Infrared warm floor under the tile: do-it-yourself installation. Infrared warm floor under the tile - the pros and cons

Tiles are one of the best options for decorating flooring in a bathroom, bathroom or kitchen. It does not deteriorate from exposure to moisture and is very durable. However, when walking on it, it can be unpleasant for the feet to feel cold, because this material cools down rather quickly and does not hold heat. That is why infrared underfloor heating under the tiles is a great option to make both the bathroom and the kitchen as comfortable as possible.

On the construction market, there are several options for organizing a warm floor in rooms - these are systems of water and electric types, moreover, the latter are of two types - cable and film. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can significantly affect the final choice of the home owner. And all the nuances should be taken into account even at the stage of designing the design and renovation of the premises.

Water floors are a system of pipes through which hot water flows, supplied from a central heating system or from autonomous boilers. Such floors are usually equipped with a screed, but there are options that can be equipped without pouring cement mixtures.

On a note! Due to the need to fill the screed, the ceiling height in the room is reduced by at least 7-10 cm. Also, water floors can not always be equipped in apartments located in houses of the old fund, due to the inability to connect to the central heating system (the load on it will be too great ).

An electric cable floor is a system created from a heating cable laid on a rough base and also filled with a screed. Sometimes the cable can be laid without pouring the cement mixture. Such a floor works, as you might guess, from the mains.

- These are also electrical systems, only the base is heated by infrared radiation. The system consists of thin film mats laid on the floor and generating heat. Typically, such floors are laid on top of a flooded screed. One of the main advantages of using IR floors is the absence of a significant increase in the level of the floor due to the absence of the need to pour the screed.

Is it possible to lay the film floor under the tiles?

It is easy to answer this question, but before that it is important to analyze the operating conditions of the floor, see recommendations for laying the system. The instructions for heating sheets indicate that they can be laid under laminate, and under wood, including tile. Thus, the installation of this system under the tile can be done safely.

On a note! Infrared floor systems can be mounted even outdoors under porcelain stoneware slabs, since such heating is not afraid of water exposure. Thus, there will never be ice-covered paths near the house.

In general, IR floors are usually laid under laminate, carpet, etc. using the so-called “dry installation” technology. But, nevertheless, they are also laid under the tiles, but already using tile adhesive, and sometimes screeds or mixtures for self-leveling floors. However, in the last two cases, it is important to remember some features of the work.

In general, a cable floor can be used under the tile - it is likely to last longer than a film one, and is a type of floor heating specially designed for this type of work. At least for a "wet" installation, it is ideal. However, if you install infrared floors correctly and in compliance with all safety requirements (grounding, work in a dry room, etc.), there should be no problems with them.

The principle of operation of film coatings

IR floors are a rather thin film, between the layers of which there are strips created from graphite (carbon fiber). It is these black stripes that are the very heating elements, due to which the system begins to generate heat. There are also film floors completely covered with carbon. The film is laid out on the prepared floor base, connected by wires to the power supply network and starts to heat up. All surfaces around the film are heated by infrared radiation.

Infrared film - photo

The floor heats up very quickly due to the operation of the film, and thanks to the “smart” thermostat, it turns off after heating. Thus, the IR floor only works for about 20 minutes per hour. If necessary, the system restarts and heats the base.

Infrared floor has the highest efficiency compared to other types of floor heating systems. It heats up quite quickly, while consuming a very small amount of electricity. Thus, it is very economical.

The film is great for laying in any type of room, be it a bedroom, a nursery, a hall or a bathroom with a kitchen. At the same time, the sheets are laid in accordance with the arrangement of furniture in the room - where large objects (sofa, cabinets, etc.) will stand, the film does not fit. The easiest way is to mount it only where the feet are in contact with the floor - for example, at the exit from the bathroom.

Attention! There are two types of IR floors - bimetallic and carbon. The first one is absolutely impossible to lay under the tile.

It is interesting that, unlike other heating systems, the infrared floor heats the objects surrounding it, and not the air. Due to this, such a system has a positive effect on the formation of the microclimate in the room, it does not dry the air, but, on the contrary, enriches it with negatively charged ions.

