Special infrared floor for tiles. How to choose and install infrared heated floors under tiles? Wet and dry installation

Heating your home will play an important role in ensuring comfort and coziness. One of the innovative ways of insulation is laying infrared heated floors. Installation of such a floor is carried out under different types coverings, including under tiles.

Let's consider the feasibility of using infrared flooring under tiles, describe the features of types of film insulation, and also provide step-by-step instructions for arranging a heated floor with your own hands.

Infrared floor under tiles: pros and cons

Infrared heated floor is one of the most functional and effective modern methods home heating. Its popularity is due to its comfortable, high-quality and uniform heating.

The main idea of heating is to use a special thermal film. The polymer coating emits infrared rays, the size of which ranges from 5-20 microns. The main emitter in this case is a carbon carbonate paste placed in a protective polyester film.

On my own thermal insulation material As an infrared film it is quite versatile. Unlike water floors, it can be used in different rooms(apartment, residential building) under various coatings. However, debates continue among experts about the advisability of laying infrared floors under porcelain stoneware or tiles. Of course, tile is a cold finishing material that requires additional heating, but there is an opinion that installing infrared insulation under such a coating is not advisable. This is due to a number of reasons:

Low film adhesion. If you immediately lay tiles or pour screed onto the film covering, you will get a “floating” floor that is not resistant to deformation. When tapped, concrete makes an empty sound, and if a heavy object is dropped on such a floor, the screed has every chance of cracking. Some “masters” try to make a lot of serifs and cuts to increase traction. But if you do not reliably insulate these micro-holes, then subsequently the floor may “shock” with current from leaks, and the RCD will constantly trip.
Risk of short circuit. Tile mortars and screed adhesives have an alkaline environment. Over time, the polyester film corrodes, regardless of the number and thickness of layers. The least dramatic outcome is short circuit, the worst is sparking from exposed electrical connections.

Advice. Infrared floors are optimally suited for dry installation under linoleum, laminate, PVZ tiles or carpet. Under porcelain tiles, tiles, and ceramics, it is better to use cable or rod electric floors.

Despite the listed disadvantages, not everyone is ready to give up infrared insulation of tiles. During installation, special technologies are used to reduce disadvantages and risks to a minimum. This persistence is due to the significant advantages of infrared floors:

efficient and uniform heating of the home;
ease of installation;
duration of operation;
minimal loss of room space - the thickness of the infrared floor is from 5 mm;
reasonable cost of infrared floor under tiles (price);
heating of the room is improved due to secondary convection of heated objects;
the concentration of negatively charged ions increases 4 times - this has a positive effect on indoor air quality;
minimal electromagnetic radiation;
The operation of the infrared film is not accompanied by noise, vibration or dust.

This is interesting! 90% of the healing from the infrared floor passes freely through the screed and tiles, heating not only the air in the house, but also the human body

Choosing an infrared floor

Features of rod floors operating on the principle of infrared healing:

it is permissible to lay the system directly into the adhesive solution;
the use of additional reinforcing mesh is not required;
The installation of a core floor is easy to do independently without the involvement of specialists;
automatic mode for adjusting the heating system - at maximum performance, an economical operating mode is activated.

When installing film-type heating, it is important to comply with certain requirements, which will increase the cost of repairs. Infrared film, in turn, is available in two versions: with a carbon and bimetallic heating element.

In the first option, the role of heating elements is played by carbon fiber (carbon paste with various additives). The basis of the material is lavsan film, which has such qualities as wear resistance, strength, elasticity and good dielectric characteristics.

Infrared floor under tiles: photo

The heating elements are sealed in two layers, electricity is supplied through copper or silver-copper conductors. The heating floor is connected in a parallel circuit.

Important! Carbon infrared film can be used to insulate vertical surfaces and ceilings

The best option is IR film with graphite coating. The material is highly reliable and long term services. The disadvantage is the high cost.

The structure of film heating with a bimetallic heating element consists of two layers: aluminum and copper with additives.

