Features of the underfloor heating system using metal heat distribution plates

Features of the heat distribution plate

The plates store heat and transfer it evenly to the flooring

The energy carrier in the underfloor heating pipes does not need to be heated to high temperatures, in comparison with radiators, thanks to the use of heat-reflecting plates. Aluminum or steel elements are simple in structure and have no restrictions on their use.

Products from different manufacturers differ in configuration, but the overall structure remains the same:

the omega-shaped gutter runs from beginning to end and serves to install the water pipe;
protruding strips on the flyaways provide rigidity and compensate for thermal expansion.

Heat transfer elements are placed in the floor structure so that the grooves coincide. During installation, a hacksaw or metal scissors is not used, since the plates have convenient notches. The metal is broken off at the marks to the required length and placed in the design position.

The plate is divided into sections:

4 pieces of 115 mm;
2 pieces of 135 mm;
1 piece 270 mm.

If the plates are laid on a wooden base, most of the heat will remain in the room.

It is allowed to install thermoplates directly into the screed, but the heat will go down to heat the concrete. A polystyrene underlay with a downward-facing foil layer is placed on the surface prior to installation of the system.

Heat exchangers work efficiently when mounted on insulating material such as extruded polystyrene foam or foam. This limits the transmission of energy to the floor and heats up the upper floor covering. Expanded polystyrene boards are used grades FT 20/45 or FT 20 / 45L, the density of the foam must be at least 30 kg / m3. Grooves are cut in the insulation using a gutter knife.

Dry warm floor for frame construction

In a frame house, the floor should be laid over the wooden beams of the coverings. A properly erected structure always assumes a distance between the ground and the floors, thanks to the support piles. In such a room, the floor must be insulated and, knowing the simple rules, you can do it yourself. After all, cold and humidity can cause mold, fungus and other pathogenic microorganisms in the tree species.

When creating a dry warm floor, it is additionally recommended to use a heat-insulating material as a substrate

Thermal insulation work is carried out in stages:

Lag beams are placed on top of the piles, small beams are nailed to them, after which overlappings from boards are erected;
A special perforated waterproofing is laid on top, mineral wool, expanded clay, polystyrene and other insulating materials can also be placed between the logs, the main thing is that they are well tamped;
After that, a breathable layer is made from a perforated membrane for vapor barrier;
This is followed by a layer of plywood or particle board if further laying of tiles, laminate or other flooring is planned;
The "finishing floor" is being laid.

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In the process of work, one must not forget that the metal piles must be insulated from the log beams using roofing material. Layered waterproofing can also be performed from a film material with a pre-dug pit and the construction of a pillow from different fillers.

Purpose of plates

A metal thermoplastic is used if it is not possible to make a traditional screed (buildings with wooden floors, walls from a foam block, and others). Sometimes the height of the ceilings does not allow raising the base to the thickness of the warm floor. The date of completion of the object affects the choice of a screed or dry installation method. The concrete gains strength for 28 days, and the system with thermoplastics is ready for use after finishing the installation of the finishing layer.

Heat-reflecting structures are an alternative to a water floor on a cement-sand base. The lightness of the design allows the elements to be used on any floor, since the load does not increase significantly.

The water pipes are tightly wrapped in the metal in the groove and heat the element. Aluminum and steel belong to the group of efficient heat conductors, therefore they transfer energy to the floor covering. Convection in the form of streams and jets is completely absent, the surface heats up evenly. Heat is transferred more efficiently if the side parts of the thermoplate are tightly attached to the base and top layer.

How to make a warm floor without a screed under a laminate

A water-heated floor is most in demand than an electric one, since it is more affordable at its cost, and, moreover, it is independent of the operation of the network. The best option is a warm floor under the laminate without a screed.

You can choose as heaters:

Dry laying cable mats;
Floor heating system;
Special infrared film.

Please note that all types of heaters are dry-laid. But, since the laminate is not only exposed to moisture, it also does not tolerate rapid and intense heat. In this regard, heating systems with a capacity of no more than 130 W / m2 are suitable.

Before you start making a warm floor without a screed, you need to watch a training video

But whichever heating system is chosen, the basic pie of the layers always remains the same:

This is the base for the insulation;
Insulation material;
Metal heat distribution plates;
Heating pipes;
Finishing floor covering.

