Substrate for underfloor heating

Not so long ago, underfloor heating was a novelty for many and was considered a luxury. If earlier, when deciding to install underfloor heating in your house or apartment, there was no question of compromises, now manufacturers of heating and air conditioning systems give builders and landlords a wide range of choices that are limited only by imagination and price-quality ratio.

The benefits of underfloor heating

Perhaps the most important requirements that a person wants to acquire a warm floor is:

1. Environmental friendliness
2. Durability
3. The optimum ratio of price and quality
4. Easy installation
5. Simplicity of design and maintenance

Water floor heating meets all these requirements. All kinds of radiations do not come from it, except perhaps thermal, it justifies itself economically and has a long service life.

The warm floor is unpretentious in use, and taking into account the durability of modern materials it will serve the owners for a long time and efficiently, creating a truly cozy, “warm” atmosphere in the house.

Choosing a substrate for a warm water floor

If the choice is settled on a warm water field, then the substrate should be suitable for it and comply with the recommendations of experienced builders, manufacturers of components for underfloor heating and specialists in the field of water heating.

Almost all experts in this field agree that special attention is required to thermal insulation between the bearing bases (walls and floor) and the water heating system. Properly selected thermal insulation (subject to other recommendations) will allow you to use a warm floor as the main, or even the only, source of heat in a heated room, and also save energy that would be spent without heating on heating the street or neighbors.

In addition to these quite obvious things, a good substrate accompanies an even distribution of heat in the room and has a beneficial effect on the microclimate.

Almost all specialized substrates for a warm water floor have heat-insulating properties, so we will consider them in the article.

Mats for underfloor heating

There are a number of mats for a warm water floor, they all have different characteristics and are in different price categories. Consider their main types:

• Foil mats
  In addition to this name, on the price tag in the store you can see “Foil substrate for underfloor heating” or “penofol with a reflective coating.

It’s easy to guess from the name that their main work item is a reflective surface.

This kind of mats is at least cheap, but far from the best option, it will not be suitable for basement floors, but it will be a good solution when it is important to save 3-4 cm of living space.

Foil mats under warm water floors are laid on the base with the reflecting surface up. Pipe installation takes place directly on top of such a substrate. After installation, you can immediately carry out the screed.

• Film Mats
  Film mats for a warm floor are a more advanced solution than foil, their heat-insulating properties are an order of magnitude higher due to the use of more modern polymers than penofol. Design features allow you to use them as a substrate for a warm floor under the laminate. In addition, the installation of underfloor heating pipes will be simplified by the presence of special markings and a system of fasteners (slats) for pipes. The screed can also be laid on top of film mats for a warm water floor without the use of intermediate layers.
• Styrofoam flat mats
  They are foam mats, have a high class of sound insulation, but have a number of disadvantages, which include low resistance to damage and chemical sensitivity to the composition of the screed. Due to the low chemical resistance of the polystyrene foam underfloor substrate, it is necessary to lay a second layer of high density polyethylene film before laying pipes.
• Special mats with bosses.
  The price of a substrate for a warm floor with bosses is higher than that of expanded polystyrene mats, but it justifies itself at later stages of installation.
  A substrate with bosses under a warm floor is one of the best solutions and has several advantages:
  • rows of curly protrusions simplify pipe installation
  • no additional pipe fixation required
  • does not require additional layers before laying the screed
  • accompanies uniform distribution of heat-conducting structural elements
  • has high noise, heat and waterproofing

Other types of substrates

In addition to specialized substrates, materials such as cork mats and boards from chipboard and OSBHowever, it is worth noting that such materials, although they have high thermal and sound insulation characteristics, their use as a substrate under a warm water floor is not economically profitable, since they require additional measures for vapor barrier, which entails additional costs.

In addition, with such materials, when it comes to warm floors, it is better to work with specialists who have extensive experience.

Combined underfloor underfloor heating

It is permissible to use immediately 2 types of insulation, laid in layers, for example, the simultaneous use of foil and flat mats will have a double effect in thermal insulation, where the foil coating will perform reflective properties, and expanded polystyrene will be heat insulating.

This type of combination is not the only one; more and more often combinations of mats with bosses, a metal profile and gypsum-fiber sheet are used.