The basis of bimetallic floors is polyurethane elastic film. The circuit must be supplemented with a grounding wire, and the installation procedure becomes a little more complicated. The connection is made through an RCD and RCBO.

Important! Bimetallic infrared flooring cannot be laid under tiles.

Technical characteristics and calculation of heated film floor

Infrared heated floors under tiles have the following characteristics:

maximum energy consumption in heating mode - up to 250 W/sq.m.;
energy consumption when setting the thermal control mode - 35-85 W/sq.m.;
radiation wavelength - 5-20 microns;
the peak percentage of infrared radiation in the spectrum is about 90-95%;
maximum heating temperature - 130°C;
operating voltage - 220 W.

High performance parameters make it possible to use film heating not only as an auxiliary heating element, but also as the main element of the heating system.

When planning the installation of a heated floor, it is necessary to first calculate the area covered by infrared film and the power consumption of the coating. The empirical value of thermal power for normal heating of a room is taken as 100 W/sq.m. heated area. Considering the efficiency of IR film is 90%, this value equates to 111.1 W/sq.m.

To effectively use a heated floor, the IR film must cover all areas free of furniture. For example, if the free area is 80%, and the entire room is 25 sq.m., then the size of the IR film will be 20 sq.m.

With thermoregulation mode (35%), power consumption will be: 0.35*220 W/sq.m.*20 sq.m.*1 hour = 1.540 kWh.

Infrared floor under tiles: installation technology

Required materials

To install an infrared floor under tiles with your own hands, you can purchase a ready-made “Warm Floor” kit or buy the materials yourself.

Standard equipment of the film heated floor system:

thermal film in roll;
contact clamps;
electrical wiring kit;
adhesive-based bitumen insulation;
PVC insulation;
detailed installation instructions.

Additionally, you need to prepare:

Step-by-step instructions for installing heated floors

The base for a heated floor must be level, without depressions, protrusions and other visible defects. The permissible height difference is a maximum of 3 mm. Before laying, the surface should be checked with a level and, if necessary, leveled - do concrete screed by level. Allow the screed to “set” (28 days), clean the surface from dust. After preparatory activities You can begin installing the infrared floor.

Important! Electrical installation work It is better to entrust the installation of heated floors to a professional technician.

After connection, you need to check the functionality of each heating strip at temperatures up to +30°C. If the system works well, then you can proceed to the next stage - pouring the screed and tiling the surface.

As additional protection against leaks, lay on top of the infrared floor plastic film. Then cover the surface with a painting (plaster) mesh - this will improve the adhesion of the film and screed. Fill the floor with a self-leveling mixture or screed, layer thickness - 8-10 mm. Leave the floor for 3 weeks to “adhere” and lay out the tiles.

Installation of infrared floors under tiles: video

Basic requirements and recommendations for laying infrared heated floors under tiles

So that if the temperature sensor breaks down, it can be replaced, the device is passed through a groove inside the corrugation.
If the IR floor consumes more than 2 kW in total, then it is advisable to connect it through a separate circuit breaker.
Before pouring the cement screed, you should re-test the integrity of the chain so that you do not have to knock off the tiles later.
After pouring the screed, the heated floor can be turned on only after complete drying, namely, no earlier than 28 days.
If during installation work If the IN film is damaged, it is better to insulate it with aluminum tape on both sides.
When laying tiles, you cannot use metal reinforcing mesh.
Laying the floor must be done exclusively on a dry surface.
Do not place heated floors above heating elements, such as a stove or fireplace.
Do not bend the film at an angle of more than 90°.
It is not advisable to lay a length of film flooring exceeding 15 meters.

One of the universal and widespread finishing materials is ceramic tile. Tiles are used to decorate the floors of the kitchen, hallway, as well as the walls and floors of the toilet and bathrooms. At large quantities advantages (environmentally friendly material, reliability, durability and a huge selection of shapes, sizes and textures), there is one big disadvantage, the tile surface is always cold both in winter and summer, so it is recommended to use infrared heated floors under the tiles.

