Floor heating installation under linoleum
It is advisable to entrust the installation of underfloor heating under linoleum to professionals. The main points to pay attention to when laying:
- the thinner the layer of coating, the better it transmits heat and the simpler the heating design;
- Provide heating no higher than 28 ° C, otherwise during the operation may change the color and elasticity of the coating, release into the atmosphere of toxic substances;
- It should be laid on an even, clean, and smooth base. There should be no grit or grains of sand;
- thermal insulator is mounted reflective surface upwards, this allows you to get more heat;
- heater power should not be higher than 150 W/sqm. m, the operating temperature. 26oC;
- Use materials without thermal insulation, which reduces the efficiency of heating.
If you decide to install linoleum for underfloor heating, it is advisable to buy marmoleum. It is more expensive compared to PVC Linoleum, but its use will protect you from many troubles in case of unexpected floor overheating and other situations.
If you follow the rules for using and maintaining linoleum flooring, you will ensure its longevity. Your floor will create a comfortable warmth and children playing on it, and adults resting after hard work.
Types of linoleum for underfloor heating
There is a perception among consumers that this flooring is harmful because it can release vinyl chloride, phenol, and other harmful substances when heated. However, this is only possible if the material is not used properly, or if the coating is not chosen correctly. If you approach the choice of coverage wisely, you can find modern options that will be safe and will last a long time. What kind of linoleum and what is better to lay in the house? Rubber (Relin). Two-layer coating, which includes rubber, synthetic rubber, bitumen. Not suitable for use in residential areas, because it does not tolerate heat. Vinyl (PVC). The cheapest and therefore the most popular type of linoleum. PVC coating is available in several types. If you plan to lay linoleum on the warm floor, it is better to use a semi-commercial or commercial material, because they are more durable and easy to use than household. Professionals do not advise the use of coating with a thermal insulating base, because it will become an obstacle to the passage of heat from the heating elements into the room. Accordingly, the efficiency of the floor heating system will be much reduced. It is better to opt for coverage that has a thin base of fabric or even without it. Do not forget that the vinyl material is of synthetic origin, so when heated, it may be unpleasant smell, but then it will disappear. Collociline (nitrocellulose). Thin, single-layer coating, highly resistant to moisture. But it has a significant disadvantage. it easily catches fire. Rubber (relin) linoleum, PVC coating and glyphthalic linoleum in the lower right corner Glyphthalic (alkyd). Linoleum, which has a fabric base and has very good thermal insulation properties. But, as well as linings, can not stand heat and over time can lose its original shape. Natural (Marmoleum ). The coating is completely safe and natural. It contains only natural components: pine tar, lime powder, ground cork, linseed oil, natural dyes. That is why it does not smell unpleasant or emit harmful compounds when heated. Among its advantages. fire resistance, durability, antistatic, high resistance to deformation. And it doesn’t burn out when exposed to ultraviolet light, or lose color over time. This material is more expensive than other types of linoleum. Marmoleum, laid under warm floors in the kitchen As can be seen from the technical characteristics of the types of linoleum coating, not all can be laid over floors with heating. It is best to use marmoleum or in extreme cases the vinyl type. Glyphthalic, colloxilin or rubber material experts do not recommend using in a pair with heated floors.
Selection criteria
First let’s find out what kind of linoleum is better for electric or water underfloor heating. To determine the correct choice, there is no need to carefully study the technical parameters of the coating, to consider its advantages and disadvantages. All taken care of by the manufacturer, indicating the intended use of materials for any operating conditions. All the necessary information can be found in the labeling of the linoleum. It is mandatory that the maximum temperature rating, which the coating can withstand, be listed next to the product brand.
The natural material can operate at twenty-seven degrees Celsius. If you increase the temperature, the material will begin to soften and melt, and its surface will break.
Vinyl flooring can withstand thirty-degree heat. When the heat increases, it swells, deforms and loses color. At the same time, phenol is released into the air, and unpleasant odors are felt.
How to choose linoleum for underfloor heating, we figured out. Now let’s try to figure out which floor heating is best for laying under the linoleum.
How to install a warm water floor for linoleum flooring? The base of the floor is leveled, waterproofing material is laid, then. a thermal layer. After that, the installation of pipes begins, and everything is filled with screed. In this case, the linoleum can play the role of two materials. to replace the insulating and insulating layer, or be used to finish the floor.
On a similar principle, electric underfloor heating is arranged.
Let’s compare what kind of floor heating is best for linoleum. The water system is characterized by a high inertia. Such a system takes a long time to heat up, but it also gives off heat much longer. If the top is covered with linoleum, then the combination will be the most optimal.
How to Lay and Install Underfloor Heating Mats Prior to Tiling. Tile Mountain
But the infrared heating system is not very suitable for laying under the linoleum. It has a low index of inertia, heats the coating quickly, creating a jump in temperature mode, it is difficult to regulate.
If an electric underfloor heating is used as a heat source, then we get a large electrical installation, which creates a magnetic field. What effect it has on people is not fully known. In addition, such a field can attract the smallest particles, so that wet cleaning will have to do often.