In this case, it can be based on GVL - gypsum fiber sheet. It is environmentally friendly, durable, has thermal and sound insulation properties.

Pipes are selected from copper or polypropylene. The polyethylene option is the most acceptable, because it meets many important requirements - resistance to external influences, duration of operation, and affordability

Specifications

Dimensions of the heat distribution plate for plastic pipes with a width of 16 mm

To calculate the required amount of material, 4 - 6 plates are taken per square square. There are no swivel parts in the product range. This is because the heat dissipation in these sections is negligible and the price of the corner piece will significantly increase the cost of the system. The pipes are laid out along the contour "snake" or "snail".

Indicators of plates for underfloor heating:

the size of the element is 1 m long;
width - 130 or 110 mm;
the groove is made for a pipe with a diameter of 16 mm;
one item weighs 500 g.

The total weight of a heated floor with a coating is reduced by 5-7 times compared to the option on a concrete base. The power of the system is from 50 to 200 W / m2, the indicator varies depending on the type of floor finish, the installation pitch of the pipe (not less than 125 mm). Heat-reflecting elements transfer up to 94 - 95% of heat.

General characteristics of heat distribution plates

Heat exchange plates are a metal profile that is used when laying a water-heated floor using a dry method, without a cement screed. The plates are profiled and made of high quality aluminum or strong steel.

The external design of the profile is rather primitive and does not have any peculiarities or limitations. Plates for underfloor heating are available in different sizes and configurations, but their general structure should correspond to the following indicators:

Omega-shaped groove. This niche runs along the length of the entire profile and serves for laying water floor heat carriers.
Stiffening rib. They run parallel to the omega-shaped groove and provide the mechanical safety of the plates.

Thus, observing the coincidence of the grooves and ribs, the structure of the heat-distributing plates for the water-heated floor is assembled, which, in addition to the substrate for the heat-transfer agents, acts as an excellent source of heat for the room.

Heat is supplied in the following order. The channel, tightly wrapped around the pipeline, transfers the incoming temperature to the surface of the plates. The metal profile, in turn, transfers the incoming heat to the finishing coating of the room. Thus, without pouring a concrete screed, a uniform heating of the floor covering occurs, from which the room itself is heated.

Advantages and disadvantages

Underfloor heating without a screed is mounted and heats up faster

Dry flooring has advantages over traditional wet pipe installation. The high thermal conductivity of the metal allows the surface to be heated in a short time.

Positive aspects of using thermoplastics:

the number of plates and the weight of the structure can be easily calculated independently, since the step and mass of the plates are known;
the system simply fits with your own hands after drawing up a pipe layout;
the load on the parts of the floor is reduced in comparison with the wet versions;
the size of the room is not significantly reduced in height.

The disadvantage is that after the boiler is turned off, the metal plates cool down immediately, and the concrete keeps heat for some time. The cost of thermoelements is high, but with the wet method, additional materials are also purchased, and the labor intensity of the work increases.

Advantages and disadvantages

The use of thermal distribution plates for underfloor heating provides a lot of practical advantages:

high level of productivity. The metal profile is characterized by high thermal conductivity, in addition, the plate module heats up quickly;
ease of installation. Unlike the “wet” technology with a concrete screed, when laying with a dry method, labor-intensive processes are not envisaged: the contour of the water system is not difficult to install into heat-reflecting substrates made of profiled modules;
commissioning speed. After installation of the structure with heat distribution plates for underfloor heating and test start, the final floor covering is performed and the system is ready for use. In the case of laying with concrete pouring, according to the standards, it is required to wait up to 30 days for the screed to dry completely, only then the device can be put into operation;
small dimensions. A warm water floor based on heat distribution plates is in demand in the arrangement of apartments with a low ceiling, as it helps to reduce the height of the pie structure. Concrete screed assumes a thickness of 9-11 cm, with the use of a metal heat-reflecting substrate, this indicator is reduced by 3 times;
low weight load. With the "wet" method of laying, an effect is created on the overlap weighing more than 100 kg on the squaring of the surface. The model of a water-heated floor with distribution plates provides for a load of 10 kg per m2 of floor. This is an ideal equipment for arranging wooden houses and structures with weak load-bearing structures.

