Pumping stations

Film under a warm water floor. Substrate under the warm floor - varieties and laying technology

Today, few people are surprised by the warm floor in the apartment. It’s nice to come to visit after a walk along a cold street and immediately warm up. But when the owners of the apartments themselves begin to think about it, a lot of questions immediately arise, some of which concern the substrate in such a system.

The underfloor heating itself is a heating system that heats the air at the bottom of the room. For its normal functioning, you need to properly install and select the appropriate substrate.

Types of warm floors

1. Water. Their design is pipes with hot water laid in the floor screed. Heating is carried out by feeding from the heating system of the house.

The advantage of such a floor can be considered that it does not waste electricity, and the disadvantage is the decrease in pressure in the pipes of the entire entrance. Some utility workers prohibit the installation of such floors. This option is more suitable for private houses, where water is heated in an individual boiler room.

2. Electrical. This species is further subdivided into three groups:

Film;

Cable;

Electric floors on mats.

Film coatings are considered the most perfect today. They can be mounted on almost any surface, and also serve as a base for tiles, laminate and linoleum. Another name is infrared. The heating of a room with such a base is carried out by reflecting radiation from all objects. The film construction can only be mounted in open areas of the room.

The cable floor heats the room by converting electrical energy into heat. The design of such a base fits directly into the floor consumes more electricity than film.

A warm floor on mats can be mounted already on a finished screed, this is its main difference from the previous type. Most often, this design is mounted under the tile. This is due to the fact that the mats are quite high, and they will bend on them. Before laying the tiles on the spread mats, a special adhesive is distributed and the finish coat is mounted.

Functions of a substrate under a heat-insulated floor

1. Thermal insulation. The substrate under the warm floor redirects the radiation from the pipes, thus achieving maximum efficiency in space heating.

2. Soundproof. Mounting the substrate helps to dampen extraneous noise.

3. Facilitate the installation of the finish coating and give additional rigidity to the floor.

4. Hydro and vapor barrier in water floors.

5. Leveling. The underlayment under the warm floor is able to hide small surface flaws.

Types of substrates for underfloor heating

Several types of substrates have been developed for the installation of underfloor heating. Depending on the heating method, it is better to use different materials. For example, for floors with the conversion of electrical energy into heat, only fire-resistant substrates should be used, and for water - moisture resistant. Before you find out which underlay under a warm floor is better, you need to get acquainted with all its varieties.

PE foam underlay

Underfloor heating underlay, obtained by foaming polyethylene with hydrocarbons, is perfect for it. Many owners choose it because of the low price.

The main positive properties of the foamed polyethylene foam substrate are excellent antistatic performance and resistance to moisture. It also has good soundproofing properties.

The service life of foamed polyethylene foam is quite long, so you can be sure that repairs to such a floor will not be needed soon. Thanks to this substrate, efficient and high-quality heat transfer to the room is ensured. In stores, there may be an unusual foam underfloor heating, the foil surface of which helps to reflect even more heat.

The scope of foamed polyethylene foam is quite wide, it can even be used as a substrate for warm water floors. The disadvantage of this material is the inability to endure exposure to high temperatures for a long time. Therefore, for example, a water floor can only be used for a limited amount of time. This drawback makes buyers pay attention to other types of substrates.

Features of mounting the substrate of foamed polyethylene foam

The material is produced in the form of rolls. It can be easily cut into several pieces of the desired length and width. Individual elements are interconnected with construction tape, while they should only be located end-to-end.

Extruded polystyrene foam underlay

This backing has a high compressive strength. Heat loss during its use will be very small, since there are pores in the structure of the material. It has an optimal moisture absorption rate, which eliminates the risk of condensation.

Features of installation of extruded polystyrene foam

The material is produced in the form of standard sheets and rolls of different thicknesses. The special qualities of extruded polystyrene foam allow it to be laid on any base coat without the use of special fasteners and adhesives. Additional can be done by gluing the joints with a special metallized adhesive tape. The embossed substrate is laid with protrusions down.

Accuracy in sheet dimensions allows you to calculate the required amount of material, which helps to reduce costs. To achieve the best result, it is necessary to entrust the installation of the coating to professionals or independently study all the details of the work.

Cork backing

Such material is chosen for themselves by lovers of everything natural. The cork underlayment for underfloor heating is obtained by pressing wood particles glued together with suberin. As a result, at the outlet, the material is able to withstand temperature jumps and the release of various vapors.

Cork is most often used as a substrate for underfloor heating. The high price justifies the excellent performance of the cork.

Features of mounting a cork substrate

The material is produced in the form of rolls. The thickness of the substrate can be different. During installation, you need to use only high-quality tools that will not provoke crumbling and deformation of the sheets.

Optimum underlay for a water floor

The most suitable substrate for a warm water floor should be an excellent waterproofing material. In this case, it will protect the floor in case of an accident. A reflective surface will help distribute heat effectively.

Thus, foil underfloor heating is the best option for water-based heating.

Optimal underlay for electric floors

The substrate under the film underfloor heating is mounted under the coating tape. The main properties that it should have are thermal insulation and heat-reflecting characteristics. Cork meets these requirements.

The best option for a substrate under can be called a combination of several materials, in which a metallized layer must be present. It should be borne in mind that when the correct substrate is made, it is easier to lay and does not deform longer.

Thus, a foil combined material can be considered a universal substrate for a warm floor.

Underfloor heating is an important element in the space heating system in winter. From what kind of substrate will be laid under the underfloor heating system, its efficiency and durability depend. This article will describe the types of underfloor heating, as well as the characteristics of the substrate, which you should pay attention to when buying it.

According to the type of heating, warm floors are of two types - water and electric.

Water

The heating system is a pipeline with hot water. This type of heating is most popular in private homes, because management companies in apartments do not want to give permission to connect to the central house networks.

There are at least two reasons for this. The first is that it is almost impossible to control the consumption of thermal energy for a specific person. The second is an increase in the load on heating boilers, because of which they simply cannot cope with their task.

Installing an individual boiler in an apartment is possible, but it is very expensive, and sometimes it is very difficult to get permission for this.

Electrical

Heating occurs due to the energy released by the conductors under the action of an electric current.

By their design, warm floors of this type are film, that is, infrared, and cable, having a heating element in the form of simple flexible cables with conductive elements inside. During the installation of electric floors, complications can arise, so you should take into account all the parameters of the existing wiring in advance, as well as correctly calculate the protective fittings.

For heating to be effective, the calculated power per 1 m 2 must be at least 0.25 kW. When installing a warm floor, it is very important that the substrate for the warm floor is chosen correctly. There are a wide variety of substrates, and each of them is designed to perform specific functions.

How to choose the right underlay

Before proceeding with the installation of the heating system, you should decide which substrate under the warm floor will better perform certain functions. Do not forget that each manufacturer tries to sell as many of its products as possible, and, often, the advertised product does not meet the qualities that were declared.

There are a number of factors that determine a quality substrate, and this should be taken into account when choosing it:

Thermal conductivity of the material. The best substrate is considered to have these indicators less, and they are determined by the thickness of the product and the material of execution. At the moment, there are substrates with improved energy conservation indicators, they are coated with foil.

