What electric underfloor heating is better to choose under the tile. Experienced Tips

The arrangement of a heated floor with a tile coating is not difficult, but it needs a lot of attention and a deep approach. That's why it's so important choosing an electric tile floor . Different types of tiles have many perfections, the most important of which is excellent thermal conductivity. It warms up relatively quickly and retains heat inside for a long period.

Most often, electric floors are used as an addition to an autonomous or centralized system. Installation of such heating can be performed in several ways:

• infrared;
• heating mats;
• cable.

The peculiarity of the systems is due to the heating element used.

This type of underfloor heating is characterized by a large number of advantages than others, namely:

• noiselessness and invisibility - such a floor does not take up many places, does not create noise, it does not need pumps and boilers;
• increased operational reliability - with such heating, you can not be afraid of leakage;
• uniform heating of the entire space;
• easy temperature setting - you can control the system using a convenient remote control with a thermostat;
• extended service life up to 50 years.

If we talk about the features of the electric floor, it should be noted:

• significant energy consumption - this applies to surfaces that have a large area;
• the presence of electromagnetic radiation - like any electrical device, the system creates a small electromagnetic field, which, however, according to SNiP is safe and harmless.

Distinctive parameters of the electric floor

Features of the operation of the tile is determined in accordance with its significant thermal conductivity. That is, through it, thermal losses in a cold room are marginal, which is compensated by its insulation and installation of an electric floor.

The most important thing when arranging electric floors is not to use a screed layer on top. This will minimize the thickness of the floor and increase the efficiency of the entire system.

The design of this type of floor heating is characterized by the following indicators:

• mechanical resistance - it must be taken into account that the heating elements of the floor will be under the constant influence of mechanical loads;
• small inertia - the heating period can be reduced in several ways, for example, by making a programmable temperature controller or increasing the power on average.

Film floor

This type of electric floor is the thinnest polymer film with built-in heating elements. This is a fairly economical heating option, since little electrical energy is consumed. The film floor is one of the most heat-saving and efficient systems. However, many experts do not recommend mounting the infrared floor under furniture and tiles, because in this case it is quickly damaged. Cork or carpet is best for him.

Installing a film floor has a number of advantages that are quite important. One of them is the ability not to make a cement screed. During the installation process, the infrared film is placed on a heater laid on a prepared floor surface. It can be cut. This allows the most functional distribution of the system in those places that need heating. Using masking tape, the incision sites are isolated. They fix the film on the insulation.

Be sure to ensure that the canvas is not overlapped. Then the temperature sensor is placed, the connecting wires are connected and led out to the thermostat. A special polyethylene layer is laid on the film, sheets of glass-magnesite or drywall are laid out. Thus, it is not long and easy to equip an electric film floor. And this is an important plus.

cable floor

If you disassemble which electric underfloor heating is better , then the cable type is considered the most optimal type of electric floor. It is ideal for loggias, bathrooms, saunas, hallways, baths.

This floor has many positive features:

1. Thickness. The heating cable is mounted in a coupler. In accordance with the instructions from the manufacturer, the thickness should be at least 30 - 50 mm. Mats are laid directly under the tiles, which reduces the height of the room by only 0.5 cm.
2. Can be used in rooms with complex layout. Using a cable makes it possible to create a heating system and at the same time take into account the walls, the placement of furniture, as well as insulate small areas of the room that are uneven.
3. Ease of installation. The technology for installing an electric cable floor under a tile is greatly simplified. You can easily do it yourself, which requires a minimum of building tools. The simplest option is a self-regulating cable, for which you do not need to use a thermostat.

Important! When choosing a floor heating system, it is important to consider who will install the electrical cable. If you plan to invite professional builders, it is better to purchase a single-core or two-core heating cable. In other cases, mats should be preferred.

The principle of operation of cable electric floors fully comply with the requirements that apply to the effective use of tiles of all types:

• The main features of the laying of tiles. The use of adhesive solutions allows you to make both a strong and elastic connection with the floor surface. As a result, if you follow all the rules for installation and use, the tile will serve for a long time and retain its initially attractive appearance.
• Excellent heat transfer performance. The system of cable electric floors with tiles makes it possible to ensure prompt heating of the surface. This option allows you to keep warm for a long time after the voltage is turned off. In addition, in this situation, there is no overheating of the cable.
• Safe operation. Often in rooms with high humidity, such as balconies, baths, hallways, saunas, and so on, tiles are used. The heating cable has an increased protective level. Proper connection prevents possible electric shock.
• Small device cost. This type of floor, powered by electricity, is installed at a lower cost. In the case of repair, it will take no more than a week, a lot still depends on the qualifications of the master.

Heating mats

The thinnest fiberglass mesh, having a thickness of 3 mm, with a fixed cable is thermal mats. They come in rolls and are easy to install. After installation, the floor surface can be operated after a couple of hours, since tile adhesive is used for the arrangement, and not a concrete screed.

Attention! Before buying, you must carefully calculate the heating area, since the mats cannot be cut without violating the integrity of the wire.

Heating mats are highly discouraged from laying out under stationary equipment or furniture. It is also necessary to take into account the purpose of heating - heating mats will be the main or additional way of warming the room. Accordingly, you can choose a system with the required power - the larger the heating space, the more powerful it should be.

Laying a film floor is much easier than other electric type systems. The installation steps are as follows:

• preparation of a concrete base (without the use of insulation);
• fixing the structure with adhesive tape;
• installation of a temperature sensor;
• wire connection;
• uniform distribution of tile adhesive over the surface;
• plate layout.

The nuances of choosing an electric floor for tiles

After all types of systems have been studied, the question arises, how to choose electric underfloor heating for tiles . Manufacturers of such floors are very different - the Russian Federation, Sweden, South Korea, Norway, Denmark.

The assortment is diverse, starting from small mats, ending with cables with a heating effect. Systems with 2-core cable are especially recommended. They emit a minimum of electromagnetic waves. But the single-core floor does not differ in this indicator.

The cost of selection is also significant. It is worth noting that the cable floor is cheaper than mini-mats, by about 1/4. But they have the smallest thickness, respectively, the height of the room is not reduced. In addition, it is not necessary to lay out a sand-cement screed. However, mini mats do not have power adjustment.

When arranging a heating floor for tiles, the technology of the device depends on the type of floor. It also affects the scope of work in general. However, in general, they have features that are inherent in all types of electric floors.

First of all, when choosing, you should take into account the power of the floor. Its value is influenced by:

• gender assignment;
• room indicators.

If the floor will be installed in a heated and dry room as additional heating, then it is best to opt for a power of 100 - 120 W / m 2 . When underfloor heating is placed in rooms with high humidity, more than 150 W/m is required. 2 . If the electric floor under the tiles acts as the main heating system, then the power should be even greater.

Ceramic tiles belong to those types that do not emit negative toxic substances, which is quite rare for floor coverings. Therefore, the electric floor and ceramic tiles are the perfect combination, which is absolutely justified.