Perhaps the only drawbacks of such a system of “puff pie” will be the high cost and a significant reduction in the height of the room (not suitable for rooms with low ceilings).

Mounting

• Measurements
  Installation of a substrate for a warm water floor should begin with measurements of the room in which it is necessary to install warm floors. When measuring, it is important to consider that film and foil mats are sold in rolls, and all others are mainly in plates. At the measurement stage, your task will be to minimize the length of joints and proceeding from this task, you need to select the width of the rolls or the width and length of the mats for the substrate under the warm floor.
• Bearing surface preparation
  At the next stage, the floors need to be cleaned of debris and bumps. This will allow more evenly decompose the substrate material in the next step.
• Material laying
  The substrate material must lie freely and without tension.

To prevent crushing of rolled materials, it is better to use a long but not heavy load - for example, a bar.

• Sizing
  The joints of the substrate before laying pipes and screeds should be glued, for this purpose aluminum tape is best suited, or its cheaper analogue is metallized tape.

Conclusions

• Installation of warm water floors should begin with an assessment of the situation and measurements. It is necessary to decide whether the underfloor heating will be the main or still additional type of space heating.
• The choice of the best substrate for a warm floor should be approached responsibly and based on the characteristics of the room, taking into account not only the area of ​​the room and the expected temperature, but also the humidity and height of the ceilings.
• It is much more reliable to use those materials that are specifically designed for a warm water floor. This approach will not only save time, but will increase the service life and will save up to 20% on the energy spent on heating the room.

It is better to buy a substrate for a warm water floor in specialized stores, which will protect you from acquiring low-quality products.

Expanded polystyrene plates with bosses

It is coated and uncoated. An uncoated stove easily loses its boss during the installation and installation of a warm pipe. Coated plates allow you to move along it with care, without losing the bosses. But the pipe of the warm floor between them is not fixed, i.e. for additional fastening it is necessary to use anchor brackets. The average cost of a coated plate is about 600 rubles per 1 square meter.

What results in savings on insulation

For example, take a room with an area of ​​50 square meters.

Usually use expanded polystyrene with bosses, the cost of 1 square. meters on average 600 rubles, thickness - 2 cm. In most cases, this thickness is not enough for insulation, with the exception of the southern regions. Additional insulation up to 4 cm will cost another 150 rubles per square meter. The total amount will be 7,500 rubles. Savings on this amount are discussed when choosing a heater. The owner of the house seeks to reduce costs and often chooses the cheapest option - a substrate for a warm floor, instead of the insulation itself. In the end, the economical owner of the house heats the street and spends even more money to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room.

Calculation of the cost of water floor heating

Before us are two rooms:

1. the first with a normal, high-quality insulation of the required thickness,
2. the second - with a substrate for a heat-insulated floor under a heater and an “economical” host.

In the first house, with a 4 cm insulation, the heat flux into the room exceeds the heat flux down three times. All the heat that the landlord pays for is used to heat the room, not the street!
In the house of the “economical” owner, the heat flow up (to the room to be heated) is almost equal to the heat flow down (to the street, nowhere). Forty watts per square meter flies "into the pipe."

• On 1 square meter with a substrate for a warm floor, we lose 40 watts, on 50 square meters - 2000 watts.
• 1 cubic meter of natural gas gives 10 kW of thermal power and costs 4.5 rubles (the price depends on the region, from 4 to 8 rubles).
• 10 00 W / 2000 W = 5 hours - 1 cubic meter of natural gas is enough for so much heat loss.
• The boiler works on average 12 hours a day. 12/5 = 2.4 cubic meters of gas wasted per day for street heating.
• 2.4 (cubic meters) x4.5 (rubles) x30 (days) x7 (months of the heating period) = 2,268 rubles per year.

For the insulation they paid 7500 rubles / 2268 rubles = 3, 3 years - the payback period of the insulation. When using a substrate for a warm floor, the heat loss will increase! These materials are not insulation!

DO NOT USE THE SUBSTRATE UNDER THE HEATED FLOOR INSTEAD OF THE HEATER!

