Which laminate is better for underfloor heating

Every year, supporters of floor heating becomes more. There are many reasons for this. One of them is the ability to lay various floor coverings on the warm floor, and laminate is no exception. The quality of the heating, the health of the occupants and the life of the coating will depend on the choice of laminate. Proceeding from this, it is important to decide on which laminate is better for a warm floor. This will be discussed in the article.

An important criterion is labeling.

Not every type of laminate is allowed to be installed on the heating floors. For example, the traditional type of product has a great lamination. It has positive thermal insulation characteristics, and under the influence of constant heat energy, the coating will not deteriorate. However, the problem lies in the fact that through such a product will be poorly passed thermal energy. Today, there is a new type of laminate, which responds well to constant heating, as well as being characterized by good thermal efficiency. The difference of such a product is a special structure of the lamination layer.

Note! Laminate, which is allowed in combination with heating, has a special sign. Such a product can be heated to a temperature of 28 ° C without negative consequences. Most manufacturers additionally indicate compatibility with a particular heating system. For example, lamelia for a water floor cannot be used for electric heating, and vice versa.

Laminate insulation – мерило выбора

One of the important selection criteria is the coefficient of thermal resistance (CTS). A high level of CCC directly affects the high thermal insulation characteristics of the laminated coating. For example, according to European standards (EN), a laminated coating should have a coefficient not exceeding the same indicator of warm floors by 0.15 m²K / W It also takes into account the resistance of the substrate used.

Note! If you choose a bar that has a drag coefficient of 0.051 m²K / W, and the substrate 0.049 m²K / W, adding them, you get a figure of 0.1 m²K / W This indicator is fully consistent with the norms.

What happens if the coefficient of thermal resistance exceeds the established rate? Coverage and floor heating system will begin to overheat. As a consequence, this will shorten the operational life of the entire heating cake, including the floor covering.

Note! CCC completely depends on the thickness and density of the product. The optimum laminate thickness for underfloor heating is 10 mm.

Combination with warm floor. Is it permissible?

The reverse side of the medal is often silent on the combination of a warm floor with a laminate. The fact is that formaldehyde is included in the product. When the coating reaches a temperature of 27 ° C and more, this harmful substance is released into the air. Formaldehyde fumes can cause respiratory diseases and more. As studies have shown, this substance may have carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on humans. As a result, a large number of experts do not advise using this type of coating on top of a warm floor.

Note! If you spend most of your life at home, then it is important to know that a person’s lungs pass through up to 20 m.³ air, which is equal to the mass of 25 kg. What if you pass formaldehyde through light fumes in such a volume? It should carefully consider the choice of laminate.

To date, no alternative has been found. Therefore, formaldehyde is still used in the manufacture of laminate. For this reason, to choose a laminate for a warm floor or not, everyone decides for himself.

Select by class

The quality of a laminate is determined by its class. It is displayed in the abrasion resistance index. This is an important characteristic, as the floors are subjected to various kinds of loads. Therefore, if you want high-quality laminate on top of a warm floor, then the choice should be stopped at 32 or 33 class. This type in most cases already meets the requirements for combining it with a warm floor.

When choosing a floor covering and deciding on its class, it is important to take into account in which room it will be laid. So, the entire living space can be divided into several zones:

• Sleeping area. These are rest rooms, bedroom.
• Work zone. This includes the kitchen, office and utility rooms.
• Transit zone. This area can be attributed corridor and hallway.
• Relaxation zone. This category is suitable bathroom and loggia.

For each of these areas will require an individual choice. Now consider each of them.

Kitchen. In this room can simultaneously be two or more people. Therefore, the laminate will be subjected to stress from constant movement. Moreover, there is always the risk of water, debris and even grease stains on the floor. Based on this, the choice should fall on the coating, equipped with a special water-repellent composition. As a rule, this composition is made on the basis of wax. This laminate is ideal for the kitchen and other work areas. These requirements correspond to the 32 and 33rd class. As for its combination with a warm floor, the product does not have high thermal conductivity. However, having made a cement-sand screed can achieve good thermal performance.

Note! When installing laminate in the kitchen, it is important to treat each of its joints with a special sealant.