Characteristics of infrared heaters

IR floors are easy to regulate by temperature - for example, by setting the thermostat to 21 degrees, you can achieve the most comfortable floor temperature. Although in general it is possible to heat the system up to 50 degrees, it is not necessary. Since there are quite a lot of manufacturers of IR systems on the market now, you can easily find equipment at a suitable price. Installation can be done independently and quite quickly, and this will also have a positive effect on the wallet of the owner of the equipped premises. And in some cases, infrared floors can even replace a centralized heating system.

Advantages of infrared floor

IR floor has a considerable number of advantages.

1. The IR system does an excellent job of heating the surrounding interior items. The wavelength is 5-20 microns, which allows it to pass through the tile.
2. Adjusting the temperature with an installed IR floor system is quite simple, which will create an optimal microclimate in any room.
3. Such floors are economical, they spend little electricity.
4. Human health will not suffer from significant electromagnetic radiation, as when laying a cable floor.
5. Infrared floors can become a kind of air ionizer.

IR heated floor under the tile - which one is better

Disadvantages of infrared systems when laying them under a tile

But IR floors also have their downsides. This is especially true of the option in which the system is laid under the tiles.

Infrared warm floor under the tile: laying features

Installation of IR floors under tiles is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. But there are a few nuances that are important to take into account. First you need to worry about the materials and tools that you may need to work. This can be a heat-reflecting substrate, the IR film itself in the required quantity, tape for insulating wires, tiles and glue for it, adhesive tape, corrugated tube, drywall, contact clamps, polyethylene, wires for connection, scissors, etc.

Infrared floor - installation

For laying both tiles and infrared heating systems, you need a flat base. Therefore, it must be cleaned of debris and inspected for damage, protrusions. There should not be any relief on it - all cracks are sealed, and it is recommended that the bulges be sanded off.

Also, the preliminary work on the installation of the IR floor system includes the creation of a scheme for laying the IR film and placing various elements such as a thermostat. In this case, the location of large-sized furniture and the places where the film will not be mounted should be taken into account. It is important to remember that all wires coming from the heating system to the thermostat must be laid in a corrugation and a groove drilled in the wall. However, it is not always necessary to ditch the walls. Sometimes the wires are laid in a plastic narrow channel, which is attached to the wall surface.

Attention! It is important to handle the IR heating film carefully, as it is quite easy to damage it. And cut it only along clearly marked cut lines. Cutting the film in another place, it can be rendered unusable.

All installation work must be carried out at an air temperature above 0 degrees, as well as at a humidity of not more than 60%. It is also important to ensure that the entire system is grounded. Particular attention is paid to the insulation of contacts, as well as to possible places of damage to the film.

Table. Types of IR film mounting.

View	Description
	It is used when mounting on the surface of the IR film of laminate, carpet. It is used for mounting tiles, but rarely. It implies careful leveling of the surface, laying the heat-insulating material and the film itself, then installing the protective film layer (polyethylene), drywall sheets and the tile itself, which is fixed with glue. In this case, the film is not exposed to contact with caustic substances and will last a long time. But here the height of the base in this case turns out to be quite significant, which is not always relevant. In addition, this method of carrying out the work will cost more.
	Used for laying tile, stone, etc. The so-called classic method. The work will cost less than with a dry type of installation, but they are much more difficult. In this case, the surface is also prepared, then a heat reflector is laid, on which the IR film is mounted. Then it is covered with a polyethylene film, reinforced and filled with a mixture for self-leveling floors. Ceramic tile is mounted by the classical method (on glue) on top of this layer after it dries. The underfloor heating system can be put into operation about a week after laying the tiles.

Installation of infrared underfloor heating under the tile

Let's consider how the installation process of the LamaHeat infrared floor by the wet method takes place. This is a special type of IR flooring that looks like a fine mesh and is great for wet laying.

Step 1. The surface of the subfloor is thoroughly cleaned of debris. Then a lavsan heat-reflecting substrate is laid on it. Its individual strips are interconnected with adhesive tape.

Step 3 This canvas is connected to the mains using special terminals and wires. Terminals with wires inserted into them are clamped with pliers.

Step 4 The wire connection points are insulated with pieces of bitumen insulation on both sides.

Step 5 With the help of a clerical knife, recesses are cut out on the surface of the thermal insulation for laying wires in them.

Step 6 The ends of the IR web where no wires are connected must be insulated.

Step 7 A layer of self-leveling floors is poured over the IR grid. The layer is carefully leveled and dried.

