Backing for heating cable. How to choose and install underfloor heating. Substrates for different floor heating systems

Warm heated floor in Lately de facto becomes the standard for constructing heating systems and in apartment buildings and in private cottages. The use of heated floor systems allows you to create the most comfortable atmosphere in the room.

Underfloor heating - photo

Heating systems in heated floors can have different characteristics and operate on different principles. When constructing warm heated floors, you can use any type of finishing floor coverings, thus, a warm heated floor can be installed in a room for any purpose: in a bedroom or in a nursery, in a kitchen or in a bathroom.

A very important element when constructing a heated floor is its substrate. With its help, the efficiency of the heating circuit is greatly increased, be it an electric heating cable, infrared film or pipes with coolant liquid.

Main characteristics

1. In order to understand what type of underlay you need, you must know what the underlay is for in heated floor systems.
2. So, the underlayment must first of all have excellent thermal insulation and waterproofing properties. It should increase the efficiency of the heating system.
3. An important property of the substrate is its ability to reflect thermal rays.
4. The substrate must withstand temperature changes, working in close contact with the heating elements.
5. Also, the substrate should not allow water vapor formed during heating to pass through.
6. An excellent additional property of the substrate will be sound insulation.

A high-quality substrate is easy to install, has increased resistance to deformation and is environmentally friendly.

This photo shows a rolled underfloor heating substrate, which is equipped with an additional reflective layer with a characteristic metallic sheen.

Features of installing a substrate under a laminate board on a warm floor

One of the most sensitive finishing flooring materials is laminated board. It is made of wood, and, as a result, it has all the characteristics of a wooden board, which has both its advantages and disadvantages. When laying laminate flooring on a heated floor, the use of an underlay is a prerequisite.

In addition to preventing heat damage to the laminate flooring, the laminate underlay also serves as a sound insulator, preventing the finished flooring from being too loud. The minimum thickness of the laminate floor board substrate on a heated floor must be at least 3 millimeters. During operation, such a substrate becomes somewhat compacted without losing its insulating properties.

Step-by-step algorithm for laying a substrate under a laminate board on a heated floor

Let's consider the procedure for laying a foam polyethylene backing under a laminate board on a heated floor.

First of all, you need to clear out your workspace. To do this, you can use a regular broom or vacuum cleaner.

Then we lay the rolled backing on the cleaned surface.

The spread substrate can be secured with double-sided tape, after which you can proceed directly to laying the laminate boards.

Underlay for heated floors with liquid coolant

For any design of heated floors, the substrate must serve to increase the heat transfer of the heating elements. If you use a liquid coolant - that is, you are constructing warm water floors - your substrate can additionally perform the functions of waterproofing the surface.

When installing heated water floors, you can use a substrate that will additionally serve as the basis for installation pipeline system coolant. Such a substrate has special protrusions, in the spaces between which the pipeline system is mounted.

As a rule, such a substrate is made of polystyrene foam. One type of substrate for a warm water floor is shown in the photograph.

It must be remembered that a good substrate will be based on foil. If your substrate does not have a foil layer, then it makes sense to place a separate thin foil material on the floor, and then a heat-insulating substrate.

In addition, when laying a warm water floor, you may need to additionally lay the mounting reinforcing mesh, which will serve as the basis for fixing the pipeline system.

In this case, the substrate under a warm water floor will look like a kind of “sandwich”, consisting of a foil layer, a layer of thermal insulation and a layer of reinforced mounting mesh.

A variant of such a substrate is shown in the figure.

Underlay for warm electric floor

The design of the underlay for a warm electric floor is similar to the underfloor heating with a liquid coolant. However, in this case, you may not need additional waterproofing of the surface.

In this case, a layer of substrate is placed on the leveled and pre-cleaned surface of the base, which may consist of a combined material including a foil layer. Next, a mounting tape is attached to the surface of the substrate, to which the heating cable is attached with clamps.

Laying a substrate under a heated infrared film floor

When installing a heated infrared film floor, it is also necessary to use a substrate with heat-insulating and reflective properties. In this case, the substrate is placed directly under the film of the heated infrared floor. In addition to the rolled substrate, you can use wood-fiber board and magnesite boards as a heat insulator.

If your substrate does not have a foil layer, then you can also construct a “sandwich” from insulation and foil.

