If you decide to do a major overhaul of your home, then you are probably also thinking about warming the loggia. This area can be used as an additional area, which is great for a winter garden, an office with a computer or a recreation area. The main thing at the same time is that it is warm and cozy inside, and not only in the summer. At the same time, a quite reasonable question arises: how to make the space warmer? Underfloor heating is one of the possible solutions.
Choice of insulation
If you decide to arrange a warm floor on the loggia, then you need to think about insulating the system. These manipulations are required to reduce natural heat loss. In addition, in this case, the radiated energy will be rationally and evenly distributed around the perimeter of the floor. Energy for additional heating will be saved, which will reduce the costenergy resources. A layer of thermal insulation will also create an additional noise barrier.
Polypropylene can act as an option for thermal insulation. It has a cellular structure, does not differ in hygroscopicity and can be perfectly processed. The material will be able to withstand temperatures up to 130°C. On sale you can find expanded polystyrene with an overlay in the form of a polypropylene film.
Styrofoam
One of the best solutions for thermal insulation of a warm floor on a loggia is expanded polystyrene. It is great for water systems. This material is characterized by high hardness, lightness and strength. It is resistant to high temperatures and their differences. In this case, the layer will retain its properties even during long-term operation. In an aggressive environment, expanded polystyrene does not collapse and does not absorb moisture. The layer is resistant to fungal infections, in addition, it is easy to mount.
Film
Before you lay the warm floor on the loggia with your own hands, you need to choose the right materials. Another solution for creating an insulating layer is a metallized lavsan film. It will be able to create protection against destruction when exposed to an alkaline environment, which is characteristic of a cement-sand screed.
Selection of the backing
When installing the described system, you will definitely need a substrate for a warm floor. If you decide to prefer electric heating, thenyou can choose a pressed cork. Foamed polymers are also suitable. When choosing this layer, it is important to pay attention to the quality and thickness.
Good material usually costs 70 rubles. per square meter. This cost for some consumers is quite high, but it is justified by the fact that the material will perform all the functions assigned to it. One of the most common is the cork substrate, which is harmless and environmentally friendly. The material absorbs noise well, does not crack or rot.
Alternative solution
You may prefer foil-coated polyethylene foam. This option is cheaper than the others and has excellent sound and heat insulation properties. The layer does not wrinkle, is easy to lay and is characterized by resistance to moisture. Another solution is extruded polypropylene. Such a substrate for a warm floor has a foil coating. The material is characterized by high mechanical characteristics, it is characterized by low cost and resistance to high temperatures.
Selecting the finish coat
As a topcoat for underfloor heating, you should choose materials that will not have significant weight. Quite often, consumers prefer laminate. In this case, it is important to approach the issue correctly. If such a topcoat has a porous structure, then it cannot be laid on a film floor. Atlamella binder and moisture-repellent impregnation will not be resistant to heating and cooling cycles. If you still decide to use such a laminate for underfloor heating, then after a while it will come apart at the seams and crack.
You can lay the described finishing layer on a water-heated floor. However, it is important to purchase a special substrate. In addition, the laminate must belong to the 32nd wear resistance class. In this case, it is important to adjust the heating of the system within 30 ° C. As soon as the underfloor heating laminate has been laid, the system can be turned on, while it is recommended to start installing the transition strips only after 2 weeks.
Quite often, home craftsmen lay laminate on a film heating system. The infrared floor is located on the substrate. Another solution for finishing is wood. It can only be heated up to 27 °C. If you withstand higher temperatures, the material will dry out. Therefore, when using wooden floors, the system must be adjusted in advance. It should run at 2/3 of its capacity.
You can use a modern engineering or parquet board for a warm floor. It should have a thickness within 16 mm. As for the width, this parameter should not exceed 150 mm. This will provide the best warm-up. The most suitable solution is ceramic tiles. It is almost always completely environmentally friendly and easily handles multiple heating and cooling cycles. Such a coating still has a minus, which is expressed in the fact that too much heatnot so good for legs.
Choosing a floor for ceramic tiles
Under the tiles, you can use an electric floor heating. A single-core cable will be cheaper, but it should be returned to the thermostat, unlike a two-core one. After laying the tiles, the floor will be about 6 cm higher. You can connect the system only after the solution has completely solidified.
Ultra-thin cable, which should be laid on a polymer mesh base, is characterized by high strength and insulation resistance. If you want to choose the best underfloor heating for tiles, then you should pay special attention to the most modern solution - the infrared system. It is one of the varieties of electric floor heating.
According to the manufacturers, the operation of such a system is based on the principle of sunlight, which cannot harm a person. This design does not heat the air, but the objects in the environment. It will also be possible to save money with the help of such a floor for the reason that heating starts immediately after switching on.
These floors consist of flat plates that are in a plastic film. Heat losses are insignificant, and the infrared floor works silently. Before you make a warm floor on the loggia, you should also pay attention to the water systems. They can be most beneficial if you can power them from a central heating system. The heating of the space will be uniform, the installation costs are one-time. The floor does not require maintenance. However, this technology is differentthe most labor intensive. To carry out the installation process, the master needs to have certain skills and abilities.
If you lay a water-heated floor on the loggia, then there is a possibility that over time the decorative surface will move away from the base. Therefore, at the installation stage, all the rules must be observed.
Features of the infrared floor device
Film floors are offered for sale with different heating parameters. Cloths can have different sizes. The thermostat must be purchased separately. Its power must be calculated individually. A clean substrate is laid on the prepared surface, and the cut points are fastened with adhesive tape. Next, the film is placed, its edges are cut off. They must be isolated. A temperature sensor should be placed near the thermostat. The cable must be routed under the tile.
In order for such a warm floor on the loggia not to move when laying tiles, it should be fixed with adhesive tape to the substrate. The next step is to install the thermostat. It is installed next to the electrical wiring. Installation of the thermostat is carried out permanently. The next step is to lay the wires and connect them to the network. When installing an infrared heated floor on a loggia, it is better to use mounting cables of two colors. Wires are sometimes laid under the plinth. You can make a strobe in the wall, in which case the connecting cable will be hidden. In order to connect the wires to the heating material, it is necessary to put the terminals and secure with pliers. Clamp mustclose to the copper conductor. The cable is fixed and the insulators are installed.
Conclusion
If you decide to install a warm floor on the loggia, then first you need to select the materials. It is important to select them taking into account the weight, because the whole system should not exert a significant load on the floor.
