Infrared warm floor under the laminate – from the device and choice to installation

The struggle against cold floors is a common one when it comes to making our homes comfortable. Many homeowners look for creative ways to achieve warmth and comfort, such as infrared heated floors under laminate. This contemporary marvel offers a comfortable and effective way to get rid of cold feet during those chilly winter months by fusing the advantages of radiant heating with the practicality and adaptability of laminate flooring.

What precisely is an infrared heated floor, then? In contrast to conventional heating systems, which use convection to move warm air around the floor, infrared heated floors radiate heat straight from the floor. In addition to being extremely cozy, this soft warmth makes sure that the heat is distributed evenly throughout the space. You also get the added benefit of a fashionable and long-lasting floor covering if you install it underneath laminate flooring.

With so many options available, selecting the best infrared warm floor system for your house can seem like a difficult undertaking. There are several things to take into account, ranging from choosing the right heating element to figuring out the right wattage for your space. Thankfully, you can make sense of the options and move through them with confidence if you have some direction and understanding.

Here’s where the magic happens: installation. Although the idea of installing a heating system beneath your laminate flooring may seem daunting, don’t worry—with the correct knowledge, it’s a manageable project. For your infrared warm floor system to function at its best and last a long time, proper installation is essential, regardless of your level of experience doing DIY projects or preference for leaving it to the pros.

Is the infrared warm floor with laminate compatible?

The laminate has a higher heat capacity than ceramics and a lower thermal conductivity when compared to tiles.

Sharp temperature changes and overheating are undesirable to laminated coating, which can occur when water or cable heating is in use. The exposure to temperature can cause cracks to form, which will cause the planks to creak.

Because the infrared system is thin, it can quickly and evenly heat IR waves, making it the best option for parquet flooring. The heat won’t be wasted if the installation beneath the thermal shit laminate is done correctly with your hands because the rays won’t pass through the base. Overheating won’t happen even when the system is operating, and the temperature won’t go above 45 degrees.

Device and principle of operation

Standard heating systems work on the basis of a direct heat exchange. Heat is transferred to the air masses by the radiators, which take heat from the water coolant leaving the closest boiler room.

The process of transferring heat in water or cable floors is likewise straightforward, but it begins with the screed—which is situated above the heating elements—heating it.

Different from other warming devices, infrared heaters radiate heat by making a solar-like comparison. A warring canvas with carbon stripes is immediately positioned beneath the planks in the design. Tension is applied to the copper tires that are attached to each of the stripes.

Infrared rays, which are 5–20 microns long and warm the surface, are emitted by current flowing through the carbon coating.

The tires and film essentially don’t heat up at the same time. You cannot install it on a heating device because longer rays penetrate the coating and heat the furniture that is standing on it.

Such a warm "pie" receives the heat of the first layer because there are no intermediate layers between the film and the laminate.

The power of film warm floors ranges from 150 to 440 watts. 150 W/m2 is the recommended power when installing laminate. The film is made in rolls that are 50, 60, 80, and 100 centimeters wide; the length varies. The product has unique stripes that allow the canvas to be cut on them.

There are infrared heating models where the carbon paste is applied continuously rather than in stripes between the lavsane canvases; these models are referred to as carbon.

The infrared system set includes an insulating material, wires, a clip to attach the film, and a temperature sensor.

Advantages and disadvantages

• have good thermal conductivity – the heat resistance coefficient should be from 0.05 to 0.10 m2 x ° K/W;
• have a thickness of 8 – 9 cm;
• Do not distinguish formaldehyde when heated to 30 degrees, that is, the permissible class of the emission E1 or E0;
• be wear -resistant – better than 32 or 33 class -resistance classes.

The package contains all of these details.

Under laminate, infrared heated floors provide warm, effective home heating options. Infrared radiation, which these systems emit, directly warms objects and people without heating the surrounding air. The size of the room, the type of flooring, and the insulation all play a role in selecting the best system. To ensure uniform heating throughout the space, the heating components are usually installed underneath the laminate flooring. For a comfortable and cost-effective heating solution, consider infrared warm floors, which operate quietly and consume minimal energy.

Laying scheme

The film warm device’s effectiveness is contingent upon its proper mounting and connection. It is crucial that you ascertain the lining areas ahead of time; avoid arranging furniture underneath other furniture.

The infrared heated floor has an average thickness of 1 mm, making it ideal for manual installation beneath laminate.

There are various plans for placing infrared heaters beneath the lamellas:

1. Laying an infrared product on concrete overlap, on top of the old tiles, on boards. "Pie" of this gender is:
2. lamellas;
3. grounding coating;
4. fixing mounting adhesive tape;
5. heating element covered with a continuous layer of carbon paste;
6. construction adhesive tape, which fastenes the substrate;
7. a substrate with a reflecting layer of 3 – 4 cm thick;
8. a draft base, which includes a concrete overlap, old tiles, boards.

• Installation of infrared warm films for ceilings from concrete, on top of the old tiles, on the boards. The “Pie” is similar to the previous, only the heating element is an infrared film with carbon stripes.

• Laying infrared warm floor on wooden (on lags made of wood). The design is:
• laminate panels;
• grounding material;
• mounting adhesive tape that fixes the film;
• heating element in the form of an infrared film;
• mounting adhesive tape, which fastenes the substrate;
• a substrate with a reflective effect of 3 – 4 cm thick;
• plywood sheets 1 cm thick;
• thermal insulation material;
• Wooden base (lags) placed in steps 55 – 60 cm;
• waterproofing product;
• Black base (concrete flooring, old tiles, boards).