The problem can be easily solved if you use “warm floor” technology. Today we will talk to you about one of the varieties electrical method heating is an infrared heated floor.

We’ll also look at how to lay tiles under a heated floor and answer the questions main question, can infrared heated floors be used under ceramic tiles.

Ways to organize a heated floor system

It should be noted that there are only two types of heated floors:

Water heated floors
Electric heated floors

The most common system is water floors, which consists of systems of metal-plastic tubes through which coolant continuously circulates. The coolant can be water or low-temperature liquid.

This method has a number of advantages:

There are also a number of disadvantages:

Required cement screed 70-100 mm thick, which takes up the height of the room.

An electric floor system has pros and cons, but especially in lately is becoming widespread. This system includes wires (cables), tubes, mats and films.

Which begin to release heat as they pass through electric current through heating elements. They are divided into two groups, depending on the method of heating the surface.

Cable - that is, heat is released due to resistive heating of underfloor heating elements when an electric current passes through it.

The heating elements are a high-resistance special cable.

Bimetallic, that is, the heating and radiating element is made of thin copper-aluminum layers. This type of product is not recommended for use under tiles.

Carbon, that is, the heating and radiating element is made of graphite or carbon paste.

It should be noted that film IR “warm floor” systems are produced and produced in rolls with a width of 50 to 110 cm, and the length of such rolls can reach 20 m. There are special marks on the roll, according to which the material can be cut to the desired size.

Advantages and disadvantages of using infrared heated floors

The main advantages include:

The disadvantages include:

A perfectly level base is required.

Is it possible to install infrared heated floors under tiles?

This question always causes heated discussion, especially among professionals. But this question can be answered easily; just look at the recommendations for installing this system.

Conclusion

As you can see, it is possible to lay an infrared floor under ceramic tiles, you just need to be careful and attentive during installation, and be sure to not forget about safety rules.

If you fully comply with the technology, then the IR floor will delight you for a long time. And as we understand it, a warm floor is a guarantee of coziness, comfort and warmth in the house.

Ceramic tiles are an excellent option for finishing floors in the bathroom, kitchen or hallway. However, its big disadvantage is that it is cold, and walking on it barefoot is extremely uncomfortable. But is it worth giving up tiles because of this? Of course not! Infrared heated floors under tiles are the solution. This article is a kind of instruction that will help you figure out which heated floor is better and whether you can do the installation yourself.

Under tiles have a number of advantages. Let’s see why it is better than other types of “warm floor” systems.

Infrared heating does not affect the indoor air at all; it always remains fresh.
The heat generated has a long wavelength. Thus, not only the floor is heated, heat is transferred to all objects that come into contact with the floor, including the human body.
There is virtually no electromagnetic radiation.
The infrared floor system is silent, does not vibrate and does not emit dust.
The number of negative ions in the air increases more than fourfold.

The heat from the infrared film spreads from bottom to top. As a result comfortable temperature stays evenly in the lower part of the room

Despite all the advantages, many doubt whether it is possible to install a heated film floor under tiles, since it is recommended for so-called “dry” installation. Indeed, it is better not to put the film in or. There are three reasons for this:

Film composition. Since tile adhesives and screed mixtures are characterized by an alkaline environment, the film may corrode after a certain time. As a result, bare electrical connections may spark or short circuit may occur.
The film has a low degree of adhesion. If you immediately put ceramics on it or pour screed, it will “float”.
They are manufactured specifically for “wet” installation.

This does not mean at all that you cannot install a thin heated floor under the tiles. There are two methods, which will be discussed below.

Preparatory stage

What set of tools and materials will be required to install a heated floor system?

Infrared heated floor kit, including a temperature sensor;
Heat-reflecting insulation no more than 3 mm thick;
Mounting mesh that does not conduct electric current;
Connecting wires. Their cross section is determined depending on the power of the system;
Double-sided tape;
Ceramic tiles and adhesive for them.

