The decision to organize underfloor heating is made in cases where, for certain reasons, it is impossible to use conventional heaters, and central heating can not cope. That is, a warm floor almost always performs the function of auxiliary heating.
This is especially true for water systems, which are less effective compared to heating mats, but are more economical in use. To increase the heat transfer helps additional accessories. In particular, the heat distribution plate serves not only to fix the position of the pipes, but also as a means of uniformly dispersing hot flows along the working surface.
General information about heat distribution plates
The element is a metal profile, which when laid acts as a kind of substrate for the heating circuit. A warm water floor performs its function of heating with the help of a pipeline, the average diameter of which is 10-12 mm. In turn, the heat distribution plate forms a special niche into which the pipeline fits. Although outwardly it has a rather primitive device, it has many specific structural features.
First of all, this is the presence of an omega-shaped groove, which runs along the entire length of the profile and just serves to install the pipe. But that is not all. In parallel with the groove on the sides are stiffeners designed to increase the mechanical reliability of the plate. Manufacturers offer such elements in different configurations, sizes and shapes, but the general principle of the structural device corresponds to the above.
Heat distribution plate material
Usually two metals are used - aluminum and steel. The most common is the first option. Such material is more protected from corrosion. In some cases, it shows a more efficient heat distribution and is easy to install. True, it cannot be said that steel plates are unstable to rust processes. They receive special treatment with galvanization and special powder coatings.
But the natural structure of steel alloys in the long term operation is still inferior to aluminum in terms of reliability. On the other hand, in terms of mechanical strength, steel heat-distributing plates of the warm floor win. Aluminum alloy is more easily deformed. Therefore, it should be used on stable, solid substrates. By the way, polystyrene plates will optimally perform the function of the supporting platform for aluminum.
When is the use of heat distribution plates justified?
Fixation by a plate of a pipeline circuit is not a primary task. The plate should be used only with the expectation of the implementation of the heat distribution function, which does not always increase in this way. When evaluating the usefulness of this solution, attention should be paid to the basis. Experts do not recommend laying plates if the rough surface is represented by a conventional concrete screed. There will be no harm from such a solution, but you will not have to expect an increase in the efficiency of heat transfer.
Conversely, instead of screed, wooden flooring, foam block platforms and floors from other materials are often used. In such cases, it makes sense to use heat distribution plates for a water heated floor with a thin pipe. However, even if the floor is implemented in the form of a concrete screed, you can close it with the mentioned polystyrene substrate and lay pipes with pipes on it already. These are rotary plates, on the surface of which small channels are also provided for the installation of transit heat-distributing circuits.
How is the heat distribution plate mounted?
Laying can be carried out with the use of polystyrene plates, on a wooden rack base, on plasterboard panels, etc. In each case, the fixing lines of the plate itself must be pre-marked. Installation is carried out without mechanical fasteners - by inserting a profile into the gutters. Retention is ensured by the bursting force of the omega-shaped groove that occurs after the installation of the pipeline.
Before installation, pay attention to the slots that provide a continuous heat distribution plate. With your own hands, it is necessary to break off the profile in these places. The obtained segments should be superimposed on the base with small steps - of the order of 10-15 cm.
What qualities of plates should you pay attention to when choosing?
Each manufacturer of underfloor heating produces plates for the distribution of heat. At the same time, the models differ in the characteristics of the accumulative ability, heat capacity and protective qualities. Manufacturers often advertise aluminum and copper elements as the most effective in terms of thermal conductivity. But this characteristic will be of minimal importance if the system is in close contact with concrete.
Not always useful is the thermal capacity of the heating elements. Even if a heat-distributing plate with a high accumulative ability quickly acquires the optimal operating mode, this property will not be of particular importance with constant heating. But it can be useful in large rooms, since it affects the rate of rise of warm currents.
Conclusion
The main task of the heat distribution plates is to optimize the heating parameters. In this case, this is achieved by stimulating the dispersion of the warm flows generated by the system’s transit pipeline. At the same time, a heat distribution plate for a warm floor is only one of the components whose work is aimed at increasing the efficiency of the entire structure.
Much also depends on the substrate material and the quality of the insulation coatings, not to mention decorative flooring. Installation work and the selection of auxiliary components should be carried out only according to the project, which comprehensively takes into account the characteristics of all construction materials, as well as their layout.