes both striped and solid film, which ranges from 85 to 460 watts.

Firm Caleo (South Korea) has been producing IR film since 2006. Considered one of the best, the company has a lot of developments and innovative know-how. For example, it was Caleo who invented the mesh flooring to prevent sparks.

The company has production facilities on three continents (Europe, America and Asia) and confidently continues to conquer the market. The use of Caleo film allows you to save up to 20% of electricity compared to conventional heating devices.

The range of IR films from the company is very wide: from cheap models to very expensive ones. The warranty is provided by Caleo up to 15 years, which in itself already speaks of the quality of the goods. Also, the South Korean company produces a variety of components and systems that provide heating pipes and roofs.

The average price for the purchase and installation of the film will cost from 5 to 10 US dollars. Infrared film from the USA Carolique is also very popular in Russia and is suitable for almost any coating.

The film is inexpensive and represents an innovative generation of IR heating systems. Infrared energy is evenly and quickly distributed throughout the room. Manufacturers claim that this kind of technology makes it possible to reduce electricity bills by at least fifty percent. Feedback on IR film from Carolique is only positive.

When purchasing an IR film, it is recommended to pay attention to the availability of quality certificates, because very often products of famous brands are faked. It is better to overpay a little by purchasing a branded product than to spend a lot of money on repairs later.

Teplotex- Another South Korean manufacturer that produces quality products with a thickness of 0.36 mm. The width of the rolls is 0.5 and 1 meter. The film can work normally for three decades.

Rexva- This company is better known at home, in South Korea, where it occupies more than 50% of the market. In Russia, little is known about the film from this manufacturer. This company leads the industry in the number of scientific developments. The company uses a special lamination that guarantees 100% moisture isolation.

Eastec is a company that has developed and implemented IR flooring technology. It continues to offer new original models that are in constant demand among consumers. Film power - from 60 W, width - from 30 cm.

Monocrystal (Ukraine)- a company that positions its products as the best in Europe. The company really has unique developments, for example, a film with a reduced content of silver paste, but with a more massive carbon layer. There is an interesting model that is designed specifically for ceramic tiles. Such a film has a high coefficient of adhesion.

The company produces both striped and continuous films. Roll thickness - 30 and 64 cm. Power - from 130 to 620 watts. It is good to use such a film for warming loggias, to mount around the perimeter of windows and doors.

Tiles and porcelain tiles are an excellent material for flooring - durable and practical. The only disadvantage of tiled floors is the heat transfer coefficient.

Ceramics is not able to accumulate heat in itself and immediately gives it to the environment, so tiled floors are always cold to the touch.

If in the summer heat this feature of them can still be considered as a plus, then in the cold season the feeling of a cold floor creates a certain discomfort. To correct the situation and make the tiled surface not only practical, but also comfortable, a film underfloor heating under the tile will help.

Features of the operation of film underfloor heating

Film floors require minimal energy costs

Underfloor heating is a relatively new type of space heating, successfully used both in residential and public buildings. Their main difference from the classical method of heating is the placement of heating elements not on the walls of the room, but directly under the floor covering. This makes it possible to create the most comfortable temperature in the lower part of the room with a minimum of energy costs.

Among all types of floor heating systems, infrared floors are the most technologically advanced in operation.

Compared to cable systems, IR floors have a higher coefficient of performance (COP).
Unlike water floors, IR systems do not use a liquid heat carrier, so the possibility of leakage is excluded.
IR systems during operation almost do not emit electromagnetic waves and do not dry the air.

The table shows the comparative characteristics of infrared floors and water floor heating systems.

The effect of infrared waves is similar to the effect of sunlight

Heat is transferred here by means of infrared radiation, resulting in heating of the floor covering, as well as objects in the room.

The length of the IR wave is about 10 - 20 microns, which brings its action closer to the sun's rays: freely passing through the air, when it hits walls, ceilings, furniture, etc., it transfers its thermal energy to them.

In turn, heated objects begin to transfer heat to the air in the room, heating it. This property in thermodynamics is called the effect of secondary convection.

However, like any heating system, infrared floors have their drawbacks.

Tiles and floor heating systems

Warm floors are always covered from above with a top coat. Recently, the market of finishing materials has a huge number of different materials intended for these purposes.

Laminate, linoleum, carpet, parquet - all these materials look great in any interior due to their excellent aesthetic properties, but when choosing a floor covering for a warm floor, you should be guided by several other criteria.

Criteria for choosing a finish

When laying a laminate on an infrared floor, it is recommended to lay an underlay

First of all, you should pay attention to the thermal conductivity of the material. With the classic method of heating a home, when heating is done by wall-mounted radiators, the floors are the coldest part of the room, so most floor coverings have a reduced thermal conductivity.