Step 8 The tile is being laid on a layer of self-leveling floor. The tile is attached to the surface with tile adhesive applied with a notched trowel.

Prices for IR warm floor film

infrared floor heating

Video - Installation of IR film under the tile

Video - Installation of the classic type of IR film under the tile

It is possible to lay the infrared floor under the tiles, but it is important to carry out all work carefully and carefully, be sure to follow all the rules of work. Otherwise, warm floors of this type simply will not please the owner of the apartment with their work - they will quickly fail. In general, such a system is quite reliable and has an excellent quality of work.

Currently, there are many ways to make your room more comfortable and functional. An important role in creating comfort is played by heating the room. How to properly install an infrared warm floor under the tile, and what is needed for this, will be discussed in our article.

Hosts can choose one of the following types of heating:

• water heating;
• film heating system;
• heating with heating mats.

Advantages of a warm floor

Below we will consider perhaps the simplest underfloor heating - ic floor under the tile.

Its merits are as follows:

1. The air in the room does not lose its freshness, because this type of heating does not affect it in any way.
2. Infrared heated floor under the tiles, radiating long waves, heats not only the surface of the floor itself, but also the entire body of the person who is currently walking on it.
3. This method of heat transfer allows it to be re-emitted from previously heated objects, which increases the overall temperature in the room even more.
4. The content of negative ions in the air increases by at least 4 times.
5. In the process of functioning, the infrared film does not emit dust, noise and vibrations.
6. The amount of generated electromagnetic radiation is so small that it can be neglected.
7. This type of heating is perceived by a person much more pleasantly at initial low temperatures in the room than in the case of water heating.

So what is the film infrared heat-insulated floor laid under the tile? By and large, infrared heating consists of a thin film 0.3-1 mm thick, equipped inside with an electrically conductive element. Below will be described how to install an infrared underfloor heating under the tile.

Definition with materials and tools

In order to install a film underfloor heating under a tile, you will need to acquire the following materials:

• heat-reflecting substrate;
• infrared heating system;
• special dielectric mounting grid;
• connecting wires;
• flooring, in this case ceramic tiles;
• adhesive mixture.

Laying a film underfloor heating under a tile begins with the preparation of a rough base, which includes removing irregularities, cleaning, washing and drying the base. After that, the heat-repellent material is installed.

A layer of infrared film is carefully laid on top. It comes already assembled, it remains only to spread it parallel to the sheets of the heat reflector. Be careful not to overlap the film. Otherwise, it may cause a short circuit or deterioration of the heat reflective material.

thermostat

The thermostat is a device for controlling the infrared floor system. Its installation is carried out in a predetermined place, and it is connected to a conductive film.

In order for the temperature sensors to show the correct data, after placing the corrugated tube, they should be mounted between two layers of the screed. After that, the temperature sensor and thermostat should be coordinated.

heat repellent material

Such materials are of several varieties:

• foil;
• cork;
• with reflective surface.

Everyone selects the type of insulation based on their needs.

Conductive wire

Laying an infrared heated floor under the tiles is accompanied by laying a wire from the temperature sensor to the temperature controller. This is a fairly easy process - the wire is connected to the temperature sensor at the end of the corrugated pipe and stretches to the wall on which the control panel for the infrared floor system is located.

The wire will also need to be insulated, making sure that the screed does not get on it.

Preparatory work on the surface

You will need to carry out the following work:

1. Remove old flooring.
2. Remove the roughness of the base and clean it from dust.
3. Dry the substrate thoroughly.

After completing these steps, you can begin the main work.

Laying a heat-insulating layer

It should be noted that the thermal insulation must be laid with a metallized layer upwards. The thickness of the material, as a rule, should be no more than 2-3 mm.

Thermal film laying

Handle this type of material very carefully, as the film is very thin and easily damaged. More information about the correct installation and safety precautions can be found in the attached instructions. In addition, do not forget about high-quality insulation of joints after cutting the film!

• Do not lay the film over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. It is better to lay it closer to the center, where practically no furniture will be installed.
• If it is planned to lay infrared heat film under large furniture, you need to consider high-quality ventilation.
• Provide a gap between the film and the wall of 10 cm.
• Make sure that the thermal insulation is indeed a dielectric.
• If you lay the film throughout the room, you can save on wiring.