A good choice as a substrate for a warm film floor may be penofol insulator.

Backing: penofol

It has a reinforced structure with air cavities that have excellent heat-insulating properties and a foil layer that significantly reduces heat loss in the room.

The foil backing blocks up to 97 percent of heat rays, significantly increasing the efficiency of your heating system.

Important nuances

When laying the underlay on a warm floor under any type of finishing coating, you need to remember several important nuances.

1. First of all, note that the reflective foil side of the backing should be facing up.
2. The substrate should be laid end to end. In order to prevent heat loss at the joints, it is best to connect the substrate strips with metallized tape. This will also serve as an additional barrier to moisture and steam.
3. Heating elements, be it an electric cable, infrared film or a pipeline with a coolant liquid, must be mounted on top of a coating that reflects heat rays.

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

The heated floor itself is a heating system that heats the air below the room. For its normal functioning, you need to perform the installation correctly and select a suitable substrate.

Types of heated floors

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

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

2. Electric. This type is further divided into three groups:

Film;

Cable;

Electric floors on mats.

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

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

Warm floors on mats can be mounted on a ready-made screed, this is its main difference from the previous type. Most often, this design is mounted under tiles. This is because the mats are quite high and will bend on them. Before laying the tiles, special glue is distributed onto the laid mats and the finishing coating is installed.

Functions of underfloor heating

1. Thermal insulation. The underfloor heating redirects radiation from the pipes, thereby achieving maximum efficiency in heating the room.

2. Soundproof. Installing the underlay helps dampen extraneous noise.

3. Facilitates the installation of the finishing coating and gives additional rigidity to the floor.

4. Hydro- and vapor barrier in water floors.

5. Leveling. Underfloor heating can hide small surface imperfections.

Types of underlays for heated floors

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

Polyethylene foam backing

The underfloor heating substrate, obtained by foaming polyethylene with hydrocarbons, is perfect for it. Many owners choose it because of its low price.

The main positive properties of foamed polyethylene foam substrate are excellent antistatic properties and moisture resistance. It also has good sound insulation properties.

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

The scope of application 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 its inability to withstand high temperatures for a long time. Therefore, for example, a water floor can only be used for a limited amount of time. This drawback forces buyers to pay attention to other types of substrates.

Features of installation of foamed polyethylene foam substrate

The material is produced in the form of rolls. It can be easily cut into several pieces of the desired length and width. The individual elements are connected to each other with construction tape, and they should only be placed end-to-end.

Extruded polystyrene foam backing

This substrate has high compressive strength. Heat loss when using it will be very small, since there are pores in the structure of the material. Its moisture absorption rate is optimal, which eliminates the risk of condensation.

Features of installation of extruded polystyrene foam

The material is available 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 coating without the use of special fasteners and adhesives. Additional can be done by gluing the joints with special metallized tape. The relief backing is laid with the protrusions facing down.

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

Cork backing

This material is chosen by lovers of all things natural. Cork underfloor heating is obtained by pressing wood particles glued together with suberin. As a result, the output material is able to withstand temperature shocks and the release of various vapors.

Cork is most often used as a substrate for warm water floors. The high price justifies the excellent performance characteristics of the cork.

Features of installation of cork substrate

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

Optimal underlay for water floors

The most suitable underlay 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, the foil underfloor heating turns out to be the best option for water type heating.

Optimal underlay for electric floors

The underlay for the film heated floor is mounted under the covering 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 is a combination of several materials, which must necessarily contain a metallized layer. It is worth considering that when the correct substrate is made, it is easier to install and does not undergo deformation longer.

Thus, a foil combined material can be considered a universal substrate for heated floors.

Warm floors are becoming increasingly popular among the population every year. Warm floors have several varieties. Despite all their structural differences, they are united by one task. It consists in ensuring that the floor covering absorbs heat from the heating elements most effectively.

The underlying layer of the heating system is of no small importance in the design of the floor. Underfloor heating is used from different materials depending on the type of floor heating.

The building materials trading network offers three types of heating:

Each type of installation is carried out using its own technology. Under each type of heated floor, a bedding made of a certain material is laid.

Requirements for underlying material

The lining should not allow heat waves to pass down

Thermal reflective lining is placed between concrete base and heating system. The main function of the lining is to ensure that the heat spreads straight upward. As a result, thermal energy is not wasted on heating the ceiling.