To protect our feet from the cold, a heat-insulating substrate is laid under the laminate, and the inside of the linoleum is covered with pile, etc. But what is good for wall heating is a big minus for floor heating. Coatings with a heat-insulating effect block the free transfer of heat from the heating elements to the surrounding air.

The tile coating does not have thermal protection

The only type of flooring that does not have thermal protection properties is tile flooring.

A tiled floor practically does not retain heat, which significantly increases the efficiency of underfloor heating systems.

Tiles are usually laid on a concrete rough base using a special tile adhesive.

This makes ceramic an excellent option for decorative flooring over underfloor heating. However, this does not apply to IR floors.

Installation of an infrared underfloor heating under a tile can be accompanied by a number of problems, both directly during the work and during its operation.

Tiles and IR floors - possible pitfalls

In the case of laying tiles on water or cable floors, there are no problems.

Can infrared underfloor heating be installed under tiles? There is no definite answer to this question, even among experts. If some categorically do not recommend installing an infrared floor under a tile, then others do not see anything wrong with this.

Let's try to understand the possible problems in terms of the installation of tiles and infrared heating systems.

Laying tiles is usually done on top of a layer of concrete screed. The surface of the rough floors is leveled with cement mortar.

In the case of water floors, it is optimal to fill them with a concrete screed

In cases with the installation of water or cable underfloor heating, the pouring of the concrete screed occurs without problems - it is recommended that such heating structures be installed under the concrete pour. In this case, the fill performs three functions at once:

Leveling. Makes the surface of the floors even in the horizontal plane.
Protective. Protects heating elements - plastic pipes and insulating sheath of cables - from external physical impact.
Heat transfer. Concrete pouring is an excellent conductor of heat, quickly and fully giving it to the surrounding air.

However, with IR emitters, the situation is not so simple: it is impossible to make a screed over the film floor under the tile. Firstly, the compositions of tile adhesives and screed mixtures have an alkaline environment, therefore, when the solution is directly applied to the film of heating elements, it may eventually become unusable, and the electrical wires enclosed inside it can be closed.

Secondly, a concrete screed applied directly to the film will not be able to form a strong bond with it due to the low adhesion of a smooth surface. As a result, a screed that does not have a strong connection with the base of the floors can simply crack and crumble under the weight of furniture or people moving around the room.

Warm water and cable floors are intended for pouring the screed. Infrared systems should be mounted under the screed only in exceptional cases, when there is simply no other alternative.

Despite all the prohibitions, nothing is impossible for true masters.

Currently, at least two main methods have been developed for laying tiles on top of a film heating coating.

One of the laying methods is called "dry" due to the fact that the IR heating elements in this case do not come into contact with the concrete screed. The second method is "wet". In this case, the concrete solution is poured over the heating structure.

"Dry" method

On top of the IR film, it is recommended to lay a protective film and sheets of drywall or MDF

The dry method of installing an infrared underfloor heating under a tile involves the following stages of work.

Also, do not place heating elements under low furniture - cabinets, chests of drawers, sofas. Lack of air circulation over IR floors will drastically reduce their effectiveness, and furniture due to constant exposure to IR rays may dry out and crack.

"Wet" method

This method saves time and money.

The next method, called "wet", is easier and faster. So, the financial and time costs for its installation are on average 20-30% lower than with the “dry” technology, but at the same time, the installation of an infrared heated floor under the tile is less safe due to the possible contact of the heating elements with cement mortar.

"Wet" installation consists of the following steps:

As you can see, if the work is carried out correctly, it is quite possible to install warm infrared floors under the tiles.

The use of infrared underfloor heating in the arrangement of modern apartments is due to the desire to provide the most comfortable environment in your home. Such floor heating systems are used when the central heating cannot cope with the heating of the room and the floor covering on which the household moves remains cold. The laying of the infrared floor can be carried out under different types of finishing materials, including tiles, laminate and linoleum. The most difficult of these options is an infrared warm floor under the tiles, since the heating film in this case will be in the layer of tile adhesive. How to carry out all the work on the installation of infrared coverage?

What is an infrared floor?

A warm infrared floor is mounted using a special film, which is a material up to 1 mm thick. Inside this film are electrically driven components that provide heating of the floor surface. A characteristic feature of such a floor is the fact that the heating system does not heat the air in the room, but the objects standing on the floor surface, and the heat radiation into the room is provided by carbon paste sealed in polyester.

The IR film operates from the mains at a standard voltage of 220 volts, the system is connected using the thermostats included in the kit. Such heating of residential premises is quite economical, since it does not require large expenditures of electricity.

Infrared film floor heating can be laid in the living room and bedroom under the laminate, and in the kitchen - under the tile. For this, the same IR film with standard characteristics is used. The required mains voltage, which ensures the efficient operation of the infrared floor, is 220-230 Volts, and the power spent per meter of room area can be different - ranging from 150 to 440 watts. To find out what power film you need, you need instructions for a specific type of IR coating. Films with indicators of 150 W can warm the floor up to +45 degrees, and 440 W - up to +80. It is recommended to choose infrared material taking into account these parameters.

