The device of a heated electric floor under a tile: is it possible to lay a system of an electric heated floor under a tile, varieties of an electric floor.

Ceramic flooring is an element of the interior that successfully complements the style of the room, and also contributes to the creation of a comfortable atmosphere. This finish differs from other materials in moisture resistance and durability. In addition to advantages, ceramic products also have disadvantages: a smooth surface can cause injury, and it is not very pleasant to be on a constantly cold floor, especially barefoot. To make the surface warm, heating elements are laid under the tile, which make the coating warm and pleasant to use.

Is it possible to lay a system of electric underfloor heating under a tile

Manufacturers of electrical heating systems recommend installing it specifically for ceramics. This is due to the high thermal conductivity of the material and the ability of heat transfer. But for laying heating elements of the underfloor heating, there must be initial conditions allowing this work to be done:

the height of the floor should be increased by 2-5 cm, and this is not always possible, especially with partial repair of the room, since large differences in height arise between the rooms;
the presence of the required amount of electricity with a grounding wire;
the absence of other communications (heating pipes or water supply) in the area to be heated, since the magnetic field of the heating elements can destroy the engineering network;
the possibility of thermal insulation to save more heat on the surface.

ATTENTION! Thermal insulation will require an increase in the height of the base! The use of modern heat-reflecting foil-based films will help to keep the thickness of the screed.

Varieties of electric floor

The difference between the electric system and the water system is the absence of a liquid coolant and pipes that are mounted under the finishing material. Electric floors are heated by converting voltage into thermal energy. They differ in appearance, depending on the design features:

using a heating cable;
heating mat;
infrared heating film.

The cable used for heating is: single-core and two-core. This feature affects the electromagnetic field that the wire creates when connected. It is believed that single-core, emits harmful waves, therefore, it is not recommended to use it in residential premises. Depending on the power of the heating element, manufacturers recommend laying it at an interval that allows you to warm up the required area. The cable is mounted in a concrete screed, regardless of the finishing material of the floor.

The heating mat is a polypropylene mesh (sometimes with a film), similar to reinforcing for plastering. A low-power cable is attached to this grid, which is connected to the network. Such mats are installed in the upper part of the concrete screed when finishing with linoleum or laminate. When laying tiles - in the adhesive solution, the thickness of which is increased depending on the size of the mat used.

The infrared heating element is a double film, inside of which is a material that converts current energy into heat. Manufacturers use special paste or similar raw materials with the same properties. At the edges of the polymer film, wire leads are made to which a film-type heater is connected.

REFERENCE! Any of the varieties of electric heating systems can be equipped with a controller and a temperature sensor!

How to properly install the cable floor system

Installation of a heated floor can not be called a simple job, but still it is quite feasible. If you want and have the skills to use construction tools, everyone can do this work with their own hands, observing the following order:

First of all, they free the room from furniture and old flooring. Depending on the purpose of the room, the floor is waterproofed partially or only at the joints of the floor slabs. Then level the base, if necessary, make a concrete screed of 1-3 cm.
After that, a thermal insulation material is laid, which will not allow the heat to "go" to the lower part of the floor. As an insulator, polystyrene foam, penofol or other raw materials with a high coefficient of thermal conductivity are used. This material is laid on the adhesive, the joints are fixed with the same mixture or in another reliable way.
After that, they choose a place for installing the temperature regulator and make a stroba in the insulating layer and the wall for the corrugated tube into which the temperature sensor will be inserted.
To increase the strength of the screed, a reinforcing mesh is laid on top. In accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, the cable is rolled out over the area of the room in which the installation is performed. Depending on the thickness and power of the heating wire, the laying step recommended by the supplier ranges from 8 to 25 cm. The optimum distance between the cables is considered to be 12-15 cm. The coil is rolled up with a “snake” on the floor surface and fixed with ties to the reinforcing mesh.
Lay the corrugated tube for the sensor with the largest bending radius between the horizontal and vertical plane. The sensor should be located in the middle, between the heating wires.
After this, pour a concrete screed 2-5 cm or a bulk floor, check the surface quality, then let it dry for at least 3 weeks.
Install the temperature sensor, connect the cable to the network and check its performance.

IMPORTANT! The design features of the wire affect the installation procedure. If the heating element is single-core, then the end of the laying of warm winding paths should coincide with the beginning for connection. When laying a two-core cable, it does not matter where the cable ends.

Now finish using tiles or other material.

How to lay tile on a warm floor

A feature of mounting tiles on a finished screed is:

the use of a damping tape that allows the tile to occupy a "floating" position when heated and cooled;
the use of special adhesive compositions, which, in addition to strength, have elasticity, which helps to maintain the integrity of the joints during operation.

ATTENTION! The damper tape is laid around the perimeter of the room with underfloor heating. Its installation can be carried out when performing the screed, which facilitates the joining of ceramic products with tape.

The use of heating mats will simplify tile laying. Such a heating element is placed directly under the finishing material and is fixed with an adhesive composition on which ceramic products are laid.

Having studied the order and features of the installation of tiles on the heated floor, proceed to the device of the floor and laying ceramics.