Components and tools for mounting IR film

Before installing a thin heated floor, you need to prepare the base. First of all, the old one is dismantled flooring. Then it is cleaned of dirt and dust, leveled and dried. After this, you need to determine the place where the thermostat will be installed and connect the wiring to it. It must be remembered that you cannot lay heated floors under large objects. Therefore, it is necessary to select the zones where the system will be installed. Then heat-reflecting material is laid on the floor. It spreads along the perimeter of the floor in strips 60 cm wide, which are fastened to the base and to each other using tape.

Installation of heated floors

Option for laying IR floor film

After preparatory work, you can begin installing the infrared film. It is better to first draw a diagram of the location of the film, furniture and household appliances.

Thermal film is rolled out on the floor. To adjust to the desired size, there are cutting lines on it; you can also cut between the black silicon strips. In this case, the copper contacts should be on the bottom side. The film should be cut into as long pieces as possible, and the contacts should extend in the direction of the thermostat. This will reduce wire consumption and reduce the number of contacts.
A clamp is attached to the copper strip, with one side of it being inside the film and the other outside.
The cut lines are covered with bitumen insulation.
The pieces of thermal film are connected first to each other and then to the thermostat.
The infrared floor is fixed with tape.

When the warm floor is assembled, you can proceed to connecting it.

To the chosen place in the wall. It is most convenient if it is located near a switch or outlet.
The connection diagram involves laying wires from the heating elements to the thermostat. Experts strongly recommend installing wires under the baseboard along one wall. In addition, it is advisable to place them either in a box or in a groove. To prevent bumps from appearing due to the wires, a recess is cut out for them in the heat-reflecting insulation.
To connect the wire to the terminals on the film, the insulation is cut off at its end. Then you need to insert it into the clamp and press it with pliers. The wire must be firmly fixed.

The place where the wires are connected to the terminals is sealed with bitumen insulation on both sides with a margin.
The other ends of the wires are connected to the thermostat. The connection diagram is described in the instructions for each infrared floor model.
The next step is to install an external temperature sensor and connect it to the temperature controller. It is better to place the sensor in a corrugation so that if it breaks, it can be easily replaced.
At the last stage, the thermostat is connected to the network. If the heated floor consumes more than 2 kW, then a separate machine is required to connect the thermostat.

After the entire set is connected, it is necessary to check its functioning. If everything works, polyethylene waterproofing is spread over the film. Now you can start laying the tiles.

Professionals offer two methods of installing tiles on an infrared floor:

A painting mesh is placed on the waterproofing layer, and then either a screed or a self-leveling mortar with a thickness of 8 to 10 mm is poured on top of it.

Grid mounting

GVL is installed on top of the waterproofing. They are fixed to the base between the strips of heating elements using self-tapping screws.

Installation of tiles under heated floors on GVL

Then using standard technology with the difference that it is better to use elastic adhesive composition, recommended for heated floors, and take into account temperature gaps. Leave comments and rate the article!

Laying infrared heated floors under tiles in residential or utility rooms, you can solve the heating issue not only in an apartment or house. Thin film elements allow the system to be installed without raising the floor or pouring a concrete screed.

Is it possible to lay film flooring under tiles?

When purchasing thin heating elements, the following questions often arise:

what kind of IR film to install;
laying infrared heated floors under tiles seems impossible or too complicated.

Builders use 2 light and quick ways installation:

dry, using GVL or glass-magnesite sheet (SML);
wet, i.e. a thin concrete screed.

To install an infrared heated floor under porcelain stoneware or tiles, you should choose a floor with carbon elements. Finishing parts will not be able to damage the thin carbon strips, since the film will be closed. It is possible to install film heated floors under tiles even in rooms with high humidity, but still for tiles it would be more correct to use a resistive cable.

Required materials

Before work you need to prepare the following materials:

heat-insulating substrate (technical cork, EPS, isolon, etc.);
depending on the installation method - self-leveling self-leveling composition or moisture-resistant GVL/SML;
liquid nails or dowels;
scotch tape and bitumen tape;
polyethylene film;
plastic reinforcing mesh;
film flooring for tiles and accessories for it (clamps, wires, etc.);
thermostat;
tile adhesive and ceramics depending on the choice of finishing coating;
multimeter or test screwdriver;
pliers, drill with attachments, scissors and tape measure.