An infrared floor laid under a tile or other finishing coating is fireproof, since even with the highest thermal film power of 440 W, the maximum possible temperature does not exceed the melting threshold of this material at +264 degrees.

Among the advantages of using infrared floors for heating residential premises, one can note the noiselessness of their operation and the simplicity of the installation process. Installation of the coating is not difficult and can be done independently. A warm floor based on thermal film will not interfere with your rest at home. Such a coating does not cause vibrations, does not reduce the level of oxygen in the air space of the apartment and does not smell during operation.

The infrared floor, which spreads under linoleum or decorative trim with other material, is not only easy to install, but also quite practical. The heat emanating from the material is distributed evenly over the entire heated area, and almost immediately felt underfoot, since it takes a minimum of time to warm up the top layer of the coating. Infrared floors do not dry the air of residential premises and do not raise dust, which is of great importance for the health of households.

Among the operational characteristics of the IR coating, one can note the possibility of adjusting the required level of temperature using a thermostat. The connection of the heating elements inside the film is parallel, so that the floor will warm up even if one of the sections deteriorates and stops heating.

Installation of IR film under the tile

Infrared underfloor heating under tiles must be laid in a special way, since this option for organizing underfloor heating is characterized by the vulnerability of the thermal film to tile adhesive. The IR film itself is characterized by a low degree of adhesion, its surface does not adhere well to the next layer of the floor structure. Therefore, pouring a cement screed over the laid thermal film or installing a tile sheet can lead to the fact that the floor turns out to be floating. Such a disadvantage causes problems with the further operation of the finished floor.

Tile adhesive is usually alkaline, which corrodes polyester. The film of water under the influence of the substances that make up the adhesive will dissolve, which can lead to a short circuit and the failure of the entire coating.

How to install a film floor under ceramic tiles with your own hands? It is necessary to start work with the preparation of the working surface: it is cleaned of dirt and debris, leveled if necessary, washed and dried. Then a heat-reflecting material is laid on it. It can be foil or cork, you can choose any suitable option. Thermal insulation is placed on the floor surface in strips, which are glued with construction tape. All joints of the material should be well fastened, and the metallized side should be on top.

Then you can mount the floor heating itself, which, at the end of the work, hides under the tile. The film is laid on top of the heat-reflecting layer, always without overlapping joints. All joints must be made neatly and not run into each other, laying the thermal film overlapping can lead to a short circuit. IR film can not be laid over the entire floor area in the room, sometimes it is enough to place the material only in the central part. There is usually large-sized furniture near the walls, which makes no sense to heat. If you are installing an infrared floor throughout the room, then in the places where the furniture will stand, you need to consider the possibility of ventilation.

The thermostat is mounted in the wall at a place convenient for you, and the temperature sensor is inside the floor between the layers of the screed. These two devices must be synchronized so that you can receive reliable information about the included temperature regime during further operation of the infrared floors.

Before installing the tile, experts recommend testing the finished IR coating in order to eliminate the existing problems, since it will be very problematic to do this after laying the tile. If no problems are found, then you can proceed with the installation of the tiled flooring. It will be possible to turn on the infrared floor a month after all the work, when the screed and glue are completely dry.

IR film under linoleum

The infrared warm floor under the linoleum has several of its features related to the flooring of the linoleum itself on the infrared film. The use of infrared floors in combination with linoleum coating can be considered the best option for those who want to equip a warm floor and have a coating of this PVC material. Linoleum under the influence of IR film will heat evenly to a certain temperature, so overheating and melting of the finishing floor covering are excluded.

With a film power of 150 W, linoleum will not swell and separate from the base, soften and tear, it will not change its color and will not emit harmful substances. The use of a higher power film for linoleum is not recommended as the linoleum may overheat in this case.

The laying of an infrared warm floor, which will then be used as a base for linoleum, is carried out as follows. First, the surface is cleaned and prepared, then a heat-reflecting layer is laid and the film itself is laid. These works are carried out in the same order as when laying the IR film under the tile. Then, before laying the linoleum sheet, experts recommend laying a layer of plywood on the floor. This is necessary in order to provide a level surface for the finishing coat and to protect the heating elements of the film, which can be damaged in high traffic areas.

Linoleum itself is spread in the usual way, in small rooms it can not be attached to plywood with glue, but simply spread out. The finished coating is recommended to be used at temperatures up to +28 degrees, in order to exclude the release of harmful substances and not reduce the quality of linoleum as a floor covering.

IR coating under laminate

IR floors are used not only for linoleum and tile coatings, they can also be mounted under a laminate. The use of infrared film is due to the fact that the laminate is a type of lightweight flooring that warms up quickly. This allows us to talk about the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this method of organizing additional heating of a dwelling.