Today, the installation of a warm water floor system is becoming increasingly popular, as this allows you to create coziness and comfort at home. This design consists of pipelines with hot water, which are located under the floor surface. It is quite simple, it is connected either to the heating system or to the general hot water supply. However, not everyone knows which pipe is better for a warm floor.
This heating system is preferable than the traditional central one, since the hot air flow is more evenly distributed, rising from the floor surface, and not just from the corner or from one side, as in the case of conventional radiators. It should be borne in mind that the water floor, in contrast to the electric version, is more efficient.
The benefits of underfloor heating
The main advantages of this system of floors include the following:
- Underfloor heating pipe provides uniform heating over the entire surface area.
- There are no electromagnetic radiation.
- At low cost, it is possible to heat fairly large areas.
- The ability to hide heating appliances.
- There is no cost for further maintenance.
- One-time installation costs.
disadvantages
These sexes also have disadvantages. These include the following:
- Difficulty during installation when laying pipes of a warm floor made of polypropylene.
- The need to use a water pump.
- The likelihood of leaks and problems in identifying them.
- It happens that neighboring apartments can "lose" the temperature.
- In some cases, a pressure drop in the riser is possible.
- Difficulties in controlling temperature.
The main function of pipelines
Increasingly, the issue of floor insulation is reduced to the use of not only heat-insulating materials, but also of a special design, which includes pipelines, fasteners, manifolds with fittings, and a pump. It can be used not only as auxiliary heating, but also as an independent system. In a small room, the installation of such a system can be done on its own. In this case, the question certainly arises of which pipe is better for a warm floor. To answer it, you need to consider the principle of operation of such a heating system.
Water floor construction
In this heating system, the main heating element is a concrete plate (thermally insulated), into which pipelines with hot liquid circulating through them are mounted.
To find out which pipe is better for a warm floor, you should understand its design features:
- A perfectly even screed of cement-sand mortar is arranged. On top of it, along the walls, insulation is laid from an aluminum film, which does not allow heat to escape into the base of the walls and floor.
- A pipeline is laid over the insulating layer by means of fasteners.
- Then the structure is poured with a solution of cement.
- The flooring is laid on top. It can be a laminate, carpet, tile, etc.
And finally, the system must be brought into working condition with the help of equipment for transferring coolant through the pipelines (distributors of heating circuits, pump, control systems - valves, thermostats, servos).
Device features
It is believed that a warm floor is able to reduce the pressure of water a floor below. This can happen, but only in old buildings with gravitational water supply systems and only if the pipe is installed without observing the required diameters and slopes.
If this heating system is closed, your neighbors will not be able to determine that they have taken a little water. However, it is worth remembering that in residential buildings it is strictly forbidden to unauthorized connection to the hot water supply system or central heating.
In a system of underfloor heating, the temperature of the coolant should not be higher than 55 ° C. At elevated temperatures, the floor surface will overheat, which is uncomfortable for the legs. Also, elevated temperatures can lead to cracking of the cement screed and deformation of the coating.
So, which pipe is better for a warm floor?
Having understood the purpose of this system, it is necessary to consider the types of pipelines.
There are many options, of which pipelines are most often used for underfloor heating:
- copper;
- metal-plastic;
- corrugated steel;
- cross-linked polyethylene pipes;
- polypropylene.
To date, the most common are metal-plastic and pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene, in contrast to expensive steel corrugated and copper products. But polypropylene pipelines are often used in water supply systems. For these purposes they are more suitable - they are characterized by low cost, ease of installation, the ability to perform complex nodes and branches. Therefore, it is better not to install a warm floor from polypropylene pipes .
Plastic pipes
These are composite multilayer products that consist of five layers. The outer and inner polyethylene layers are tightly interconnected with a special aluminum foil by means of glue. This pipeline is designed specifically for underfloor heating systems and has the following advantages:
- Convenient installation - the product bends perfectly, which allows it to be laid with spirals and snakes with a large number of bends.
- At a pressure of 10 bar, the maximum temperature reaches 95 ° C.
- Durability - an operational life of more than 50 years.
- Keep in shape.
- Smooth surface, which reduces pressure loss.
- Excellent sound insulation performance.
- Resistant to chemicals and corrosion.
The pipe "Rehau" for a heat-insulated floor
This durable flexible product is gaining more and more popularity today. To give stability and strength to polyethylene, it is treated under high pressure. As a result, additional molecular bonds are formed. This material is called “cross-linked” (“PEX”), and the system itself is called a cross-linked polyethylene pipe.
Choosing pipes "PEX", you need to pay attention to the degree of their crosslinking. According to the standard, it should be at least 65%. Such a Rechau pipe for a warm floor has a number of undeniable advantages:
- able to withstand high pressure and temperature drops;
- flexibility;
- resistance to freezing in the cold season;
- strength - operational life of more than 50 years;
- resistance to corrosion;
- easily restores its original form;
- ease of installation;
- low noise.
When comparing pipelines made of cross-linked polyethylene and metal-plastic, it is clear that they are characterized by almost identical characteristics. However, metal-plastic products have greater thermal conductivity and heat up faster, but their cost is higher than pipelines made of cross-linked polyethylene. At the same time, the PEX pipe for underfloor heating has greater heat transfer, which allows it to be laid with a large gap.
In any case, both types of these pipes are considered reliable and high quality, they meet modern requirements, and most importantly - are ideal for underfloor heating systems.
Expert Advice
Pipes for the underfloor heating system should be carefully selected. After all, they are laid not for several days, but for many years, so it is recommended that special attention be paid to their reliability and durability. The ideal option in this regard are metal-plastic products and pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene. To date, they do not have any competitors in terms of operational parameters. They are easy to stack, they are the most popular, and most importantly - their cost is low.
When choosing, one single question may arise - which pipe is better for a warm floor - 16 or 20 mm? Experts advise using pipes with a diameter of 20 mm, focusing on consumer reviews and their own experience in installing such systems.
Cost
Pipelines of various materials differ not only in characteristics, but also in cost. The most expensive of them are copper products. Pipelines made of cross-linked polyethylene and metal-plastic are much cheaper.
On average, in Russia their cost is in the range from 50 to 150 rubles per meter. Considering the price of the remaining components, about 2,000 rubles per square meter of heated area, which implies an impressive cost for the room as a whole. But if we compare the water floor made of pipelines made of cross-linked polyethylene (or metal-plastic) with an electric one, then the first one functions from a boiler, therefore it can pay off after 5 years.