Energy savings occur due to the reflection of infrared radiation - as a rule, this figure is 20-30%. All materials used in the manufacture of substrates meet the required building standards for residential premises.

Strength characteristics - resistance to constant and dynamic loads. There are materials that, due to prolonged constant loads, are compressed. As a result, the thermal conductivity increases. This effect should be avoided by selecting the correct load so that the mechanical action over the entire surface is as uniform as possible.

Manufacturability. Laying the material will be cheaper, the easier it is to work with. This characteristic is quite different for many materials. It is best to give preference to expanded polystyrene. It is very technologically advanced, the lining under the warm floor from it is often thin, no more than 5 mm, while it is easy to cut it with simple scissors.

The underfloor heating pad made of expanded polystyrene is flexible, its edges are easy to dock with the walls. This material is easy to measure, cut off parts, fit, it can simply be bent near the walls. In this case, it is much easier than installing chipboard or OSB.

Additional qualities. To simplify installation work even more, some manufacturers draw a grid on the front side or leave special bosses that protrude.

This refinement greatly simplifies the installation of pipes, making it possible to fix them during the installation of the lining. The result is faster repairs, improved efficiency and longer heating system life. The coolant can be installed at an equivalent distance, so that overheating in individual zones is excluded, that is, the entire floor is evenly heated.

Price. This parameter is quite significant. With special technical knowledge, it is possible to install heating in such a way as to obtain high heat savings, as well as to a large extent save the finances necessary for the purchase of materials.

Environmental friendliness of the material. Although any of the materials tends to emit toxic fumes, their quantity and intensity are not always the same. Due to the fact that the substrate for underfloor heating pipes will be used at elevated temperatures, it is worth paying special attention to indicators of environmental safety and harm to human health.

Noise-absorbing effect. Any person who remembers at least something from physics lessons knows that sound is transmitted through air. Since absolutely any insulating material does not allow air to pass through, therefore, the same thing happens with sounds.

UV resistance. Since the substrate under the warm floor, electric, as well as under the water, is not directly exposed to ultraviolet radiation, this characteristic of the material does not affect its performance in any way. Unless, it is required to isolate the source of x-rays, but there is hardly one in the living room.

Waterproofing properties. Let's say right away that the presence of moisture under warm floors, both water and electric, should be excluded even during the installation of heating. If a leak suddenly occurs in the heating water pipes, then the sooner it is eliminated, the less expenses the owner will have, and the materials will not be subject to prolonged exposure to moisture. But in the case of an electric underfloor heating, the presence of moisture is in principle excluded, otherwise short circuits of the circuit are possible. Therefore, how well the substrate resists moisture is irrelevant.

Price factor. In most cases, the cost of the material includes the cost of advertising and promotion of products. That is, when buying a product of a well-known company, you significantly overpay for the trademark. However, there are many types of quality products on the market at more affordable prices, just not as advertised. A competitive price allows new firms to promote their products on the market, interest buyers and earn a good reputation.

Thus, all of the above indicators will help you not to make a mistake when choosing a substrate for underfloor heating, no matter what design, so that it lasts as long as possible, and you can save on assembly.

What substrates to choose for electric underfloor heating

Quite thin types of substrates are best suited for electric underfloor heating, for example, pressed cork, Foil plastic, ТМpro, Polyfom, Thermodom and other foamed polymeric materials.

By the way, foamed polymers are able to withstand significant loads, due to which they are increasingly in demand in construction work. For the production of a substrate of greater thickness, expanded polystyrene foam is used.

Such a substrate can even withstand a concrete screed, since it is designed for heavy loads. Expanded polystyrene is actively used when laying underfloor heating with electric heating elements, whether it be flexible hoses or film floors.

In cases where preliminary leveling of the base for underfloor heating is required, chipboard OSB and chipboard, as well as plywood, can be used as a substrate.

It should be noted that for electric type warm floors it is not advisable to lay substrates equipped with a layer of reflective aluminum. If the aluminum insulation layer is broken during operation, current leakage will occur, which can lead to negative consequences. The reflective layer must be on a polyethylene film, which is vacuum-coated.

Two initial factors should determine which substrate grade to choose:

Finished floor type. The substrate is chosen the stronger, the heavier the coating. You can put a simple foam underlay under the laminate (read: ""), and under the tile - a substrate made of materials with special strength.
Room type. It matters whether the building is new or the repair is carried out again in the old building. Based on what type of electric floor will be chosen, and what features the bearing floor has, the thickness of all layers of the heating system, together with the floor covering, can vary from 10-15 mm to 3-4 cm.

All these nuances must be taken into account when calculating the height of door and window openings. During the repair process, it is desirable to take into account all the parameters in order to minimize the height of the warm floor. This will allow you not to run into problems with mismatching the height of the doors with the opening, and so on.

If something goes wrong, the door leaf and vertical trim will need to be cut a few centimeters at the bottom. The most unfavorable outcome is that you will need to raise the lintel of the doorway or redo the entire underfloor heating system.

Under the linoleum, only substrates on a rigid basis should be laid, and the screed layer should be low. The principle of mounting the substrate depends on the materials used, as well as on the recommendations offered by the manufacturer.

Types of substrate for floors with water type heating

The specificity of underfloor heating with a water type of heating is that a finishing cement-sand screed is always poured over the pipes.

In this regard, the lining under the warm water floor must meet more stringent requirements than, for example, for electric heating:

Mechanical strength. Masters strongly recommend laying a solid underlay made of OSB or chipboard particle boards, plywood sheets or extruded polystyrene foam for a water floor. These materials are not subject to residual deformation and are able to withstand significant loads.
Humidity resistance. This is important, because in case of emergency, high-quality material can be used further after the leaks are fixed. Of course, during the installation of the water floor, all possible measures should be taken to prevent the system from leaking.
The substrate under the water-heated floor must also ensure reliable fixation of the heating pipes in a given direction. In particular, pads with bosses are often used for such purposes, which make it possible to evenly distribute pipes over the floor surface and speed up the laying process.

The thickness of the substrate under the water heating pipes is of great importance. To decide which substrate to choose for a warm floor, you should take into account the quality of the existing thermal insulation of the floor covering. For wooden structures, the floors of which are insulated with mineral wool, a thin substrate can be laid. But if it serves as the only heat-insulating layer in the room, then you should opt for materials with a low level of thermal conductivity. It is optimal if a reflective substrate is laid under a warm floor.

A variety of materials can be used as a topcoat for a warm floor with water heating - artificial and natural stone, ceramic tiles, linoleum, laminate and others. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the resulting weight of the screed with the finished floor will directly affect the strength of the substrate. That is, the heavier the floor, the more reliable and thicker the bedding under it should be.

Competent selection of consumables for underfloor heating equipment in each case can reduce the total cost of construction work, significantly increase its efficiency and increase its service life. Therefore, before choosing the type of substrate, you should carefully understand the characteristics and features of a particular type of material.

The technology of space heating with the help of underfloor heating systems is becoming increasingly popular today. Depending on the type of heating elements, underfloor heating is available in several modifications, which allows the use of any floor covering. An important aspect of the high-quality and efficient operation of such heating systems is properly executed thermal insulation. In order not to waste precious heat in vain, a substrate under a warm floor is used. It is made from materials with a heat-reflecting effect.