When using insulation materials with a thickness insufficient for full thermal insulation or when using foil insulation, isoline (they are also a substrate for a warm floor), the landlord loses a lot of heat in the lower direction. This is either unreasonable savings, or a serious mistake of the homeowner. Heat losses in this case are comparable to the heat flux entering the room. Using high-quality insulation, the required thickness pays off on average for 3-3.5 years of operation of a warm floor, when using natural gas as an energy source. Natural gas is the cheapest source of energy. If we talk about other sources, then the insulation can pay off for 1 heating period (i.e. for 7 months).

Features and purpose

People who want to install a warm floor in their home often wonder if they need some kind of special lining material for the system, or in this case lining is just a waste of money. In fact, a lining at the bottom of the floor is really necessary. It allows not only to level the floor before laying the final coating, but also performs other useful functions. Underfloor underlay is designed to retain heat and prevent its leakage into the lower layers of the system. Simply put, This layer has thermal insulation properties.

In addition, a high-quality and properly mounted substrate allows you to increase the noise insulation in the room.

In order for the lining for the warm floor to cope well with its purpose, it must be selected and placed correctly, focusing on the material of manufacture of both the substrate itself and the final coating. Only in this case will the underfloor heating system work correctly.

Types of underfloor heating

Today, manufacturers of underfloor heating supply them for sale in several varieties. For each particular type of floor, it is necessary to use the appropriate lining option - only in this case it will fully cope with its functions:

• Laminate flooringcoating It can be warm, however, the installation process is quite time-consuming and responsible. A distinctive feature of such floors is the need to use two substrates at the same time. When arranging a warm laminate floor, a lining is needed to protect against overheating and prevent further deformation of the final coating - lamella panels.
• Under electric underfloor heating in some cases it is necessary to lay a two-level lining. The first level is laid during the rough work, and the second - during the final installation. The use of insulation allows you to increase the thermal conductivity of the cable, protect it from overheating, as well as save on electricity costs.

• Infrared film underfloor heating also requires pre-installation of the substrate. That it will allow you to redirect all the heat from the infrared heating to the inside of the room, and not inside the floor. In addition, barefoot walking on this floor is much more pleasant. It is worth noting that the infrared warm floor is often called film. As a heater, various materials can be used.
• Water the floor may have a heating function, and in this case, the choice of substrate must be approached very seriously. Not only the quality of heating, but also the safety of walking on the floor will depend on the right choice. It is the lining that can significantly reduce heat loss during the passage of hot water through pipes and concrete crossbars.

The substrate is a significant, integral part of the underfloor heating system, regardless of its type.

That is why you should give preference to not just affordable and suitable types of this insulation - it is important to choose from the entire range Really high-quality and safe lining.

Types of underlay under the laminate

A wide variety of materials on the market involuntarily raises the question: which substrate to choose for the laminate. Let's get it right.

All types of lining materials can be divided into 2 large groups: natural and synthetic. In their production, various components are used. At first glance, the former are more environmentally friendly, while the latter are most likely cheaper. Each species has its own advantages and disadvantages that determine its use in a particular case. We will analyze each type of substrate for the laminate separately.

Cork backing

Cork is a natural, environmentally friendly and resistant to external influences material. It is made from crumbs of balsa wood by pressing. Due to its origin, it is clearly considered environmentally friendly and safe for health. The material is available in the form of rolls or plates of various sizes. Thickness varies from 2 to 12 mm.

• The cork has excellent elastic properties - it is able to restore its shape immediately after release from stress. Therefore, do not worry about the fact that the material is deformed - after a while it will return to its original form.
• Cork material will provide the necessary level of thermal insulation due to its low thermal conductivity.
• Due to its elasticity, this type of base makes the laminate more durable, protecting the locks from wear.
• Cork laminate lining is excellent for laying on the "floating floor" system.
• Cork does not rot and does not mold. This indicator will also add a “plus” to the life of the coating.

• The cork has a porous structure, so it will easily absorb water. As a result, moisture may accumulate under the coating. At a high humidity level, the floor screed under the substrate will gradually break down and fungi may form on it.
• Apply the base under the laminate of cork material only on a perfectly flat surface of the base floor. This material has a low ability to smooth out roughnesses in the screed.
• High price.

Cork lining is the perfect choice for the floor. It never deforms, is not afraid of water (although it absorbs it), it is quite easy to use and install. And most importantly - cork does not cause allergic reactions in people indoors.

The main disadvantage of this material is its rather high price. As the saying goes: "You have to pay for durability and quality."

