Distance between the pipes of the warm floor: we calculate the optimal styling step, which affects it

The feeling of warmth beneath our feet can go a long way toward keeping our homes cozy. An effective method for accomplishing this is by using a radiant floor heating system. However, did you know that this system’s effectiveness depends critically on the spacing between the pipes? That’s correct, the styling step, or the distance between these pipes, has a big influence on how well your warm floor works as a whole. We’ll go into how to figure out the best styling step for your radiant floor heating system in this article.

Let’s first go over the fundamentals of how a warm floor system functions before getting into the specifics of figuring out the best styling step. Warm water is circulated via a system of pipes buried beneath the floor surface to provide radiant floor heating, as opposed to conventional heating techniques that rely on forced air or radiators. The floor gradually radiates warmth upward as it absorbs the heat from the circulating water, distributing the heat evenly and comfortably throughout the space.

You may be asking yourself why it matters how far apart these pipes are spaced. To put it another way, consider this: the effective heating area of each pipe is determined by its distance from the others. An uneven heating pattern and possible cold spots in the room can result from gaps in the heat coverage caused by too widely spaced pipes. However, placing the pipes too close to one another could result in overheating and energy waste.

So how can we achieve the ideal balance? A number of factors need to be taken into account when calculating the best styling step, such as the kind of flooring, the amount of heat output that is required, and the desired comfort level. For instance, the rate at which heat is transferred by various flooring materials varies due to their differences in thermal conductivity. Similar to this, larger windows and inadequate insulation in rooms that lose more heat may necessitate closer pipe spacing to offset the loss of heat.

Your radiant floor heating system’s effectiveness and efficiency can be increased by determining the ideal pipe spacing. For your home to achieve the best possible comfort and energy savings, knowing how to calculate the optimal styling step is crucial, regardless of whether you’re planning a new construction or retrofitting an existing space.

Parameters affecting the distance between the pipes

When calculating the distance between the water warm floor pipes, there are a few key considerations that need to be made; go over them in more detail.

• metal -plastic – have good heat transfer and operational characteristics, easy to install, and are inexpensive;
• Polyethylene – they pass heat well, wear -resistant, the price is low, but they have insufficient plasticity, which requires a rigid fixation;

• polypropylene – have the smallest indicator of heat transfer, they are less likely to fit into water warm floors.

In other words, the gaps between the loops grow as the material’s thermal conductivity increases, and vice versa; if this indicator is low, the step falls.

1. From the diameter of the pipeline – the larger it is, the wider the robly step, and, accordingly, the smaller, the interval between the turns of the warm water floor decreases. Since the product has a large section occupies a large area, it is natural that such a coil will give more heat. The thin pipe has increased hydraulic resistance.

Clearly, the dependence of the step when laying the circuit of the water floor on the cross -section of the pipes looks like this:

• Step 10 – 15 cm, with a diameter of 20 to 36 mm – the amount of pipe material, which will be needed for 1 m2 is 7 – 10 linear meters, respectively;
• 20 – 25 cm, diameter 20 – 36 mm – the required size of the pipes is 4 – 5 meters;
• 30 cm, diameter 20 – 36 mm – amount from 3.5 to 4 linear meters.

The area of the room

The area of the heated room must be determined before you can calculate the pipe-laying step. For this, a straightforward geometric formula can be used:

• S – area;
• A is the length of the room;
• B is width.

Just so you know! The areas where you intend to install large-sized furniture must be excluded based on the resulting indicator.

Laying the water floor underneath it is a ridiculous idea that will only result in higher material costs.

The ideal separation between the floor turns is established based on the outcome. Reduce the amount of furniture you place in large rooms; conversely, if there is a small space, increase the distance.

Coefficient of thermal conductivity

The heating of the structure is influenced by all of the materials in the "pie," not just the pipeline’s degree of thermal conductivity. The circuit is typically installed in the screed; therefore, when creating the layout scheme, it is necessary to account for the fact that the solution’s length exceeds 70 mm.

Additionally, different flooring types transfer heat in various ways. Installing tiles, laminate, or linoleum is the best choice for a water-warm floor.

When utilizing aluminum plates for heating installation in a building with wooden floors, the heat transfer rate is nearly identical to that of a screed.

Coarler – type and temperature

The kind and level of heating of the coolant are affected in between the turns.

A liquid, usually water or antifreeze, circulates in a sex water pipeline. While water retains and heats up efficiently, antifreeze has a higher heat transfer coefficient because it cools down more quickly and warms up more quickly. As a result, using the turns allows for more distance between actions.