What should be the substrate under the warm floor?

As a substrate for underfloor heating, polypropylene or polyethylene foam is used, which are covered with a lavsan film with a metallized layer. The metallization layer contributes to the uniform distribution of heat, and the foamed polyethylene prevents heat from “leaving” into the screed.

In addition, the underfloor heating foam underlay has low thermal conductivity and this prevents heat transfer to the screed and ceiling. The allowable temperature for such a porous substrate is quite high (up to 90°C), which makes it possible to lay heat exchanger pipes or a heating cable directly on a Mylar film with a metallization layer. In addition to high thermal insulation and waterproofing qualities, the substrate has a high reflective and soundproofing ability. It should be noted that the marking on the substrate in the form of a grid allows you to lay the heating cable according to the calculated step.

The marking on the substrate in the form of a grid allows you to lay the heating cable according to the calculated step.

It is important to know! The use of a substrate in the installation of any underfloor heating systems allows you to save from 85 to 90% of thermal radiation, significantly reducing energy costs.

Substrate under the laminate for underfloor heating

Laminate is a very popular flooring today. It is inexpensive and easy to install. When planning the installation of a warm floor, it is necessary to provide for the use of a substrate that will separate the laminate from the warm floor and the base. If this is not done, over time, in areas of the floor where there are gaps between it and the base, play will definitely appear. When walking in such places, the laminate flooring will knock and make sounds.

To avoid these troubles, a special substrate 2-5 mm thick is laid under the laminate. Today, a specialized substrate is produced under the laminate, with increased thermal conductivity. It will solve several problems at once: it will become an additional insulation, serve as a shock absorber between the coating and the base, even out the residual differences in the base, prevent damage to the laminate boards and the occurrence of creaking.

Underlayment under the laminate will prevent damage to the laminate boards and the occurrence of creaking.

It is installed between the "warm floor" system and the floor covering - laminate. Most laminate flooring manufacturers recommend rolled polyethylene as the most suitable material for a laminate underlay. Underfloor heating laminate underlay made of polyethylene is perfectly compatible with alkaline building materials such as concrete and cement, it is resistant to chemicals, microorganisms (bacteria, mold). Instructions for laying underfloor heating under laminate.

Substrate for water floor heating

Warm water floors are very popular among consumers due to such advantages as economy and ease of installation in any room. When arranging a water-heated floor, an important point is the use of a special substrate. What materials is it made from?

Roll cork as a substrate for underfloor heating

On a water-heated floor, the substrate can be made of extruded polystyrene foam, rolled cork, isoplat, but the most common material is expanded polystyrene.

Underfloor heating underlay - extruded polystyrene foam

The substrate will direct the flow of warm air upwards, ensuring the efficient operation of the structure as a whole. Thanks to high-tech production, the polystyrene foam substrate under the water-heated floor has acquired a number of positive qualities, such as:

thermal insulation;
soundproofing;
low level of moisture absorption;
profitability;
ease;
fire safety;
ease of installation;
environmental friendliness;
resistance to temperature changes;
durability (service life - 100 years).

Important! The presence of self-centering locks on the substrate makes it possible to easily install foam plates, and their shape makes it convenient to place pipes in special channels without the use of additional fasteners.

Bosses on the surface of the foam boards allow pipes to be laid without additional fasteners.

Features of laying the substrate under the infrared heat-insulated floor

In order for the film underfloor heating to function in strict accordance with the instructions, it is necessary that all its elements are correctly mounted.

The heat-reflecting substrate under the film floor is laid with the reflective side up

This applies primarily to the substrate under the warm floor:

The substrate for infrared floor heating can be made of fiberboard sheets, magnesite board. In this case, it is laid directly on the screed, which was previously covered with aluminum foil.
If the substrate under the film underfloor heating is made in the form of a polymeric metallized film, it is placed under the film with infrared resistors with the reflecting side up. This material is eco-friendly, thin, flexible and elastic.
The insulation must be laid in a continuous array over the entire area. The connection of individual canvases is carried out by butt mounting, the seams are glued without fail with adhesive tape or adhesive tape. This will create additional vapor and waterproofing. If necessary, the material can be glued.

The seams between the sheets of the substrate must be glued with adhesive tape

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize once again the importance of using a substrate when creating a modern heating system in your home. It is she who will make it possible to take advantage of all the advantages that endowed with underfloor heating systems. A well-insulated house will retain heat in itself, and will not give it to the environment.

Substrate under the warm floor - which one to choose?

Description of the characteristics of substrates for underfloor heating, substrate for laminate floor heating, substrate for water and infrared underfloor heating

Underfloor heating underlay

Substrate for underfloor heating - an indispensable element during installation. Its main function is thermal insulation. In addition, it can additionally provide sound insulation and help smooth out small irregularities in the subfloor. On this page you will find a description of all types of substrates, with their pros, cons and recommendations for use.

But the substrates are made from different materials. What type of substrate, and for which floors is more suitable. Let's get it right.

General requirements for substrates

In addition to high thermal insulation properties, some more requirements are imposed on the substrates. Depending on the compliance with these parameters, heat insulators can be used as substrates for underfloor heating, or their use in this area is considered inappropriate.

For example, the substrate should not change its characteristics after getting wet. Mineral wool, although it is a good heat insulator, contact with water is generally contraindicated. After getting wet, it loses all its heat-shielding properties. Therefore, if it is used as a substrate for underfloor heating, then before that it is packed in a plastic film.

Although often such protection does not save. In some cases, substrates are assigned characteristics that are not inherent to them. For example, the ability to hide floor defects.

IMPORTANT: Only rigid sheet substrates made of foamed polymers can level the defects of the subfloor.

But let's get down to business. And so, the substrate for underfloor heating, in addition to thermal insulation qualities, should have:

Other qualities are not decisive.

Substrate classification

The most optimal option for dividing the substrates should be considered the division according to the material used. And so, all the substrates are divided into:

Natural substrates

Cork underlay.
Felt lining.
Jute and linen substrates.

They have one common property - vulnerability to biological destructive factors. Without special impregnation, they very quickly become infected with mold, and their service life is reduced to several months.

Jute and linen backings

Made from linen and jute fibers. Thickness 1-3 mm. They are impregnated with fire and bioprotective compounds during the production process. Thermal insulation from these substrates is very weak. They absorb moisture well, after drying they do not change their size. This type of substrate is used only with soft floor coverings, linoleum or carpet.

Their main task is to reduce the contact of the subfloor with the finishing material. A special case can be considered the use of such substrates with laminate and parquet in water heated floor systems. In them, it fits between the flooring and waterproofing, which is laid on top of the heating elements of the electric floor heating.

Made from the wool of sheep and goats. Thickness from 1 to 10 mm. The wool itself burns quite badly, so the impregnation is only antimicrobial. It has relatively good thermal insulation properties. After getting wet, with improper drying, it may decrease in size. Perfectly combined with soft floor coverings.

Use with a laminate is allowed, but this is not the best option. The felt is quite soft, and if the laminate strips are less than 9 mm thick, then the load on the interlocks will be close to critical. If we do not take into account the environmental component of the product, then the felt substrate is noticeably inferior to extruded polymer foams.