Coniferous substrate

In recent years, a new material is gaining popularity - a substrate of natural needles. It is produced by pressing sawdust and finely chopped needles of conifers. Moreover, as a binder does not apply additional adhesives. Bonding of material particles occurs with the help of wood resin released by the same particles when pressed under high pressure.

The first and main drawback of the material is its rarity. Finding a natural lining for a laminate will not work without difficulty. It is possible to meet tiles from needles on the counter only in specialized stores under the interesting name "isoplat". The coniferous substrate is cheaper than cork, which is an important factor when buying. Manufacturers claim that the material is environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, sufficiently durable, with a long service life and is slightly susceptible to moisture. However, coniferous tiles, due to their structure, can absorb moisture. It does not destroy the material itself, but, as in the case of the cork, leads to the formation of fungi under the substrate and, as a consequence, the destruction of the screed.

If we consider the coniferous substrate from the point of view of elasticity, it is significantly inferior to cork, but they have a more uniform fibrous structure that can withstand higher point loads (up to 15 tons per square meter).

The material has good soundproofing and heat-shielding properties, while the substrate breathes well. In addition, coniferous tiles are suitable for use with underfloor heating.

The coniferous substrate is produced exclusively in the form of plates from 3 to 10 mm thick, which must be laid out joint to joint diagonally relative to the walls of the room so that the seams do not coincide with the locks of the laminate.

Bitumen-cork substrate

Bitumen-cork material is a very popular laminate lining among professionals. How is this base made? Very simple! Crushed cork is added to the mixed bitumen. Ultimately, such a mixture is poured onto a cardboard base or kraft paper.

Thanks to this simple “recipe”, the base has good thermal insulation, noise absorption and excellent waterproofing.

Note! Laying a bitumen-cork substrate should provide air microcirculation to reduce condensate under the laminate. To do this, leave gaps at the edges for moisture to escape from under the coating to the outside.

Due to the presence of bitumen, which exudes harmful substances in small quantities (especially when the temperature rises), the material is not considered environmentally friendly and safe for health. Therefore, its use in residential premises is limited.

In stores, such a lining can be found under the commercial name Parkolag (parkolag).

Cork rubber backing

In appearance, this material resembles a bitumen-cork substrate, but this is only at first glance. This is an innovative material created by adding synthetic rubber and polyurethane adhesive to cork.

Due to the presence of rubber, the rubber-cork substrate has increased elasticity. This factor increases the durability of the base compared to conventional cork. In addition, the material has excellent cushioning properties, good sound insulation and thermal conductivity. In this regard, it is allowed to use with underfloor heating: the efficiency will be higher than with a clean cork. In addition, the rubber-cork substrate has an antistatic effect and retains its size even under high pressure.

The base under the laminate is not considered completely natural, but unlike bitumen-cork, it does not emit harmful substances during operation.

Polyethylene foam backing

Another popular base for laminate flooring is not only among ordinary buyers, but also among the masters themselves. The material is a layer of foamed polyethylene mass from 2 to 8 mm thick rolled into a roll. It is used not only as a substrate, but also in other areas of construction and repair. In stores often found under the name "Isolon."

Due to the closed cellular structure, the material has good sound-absorbing, heat-insulating and waterproof properties. Isolon is easy to install and has established itself in our market as a quality and cheap one. In addition, the substrate of their polyethylene foam is very resistant to temperature extremes and frost, which makes it possible to use in unheated rooms.

The main disadvantages include low leveling ability - the isolon does not recover after a strong physical impact. In places where this happened, the bubbles burst and the base can no longer take its previous shape. As a result, “air voids” form under the laminate, which can lead to creaks.

When mounting, do not allow a high point load on the material or heavy objects to fall on it, so as not to spoil it.

Foil backing

This is a very popular type of laminate flooring on the market. The material is a foamed polyethylene or polystyrene, on the surface of which a thin foil is applied. As a result, this laminate base has excellent heat and sound insulation characteristics, due to the fact that the foil reflects noise and thermal radiation well. Since the base of the substrate with the foil is a synthetic material, it is also suitable for places where moisture is present - a bathroom, kitchen or all kinds of basements. In stores, such material is found with unilateral or bilateral foil. Most often choose a base with foil on one side.