The suggested action is to lay 10 cm if the coolant reaches a temperature of 31 to 32 degrees. The acceptable distance is 15 cm between 33 and 35 degrees, and the interval is made between 20 and 25 cm when the temperature is between 36 and 40. The loop should be mounted with a step of 30 cm if the degree rises above 40.

The supply and return circuit temperatures must be added, then divided in half to find the coolant’s average temperature indicator for a warm water floor.

Just so you know! When performing computations, the most optimal and appropriate temperature—27 degrees—must be kept in mind.

Thermal losses and location

In warm water structures, heat heating from windows, doors, and external walls also influences the calculation of the inter-tube distance. The house’s location is also taken into consideration.

For instance, data from rising heat losses through windows, doors, and walls is present in the northern regions, where the street is heated despite the high negative temperatures outside.

In order to offset these losses, the highway’s length must be increased and the pipe distance must be decreased.

The heat flow for each loop that is connected to the collector node needs to be calculated independently.

Optimum room temperature

The room’s intended use affects the ideal temperature level. It is greater in residential, and smaller in auxiliary. Recommended approximate temperatures:

• living rooms – from 18 to 25 degrees;
• kitchen, toilet and bath – from 18 to 26;
• Corridor – from 16 to 22;
• pantry – from 12 to 22.

It is important to remember that everyone has a different ideal temperature, so you should determine what feels comfortable for you.

For effective heating and comfort, proper pipe spacing is essential when installing a warm floor system. The ideal spacing between pipes dictates the uniformity of heat distribution on the floor. Excessively close can lead to overheating and energy waste; excessively far can result in cold spots and ineffective heating. When determining the ideal spacing, it’s important to take into account things like the type of flooring, insulation, and amount of heat each room needs. You can make sure your house is comfortable and energy-efficient all year long by doing this step correctly.

The optimal distance between the turns of pipes in different forms of styling and the calculation rules

The calculation of the ideal distance between the water floor’s circuits for your design should be done after deciding on the kind of pipes and the installation technique.

As was already mentioned, the floor will overheat if a circuit with a large cross section is closed. Conversely, a unique configuration of the warm floor’s tiny pipes will result in thermal voids.

Because it impacts the even distribution of heat, there are a few considerations that need to be made when figuring out the proper step of the hinges for water floors:

1. The gap between the hinges ranges from 50 to 450 mm, and depends on the diameter of the pipes. To simplify the calculation process, more often the number of multiple 50 is used. And for the private structure – 100, 150, 200, etc. D.
2. The level of thermal load is influenced by a step. With an average load 50-80 W/kV.m recommended interval 100 – 200 mm.
3. The distance from the walls to the first round should be at least 20 cm.

Skilled artisans frequently employ the variable step pipeline laying technique. The pipe to go to bed more frequently is in the areas by the door or beneath the window.

Since the liquid in the pipes affects the flooring, it is crucial to determine the ideal spacing between the branches. Choosing the right steps will also ensure that the water flows are distributed effectively.

Snake

Since "snake" is an easy method to calculate and install, this scheme is widely used. The areas of the room closest to windows, balconies, and street walls are the coldest places to place the heating element. The circuit then returns to the heating device after the entire region costs the wall in parallel.

Nevertheless, the "snake’s" design prevents the surface from warming uniformly. These kinds of schemes are more frequently employed in small rooms or in conjunction with another heating source. The step-by-step with a "snake" should be as small as feasible—100 mm.

Corner snake

The following loop is positioned parallel to the outline, which is placed on the outer corner. The angles are perfectly warmed by this method. Using the "Double corner snake" option is advised when there are three external walls present.

Double snake

Laying works on the same principle as a "snake." The return pipe follows the straight line, which makes a difference. Simultaneously, an increase in loop spacing from 150 to 250 mm is acceptable.

Snail

The room’s perimeter is surrounded by pipes, which are twisted into a spiral to reach the center. The branches that follow pass between hot water hinges. Although it takes more time, this is the best plan because floor heating is applied uniformly.

Since heat loss from pipes is negligible, the "Snail" method allows pipes to be placed as far apart as possible. Additionally, the pipeline’s consumption is decreased when utilizing this scheme.

Laying TP Snails, Scheme Features, Benefits and Drawbacks, Step and Length Calculation, Regulations, and SNiPs.

Combined method

You can use a combined scheme in a large room. It is advised to use two "Snail" loops and three to four "Snake" loops. If the pipeline is positioned in the middle of the "snail" and is "snake" at the edges, the water warm floor will work better.