It is made from production waste by hot pressing. Thickness from 1 to 10 mm. The material does not support combustion, well resists the action of microorganisms, is not static and hypoallergenic. The cork substrate does not absorb water, but passes through. Therefore, condensation may form and fungus may form on the contacting materials. Available in rolls and sheets. It has excellent sound and heat insulation properties. Thanks to its good resilience, it is ideal for all types of floor coverings that do not require gluing. At the same time, for soft coatings, it is recommended to use a cork substrate with a thickness of no more than 3 mm.

Separately, it should be said about the cork substrate, into which rubber or bitumen is introduced during manufacture. Such additives significantly increase the performance of the material, but completely kill the environmental component.

Synthetic substrates

All synthetic substrates made of foamed polymers can be foil-coated (with a reflective layer) or without it. It is proved that the foil layer returns up to 7% of thermal energy. In this case, one should take into account the fact that in the screed, in contact with cement, the foil layer is destroyed in a few weeks. Depending on the manufacturing technology, even when using a single monomer, such materials may have different characteristics. Therefore, be careful about the names of such materials. All synthetic heat insulators have a common property - they do not have a breeding ground for bacteria, i.e., they are not infected with mold fungi.

Is issued in rolls and sheets, from 1 to 12 mm thick. Flammable, has low elasticity. With prolonged squeezing, it does not restore its original shape. After laying it under any floor covering, after a few months of operation it is completely crushed.

IMPORTANT: Not intended for use as a substrate.

Sheet material with a thickness of 2 to 20 mm. Elastic and rigid heat insulator. Excellent sound absorbing performance. combustible material. Regardless of the method of "crosslinking" (chemical or radiation), such material can be used with any floor coverings and heating elements of infrared underfloor heating.

Sheet and roll material, thickness from 2 to 100 mm. Combustible, during thermal decomposition it releases caustic products. There are two modifications - elastic and rigid. For thermal insulation, rigid polyvinyl chloride foam can be used. It is rare in the segment of finishing materials. The main reason is the release of harmful substances during combustion.

Styrofoam underlay

Sheet and roll material, goes on sale with a thickness of 5 to 200 mm. The combustibility of the feedstock is leveled by flame retardant additives or the use of carbon dioxide for foaming. There is no water absorption. Several manufacturing technologies are known, but the following is supplied to the consumer market:

Press PPS - 7%.
Pressless PPS - 55% (polystyrene).
Extrusion PPS - 35%.

For all types of underfloor heating, as a heat insulator between the subfloor and the heating circuit, extruded polystyrene foam can be used without restrictions.

The underlayment for flooring made of expanded polystyrene is used in the vast majority of cases when organizing underfloor heating film. The negative quality of any expanded polystyrene is its poor resistance to chemical solvents. Even vapors of paint products based on chemical solvents can cause irreversible changes in polystyrene foam.

There are also special types for water floors, with "bosses" for forming pipe turns.

A good heat insulator, but it is rarely produced in sheets and rolls. Almost always used as a two-component potting mix. But polyurethane foam has found wider application in the production of sandwich panels. As the density increases, the water absorption coefficient decreases. Starting with a density of 70 kg/m3, polyurethane foam can also be used as a waterproofing agent.

Rare leaf material. It resembles extruded polystyrene foam in its properties, but has two differences:

Not hot.
Does not dissolve in household solvents.

These positive qualities are crossed out by one negative - during operation, such a foam polymer can release harmful substances into the atmosphere that have a carcinogenic effect. Therefore, it is used for external insulation of buildings. In some Western countries, its use in residential construction is prohibited by law.

Mineral substrates

This group contains one type of substrate:

fiberglass. Roll material, made of fiberglass. Does not possess thermal insulation, does not burn, is not wetted. It is used as a substrate, between the contour of the water-heated floor and the floor covering.

Regardless of what kind of flooring you will arrange in your home, we recommend using extruded polystyrene foam. Being engaged in repair and finishing of floors for more than 10 years, we can safely say that this is the best heat insulator in residential premises, for the vast majority of decorative coatings.

Substrate for underfloor heating: an overview of all types, recommendations

Underfloor heating is a must, so choosing the right material at the planning stage is very important. We will help you choose

Substrate for underfloor heating: selection rules, characteristics, best brands, installation tips

Warm floors, depending on the method of heating, are of two types.

Choosing and laying the substrate under the warm floor

Heating is carried out by a system of pipelines, the heat carrier is hot water.

Water heated floor

They are used in most cases in private homes, during the connection of hot water in multi-apartment buildings there are big problems due to the disagreement of the management companies to give permission to connect to the common house heating networks for two reasons. Firstly, in this case it is difficult for them to control the specific consumption of thermal energy by each consumer individually. Secondly, boilers may not be able to withstand a significant increase in energy consumption.

Scheme of a water heated floor

Installing a separate heating boiler in city apartments is not always possible, and such installation, along with the price of equipment, is quite expensive.

Standard wiring diagram for connecting infrared film underfloor heating

The temperature rises due to the resistance of current conductors. From the school bench we know the formula Q (dissipated energy) = I (current) × R (conductor resistance).

Scheme of connecting a warm cable floor

Depending on the physical characteristics of the conductors, warm floors can be film (infrared) or cable (ordinary flexible cables and improved insulation serve as conductive elements). Electric floors have their own difficulties, during their installation it is necessary to take into account the parameters of the existing wiring and special protective fittings.

Infrared floor heating scheme

For efficient floor heating, the power per square meter must be at least 250 kW, in total terms, large values are learned.

Types of electric underfloor heating: 1 - Cable. 2 - Cable with reinforcing mesh

Currently, manufacturers produce a wide range of substrates that differ in linear characteristics, materials of manufacture, and the ability to perform additional functions.

Power of electric underfloor heating

Electricity consumption of film underfloor heating

Underfloor heating marking

What to look for when choosing underlays

A very important point, we consider it necessary to consider this issue before proceeding to a direct description of the various types of substrates for underfloor heating. It should be borne in mind that absolutely all manufacturers are trying to increase sales of their products, for this they quite often advertise it in every possible way, including using not entirely benign methods.

What in reality should be paid attention to when choosing the optimal substrate option?

Thermal conductivity indicators. The lower they are, the more efficient the substrate works. These parameters depend on the thickness and materials of the products. To enhance the effect, modern substrates have a foil top layer - due to the reflection of infrared rays, heat saving indicators increase by about 20–30%. With regard to heat conservation, all materials used meet today's stringent requirements of housing construction standards.

foil underfloor heating

Physical characteristics of strength, resistance to dynamic and static loads. There are materials (foamed and extruded polystyrene foam) that “stick together” under the influence of long-term static loads. The thickness decreases, the thermal conductivity increases. This phenomenon must be avoided due to the correct calculation of the load, the forces must be distributed as evenly as possible over the entire surface.

Manufacturability. The easier it is to work with materials, the cheaper installation is. According to this indicator, various materials have a wide range of characteristics. Foamed polystyrene foam is considered the most technologically advanced, the substrates from it are thin, the thickness rarely exceeds 5 mm, it is perfectly cut with ordinary scissors.