Connection

Before you start laying tiles, you should connect the underfloor heating and make sure that the system is functioning properly. So, if flaws are found, it will be easier to eliminate them.

Laying the finish coat

Now you can install the tiles. The process of laying tiles can be carried out in the traditional way. It will be possible to use the underfloor heating system only after one month after the completion of the laying of ceramic tiles.

Finally

In conclusion, we can give a few rules on how to properly use an underfloor heating under a tile:

• It is impossible to carry out the installation of a warm floor in any room at a temperature below zero.
• Be sure to provide grounding for the IR film.
• Waterproofing underfloor heating, if necessary, should be considered in advance.
• Try not to damage the film, if this happens - insulate the damaged area with tape on both sides.
• The length of the film must not exceed 15 meters.
• It is impossible to install a warm floor under any heating elements.
• Try not to bend the film more than 90 degrees.

From the foregoing, we can conclude that it is quite possible to install an infrared underfloor heating system on our own. You can visualize the entire process of the work carried out in the attached video.

Ceramic tiles are a great option for finishing floors in the bathroom, kitchen or hallway. However, its big drawback is that it is cold, and walking on it barefoot is extremely uncomfortable. But is it worth it because of this to abandon the tile? Of course not! Infrared underfloor heating under the tile - that's the way out. This article is a kind of instruction that will help you figure out which underfloor heating is better and whether it is possible to do the installation yourself.

Under tile has a number of advantages. Let's see why it is better than other types of the "warm floor" system.

• Infrared heating does not affect the indoor air at all, it always remains fresh.
• The heat released has a long wave. Thus, not only the floor is heated, heat is transferred to all objects that come into contact with the floor, including the human body.
• Virtually no electromagnetic radiation.
• The infrared floor system is silent, does not vibrate and does not emit dust.
• The number of negatively charged ions in the air more than quadruples.

The heat from the infrared film spreads from bottom to top. As a result, a comfortable temperature is kept evenly in the lower part of the room.

Despite all the advantages, many doubt whether it is possible to install a film underfloor heating under a tile, since it is recommended for the so-called "dry" installation. Indeed, it is better not to put the film in or. There are three reasons for this:

1. Film composition. Since tile adhesives and screed mixtures are alkaline, the film may corrode after a certain time. As a result, exposed electrical connections can spark and short circuits can also occur.
2. The film has a low degree of adhesion. If you immediately put ceramics on it or pour a screed on it, it will “float”.
3. Specially for "wet" installation are made.

This does not mean at all that it is impossible to install a thin warm floor under the tiles. There are two ways, which will be discussed next.

Preparatory stage

What set of tools and materials will be required to install the underfloor heating system?

• Infrared floor heating kit, including a temperature sensor;
• Heat-reflecting insulation no more than 3 mm thick;
• Mounting mesh that does not conduct electricity;
• Connecting wires. Their cross section is determined depending on the power of the system;
• Double sided tape;
• Ceramic tile and adhesive for it.

Accessories and tools for mounting IR film

Before installing a thin warm floor, you need to prepare the base. The first step is to remove the old flooring. Then it is cleaned of dirt and dust, leveled and dried. After that, you need to determine the place where the thermostat will be installed, and bring wiring to it. It must be remembered that it is impossible to lay a warm floor under large items. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate zones where the system will be installed. Then heat-reflecting material is laid on the floor. It spreads along the perimeter of the floor in strips 60 cm wide, which are fastened to the base and to each other with adhesive tape.

Installation of warm floors

Option plan for laying the IR floor film

After the preparatory work, you can start mounting the infrared film. Previously, it is better to draw a diagram of the location of the film, furniture and household appliances.

1. Thermal film rolls out on the floor. There are cut lines on it to fit the desired size, you can also cut between the black silicon stripes. In this case, the copper contacts should be on the bottom side. The film should be cut as long as possible, and the contacts should come out in the direction of the thermostat. This will reduce the consumption of wires and reduce the number of contacts.
2. A clamp is fixed on the copper strip, and one side of it should be inside the film, and the other outside.
3. The cut lines are covered with bituminous insulation.
4. Pieces of thermal film are connected first to each other, and then to the thermostat.
5. The infrared floor is fixed with adhesive tape.

When the warm floor is assembled, you can proceed to its connection.