Installation stages

Calculation of the cost of heating is carried out together with the preparation of an installation plan. Heaters are placed only in an area free of furniture, so you need to mark its location on the plan, and make an indent of 5-7 cm from the free walls. The rest of the space is divided into strips equal to the width of the heaters and the required amount is calculated in meters.

Laying infrared heated floors under the tiles requires several steps:

prepare the base for IR heaters;
install a heating system;
connect and check it;
lay the base for the tiles and glue the material.

Preparation

The base must be cleared of debris and potholes filled. The technology for installing infrared heated floors involves laying insulation from heat-saving materials. For this purpose, coatings with low shrinkage and without a foil layer are used (cork, EPS, etc.). You can attach them to the rough base liquid nails, and to concrete dowels with self-tapping screws. It is advisable to lay thermal insulation over the entire area of the room. Make markings on the floor according to the plan indicating the boundaries of installation of elements and strips of material.

Installation of thermal film

Before laying the infrared heated floor film, roll material need to be cut into strips according to the markings. You need to cut the material only in specially designated places where scissors are shown. The strips of IR heaters should not overlap each other; leave a gap of 5-7 mm between the strips of the film floor. You can fix the tape to the floor with liquid nails.

Connection

Assemble the infrared heated floor system in the following sequence:

Install terminal clamps at the exit points of the copper busbars and press them down with pliers.
Determine where to install the thermostat on the wall.
Cut the installation wires of sufficient length to connect the heated floor to the network.
To connect the wires to the terminals, insert them into the terminals and crimp them with pliers or a special tool. Connect adjacent tapes in parallel.
Tape the joints and edges around the perimeter; insulate the terminals and edges of the busbars with bitumen tape.
Place the temperature sensor under the film. Lead the wires from the film strips to the point where they are connected to the network and install them. Check the functionality of the system with a tester, determining the absence of an open circuit on each tape, and then on the entire system.

Installing a subfloor

Depending on the choice of dry or wet method, prepare the materials: mix a self-leveling compound with water or cut the gypsum plasterboard. For moisture insulation installed system Cover the TP with polyethylene, leaving allowances of at least 5 cm along the edges. Carefully tape around the perimeter. Depending on the specifics of laying the film floor under the tiles on concrete base do this:

Dry method. Cover the entire area of the room with cut GVL or SML plates. Fasten the elements with liquid nails or self-tapping screws with dowels. Screw the threaded fasteners carefully into the spaces between the TP tapes or into places intended for cutting off parts. Do not drive a screw into a tire or carbon strips. If necessary rough coating performed in 2 layers, overlapping the seams of the lower level.
Wet method. Place reinforcing material on top of the moisture barrier plastic mesh(do not use metal ones). Its edges should extend beyond the perimeter of the TP and polyethylene by 20 cm, the mesh is secured with self-tapping screws. Fill the base and the film IR system with a self-leveling compound. Layer thickness is 8-10 mm. The coating should set within 24 hours.

Laying tiles

Before laying ceramic coating, the surface of the base must be treated with concrete contact in 2 layers. Install insulation around the perimeter of the wall to create a thermal joint. Prepare tile composition. Apply the glue with a notched trowel, in separate areas, which can be filled with tiles in 30 minutes.

Align the ceramic elements in height by pressing them onto the adhesive. Allow the glue to harden, fill the seams with grout, pressing it into the gaps with a rubber spatula. Remove any remaining composition from the ceramics with a wet cloth, without allowing it to dry. After installation, care for ceramics should be carried out according to general rules.

When planning to renovate a bathtub or toilet, the issue of a heated floor often arises and one of the available options becomes infrared heated floor under the tiles. This type of thermal coating has its own subtleties. In this article we will study in detail film heated floors under tiles and figure out how to properly lay them under tiles.

How does infrared floor work?

There are two main subtypes of this thermal coating: carbon film and bimetallic.