Substrate (plate) for underfloor heating coated polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene substrates are flexible, there is no need to equip the joints of the base of the warm floor with the walls for a long time, measure, cut and adjust, the material in these places is simply folded. It is somewhat more difficult to work with sheet plywood and OSB or chipboard.

Underfloor heating mats made of expanded polystyrene foam

Additional properties. To facilitate installation work, some substrates have a drawn grid or special protruding bosses on the front surface.

Substrate with markings

Such devices simplify the process of laying pipeline systems, allow them to be fixed simultaneously with laying. As a result, not only installation is accelerated, but also the efficiency and long-term functioning of the heating system increase. Heat carriers can be placed at the same distance, the possibility of overheating of individual sections is excluded, the floor is heated evenly over the entire surface.

Price. An important factor is that if you have special technical knowledge, you can achieve an excellent heat saving effect at a much lower financial cost.

Environmental Safety. Keep in mind that all plastics and resins release chemical compounds into the air, safety is determined by their quantity. Since the substrates are operated at elevated temperatures, the requirements for material safety must be more stringent.

The substrate must be safe

Now it’s worth saying what you don’t need to pay attention to when reading manufacturers’ brochures.

High rates of noise absorption. Absolutely all materials used for thermal insulation do not transmit sound waves well, this is known from school physics lessons. Thermal insulation materials prevent the movement of air, namely, it conducts sound waves.

The substrate must have good sound absorption performance

Waterproofing characteristics. Indeed, aluminum foil does not let steam or water through. And why do these properties need underfloor heating? In the case of water, the sooner leaks are detected, the less damage the owner will suffer, the less building structures will be exposed to prolonged exposure to moisture. Underfloor heating with electric heating is even more difficult. The presence of water, among other things, is the cause of short circuits - the risk of electric shock increases.

Electric underfloor heating must be protected from moisture

Resistant to the negative effects of ultraviolet rays. This property is very useful only in two cases: under the warm floors there is a small sun that emits such rays or an x-ray machine. If your apartment does not have these factors, then you can safely buy substrates without "effective protection of the material from harmful UV radiation."

Price. You need to know that in many cases, consumers pay a high price not so much for the actual quality, but for the brand awareness of the manufacturer. There are quite a few obscure companies that produce very high quality substrates, but at a much lower price. In this way, they try to attract real and potential buyers, increase the number of sales, and compete with more well-known manufacturers.

Pay attention to the prices of substrates from different manufacturers

We hope that this information will help developers to choose the right types of underlays. Warm floors will serve for a long time and efficiently, and installation of structures will be much cheaper.

Substrates for underfloor heating with electric heating

Under these types of warm floors, thin substrates made of technical pressed cork, Foiloplast, Polyfom, Thermodom, TMpro and others made of foamed polymers are used.

Reflective thermal insulation

Cross-linked polyethylene foam “Polyfom”

The latter, by the way, are far superior to their competitors in terms of their ability to withstand loads, due to this feature, the scope of their use is expanding. Substrates with increased thickness parameters are made of extruded polystyrene foam. The material has high characteristics of physical strength, can be used as a base for a concrete screed. The substrate is used under all types of floors with electric heating, including ordinary ones with flexible conductors.

If the base is not very even and its leveling is required, then substrates made of plywood, OSB and chipboard can be used.

Important. For electric floors, it is not recommended to use substrates having an aluminum reflective layer. In the event of an insulation failure, an unforeseen current leakage appears with possible negative consequences. The reflective layer should be on a vacuum-coated polyethylene film.

Lavsan substrate Isobond PP

When choosing a particular brand, two initial factors must be taken into account.

Finish flooring. The lighter it is, the less durable the substrate can be. Under the laminate it is allowed to use ordinary substrates made of foamed polymers, and under ceramic tiles or artificial stone, a substrate made of extruded materials of increased strength is used.

Choose an underlay depending on the floor finish

Underfloor heating cake example

Underfloor heating schemes

These parameters should be taken into account when designing the height of door and window openings. During the repair, it is necessary to take all construction measures to reduce the thickness of the warm floor - you don’t have to solve problems with reducing the height of the doors, etc. The ideal option is that the mounted warm floor does not interfere with the opening / closing of the doors, acceptable - the door leaf and vertical trim are needed for several centimeters from the bottom cut. The most unpleasant option - it becomes necessary to raise the lintel of the doorway, the heating system requires alteration.

Under linoleum, only rigid substrates are used and or a screed of small thickness is made. The technology of laying the substrates depends on the materials of manufacture, during the production of work it is necessary to follow the instructions of the manufacturers.

Underfloor heating underfloor heating

Due to the fact that water floors in most cases have an upper cement-sand screed, more stringent requirements are imposed on the substrates than for warm floors with electric heating.

High mechanical strength. It is recommended to use underlays made of extruded polystyrene foam, sheet plywood, chipboard and OSB boards. These materials are able to withstand high loads and do not have the effect of permanent deformation.

How to lay underfloor heating on plywood

Substrate laying and installation of underfloor heating pipes

Mats with bosses

When choosing the thickness of the substrate, one must take into account the effectiveness of the thermal insulation of the base. If the house is wooden and the floors are thermally insulated with mineral wool, then the thickness of the substrate may be insignificant. Conversely, if the substrate serves as the main heat-insulating material, then its thermal conductivity should be minimal. The aluminum heat-reflecting film on the front part gives a great positive effect; its presence is welcomed by all professionals.

Foil substrate for underfloor heating Fomisol with markings

Foiled expanded polystyrene with markings

Warm water floors can be installed under laminate, linoleum, ceramic tiles or natural and artificial stone coatings. The physical characteristics of finished floor coverings have a significant influence on the choice of technical characteristics and linear parameters of the substrate. The heavier the flooring, the stronger the underlay should be.

Pay attention to the thickness of the floor heating cake

The correct selection of all elements of a warm floor, taking into account the widest possible list of individual characteristics, increases the efficiency of its functioning, reduces the estimated cost of construction and installation work and increases the duration of operation. The optimal choice can only be made if it is made consciously on the basis of knowledge about the varieties and technical indicators of various types of substrates.

Substrate under the warm floor - instructions for self-selection!

Find out why you need and what kind of Underlayment for underfloor heating is: selection rules, characteristics, best brands, installation tips. Photo + video.

Underfloor heating underlay

Underfloor heating is no longer a luxury item. This type of heating is very popular both in private houses and in standard apartments. Most often, floor heating is equipped on the first floors of multi-storey buildings with an unheated basement.

The "warm floor" system is demanding for installation. For the proper arrangement of such heating, a foil layer is required. Underfloor heating retains heat from radiators or radiators, directing it inside the room.

Purpose of the substrate

To date, three types of underfloor heating are produced:

water with a pipe system;
powered by electricity;
heated film mats (infrared).

All types of systems have their advantages and disadvantages, which are taken into account during installation. Each design has its own nuances during installation, but one thing is the same for all floors - they require a substrate. Such a screen increases the efficiency of the system, protecting it from heat loss.

Water floor underlay

Before installing and buying a lining, you need to figure out its exact purpose. This will help you choose the right coverage.

A layer for water floors is laid between the subfloor (screed) and the heating structure itself. The main function of the substrate is to retain heat and reflect it from the base. Infrared radiation is reflected from the foil surface and enters the room.