Plates for underfloor heating have a number of advantages: a high level of productivity, ease of installation
The disadvantages of profile plates for warm water floors include the following points:

metal modules cool down quickly after the heat generator is turned off. The concrete screed heats up slowly, but is capable of accumulating thermal potential, and when the heating circuit is turned off, it retains heat energy for a relatively long time;
the price of a heat distribution plate for a water-heated floor differs in a larger direction compared to the cost of a concrete screed.

At the same time, the metal substrate heats up much faster than the concrete base, as a result, fuel consumption is reduced by an average of 20%.

Features of the floor mounting of the water circuit

A polystyrene backing is laid under the floor covering on top of the plates

The system is mounted on a wooden or polystyrene base with grooves for the location of the convex grooves of thermoplastics. Laminate, carpet, parquet or tiles are laid on a moisture insulating layer. Polyethylene with a density of 200 microns is used for waterproofing.

The strips are laid out with an overlap of 10 - 15 cm and fastened with adhesive tape between themselves, the perimeter is made out with a damper tape glued to the polyethylene and the wall. If a room with increased steam generation, for example a bathroom, is additionally placed with a vapor barrier layer or a material with combined protection against moisture and steam is selected.

Insulation is done 2 times:

by the area of the overlap before laying the insulation;
on the surface of the mounted pipe and plate system.

On sale there are solid plates without grooves for pipes, then the grooves are made independently. Used plywood and a piece of pipe with a diameter of 16 mm. A groove is made in the sheet, the plate is applied to the plywood, and the groove on the metal element is pushed through by the pipe. The edges of the thermoplate are leveled with improvised means.

Instead of cellular insulation, you can lay plates between wooden blocks

The procedure for assembling a warm floor:

the coating is cleaned of debris and leveled with putty or self-leveling mixture;
the waterproofing layer is laid out;
insulating mats are laid;
grooves are made and heat distribution plates are mounted;
water pipes are laid;
thermal insulation is placed between the grooves.

The second layer of waterproofing is mounted after checking the system's performance. The final finishing of the floor is done.

Features of wooden water heat-insulated floors

Floor heating cake using basalt insulation and heat distribution plates

This type is arranged in a wooden house or a dwelling with a beamed ceiling made of natural material. The dry method involves a rack or modular stacking system. The first type is done using boards or bars, and in the second, ready-made fiberboard blocks with ready-made grooves are used.

The support layer 20 mm thick is made of wood, the moisture content of which is not more than 6-10%. Hardwood boards should be 80 mm wide and up to 1200 mm long.

Composition of the underfloor heating structure for wood:

base with a layer of waterproofing;
boards, modules or bars laid out according to the plan;
pipe routing using plates;
insulation from steam and moisture;
gypsum fiber sheet 10 mm thick;
flooring.

Boards can be laid in a continuous layer, but you have to make a groove in each of them for the protrusion of the thermoplate. This method is laborious and expensive, since wood is processed on a machine and there are not always conditions at home.

Another option is that the boards are laid out with a gap that corresponds in width and length to the convex groove of the plate. The base area for underfloor heating is leveled horizontally so as not to disturb the energy carrier current.

Basis for laying the heating system: polystyrene boards

In addition to wood-based panels, polystyrene panels can serve as a base for heating.

The advantages of this technology are:

The ability to erect a structure at any time of the year, due to the absence of high humidity;
Reduction in the duration of work due to the absence of a long wait for the strength of the concrete screed, even if it is semi-dry;
Unchanged installation scheme, fairly easy installation, regardless of the material of the floors.

Polystyrene boards can be bought at any hardware store at an affordable price

A feature of the polystyrene material is the presence of special grooves and spikes, allowing it to be used for any configuration of heating equipment, including for "snake", "snail" and others. Another advantage of the slab is that it is equipped not only with a groove, but also with a lock located at the end, and this makes it possible to avoid seams when laying.

Before carrying out work, you need to draw up an accurate diagram of the heating installation. The most common type of pipes in the form of a snake cannot be used in rooms with a large area, otherwise the heat will not be evenly distributed, which threatens with temperature differences in different parts of the room.