Another selection criterion. economic indicator. A film floor costs a reasonable price, but will incur steadily increasing energy bills. But a system that runs on water, the installation will create financial costs, but in operation it will be fully justified.
The operation of linoleum with underfloor heating
To make the right choice of a linoleum for warm floors, it is not necessary to study the types of material, their composition and characteristics. Manufacturers always indicate on the packaging information, based on which you can easily choose the most suitable option.
The maximum temperature that the coating can withstand is always indicated next to the brand. So, for PVC it is 30 °C. Exceeding this value will lead to the fact that the material will lose color, swell and deform. In this case, you can feel the pungent smell, phenol will be released.
With regard to natural linoleum, the maximum temperature of heating is 27 ° C. When the temperature increases marmoleum melts, becomes soft, and as a consequence, its surface tears.
To avoid such troubles and keep the coating in its entirety, you need to watch out for underfloor heating. The system must have a built-in thermostat.
What kind of linoleum is suitable for underfloor heating
There are different types of linoleum suitable for underfloor heating. They are all marked accordingly.
If the linoleum packaging and the back of the linoleum have this mark, it means that the coating can be laid on a heated floor
If you see this designation, you can be sure it is suitable for underfloor heating. It means that the linoleum is resistant to overheating and has low ductility.
Class and labeling
In addition to all of the above properties, the types of linoleum heated linoleum differ from each other by marking.
It is based on the wear resistance rating of the flooring:
- High-quality, durable variants are marked with a “T”. This suggests that the linoleum has a good resistance, the thickness decreases by only 0.08 mm.
- The next group are coats marked with the letter “P”. In this case the material is distinguished by its hardness, abrasion does not exceed 0,15 mm.
- Coverings with a score of 0.3 mm are assigned the letter “M”.
- The most inexpensive options include rolls marked “F”. This designation indicates that the abrasion thickness is approximately 0.06 mm.
It is worth noting that the above designations apply to the 4 major groups of material. The linoleum class is indicated by two digits, the first of which characterizes the type of room.
The second number is used to determine the degree of load on the coating:
For example, you can use linoleum warm class 21 for less frequented rooms. This is the ideal choice for a bedroom or pantry.
- Higher rates of wear resistance has a coating of class 22. Heat-insulated linoleum can be used for a child’s room or a living room.
- Highly in demand among customers uses coating grade 23. Linoleum is resistant to heavy loads. With low traffic in the room, the coating can last from 15 to 20 years.
Classification by chemical composition
All manufactured linoleum is divided into five groups, each has its own purpose.
Natural Linoleum or Marmoleum is made on the basis of wood bark, flour, lime, jute fiber, softwood resin, linseed oil and natural dyes. Environmentally friendly, Marmoleum has antistatic and hypoallergenic properties. Natural linoleum is fireproof and durable. The disadvantages include:
Alkyd or glyphthalic linoleum should be classified as natural materials, it is made from glyphthalic resin mixed with cork bark, wood flour and pigments. The basis is a jute cloth. In the process of operation gives shrinkage along the length, stretching to the width.
Polyvinylchloride linoleum (PVC) is the most common flooring material. It consists of polymers, plasticizers, pigments. The advantages include affordability, a variety of colors and patterns. It is available on a thin fabric or thick insulating substrate, as well as on the market variants of the material without a base. From the obvious drawbacks should be noted unpleasant odor, which quickly disappears during operation.
Nitrocellulose or colloxiline linoleum is a thin covering without a base. Characterized by good moisture resistance and high fire resistance.
Rubber Linoleum, Relin. a two-layer material, the lower part of which consists of recycled rubber, and the upper part of colored synthetic rubber. Durable, water resistant material with a long service life, it is prohibited for use in living rooms because of the emitted toxic substances.
Analyzing the properties of the above coatings, it is easy to conclude that only glyphthalic, PVC linoleum and Marmoleum should be laid on the warm floor.
Choosing warm linoleum (pros and cons)
When choosing linoleum, it is worth considering several important factors that will further show the effectiveness of a warm floor covering. These factors include the following:
- The size of the floor in the room;
- The level of humidity and the possible danger from water;
- what level of load on the floor covering is needed: choose a class;
- the state of the subfloor;
- How thick it should be;
- linoleum design;
- type of flooring depending on the requirements;
- the temperature of the floor to be heated;
- type of installation;
- insulation material.
No item on this list should be omitted. Otherwise, the flooring will very quickly fail and lose its original appearance.
necessary materials for laying a warm floor under the linoleum
Installing warm floors under the linoleum on the wooden floor, you should take care to have the following devices and tools:
- heating element (carbon film or other type);
- The required number of contact clamps;
- Thermostats and temperature sensors (their number depends on the number of connected rooms);
- electrical cable;
- double-sided adhesive tape and standard mounting tape;
- Thermal insulation (isolon, polystyrene foam or other material with low thermal conductivity);
- Wood-fiber board and the material for the final coating (in this case. linoleum).
Note! You have to use a soft type of insulation that can be easily changed with improvised tools like a knife. It is necessary to cut a place for wiring, temperature sensor.