Substrate materials must meet the following requirements:

• environmental Safety;
• effective heat-reflecting underlay for heated floors;
• resistance to sudden temperature changes;
• high-quality sound insulation;
• resistance to possible deformations;
• ease of installation.

Underlayment material for water floors

The laid underlay under a warm water floor is designed to perform 2 functions:

1. Reflection of heat from the heater into the room.
2. Preventing emergency leakage from penetrating into the lower structures of the structure.

The basis of the underlying layer is a foil underlay for a warm floor. The metallic lining is an extruded polymer foam covered with aluminum foil.

Types of substrates compatible with different heating systems are in the following table:

Technology for installing a water floor with a foil backing

The foil underlay under the heated floor is laid after a series of works:

1. Insulation boards (expanded polystyrene, foam foil or dense foam) are laid on a clean floor base.
2. Lay a vapor barrier made of dense polyethylene film.
3. The foil lining is laid on the film, with the reflective side facing up.
4. Reinforced mesh is laid.
5. The assembled pipelines are secured to the mesh with plastic clamps.
6. Making a concrete screed.
7. Lay the floor covering.
8. Excess foil and vapor barriers protruding beyond the floor covering are cut off.
9. Install skirting boards.

In addition to foil, a backing for the water-heated floor made of lavsan is used. Lavsan for a warm water floor is a metallized reflective layer on a film base (foamed polyethylene).

One of the best materials Expanded polystyrene is used as insulation under warm water floors. The cellular polymer simultaneously plays the role of a substrate for a water-heated floor. The material, coated with a metallized film, is designed for operation at temperature extremes from -180°C to +180°C and has excellent sound insulation.

The foil underfloor heating is placed on the walls around the perimeter of the room to a height of 100 - 150 mm.

Underlay for electric floor heating

Electric floors can be laid without a backing

It should immediately be noted that heat-reflecting metallized substrates are avoided for electrically heated floors. The fact is that an electric heating cable and a metallized substrate are a pair of electrodes.

The heating wire creates a magnetic field around itself, which induces stray currents on the metallized surface of the substrate.

Stray currents carry a destructive force for surrounding structures and can have negative impact on human health.

Electric cable heating installation technology

Like the technology for constructing warm water floors, the electrical system requires the following sequence of actions:

1. Slab polymer insulation is laid on a clean base.
2. A vapor barrier is laid over the entire area of ​​the room.
3. Spread a polymer bedding with a laminated coating with aluminum threads.
4. Lay reinforcing plastic mesh.
5. The electrical cable is secured to the grid with polyethylene clamps.
6. The entire area is filled with liquid concrete.
7. The floor covering is laid on the hardened concrete screed.

Rolled materials made of foamed polyethylene and penofol are used as an underlying layer for electric heated floors. The bedding is covered with a laminated film with aluminum threads. For more information about installing a cable floor, watch this video:

The film is indifferent to the effects of electromagnetic fields and directs heat upward without loss, effectively warming the floors.

Lining for infrared floor heating

Foil materials are also suitable for IR floors

The main task performed by the substrate under an infrared heated floor is to direct the infrared radiation of the film heater into the room.

Warm infrared floors and heat-reflecting substrates are offered for sale in one set.

Technology for laying IR film floor heating systems with a substrate

The appearance of infrared film heated floors on the market has made a small revolution in the improvement of heating systems for the bases of premises.

IR floors are attractive due to their ease of installation, the absence of wet processes and labor-intensive work on filling floors with installed heaters.

IR floors are laid in the following sequence:

1. Polymer insulation is laid on a clean floor base.
2. A polyethylene vapor barrier is laid on the surface of the insulation, placing its edges on the walls around the perimeter of the room.
3. Rolls of IR heating film are rolled out.
4. The film is cut according to special marks.
5. The cut parts of the film are connected to each other in parallel.
6. A thermal sensor is placed under the film. The temperature sensor is connected to the thermostat.
7. IR floors are laid at a distance of 100 mm from the walls.
8. Areas of the floor intended for the location of stationary furniture are not covered with film.
9. A polymer-based foil bedding is placed on the film.
10. The entire surface is covered with a soft polymer backing for installation of the floor covering. To learn how to properly lay out infrared film, watch this video:

The underlay for underfloor heating film is compatible with many types of floor coverings, except those laid on adhesive and cement bases.