When the height of the floor allows, in addition to the plates, ordinary polystyrene is laid or penofol is placed in the base - a special insulation with a special polymer and foil layer, with the foil facing up. This method will ensure the correct reflection of heat into the room, and will also act as a hydro and heat insulating material. Indoor noise will also be significantly absorbed by this layer. Sometimes polyurethane spraying is used as a supplement.

Related article: Pros and cons of new buildings

Heat distribution plate selection criteria

The effectiveness of a warm floor depends on the lower insulation and topcoat.

The choice of products consists in studying the technical characteristics and parameters. It is believed that the high thermal conductivity of the metal affects the efficiency of the system. But the degree of floor heating depends not only on the material of the plate. A high heat capacity has a bad effect on the control equipment, since the heating rate will be high.

Heat transfer is affected by:

the layout system and pipe material - plastic give off energy longer than metal;
type of lower insulation and compliance with the technology of its installation;
type of floor finish - ceramics, laminate, heats up faster than linoleum-based or carpet.

The gaps in the floor are rubbed so that steam does not penetrate the plates - this leads to corrosion

It is a misconception that the plates are hot and not corroded. During the operation of the house, household vapors penetrate through the finishing coatings to the base and structure of the water floor. Condensate in a heated state is more destructive.

Pay attention to the presence of an anti-corrosion layer on the surface of the heat-reflecting plate - then you can not put a layer of waterproofing when laying the system. The seller provides a quality certificate from the manufacturer to confirm the reliability of the product.

The choice is influenced by the functionality of the room. When laying on polyurethane foam in the kitchen and bathroom, steel plates with an anti-corrosion layer will do. If the base is a concrete floor slab, copper or aluminum products will work better.

How not to make the wrong choice

Today on the market, heat distribution plates are presented in a wide range, all of them differ in material, shape, manufacturer and size. However, before choosing a product, it would be useful to know about the most common misconceptions that relate to such products:

The first misconception is that the greater the thermal conductivity of an aluminum or steel heat-distribution plate, the higher the efficiency.However, in reality, the efficiency is almost not affected by the material from which the plate is made. The underfloor heating system in any case warms up the air in the room. But a lot depends on the correctly selected thermal insulation material, which is located under the heat distribution plate.
The second misconception - it is necessary that the heat distribution products have a high heat capacity. But in fact, it doesn't matter at all how the plate will accumulate heat, because its surface is constantly heated. But on the other hand, a high level of heat capacity strongly affects the heating rate, which does not become a plus for today's modern thermal circuits equipped with regulators.
The third misconception is that products do not need to create protection against corrosion, because their surface is always in a heated state, therefore, moisture is not afraid of it. This is not true. Moisture on the heat plate can appear from the accumulation of condensate or if water seeps through the topcoat, and at high temperatures corrosion occurs much faster. So when choosing a thermal plate, you should also think about buying moisture-proof compounds or buying material with an anti-corrosion coating already applied.

Now you have learned what a heat distribution plate is, what advantages it differs and what it is for. Installation of such elements for underfloor heating is not difficult and can be done independently in a short time. But how the installation takes place, you will learn from the video presented here:

Scope of use

The piping system with heat distribution elements is suitable for new and renovated buildings. The plates are quickly assembled and serve for a long time. Thermal distribution structures do not pose problems in buildings with weakened foundations, since they add insignificant weight to the floor.

Dirt and dust from the use of materials for concrete screed is eliminated and labor costs for installing a warm floor are reduced, therefore dry laying is used in working offices, trading floors, workshops and residential buildings. There is no need to close a company or organization to install a floor in one room.

The advantage of using

The aluminum heat-distribution plates of the underfloor heating increase the heating efficiency. Their use gives the following advantages:

Allows you to equip a floor heating system directly on wooden floors.
Reduces energy consumption, because the surface of the heated plate quickly distributes heat throughout the floor. Savings on the heating medium are up to 20%.
When arranging a water heated floor, there is no need to perform a cement screed, which facilitates and speeds up the work.
The heat is evenly distributed over the floor surface, thus the room is always at a comfortable temperature.
Due to the small thickness of the product, the height of the room will not be affected.
The floor load is reduced.
The heating rate is several times higher than that of a water floor system installed in a concrete screed.