• The thermal insulation of floors is increased by approximately 25% compared to a conventional substrate made of polyethylene foam or expanded polystyrene,
• Good water repellent
• Prevents mold and mildew.

Installation of the substrate with the foil on one side is done with the foil down (to the base floor). This allows you to reflect the cold from the floor and the sound from the rooms below.

Right choice

If the owner of the apartment intends to connect to the water system, he will have to obtain official permission for this. This is explained by the fact that it is difficult to control the exact consumption of thermal energy of a single consumer, moreover, not all boilers are able to withstand a significant increase in energy consumption. We must not forget about the significant cost of installing a heating device in a city apartment.

Electrical systems are divided into cable and film, the latter are also called infrared. They suggest taking into account the parameters of the existing wiring and the presence of protective fittings. In order to heat floors efficiently, the equipment must have a minimum power of 250 kW per 1 sq. m. If you count in total, you get great performance. Today, manufacturers produce an impressive range of substrates for infrared heat-insulated floors, differing in the material of manufacture.

Important Functions

The choice of substrates for a warm floor is an important point.

When laying the substrate, it is necessary to connect the joints well

Attention should be paid to the following characteristics:

1. Thermal conductivity. The smaller it is, the better the substrate works. This parameter depends on the material of manufacture of the product and the thickness of the layer. Modern linings have a foil surface layer to improve the effect due to the reflection of infrared rays. The heat saving parameters can be increased by 30%. The materials used today comply with construction standards.
2. Manufacturability. The simpler the materials at work, the easier it is to deal with them. Expanded polystyrene is considered to be the most technologically advanced. Thin substrates are obtained from it, the thickness of which is rarely more than 5 mm. To cut them, use ordinary scissors.
3. Additional properties. Some products have special protrusions on the surface. A mesh drawn on the front side may also be present. These components simplify the process of laying pipes and make it possible to fix them simultaneously with the laying. As a result, not only is it possible to speed up the installation of products, but also to ensure a long and stable operation of the system.

In this video you will find out if penofol is needed under the screed:

Other indicators

No less significant points are environmental safety and the cost of materials. Resin and plastic have the ability to release toxic substances into the air. Safety depends on the concentration of substances. Substrate requirements for underfloor heating are more stringent, as they are used at elevated temperatures. Heat saving costs can be optimized if you have specialized technical knowledge.

The substrate is able to withstand heavy loads.

At the same time, there are parameters that do not play a special role in assessing the effectiveness of warm floors. These include the noise absorption indicator. Absolutely any materials used in this area do not transmit sound well enough. They create obstacles in front of air currents conducive to conducting a sound wave.

Another indicator that you should pay attention to is waterproofing. Aluminum foil does not allow water or steam to pass through. The issue of the need for waterproofing for heating systems is especially significant. When it comes to water systems, quick leak detection will reduce owner loss. Accordingly, the structure will be less exposed to high humidity. The situation with electrical systems is much more complicated. Water is unacceptable here, as it provokes short circuits.

How to choose a substrate for a warm floor:

The ability to withstand ultraviolet rays is necessary when there is a source emitting them or an x-ray machine under the floor. In their absence, you can buy special products to protect against UV radiation.

Products with electric heating

The substrate for the electric underfloor heating is made of pressed cork and foil. Products with increased thickness are made of extruded polystyrene foam. They have increased indicators of physical strength, so that it is permissible to lay them under concrete. The substrate is used for all floors with electric heating, including standard modifications. If the base has defects, it must be leveled. In this case, it is permissible to use substrates from chipboard and OSB.

Polyf - another option for the substrate. Here, polyethylene foam is combined with aluminum, paper and metallized film. Sheets are stacked in layers close to each other. In areas where moisture can seep, it is necessary to connect sheets of polyethylene with adhesive tape.

You can lay the substrate for the warm floor yourself

An aluminum reflective layer is undesirable for electric floors, as if insulation is damaged, current leakage with negative consequences is possible. The reflective layer is arranged on a film of polyethylene and is equipped with vacuum spraying. When choosing a particular brand, factors such as topcoat should be taken into account. The lighter it is, the less durable it will turn out a lining under a warm floor. Extruded materials are used for artificial stone and ceramic tiles.