When installing heated floors and most types of floor coverings, a special underlay is used, which performs a lot of functions. One of its most popular types is foil for underfloor heating. Some, trying to save on repair work, believe that they can refuse it. However, this step would be a grave mistake. An underlay must be used for installing heated floors.

Before we begin to get acquainted with foil backing for installing floors, let’s find out what types of heated floors exist and can be used in rooms for various purposes. Depending on the type of system, foil material is used different types, differing in certain properties.

Why do you need a substrate?

The material that plays the role of a substrate for a heated floor system is necessary, first of all, to ensure that heat flows do not go down, do not spread below the concrete screed, but, on the contrary, go up, warming up the floor covering and the room.

On a note! Inside a regular floor, the heat emanating from the heating element will evenly heat the material from which the floor is made. However, it will no longer penetrate below the screed due to the thermal insulation layer.

At the same time, it is not just insulating material that allows you to retain heat much better and more efficiently, but a substrate with foil. As an example, it can be noted that the thermal insulation coefficient of 8 cm thick foam plastic will be exactly the same as that of foamed polyethylene with a layer of foil.

A high-quality underlay for heated floors should have:

• high reflection rates;
• resistance to temperature fluctuations;
• sound insulation;
• waterproofing;
• high thermal insulation rates;
• ease of installation;
• environmental and sanitary safety.

Materials with a layer of foil also have most of these properties. In particular, they have maximum properties reflecting thermal energy.

This material is used quite often when installing heated floors. It allows you to reduce heat loss during the use of the heating system, which makes it possible to save money spent on heating or electricity bills. Materials with a foil surface are considered the most effective in terms of energy saving.

However, all of the above properties are possessed not only by the foil itself, but also by the materials on the surface of which it is glued during production. There are several main groups of thermal insulation materials that can have a foil layer.

Structure of foil thermal insulation material

Most types of foil-coated thermal insulation materials are produced in rolls, which ensures ease of use during installation work. In general, most insulation materials have a two-layer structure - base and foil.

The basis May be:

• basalt;
• mineral;
• polystyrene foam;
• polyethylene.

Each of these materials is environmentally friendly, safe for health due to its inertness, and has excellent fire safety performance. Also, most types of base have a bubble structure, and air, as you know, is one of the worst conductors of heat.

Foil polyethylene foam - structure

Foil layer is a foil made of aluminum, the role of which is to directly reflect thermal energy. It allows the returned heat to be evenly distributed, but the base prevents it from going into the screed.

On a note! Foil insulation is mostly elastic and soft materials, so the installation process is quite simple.

Due to the fact that most thermal insulation materials with a foil layer can withstand heating up to +90 degrees, such substrates can be used for any type of underfloor heating systems. By the way, on the surface of the foil insulation there are often markings that facilitate the process of laying the cable - you don’t have to constantly fiddle with a tape measure. With such material it is also easier to lay and water system floor. Another feature of some foil materials is the sticky layer. It allows you to fix the insulation in one place during installation and will not allow it to move.

Types of thermal insulation with foil

	Photo	Name	Rating	Price
#1		Expanded polystyrene	⭐ 96 / 100
#2		Foamed polyethylene	⭐ 98 / 100
#3		Basalt insulation	⭐ 85 / 100
#4		Minvata	⭐ 78 / 100
#5			⭐ 96 / 100
#6			⭐ 93 / 100

Expanded polystyrene

The most popular thermal insulation material used for heated floors is foil polystyrene foam. In general, it is able to cope with changes in air temperature from -180 to +180 degrees without damage, but, of course, in domestic conditions the floors definitely do not heat up to that extent.

1. Quite durable material that is not afraid of sudden temperature fluctuations.
2. Also, polystyrene foam is not afraid of exposure to various chemicals.
3. It is not afraid of rot, various pathogenic microorganisms do not settle on it, which also demonstrates the material as safe for human health.

Low resistance to UV radiation.

Expanded polystyrene with foil layer

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is purchased and used much less frequently, even with a layer of foil. Such insulation is often used only in industrial facilities.

• affordable price;
• low fire hazard class.

Not suitable for installation of water heating systems. The fact is that in the event of a liquid leak, the material will easily become saturated with it and lose all its qualities - it will not be able to retain heat. And it is not recommended to use mineral wool for electric heated floors. main reason negative reviews is that this material, when heated, begins to release substances that negatively affect the body.

foiled mineral wool

Polyethylene foam

Foamed polyethylene is another commonly used type of underfloor heating.