It is prohibited to install an infrared floor under bimetallic tiles under tiles.

Both subtypes of infrared heated floors for tiles work on the principle of radiation. The product consists of heating elements divided into equal segments. During installation, conductive terminals are connected to the copper strips and when the power is turned on, current flows through the segments and due to this, thermal energy is released.

It should be noted important feature, infrared heated floors heat objects located in the room, not the air. This type of heating is absolutely safe for a living organism, which is why infrared heated floors are allowed for sale. Also, this type of heating does not dry out the air and also charges it with negative ions, which is very useful for living organisms.

Advantages of thermal infrared floor

Below are the main positive aspects of using this heated floor:

The heating elements produce a wave of up to 20 micrometers, which easily allows them to overcome tile adhesive, the tile itself and further heat objects inside the room;
Using a film floor under tiles, you can reduce the usual indoor temperature to five degrees, for example, if your usual temperature is 23 degrees, then by heating infrared radiation you can warm the room up to 18 degrees, while comfort will remain. And consequently, financial expenses on energy resources are significantly reduced;
Also, a thermal floor of this design creates the effect of an auxiliary convention, which significantly reduces the time required to warm up the room as a whole;
Weak generated electromagnetic radiation compared to other types of electric floors, which significantly reduces the impact on the body;
The effect of ionization of the air mass is created, which is a plus.

Disadvantages of underfloor heating

Modern building elements, unfortunately, have not reached such a level as to have no negative aspects at all, and the installation of an infrared floor has its own negative features, and we will consider which ones below:

It should be taken into account that furniture should not be installed above the laid film, otherwise it will become extremely hot, and this can lead to negative consequences. That is why the film should be laid on open corridor-type passages and areas free of furniture;
When installing film heated floors in mandatory A fiberglass mesh with a fine-mesh structure should be laid on top of the film together with a plasterboard sheet. This will ensure the safety of the film and prevent possible short circuits due to corrosion tile adhesive protective polymer film;
When we lay a film heated floor under the tiles, it is necessary to pay attention to the base, because this requires it to be perfectly aligned.
Also a minor drawback is high demands to the connecting contacts made during installation, if a poor-quality connection is made, then this place will overheat excessively during operation and subsequently fail, and repairs without dismantling the laid tiles will be impossible.

The necessary material for the work and preparation of the base

A set of thermal infrared floors, which must include regulatory and supervisory authorities.
Isolation of reflective effect with minimum thickness 4 millimeters.
Dielectric mounting mesh.
Wires with a sufficient cross-section for proper power supply of the mounted connections.
Double-sided adhesive tape.
And the tile you choose directly with a sufficient amount of specialized adhesive

Before installing an infrared heated floor under the tiles, it is extremely important to prepare the base.
To do this, we completely dismantle the previous coating. Next, we carefully clean and dry the base. If the base is severely damaged, it is necessary to carry out mandatory surface repairs. Next, select a location for installing the regulator and connect the supply line to this location. Next, we determine the areas for laying infrared floors, remembering that they cannot be placed under heavy furniture.

We carry out installation

The installation is divided into several important stages:

It is necessary to lay a heat-reflecting fabric on the manufactured surface; most often, isolon is used in this role, since this stage is important, you should not skimp on inexpensive analogues of insulation;
We lay out the infrared film into pre-planned areas, do not allow the product to overlap, maintain a gap of half a centimeter between them;
We lay a protective film over the heating elements;
We produce so-called reinforcement using a dielectric mounting mesh. This is fixed to the surface of the base using dowel nails; they must be driven into the spaces left between the film. Proceed with extreme caution, as the heating elements must not be damaged;
Next, you can fill a thin screed, no more than seven millimeters thick, and then lay the tiles, or using specialized tile adhesive, immediately begin laying the tiles.

You can use laid heated floors under tiles after a week, during this period of time it will happen complete drying glue.

In this article we looked at such interesting question how to install infrared film under a tile covering, having studied this material, you will be able to draw a conclusion about what needs to be done in your particular case.