Bathroom. Often heated floors with lamella stacked in the toilet and bathroom. For normal heat transfer, the temperature of the coolant should not exceed 29 ° C. It also requires a product with a water-repellent coating.

Note! To monitor the temperature of the coolant, the system is additionally equipped with a temperature sensor that fits between the coating and the heating circuit. Due to the smooth temperature difference, the coating will not be subjected to deformations and will last a long period of time.

Sleeping rooms and hallway. For such premises it is better to give preference to laminate with a matte finish. At the same time it should have such properties as moisture resistance, anti-static, sound-absorbing effect. In addition, the product must have a protective layer against fire.

For such premises, you can do with a class 21 strip. 22. In order for the heat transfer quality to be good, it is recommended to use electric heating mats.

Note! As a heating circuit is perfect infrared film floor. Its installation is carried out on an already finished surface.

Connection method: locking or glue?

There are two connection methods:

1. Castle
2. Glue.

In the first case, the panels are equipped with special locking connections at the end. As for the adhesive method, a special glue is used to connect the lamellae. What is the best jointing method for floor heating? Only lock assembly method is allowed. Adhesive bonding is unacceptable, as in the process of heating it can deform and spoil the appearance of the floor covering.

As for the castle connection, there are two types here:

1. Click.
2. Lock.

Connection by the Click method has a not very simple snap-in procedure. Lock is a simple spike-groove connection.

Note! For a heated floor, the Click lock joint is preferable, since greater strength can be achieved. When the temperature of the heated floor floor and the gap will not be deformed.

Substrate selection

Together with the purchase of laminate immediately purchased the appropriate substrate. Again, it is important to consider the choice of substrate for laying on a warm floor. Not recommended substrate with a high level of insulation. Otherwise, the heating efficiency will be minimal.

Note! If you choose too dense substrate for laminate, you will have to increase the temperature on the thermostat. Accordingly, it will draw additional financial costs to pay for energy.

The optimum thickness of the substrate varies in the range of 1.5–3 mm. It is easy to choose. A number of manufacturers additionally make the substrate, taking into account its laying on the heated floors. This may be a perforated extruded polystyrene sheet. The material passes thermal energy without delaying it. At the same time, it perfectly compensates for possible irregularities when laying laminate.

Choosing a laminate flooring?

If you use the technology of floor heating is not based on water pipes, then you should not buy laminate, which has a high density. The product must have a high-quality coating due to which the bar will easily tolerate a temperature increase and possible humidity. Choosing a flooring for a water heated floor, it is necessary to consider the following factors:

• On the package must be present permitting sign on compatibility with warm water floors.
• 33/34 class laminate.
• The thickness of the bar is not less than 8 mm.
• Moisture resistance.

Note! In order to effectively use laminate for underfloor heating it is necessary to maintain the temperature up to 27 ° С. In order to control it, the system is additionally equipped with a thermostat.

The choice of laminate for IR floor

When using infrared heated floor surface will not have too high a temperature. Accordingly, lamelia for infrared heating is an excellent solution when it comes to an additional source of heat. Choosing a laminate for infrared floor heating, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• On the package must be an appropriate sign that allows you to combine laminate with a warm floor.
• 33/34 class product.
• The thickness of the strips of no more than 8.5 mm.

Electric floor heating and laminate

As for electric heating, it can also be combined with a laminate. To do this, pay attention to the labeling of the product, which is printed on the package. The label should list the following specifications:

• Abrasion resistance.
• Environmental friendliness.
• Resistant to mechanical damage.
• Thermal conductivity.

General tips and tricks

So, lay laminate on a warm floor or not, everyone decides for himself. If you tend to laying laminate flooring on a warm floor, then pay attention to the tips and recommendations outlined in the article. First, you should decide which heating method you will use. Secondly, select the appropriate type of product that can be combined with one or another method of floor heating.

Note! In the matter of choice, you can not hurry, otherwise you can harm your health, get low-quality flooring and spend additional funds for repairs.

If you have already made your choice and know how to choose laminate flooring, then write your comments at the end of this article. Perhaps you know the other nuances of this important process.

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