• lasting;
• plastic;
• not afraid of moisture;
• various chemicals are not scary;
• pathogenic microorganisms do not settle on it.
• can be used both under water heated floors and under electric ones;
• the period of use can be very long.

• fear of ultraviolet radiation, but under the floor covering sunlight will not reach the material.

Polyethylene foam foil

Basalt insulation

Basalt insulation has a base consisting of thin fibers of molten gabbro-basalt rocks. It is very similar to fiberglass, consisting of basalt rather than quartz.

1. Non-flammability.
2. Vapor permeability.
3. It is not afraid of sudden temperature changes and can easily withstand from -200 to +700 degrees, which is why it does not burn.

1. Seams not sealed.

basalt wool with foil layer

Folgoizolon is often used in the construction/repair of saunas and baths.

1. It is not afraid of moisture or sudden changes in temperature.
2. The service life of the material is quite long.
3. Doesn't rot.
4. Has increased sound insulation properties.
5. Safe from an environmental point of view.

Folgoizolon is very expensive, so it is practically not used in residential buildings.

There is another type of thermal insulation with a foil layer. It is known as multifoil and consists of several layers. The foil layer is covered with bubbles filled with air, then polyethylene and polypropylene film are laid. Under the foil layer there is a special protective coating.

1. If you use this type of thermal insulation, heat loss will be reduced to a minimum.
2. In addition, multifoil is not afraid of high humidity.

Not detected.

Attention! When installing a heated floor system, you should not use materials intended for insulating walls and other parts of the building. On the floor they will experience strong mechanical stress, and therefore can quickly lose their properties. Only use materials that are specifically designed for installation on the floor.

Video - Penofol and its analogues

Do you need reflective foil for underfloor heating systems?

The most commonly used types of foil backing are polypropylene and polyethylene. But is such a layer needed when installing a heated floor, or is its necessity just an invention of marketers? So, the following fact speaks in favor of a thermal insulation substrate with a layer of foil - its use allows you to save about 90% of the heat emitted by a heated floor system. Thus, the amount of energy spent is significantly reduced. This alone is enough to recognize the need to use the material.

The foil backing has other advantages:

• it practically does not increase the thickness of the floor, since for the most part it is very thin (2-10 mm);
• affordable for everyone;
• easy to install;
• strong, durable.

Using material with foil

Installing foil under a heated floor is quite simple. With a 99% probability, even a novice builder will not encounter any difficulties or difficulties here. In order to lay this material on the subfloor, you will need scissors or a stationery knife, a tape measure, aluminum tape, and the heat-insulating material itself (for example, polyethylene foam).

The following table will help you navigate the entire installation technique.

Table. Technology for laying foil under heated floors.

Steps, photo	Description of actions
	The material is laid close to the wall. The process starts from the corner of the room. The edge of the roll of foil material is placed in the corner of the room with the reflective side up - it will always be directed towards the heat source. The roll is unrolled to the end of the wall, a strip of material of the required length is cut.
	In a similar way, the material is rolled out across the floor of the entire room. The strips are laid end to end.
	All installation seams are taped to ensure maximum heat and moisture insulation.
	Next, the installation of a floor heating system can be carried out, then the flooring is laid.

However, it is worth remembering that the foil underlay must be laid on a thoroughly dried subfloor if it has been leveled and filled with building mixture. Then the work on installing thermal insulation is carried out, and then the selected underfloor heating system is installed according to the diagram and certain requirements. After this, again, depending on the requirements, it is either filled with a cement mixture or simply covered with a finishing coating.

Video - Laying rolled foil backing

It is necessary to lay insulation when installing a heated floor, especially if the floors are installed in a private house or laid in an apartment on the ground floor. And when using foil materials, the heating efficiency will be significantly increased. Therefore, you should not skimp on this subtle, but so important addition.

Heating a home using underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular. These systems vary in the type of heating elements, allowing you to choose for any home. In order for such a heating system to operate efficiently and reliably, it must be properly insulated. To ensure that the heat does not escape in vain, the underfloor heating is intended. It is made of heat-reflecting materials that will retain heat.