In this video you will find out if foil is needed for a warm floor:

When arranging a warm floor during the repair of old rooms, the total thickness of the “pie” ranges from 10 to 15 cm. It depends on the bearing floor and floor technology. These parameters are important when designing the height of window and door openings. When repairing, you need to make the floor thinner in advance. Due to this, in the future it will not be necessary to reduce the height of the doors.

It is best to install a warm floor, which does not interfere with opening and closing doors. The most unfavorable option is to equip the system, because of which you have to raise the jumper of the doorway.

Underfloor lining

In the upper part of the water underfloor heating there is a cement-sand screed. It is better to use products from:

• sheet plywood,
• OSB,
• extruded polystyrene foam.

These materials can withstand heavy loads, while the effect of permanent deformation is not observed. The substrate must withstand moisture. If an unexpected leak occurs, the material must be suitable for further use. Of course, leaks are undesirable, but it is better to take measures to prevent them in advance.

It is important to ensure reliable fixation of pipelines, where special substrates with protrusions are offered that simplify the installation process. This ensures the same distance between the pipes along the entire floor plane.

Natural insulation

Such substrates are made from organic materials and are extremely vulnerable to various harmful microorganisms. For this reason, such a substrate must have a special impregnation. Its service life is less than that of heaters from other groups. This category includes substrates made from:

• Jute or flax. The fibers are small in size, the insulation itself absorbs moisture well, dries quickly and does not change its original size and appearance. The downside is the low thermal insulation.
• Cork insulation is versatile in use, has one of the best indicators of noise absorption and thermal insulation, does not deteriorate over time, and has reliable protection against harmful microorganisms. Sold in rolls at an affordable cost. It has good elasticity and is difficult to burn.
• Felt insulation is made from wool of sheep. Such material has a thickness of up to 5 mm, burns poorly, absorbs and passes moisture well, and also applies to breathable materials. This lining is only suitable for soft flooring. It has high thermal insulation performance.

Despite these qualitative characteristics, natural heaters are used quite rarely because of their short life, the tendency to accumulate condensate and change their sizes.

The most popular are synthetic lining.

Synthetic substrates

Synthetic lining can be foil or plain. Synthetic heaters with foil have a greater ability to heat reflection. They are not recommended to be laid on a concrete floor, otherwise the reflective surface of the foil is quickly destroyed. It is also worth knowing that there are insulators on sale both with ordinary foil in the composition, and those in which the reflective coating is a multifoil. She is a more modern, reliable and advanced material.

Any metallized pad from the synthetic category has two big pluses: increased heat conductivity and complete immunity to any pathogens and bacteria.

Currently, such heaters are made of the following materials:

• Polyethylene foam Crosslinked is used as a substrate for any underfloor heating. It has low flammability, excellent sound-absorbing and heat-insulating properties, does not crease and easily returns to its original form. Available in sheets and rolls.
• Polyvinyl Chloride it is hard and soft. As a heater, it is rarely used and only in rigid modifications. It easily ignites, and in the process of combustion a lot of harmful chemical compounds are released, therefore, at present, polyvinyl chloride is used extremely rarely. It is sold in rolls and sheets with a thickness of 3 to 20 mm.

• Expanded polystyrene - It is a foamed synthetic material with good flexibility. It is immune to fire, perfect for laying under any warm floors. It is realized both in sheets and in rolls. On sale you can find both a smooth substrate, and with special bosses. The second option is intended only for laying under a water heated floor.
• Polystyrene backing simpler when compared with the previous option. It is often used due to its availability and good thermal insulation qualities. It is usually realized in the form of sheets. The backing of this synthetic material may be ribbed or smooth. The ribbed quencher is used in the installation of a water heated floor.

• Lavsan substrate is a kind of hybrid foamed polystyrene foam. The fact is that sheets of this material are covered with a thin layer of foil, so the heat-reflecting ability of the lavsan is simply amazing. The surface of such sheets is usually smooth, but sometimes there is a ribbed lining made of it on sale. It is worth noting that a perforated lining of any kind is in most cases intended for laying under an underfloor heating floor. Pimples and allow you to tightly fix the insulation.

Some manufacturers produce substrates with a marking, thanks to which you can easily understand how and where exactly the sheets or pieces of insulation should be interconnected. During installation, such information must be taken into account.