Reflection of heat is carried out due to the high thermal insulation performance of the material. It is its presence in the structure that prevents heat from being wasted on heating the floor slab, all infrared radiation is sent to the rooms. This phenomenon is called the thermos effect. In addition to heat-insulating properties, the foil substrate under the warm floor provides moisture protection.

Material selection

The most important criterion for underfloor heating is the thickness of the material. In addition, the reflective layer should:

have high rates of thermal and waterproofing, usually these characteristics are indicated on the packaging;
have a composition that is safe for humans and animals;
have a high degree of reflection of infrared radiation;
be resistant to temperature fluctuations;
have high levels of sound insulation;
be resistant to mechanical deformations;
have an easy styling technique available to everyone.

Most often, the substrate is made of a material with a foil coating. Such layers are more efficient in heat reflection. In addition to such material, the construction market offers the following types of layers for underfloor heating:

Self-adhesive material. This layer has a heat-reflecting foil coating, and on the reverse side it is equipped with an adhesive layer that can be attached directly to the screed. The material is optimal for working on complex surfaces with irregularities and non-standard coatings. The advantages of self-adhesive linings include high rates of hydro and sound insulation.

One-sided coating with a laminated layer. The standard thickness of the substrate is from 8 mm. The material well isolates the warm floor from moisture, and most importantly - it reflects up to 100 percent of heat.
Foamed. Not the best material in terms of reflection and thermal insulation, it has average quality indicators. This is largely due to the small thickness (2 mm).

PPS with a foil layer. The main advantage of PPS is a high degree of heat reflection. The material is produced in several variations, differing in thickness.
Interlayers "Tuplex". One of the thinnest yet effective coatings. The thickness of the standard coating "Tuplex" reaches 3 mm. The material has one of the highest moisture and heat insulation performance. A separate advantage of the coating is a high service life.

Prices for such materials are individual depending on the type and company. In many ways, the cost depends on the thickness of the substrate.

Mounting technology

One of the tasks of the installer is to reduce the layer of the entire underfloor heating structure. Such a system can hide up to 25 cm of the room, which affects its area. To reduce the thickness of the structure, specialists use thin but effective materials.

The installation of the substrate is carried out on a pre-prepared base. Lay the layer with the reflective surface up. Layers of the interlayer are laid end-to-end, gluing the seams with metallized adhesive tape. Such a connection maximally protects the floor from heat loss and moisture ingress.

When installing the reflective layer, it is necessary to use penofol, as it protects the foil from destruction when the solution penetrates.

Any type of substrate when laying must be wound on the walls. When mounting the material with an overlap, you need to enter the wall from 7 cm or more. Such a measure will protect the lower floors from flooding in case of leakage or damage to the floor system.

For substrates with low waterproofing performance, a water “pie” must be laid. Its installation includes the following steps:

laying a waterproofing film;
installation of a reflective film;
assembly of underfloor heating system;
pouring pipes with mortar;

floor finishing assembly.

Depending on the type of heating system, the process may have its own nuances. In general, the installation of the structure is similar for all types of structures.

Substrate for electrical construction

For the electric floor, the same types of substrates are used as for the water floor. However, systems powered by electricity do not need to be waterproofed.

Installation of an electric floor begins with leveling the base. After drying, a substrate is laid on it, which is fixed with a special tape. Heating mats or cables are attached to the film with staples.

polypropylene and foam materials;
natural cork;
metallized foam.

One of the most popular manufacturers of components for underfloor heating is Energoflor Compact.

Underlay for infrared floor heating

For the high-quality functioning of IK underfloor heating, two recommendations must be observed:

strict adherence to installation technology;
installation of heat-reflecting material up with foil.

When laying a reflective layer under a warm floor, it is recommended to follow the following tips from professional craftsmen:

Magnesite boards and chipboards. Before mounting such material, an aluminum film is laid on the base, and a substrate is already laid on top. For these purposes, foil layers can be used.

Metallized polymer-based materials are mounted with the smooth side up. As a result of such laying, a thin and effective heat-reflecting coating is formed.
The laying of the layer is carried out over the entire surface of the floor, on which the heating system will be mounted. The material is overlapped, firmly gluing the joints with special adhesive tape. Such measures will create sufficient indicators of hydro and thermal insulation. The adhesive tape for the backing must be metallic. Ordinary materials may not withstand heat and melt.

By following these simple rules, you can easily mount and choose a high-quality substrate yourself. Be sure to consider the composition of the material and its compatibility with your heating system.

There are reflectors that can greatly facilitate the installation of electrical cables. These are the so-called interlayers with bosses. The design of such material is a carpet dotted with dense rows of protruding cylinders. These protrusions are called bosses. Between them it is very convenient to lay the cable of the warm floor. For such installation, additional fasteners or adhesives are not required - the bosses firmly hold the cable on the surface of the layer, preventing them from moving to the side.

Errors when choosing a substrate

Very often, when arranging a warm floor system, novice craftsmen buy a substrate not for a screed and a heating structure, but for finishing. Such material is only suitable for laying directly under a laminate or tile. It protects wood materials from overheating and increases their soundproofing qualities. However, such materials are not suitable for insulating the base plate.

Underfloor heating underlay

Underfloor heating Underfloor heating is no longer a luxury item. This type of heating is very popular both in private houses and in standard apartments. The most common underfloor heating

Proper arrangement of a warm floor involves the most efficient use of thermal energy. To increase the efficiency of the heating system, various heat-saving techniques are used.

One of the main aspects is an insulating substrate under a water-heated floor, redirecting heat flows from the water circuit to the final floor. Let us examine in detail the features of each type of heat-insulating damper, the intricacies of choosing and installing bedding material.

Insulating material - an intermediate layer between the subfloor and the water pipeline with the heat carrier. The main purpose of the substrate is to store and redirect heat flows upwards, that is, to the living area of the room.

In addition to the task of preserving heat, the intermediate layer performs a number of no less significant functions:

Waterproofing. In case of emergency, a waterproof underlay will hold water, protect the bottom layers of the underfloor "pie" and prevent water from leaking to the basement. In addition, it will exclude the entry of moisture vapor from the screed to the finishing floor covering.
Thermal insulation. The interlayer acts as a kind of barrier between elements with different temperatures. Otherwise, contact with a cold floor will contribute to condensation and reduce the characteristic qualities of the insulation.
Even distribution of heat. The underlay minimizes the likelihood of obvious temperature changes - there are no excessively warm or cold zones. This feature reduces the negative thermal impact on the finished flooring, appliances and furniture.
Sound barrier. Most underlay materials absorb the sound effect of walking on the floor and improve the overall sound insulation of the room.

The substrate softens shock loads on the base, distributing point pressure - this helps to maintain the integrity of the screed.

The insulating layer, due to the low thermal conductivity of the material, gives a heat-reflecting effect - the main flow of heat energy rushes up. In the absence of a substrate, the efficiency of the heating circuit is sharply reduced, and energy bills increase (+)

Cork material - environmentally friendly

The cork lining is made from crushed, compressed wood bark granules using various binders. The main argument in favor of such a substrate is naturalness and absolute environmental friendliness. The material is hypoallergenic and harmless to health.

