How to choose a pipe for floor heating

A floor with water heating is very popular and quite often used. The design, heated by thermal carriers of a liquid consistency, is able to create comfort in all rooms. The most important element of the water floor are the pipes along which the heated heat carrier moves. Consider how to choose a pipe for floor heating correctly.

Types of pipes for arranging under floor heating

Usually, three types of materials are used to create a warm floor:

• made of combined metal and plastic;
• pipes of cross-linked polyethylene material, labeled REX;
• copper pipes.

The most popular pipes made of polyethylene. Such products have a relatively inexpensive price and ease of installation. Metal-plastic materials are used a little less and copper products close the top three. It should be noted that they have not gained popularity among the masters.

Distinctive features of pipes from metalplastic

If you understand more carefully what pipe to choose, it turns out that the metal-plastic and polyethylene pipes have similarities in the technological processes in their manufacture. The basis of each type of laid polyethylene material of high strength. The difference is that a layer consisting of aluminum foil is added to the metal-plastic pipe. In a word, such a pipe contains several layers. And between the layers of polyethylene is arranged layer of aluminum. The design promises to be reliable, but it has inconvenience during installation work.

Note! It is believed that the foil is inserted to give the pipe additional strength. But its layer has a small thickness, so this pipe is no different in its particular rigidity.

Another disadvantage is the difference of the values ​​of the expansion coefficients of all structural layers of the pipe. In short, the temperature drops of the thermal carrier can quickly cause damage to the adhesive base, which would entail delamination of the components of the pipe.

To mount these pipes use special fittings made of brass. In places of contact between brass and aluminum, electromechanical corrosion begins to form rather quickly. And very soon there is a leakage of water in the docking places.

Cross-linked polyethylene pipe

It does not have the flaws that were listed above. Because of this, the choice is leaning in her favor. But such a pipe would be poor quality if it did not have an oxygen barrier. To this end, a layer of polyvinyl alcohol is applied to the surface of the pipe. Due to this feature, the cross-linked plastic is considered to be the most excellent material suitable for the installation of pipes for floor heating.

The polypropylene pipe is cheaper than metal-plastic, but it is still not used very often. Despite the good thermal conductivity, such a pipe has a serious drawback - it has poor elastic properties. This makes it impossible to perform large bends when installing the heating system.

Copper pipe

For the device of heating systems, copper today enjoys good popularity, substantially crowding its competitors. The secret is that the material has a good indicator of thermal efficiency, and the strength of the material is quite high, which makes it possible to maintain good pressure and high temperature, improving the operating parameters of the system.

Note! It should be remembered that when installing floor heating systems, copper, in contact with connecting elements made of other metals, is subject to corrosion.

And if you decide to use copper, then you should install so that the material does not have contact with the sand-cement base. For this purpose, it is recommended to use a waterproofing material that will prevent the destruction of copper elements.

But the main disadvantage of the copper pipe is the high cost of the material. It is reinforced by the need for special installation skills, having the appropriate tools for this. To this must be added and the acquisition of fasteners, which are also expensive.

Important Notes

So, the choice of pipes is yours, all the features of the materials are known. It remains only to understand what sizes you need to use. The best option would be the choice of pipes whose diameter is two centimeters.

Installing a warm floor, you must determine the amount of materials. To do this, decide how we will lay the pipes for the coolant:

1. Snake.
2. Spiral.

The first method is simpler, but does not warm the floor evenly. Therefore, if you want to have the same heated floor throughout the room, use the second method of laying pipes.

Video

In this video, you will hear the description of the pipes, see the difference and find out the area of ​​their use:

If you are interested in electric floor heating, we recommend reading the articles:

• How to choose an electric floor heating.
• How to make an electric floor heating.