Mineral insulation

This group includes only one kind of substrate - fiberglass or, as it is popularly called, glass wool. The material is not subject to burning, does not absorb and does not conduct moisture, but at the same time it does not have any heat-insulating properties. From all of the above, we can conclude that it is better to purchase synthetic substrates for underfloor heating, since they have a longer service life and have better heat absorption than mineral or natural heaters.

Styling technology

It is immediately worth noting that the laying of the substrate of each type should be carried out according to an individual technology selected depending on the type of underfloor heating and insulation material. There is a general list of technological work carried out sequentially in all cases:

• Removing the old flooring or screeding the new floor. If you plan to carry out the installation of a warm floor in a new house, then first you need to complete all the rough work, make the floor screed in any convenient way, wait for its final drying and only then proceed to the next stage. If there is a need to dismantle the old floor, then the coating is completely removed with the help of tools, all garbage is collected and disposed of in a landfill, and the work surface is thoroughly cleaned.
• It is necessary to carefully examine the concrete base for the presence of such defects as chips and cracks. They must be eliminated with a cement mixture.
• It is necessary to make sure that the floors are perfectly even, have no flaws. In case of strong elevations, it is strongly recommended to fill the entire floor with a self-leveling mixture, the layer of which should not exceed 3 cm.

• In order to level the temperature differences, a special tape is attached along the perimeter of the lower part of the walls.
• A strong polyethylene film with mandatory lapping on the walls is laid around the entire perimeter of the base.
• An even layer is laid on top of the substrate. Please note that all parts are stacked butt-to-butt. Lay the substrate so that the density of the material is at least 150 g / sq. m
• Then, alternately, the remaining parts of the underfloor heating system are mounted.

Despite the apparent difficulty, laying both the substrate itself and the entire underfloor heating system is not so difficult. This work requires patience and care, and if you have the proper skills, it does not take much time.

Manufacturers

Today in the assortment of substrates even the most sophisticated buyer can get lost. In order not to get confused at the most crucial moment and to get a really high-quality and reliable insulation, it is recommended, first of all, to pay attention to the products of the following manufacturers. Among them there are both domestic, and Korean and even Portuguese companies.

All of them are engaged in the production and manufacture of high-quality insulation for underfloor heating, and Customer reviews only confirm this:

• Foamed coil insulation company "Stenophone" considered one of the best today. It has excellent heat-insulating and sound-absorbing characteristics. During operation, the substrate does not emit harmful substances and does not change technical characteristics.
• The largest domestic company "Euro isolation" offers its customers a truly wide range of underfloor heating substrates made from various materials. The quality and safety of each insulation is confirmed not only by reviews, but also by relevant quality certificates.

• Isocom - This is a series of thermal insulation materials for underfloor heating of various types. In the assortment of the company, each buyer will be able to find a substrate that perfectly meets all the requirements. So, here are presented more than 4 types of various heaters.
• Valtec - This is a joint Italian-Russian brand that produces heat-insulating products, including substrates for underfloor heating. Today, the range of the brand has more than 6 varieties. Distinctive features of the goods of this company are affordable cost, the highest quality and individual approach to each customer.
• Premium cork - This is a Portuguese manufacturer that produces natural substrates of excellent quality at an affordable price. The assortment is not so great, but the goods are really high quality.

Reviews of substrates for underfloor heating of these manufacturers are the most positive, so it is quite reasonable to study their products first, and then decide on the purchase of a specific insulation.

Good examples and options

A warm floor is not only profitable and practical, but also very beautiful, and photos only once again confirm this:

• The seemingly ordinary tiled floor in the kitchen is actually very warm. Now the owners do not have to worry about the fact that the child will freeze while sitting on it. Such a floor covering not only looks harmonious and modern, it is also extremely practical.

• Thanks to the correctly installed warm floor and the use of the optimal substrate, walking barefoot on the tile will be comfortable and convenient even in the bathroom, and the floors themselves will look as stylish as possible.

• Electric underfloor heating is most relevant in the children's room. It's no secret that babies most often play on the floor, and in the cold season without such a warm and safe floor, you just can not do here.

A correctly installed underfloor heating guarantees not only comfort, but also gives comfort, beauty and safety.

See below for how to choose a flooring substrate.