Additional benefits of cork:

resistance to deformation - after short-term shock loads it returns to its original shape;
porosity provides high noise-absorbing properties;
good thermal insulation characteristics;
ease of cutting, laying.

The cork damper is sold in the form of rolls and individual sheet panels. Products differ in the thickness of the lining: roll material - 2-4 mm, cork mats - 4-10 mm.

Substrate characteristics: resistance to compression under pressure 7 kg / sq. cm deformation up to 10%, material moisture content - about 7%, sound absorption coefficient on a ten-point scale - 8.5

Disadvantages of cork underlayment:

vulnerability to moisture;
exactingness to the waterproofing of the subfloor;
sensitivity to large static loads.

It is better not to use the classic version of the cork substrate under the water floor system. For these purposes, a rubber-cork coating is suitable, where rubber acts as a binder. In addition to water resistance, the damper has improved sound and vibration insulation characteristics, but it can no longer be called completely natural.

The bitumen-cork substrate (2), in contrast to the rubber-cork one (1), is unsuitable for residential premises. The material is characterized by excessive indicators of toxicity, flammability

Peculiarities of polyethylene foam damper

The simplest and most affordable solution is a polyethylene foam backing. The material is produced by extrusion of polyethylene granules, followed by heat treatment and pressing. The output is an elastic web filled with many air pores.

Polyethylene foam substrates, depending on the features of the structure, are classified into two groups: non-crosslinked and crosslinked.

Non-crosslinked polyethylene foam consists of gas-filled cells up to 3 mm in size. The thickness of the substrate ranges from 0.8 to 6 mm, the width of the roll is 1-1.5 m.

The main advantages of such a substrate include:

high moisture resistance - water absorption is not more than 1%;
small thickness;
low cost.

However, non-crosslinked polyethylene foam has more disadvantages. The material is short-lived, wears out quickly, squeezes under weight and loses flexibility over time. The thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.55 W / (m ° C), which indicates insufficient heat retention.

The crosslinked polyethylene foam (2) has a much denser molecular structure than the non-crosslinked web (1). During the manufacturing process, cross-links are formed that reduce the size of the air pores.

Has the following features:

phenomenal strength;
increased density - 33 kg / cubic meter, the same indicator for non-crosslinked polyethylene - 25 kg / cubic meter;
high level of noise absorption - up to 18 dB;
low level of thermal conductivity - 0.031 W / (m ° C);
production format in rolls and mats, the thickness of the finished product is 1-20 mm.

The service life of the substrate reaches 15 years.

Minus "cross-linked" modifications: high cost. The most popular brands of polyethylene foam substrate: Polifom, Tatfoum, Penolon-R, PPE-Izolon, Izolon-500

Heat-reflecting metallized substrates

Foil substrates have been widely used. Moreover, various materials can be used as a base: plate extruded polystyrene foam, its non-extruded fellow foam plastic, cork material or polyethylene foam.

In each case, the metallized film improves the original technical characteristics of the base and complements it with reflective qualities.

The reflective outer coating is made of aluminum and lavsan. The thickness of the foil layer determines the degree of heat reflection of the insulation.

Lavsan or metallized film increases the efficiency of the "water floor" up to 94-98% and provides a uniform redistribution of heat. The coating is resistant to deformation and calmly endures high loads

Lavsan is resistant to aggressive environments - the material retains its reflectivity and the functions of a hydro-barrier during prolonged contact with a concrete screed.

Worthy representatives of the heat-reflecting substrate based on polyethylene foam: Penofol, Isoflex, Ecofol. Foil insulation based on expanded polystyrene - sunpol.

OSB and chipboard - "dry" laying technology

Wood-shaving materials act as a substrate in the arrangement of a warm floor according to Finnish technology. The method allows to abandon the monolithic concrete screed.

The essence of the method: the water circuit is laid in prepared channels. The rigidity of the base is provided by solid chipboard or a system of rails fastened to wooden logs.

The floor on a wooden base has a number of features:

ease of assembly;
high strength characteristics;
environmental Safety;
versatility - suitable for finishing with various floor coverings.

The weak side of the wood chip substrate is its susceptibility to moisture. To increase the hydro- and thermal insulation performance between the pipes and the wooden base, it is recommended to lay a thin substrate, the best option is foil polyethylene.

Substrate selection by base type

The physical features of the decorative floor covering significantly affect the choice of linear parameters and the physical properties of the substrate. The greater the weight of the finish, the stronger and more reliable the damper must be.

Ceramic tile. Aqueous Substrates with high load-bearing capacity, such as extruded polystyrene foam, are suitable. Can be used with both smooth mats and ridged mats

Laminate. The main criterion for choosing a substrate for a warm water floor with a laminate coating is the highest possible heat saving rate, since the panels themselves do not transmit heat well.

The light weight of the laminate does not put significant pressure on the "water system". This makes it possible to use different types of lining, including soft ones.

The optimal solution is heat-reflecting insulation with a low degree of thermal conductivity.

Linoleum. Installation of the roll coating is carried out on drywall boards, OSB or sheet plywood. The panels have an impressive weight, which means that the requirements for the strength of the substrate are tightened. It is recommended to give preference to polystyrene foam, cork options or a lining made of cross-linked polyethylene foam.

More information about the installation of a water-heated floor under linoleum is written in.

Laying technology: a set of basic rules

Installation of the substrate is not difficult, the work can be done independently. The main thing is to follow simple and clear rules.

The laying order depends on the form of the underlay: roll insulation, individual modules or puzzle plates, fixed together by a locking connection

General requirements for mounting the substrate:

Accurate calculation. It is necessary to determine in advance the amount of material, taking into account the standard sizes of the lining. It is optimal if the insulation is placed with a minimum number of joints.
Subfloor preparation. The base must be flat. You should not particularly rely on the ability of a dense material to mask irregularities - any product will eventually take the form of a base.
Waterproofing. Underlays made from natural components (cork underlay, chipboard, OSB) require preliminary laying of a hydro-barrier. It is enough to lay dense polyethylene.
Laying. Rolled, sheet material is rolled out without stretch, an overlap on the walls is required. The placement of the plates takes place close to the vertical surfaces, protected by 10 cm with a damper tape.
Docking. Cloths of roll insulation are overlapped and fixed together with construction tape. Slabs and mats are grouped end to end.

The value of an insulating substrate under a warm floor is difficult to overestimate. The efficiency and profitability of the heating system largely depend on its quality, as well as compliance with the floor covering and the technology for placing the “water coil”.

Are you looking for underfloor heating underlayment? Or do you have experience in installing and using a certain type of thermal insulation mat? Please leave comments on the article, ask questions and participate in discussions. The contact form is located below.

The main condition for creating a high-quality warm floor is to provide increased heat transfer. This will keep you warm. Therefore, the installation of elements of such a floor is carried out using special substrates with a heat-reflecting layer. They are laid between the base and the heating system.

Which type to choose is not an easy question, given that manufacturers produce them in huge quantities.

A number of requirements are imposed on the material from which the substrate is made. He must have:

waterproofing properties;
resistance to sudden temperature changes;
the ability to level small irregularities;
thermal insulation;
soundproofing;
high degree of heat reflection;
the ability to resist deformation;
vapor barrier properties;
environmental friendliness;
ease of installation;
long service life.