• To the place chosen in the wall. It is most convenient if it is located near the switch or outlet.
• The connection diagram implies laying the wires from the heating elements to the thermostat. Experts strongly recommend installing wires under the baseboard along one wall. In addition, it is advisable to put them either in a box or in a strobe. And so that bumps do not appear because of the wires, a recess is cut out for them in the heat-reflecting insulation.
• To connect the wire to the clamps on the film, the insulation is cut off at its end. Then it must be inserted into the clamp and pressed with pliers. The wire must be firmly fixed.

• The place where the wires are connected to the clamps is sealed with bituminous insulation on both sides with a margin.
• The other ends of the wires are connected to the thermostat. The connection scheme is described in the instructions for each infrared floor model.
• The next step is to mount the remote temperature sensor and connect it to the temperature controller. It is better to lay the sensor in a corrugation so that it can be easily replaced in the event of a breakdown.
• At the last stage, the thermostat is connected to the network. If the warm floor consumes more than 2 kW, then a separate machine is required to connect the thermostat.

After the whole set is connected, it is necessary to check its functioning. If everything works, polyethylene waterproofing is spread over the film. Now you can start laying tiles.

Professionals offer two methods for installing tiles on an infrared floor:

1. A paint mesh is placed on the waterproofing layer, and then either a screed or a self-leveling mortar with a thickness of 8 to 10 mm is poured over it.

Grid mounting

1. GVL are mounted on top of the waterproofing. They are fixed on the base between the strips of heating elements using self-tapping screws.

Installation of tiles under floor heating on GVL

Then, according to standard technology, with the difference that it is better to use an elastic adhesive composition recommended for underfloor heating, and take into account temperature gaps. Leave comments, rate the article!

Ceramics, glazed tiles are considered the best floor for sanitary rooms, kitchens. A cold surface will become comfortable if you install an infrared floor under the tiles. Radiant heat does not dry up the air, it is useful. Which method to use, dry or wet, when creating a puff cake of a film underfloor heating under a tile? Are there any features in the installation of heating slab cladding? Here we will talk about the advantage of installing a warm film floor under the tile.

Why are tile floors better than cable ones?

Both types of heating circuits are powered by the electrical network. But the cable is laid on a base of mats or poured with a concrete screed. This slightly raises the surface of the floor, applied using a screed or fill.

The tape design of the infrared heater consists of graphite rods in a film, 3 mm thick. The infrared warm floor under the tiles is laid on the prepared base, no screed is required. You can do the installation of a warm film floor under the tile with your own hands.

Both heating systems require wiring to connect the circuit, with the installation of a thermostat. There are features of the use of insulation, adhesive composition.

Features of infrared floor heating

Laying tiles on the prepared surface of the room can be done in a wet and dry way. We suggest that you carefully consider the composition of the IR tape.

Infrared underfloor heating under the tile has its own characteristics. When applying self-leveling floors or screed, you need to consider:

• The cement mortar does not form a bond with the coating film. If notches are applied to the film surface, they are not properly insulated, the floor will be shocked.
• An alkaline screed solution leads to structural changes in the film surface, the tape will quickly become unusable.
• A film IR heater based on bimetal cannot be used for laying under tiles, only carbon.

Based on the characteristics of the infrared film underfloor heating, it is better to install under the tile in a dry way. Experts consider the Teplolux film to be the most effective IR heater.

Installation of infrared floor heating under the tile

The figure shows the sequence of work on laying a film underfloor heating under the tile.

Before laying, the heating circuit should be outlined. It should not be located under furniture. Taking into account losses, efficiency of 90%, it is optimal to choose a material with a power of 200 W / m2. The larger the volume of the room, the greater the heat transfer should be if the IR film is the only source of heat.

The sequence of operations for laying the IR tape

The infrared heat-insulated floor under a tile keeps within, with observance of all recommendations of experts.

It is important to carry out all operations for laying an infrared warm field under a tile in strict sequence and accurately. In the absence of skills in working with electrical appliances, invite a specialist. At each stage, you need to ring the circuit to make sure that there are no sections with a short circuit. Carefully insulate the wires, crimp the terminals, install the thermostat - the most critical part of installing a warm floor.

Do you have any doubts about what material to choose for installing underfloor heating? Where is the best place to buy a film heater? Call, our experts will advise.

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