Just so you know! You can arrange pipes with the same or different spacing between them in any kind of arrangement.

The choice of the optimal styling method

A "snail" is the best option for installing the pipeline in large rooms (halls, living rooms), as it can heat an area of any size uniformly. It is possible to lay a "snake," but one zone’s floor will be hotter than the other.

A "snake" works well in small spaces since it minimizes the visibility of temperature differences on tiny surfaces. Rooms with intricate layouts work well with this technique as well. Furthermore, you will be able to block off the cold from the street by positioning yourself along the contour "snake’s" outer walls.

This is the best choice for rooms that have multiple zones. To establish the best microclimate possible, you can lay out the contours in each zone using the most appropriate scheme.

In order to properly heat the corners, it is advised to use the Corner Snake in conjunction with another method as it does not effectively warm the room alone.

We calculate the length of the circuit

The following considerations should be made when performing calculations to establish the quantity of pipes needed to lay the structure—a water floor:

• total area of all premises;
• number of collectors;
• planning of the room;
• the size of window openings and doors through which heat can go out;
• wall thickness;
• placement of furniture;
• air humidity;
• the purpose of the rooms;
• the presence of other heating systems.

Based on the average indicator, 5 linear meters of pipe will be needed for 1 m2, with a step-by-step increment of 20 cm.

The following formula works well for the most precise pipeline size calculation:

• S is the area of the room;
• N is the step of laying;
• 1.1 – reserve for turning.

The number of meters from the floor to the collector cabinet and vice versa should be added to the data that was received.

To better understand the calculation process, consider the following example:

• The area of the room is 15 meters;
• the maximum distance to the collector cabinet from the floor is 4 meters;
• the distance between the pipes is 0.15 mm;

15: 118 meters = 0.15 x 1.1 + (4 x 2)

Using millimeter paper to represent the pipeline laying scheme is an additional method of calculating pipeline length. In addition, one must consider the room’s dimensions and pay attention to the scale.

Once the entire system is mirrored onto paper, you must use a ruler to measure the length of each coil in the drawing, then multiply the result by the appropriate scale.

Maybe the outline is of different lengths?

A warm water floor branch should not be longer than 120 meters. If not, multiple independent loops ought to be created. They should all be roughly the same length, ideally. At that point, there won’t be any more system configuration or balancing to do.

It makes sense that the pipeline in the bathroom would be substantially shorter than that of the other two rooms in an apartment with three total. It begs the question: Is it really necessary to split up the serpents in other rooms to make them the same size as the bathroom pipes?

This is not required because there can be a reasonable variation in pipeline length, anywhere from 30 to 40 percent, between rooms in different areas. Additionally, you can lessen the size of the large room by utilizing pipes with different diameters and adjusting this with variations in the step of the step.

Just so you know! Remember to keep the largest room out of the space—the one where the large furniture will be placed.

Regardless of the plan you decide on, you should first draw out how the pipeline will be laid, accounting for the size of the contours and the distances between the warm water floor’s branches.

Factor	Impact
Room size	larger rooms may require wider spacing for even heating
Heat output of the system	higher output systems may allow for narrower spacing
Insulation quality	well-insulated rooms may permit closer pipe spacing
Flooring type	thicker flooring may necessitate wider pipe spacing
Desired temperature	higher target temperatures may require closer pipe spacing

For best results and energy efficiency, a radiant floor heating system’s pipe spacing must be carefully considered. Homeowners can reduce energy expenses and maximize living space comfort by figuring out the ideal spacing.

The heat output needed for the particular area is one of the main things to take into account when figuring out how far apart pipes should be spaced. In rooms with high heat loss or in colder climates, a closer spacing between pipes can result in more even heat distribution.

But finding a balance between affordability and comfort is crucial. For spaces with lower heating demands, a wider spacing might be adequate, lowering installation costs without appreciably sacrificing comfort levels.

The ideal spacing is also influenced by the kind of flooring material used. When compared to less conductive materials like wood or carpet, materials with higher thermal conductivity, like tile or stone, may permit wider pipe spacing.

To find the best spacing for a particular project, it is ultimately advised to speak with a licensed heating specialist. A radiant floor heating system can provide maximum comfort and efficiency for many years to come if homeowners consider factors like heat output requirements, flooring material, and budgetary constraints.

Video on the topic

The optimal step of laying a warm floor pipe

The distance of the pipes of the warm floor during installation (optimal pipes distance)

Water water pipe