From this it follows that the substrate under the warm floor should perform 2 main functions: to evenly distribute heat over the floor area and accelerate the heating of the system. The choice depends on the following factors:

type of installed floor (water, cable, infrared,);
the covering laid on top (tile, linoleum, carpet, parquet and other materials of vinyl or polymeric origin).

The difference between the substrate laid under a warm floor and other types of substrates, which, according to the laying technology, should be its mandatory component, is the presence of a heat reflection function. Therefore, a good material on top should be metallized (foiled). It is thanks to this that the heat from the system is reflected and directed to the main floor. Up to 95% of thermal energy is saved. Its use when installing a floor heating system is a prerequisite.

Types of substrates

All substrates produced by various manufacturers used to mount the underfloor heating system are primarily divided according to the material used for its manufacture. It may be of the following origin:

natural;
mineral;
synthetic.

The material of the product of natural origin is cork, jute, linen, felt or needles.

Cork underlay is used for any type of floor that does not require gluing. It is produced in sheets and rolls with a thickness (S) = 1.0 ÷ 10 mm and is produced by hot pressing. The positive characteristics include the ability to resist the effects of microorganisms, not support combustion, hypoallergenicity, elasticity, ease of installation.

The disadvantage of this material is the ability to pass water, which contributes to the formation of condensate and, as a result, the appearance of fungus. Additives specially introduced into the composition increase the performance properties of the heat-insulating cork substrate, but worsen the environmental quality.

Products made from jute and linen materials are used in the installation of underfloor heating, the finish coating of which will be carpet, linoleum, i.e. soft cover. The material is impregnated with chemical compositions for bio, - and fire protection. It enters the distribution network in rolls S = 1 ÷ 3 mm. The material absorbs moisture and after drying does not change its size, however, its thermal insulation properties are low.

The wool of animals such as goats and sheep is used to make the felt backing. It is impregnated with a bioprotective composition. It is used when laying soft floor coverings on the floor. Supplied in rolls S = 1 ÷ 10 mm. After getting wet, it decreases in size if the drying technology is violated, which is attributed to the disadvantage of this type of product.

Coniferous substrate is produced in the form of plates up to 10 mm thick. It is an environmentally friendly material and has excellent heat and sound insulation properties. Lays on a wooden base.

Before laying, the coniferous substrate is kept at room temperature for 24 hours. Installation of plates does not require glue or nails.

The mineral substrate or it also has the second name fiberglass is a rolled material S = 1 ÷ 5 mm, made of fiberglass. A positive factor is that the material does not support combustion, does not absorb water and moisture, resists moisture well and microorganisms do not start in it. There is only one drawback - it does not retain heat.

Underfloor heating synthetic synthetic is represented by many options. It is made of polymers with a reflective layer (foil) or may not have it. It is a material in which there is no environment for the nutrition of various kinds of bacteria, which prevents them from multiplying.

In the distribution network you can purchase products made from the following materials:

polyvinyl chloride foam. Available S = 0.2 ÷ 10 cm in two versions: rigid and elastic. For the reason that harmful components are released during ignition and smoldering, it is rarely used;
cross-linked polyethylene foam. It goes on sale in rolls and sheets S = 0.2 ÷ 2 cm. It has elasticity, rigidity and excellent sound-absorbing properties. Refers to combustible materials. It is used for installation of infrared type floors with floor coverings from any materials;
polystyrene foam. The cellular gas-filled material enters the trade network in sheets and rolls S = 0.5 ÷ 20 cm, made by non-pressing, extrusion or pressing methods. It does not absorb water, and its combustibility is low, because. special flame retardant additives are introduced into the composition of the feedstock or carbon dioxide is used during foaming. Extruded polystyrene foam is considered the best heat insulator between the base of the floor and heating elements of any type;
polyurethane foam. It is used in the form of a composition consisting of two components, a certain density (above 70 kg / m 3). It is poured onto the base at the place where the floors are made. It has excellent thermal insulation properties;
polypropylene with foil film. Heat-insulating material of this type is produced in sheets S = 5 ÷ 10 cm, has a cellular structure and has reliable properties to retain heat. The main application is for the installation of a water type floor;
foiled lavsan. It is a film type coating with a metallized surface. Often used together with polypropylene, which improves thermal insulation properties. A lavsan foil substrate is produced, which is used under a warm floor, in rolls of various thicknesses;
Fiberboard boards. They consist of cellulose or wood fibers with the addition of synthetic polymers and various additives that improve fire resistance, prevent decay, etc. Most often used when installing film-type floors.

Substrate under the water heated floor

For this type of heating systems, mainly 3 varieties are used: polystyrene foam plates with bosses or markings (to facilitate the location of pipes), foamed polyethylene and cork. If the plates are suitable for any type of floor laid on top, then the other two are recommended for laminate and parquet (this follows from the requirements for the substrate - light and springy).

Substrate for infrared underfloor heating

For such a floor heating system, rolled polyethylene, foiled lavsan or sheet foam materials are used. It is possible to lay foil sheets on the base, on top of which fiberboard or magnesite boards are then laid.

A foil substrate under a warm floor returns up to 7% of heat, but it must be borne in mind that upon contact with cement, the foil layer is destroyed. Therefore, it is better not to use products where there is foil for these purposes.

Substrate for electric underfloor heating

Here the choice is quite wide. Polyethylene foam, expanded polystyrene, a combination of lavsan with polypropylene - this is not a complete list of substrates for this type of floor.

When choosing the thickness of the product for a film underfloor heating, it is necessary to determine the maximum loads placed on the floor.

Installation of substrates for any system

When installing substrates on the floor base (concrete, wood, floor slabs), the following rules must be observed:

lay on a leveled, cleaned of dirt and dry base;
the heat-reflecting layer must be located on top, otherwise the thermal insulation will be low;
plate products must be mounted without gaps;
roll-type products and film must be mounted end-to-end using adhesive tape (metallized);
under the floor, an electric cable over the substrate should be fastened with self-tapping screws, mounting tape;
in the absence of bosses or markings, a special mounting grid is laid on the substrate, which facilitates the installation of floor pipes.

Top Producers

The substrate has long become an integral component of the warm floor. Many domestic and foreign companies produce it complete with floor components. In the distribution network, you can purchase universal products for any heating system, as well as for a specific installed system.

Empirically, it has long been established that it is necessary to lay substrates made in the form of plates under a water-heated floor, under an electric one in the form of a roll, under an infrared one, both of them are suitable, the only condition is that there should be no products with foil.

The best domestic and foreign companies producing quality goods are:

"Ekofol" (Russia) - produces high-quality goods from polyethylene with a metallized film;
"Izolon" and "Poliform" (Russia) - produces products from cross-linked polyethylene with cells;
"Termodom" (Russia) - produces a series of products that are suitable for mounting any underfloor heating system;
"DH-Hilon" (South Korea) - specializes in the production of products from polypropylene coated with lavsan with a metallized surface;
Sedacor (Portugal) - produces products made from cork.

Video

The heat-insulating substrate plays an important role, its choice must be taken into account the type of underfloor heating to be installed, the load, the work itself must be carried out in compliance with the laying technology. Only in this case the quality of work will be high, and the result will be durable.