You can achieve the highest level of insulation in the house by installing infrared heating beneath the laminate on the lags; however, this arrangement will result in a heavier and more expensive structure.

Installation of infrared warm floor for laminate

Preparation of a place for a thermostat

The wall is where the thermostat is fastened. It is preferable to turn off the strobes for its box and the wires that run to the ground. This will conceal all communications without compromising the room’s design.

In the event that you choose not to sell recesses, the wires can be concealed within a wall-mounted plastic groove.

Alignment

Leveling the black base is a prerequisite for the first stage. To do this, the surface is cleaned of dirt and the previous coating is removed. Small pits that overlap on the plate can be easily sealed with cement mortar if the concrete coating has first been ground down.

A self-leveling solution should be added to the draft floor if the variations are significant.

Plywood sheets are placed if the base is uneven and not made of concrete.

Installation of the substrate

Foil material reflecting heat radiation with a thickness of 2-3 mm is used as a substrate underneath the film. This coating improves the system’s efficacy by drastically lowering heat loss through the base.

The substrate is intended to be tuned to the room’s walls and foil up. The strips are positioned. Double-sided tape is used to secure the product to the base so that it does not move.

Slots must be cut into the material to accommodate sensors, wires, and terminals; these components shouldn’t protrude above the surface.

It is advised to cover the base with polyethylene, a waterproofing material, before applying the film.

The laying of the thermal puff

Initially, the location of the film is noted on the substrate using the assembled scheme. After that, stripes of the required length—no longer than eight meters—are prepared. The product can only be cut along designated lines.

Bitumen tape is used to isolate non-affected contacts in areas where cuts have occurred.

Although some models are laid the other way around, the film is laid down with copper stripes down; therefore, you should first read the manufacturer’s instructions.

The canvas is positioned at least 25 centimeters away from the wall and runs the length of the wall. The installation instructions also specify that the stripes should not line up with one another; instead, they should be placed in the joint or at a 5 cm interval.

Paul connection

You will need a flexible cable with non-flammable insulation in order to power the film. The system’s power level determines the wire’s cross sectional area. The documentation that is attached states that the cable should be connected to the thermostat with channel L matching the phase wire and n zero.

The following are detailed connection instructions:

• First, terminals are installed on the copper stripes of the film. One part is placed inside the film, the other outside.

• Then the contact is fixed with pliers.

• The cleared wires are connected to the clips that are clamped.

• Terminals are isolated by bitumen tape.

• All cables are withdrawn to the thermostat, and are connected to it.

Connection of the sensor

The sensor is fixed with tape on the film’s black graphite strip at the designated location. He is inserted into the pre-cut grooves in the corrugated pipe’s substrate, along with the wires that run from him to the thermostat. The thermostat is also linked to the sensor’s cable.

Connection of the thermostat

Where it is intended, a regulator is installed. A special protective device called an RCD is used to power the thermostat. Wire twisting shouldn’t be permitted in these areas as it can lead to overheating.

Grounding the system is advised as it ensures total safety when in use.

It is essential to verify the device in the work after it has been fully connected.

Laminate laying

It is important to shield the device from water damage prior to applying laminate. In order to accomplish this, it closes with an overlapping climbing polyethylene. Tape is used as glue for the seams.

One side of the spikes in the first row’s plates is removed. This side of the lamellas is positioned with an indent of 10 mm against the wall, creating a technological gap where the gasket is positioned. When temperature changes, the gap allows the material to freely expand or narrow.

The second and subsequent rows’ boards are locked into place and affixed at a 45-degree angle to their adjacent panels. A horn should be mounted on the final plank.

When the entire finishing material is laid, skirting boards are mounted around the perimeter of the room, they will cover technological gaps.

Features of operation

The layout needs to be preserved after the film heating is installed beneath the laminate. This will enable proper furniture rearranging.

You cannot turn on the device at full power right away after connecting the infrared floor and laying the laminate. The lamella needs time to adjust, so in the beginning, a temperature of 15 to 20 degrees is set, and a few degrees are added every day.

Furthermore, a gradual increase in temperature will assess the effectiveness of the system and identify the ideal heating level for it.

Selecting an under laminate floor infrared warm floor system can significantly improve the comfort and effectiveness of your home’s heating system. This system creates a comfortable atmosphere throughout the room by radiating a soft, even warmth from the floor up thanks to its cutting-edge technology. It’s crucial to choose a system that will work with laminate flooring and satisfy your unique heating requirements when weighing your options.

Under laminate flooring, installing an infrared warm floor system necessitates meticulous planning and attention to detail. To get the most out of the system and ensure proper insulation, it is imperative that you adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions. It might be advised to hire an expert installer to ensure correct configuration and to prevent any problems down the road, like overheating or flooring damage.

Energy efficiency is one of the main advantages of an infrared warm floor system under laminate. Through direct object and surface heating, as opposed to air heating, these systems can contribute to lower energy consumption and heating expenses. Furthermore, the system’s radiant heat eliminates drafts and cold spots from the room, resulting in a more comfortable and uniform temperature.

In conclusion, homeowners looking for effective and cozy heating solutions can benefit greatly from installing an infrared warm floor system beneath laminate flooring. With its soft warmth and energy-saving features, this cutting-edge technology can raise the general comfort and appeal of your house. Radiant floor heating can provide cozy warmth for many years to come with the right choice and installation.

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