Material selection

Usually the material for lining under the heating elements is polyethylene foam or

Foam backing.

polypropylene, which, moreover, are covered with a lavsan film with a layer of metal coating. The metalized coating helps heat to be evenly distributed under the floor covering, and the insulation itself prevents heat from being absorbed by the screed.

The foam underfloor heating has a low degree of thermal conductivity, which prevents heat from escaping into the ceiling and screed. The temperature limit of the material (up to 90 degrees) allows you to lay pipes or heating cables directly on the film. Along with excellent thermal and waterproofing properties, a layer of such material also has excellent sound insulation. It is also worth considering that the markings applied to the substrate will allow you to lay the cable according to the calculated step, this will increase the accuracy of the work and a reliable result.

Underlay for laminate

Currently, laminate is almost the most popular floor covering: it has a reasonable price, looks very similar to parquet, and its installation is very simple. If you plan to install heating under the laminate, you must make sure that a lining is installed under the heated floor system, which will help protect the wood from overheating. Otherwise, gaps will form in areas of the floor with a gap between the laminate and the base, and the coating itself will knock heavily.

To avoid such problems, a special thin (2-5 mm) part is placed under the laminate, which has increased thermal conductivity.

This move will not only avoid damage to the boards, but will also act as insulation, equalize possible height differences and prevent the laminate from squeaking. This backing is usually foil and is placed under a heated floor, where, in addition to its function of leveling the laminate, it also helps to retain heat.

Foil backing for laminate.

This component is mounted between the heating elements and the laminate. Manufacturers of wood flooring themselves advise using roll-type polyethylene for lining. A substrate made of this material combines well with concrete and cement and is poorly exposed to chemical compounds and living organisms. But in addition to compatibility with the finishing floor covering, the underlay must combine well with the selected type of heated floor, which will be discussed further.

Under a warm water floor

Water-based heated floors are quite popular due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. When using a water heated floor system, you must take care in advance of the presence of a special layer. It is made of polystyrene foam; a little less often you can find linings made of cork or isoplat.

The correct underfloor heating will ensure that warm air rises upward, thereby making the structure work optimally. Thanks to high technology used in production, polystyrene foam substrates have many advantages:

• Provide additional heat and sound insulation;
• Practically do not absorb moisture, are fireproof;
• They help retain heat, which means they are economical and environmentally friendly;
• Maintain structure and integrity even with sudden temperature changes;
• Very durable - the minimum service life is 100 years.

Under film (infrared) heated floor

The best choice for a film floor is a heated floor substrate made of lavsan - foamed polyethylene, which has a metal-like reflective top layer. Lavsan is known for its amazing resistance to aggressive chemicals and microorganisms, as well as resistance to microorganisms.
The substrate is placed directly under, which ensures greater efficiency due to reduced energy loss. A lavsan substrate, which is placed under a heated floor, will not only help to heat the room, but will also save money, thanks to the same low thermal transmittance.

Installation steps

First you need to thoroughly clean the surface that you plan to cover with interlayer material. After this, we put a vapor barrier, which can be used as a construction film made of polyethylene; it should be used to cover the floor with a slight “climbing” of the material onto the walls (2-3 cm). The joints of the film can be sealed with ordinary construction tape. We glue a damper tape to the wall around the perimeter of the entire room, which will prevent the wood from expanding excessively. Next, you need to carefully cut out even strips of lining from the roll, which we place on the floor, trying to ensure that the lining fits snugly between each other and near the walls.

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We also use construction tape at the joints. Sometimes we may come across a corrugated underlay for an infrared heated floor; it needs to be laid with the smooth side up.

Secrets of installing underlays under infrared floors

In order for the film system to function correctly, it is necessary to install the components as efficiently as possible.

Proper installation of the heated floor underlay is also very important, and when working with it you should know some features:

• If the underfloor heating substrate is made of fiberboard or magnesite tiles, it is laid on a screed covered with aluminum foil;
• If it is made of a polymer metallized film, then it is placed under the film with infrared resistors, the reflective side up;
• The insulating material is laid in a continuous mass over the entire surface.

If individual elements of the substrate require connection, this can be done with tape or regular adhesive tape, which will provide additional vapor and waterproofing properties.

The underlay for a modern heated floor is very important when installing the system. This detail will allow you to fully experience the capabilities of heating systems and help the house retain heat inside.