Installation of floor heating into concrete and anhydrite
Heating cables are laid in a concrete layer, under which there is a layer of thermal insulation. As thermal insulation, the most suitable are extruded polystyrene or polyurethane of thickness of 40 to 80 mm. Soft mineral wool is not recommended for compressibility reasons. Belt insulation separates the walls from the concrete layer and this way prevents damage caused by thermal dilatation of the floor. At the same time, belt insulation prevents creation of heat bridges. Larger and irregular areas are divided by dilatation joints into smaller sections – up to 40 m2. The side length of one area should not exceed 8 m. The dilatation joint should lead across the whole cross section of the concrete. Thermal insulation should be protected with suitable waterproofing against moisture coming from above. It is easiest to fix the heating cables to a reinforcing Kari grid using nylon strips. The output of the heating cable is set up to 20 W/m (KYCY, KYCYR 10 W/m, 20 W/m) so that the distances between cables are not larger than 15 to 20 cm. For thicker concrete layers, a larger distance between cables is possible. Otherwise cold spots will originate on the floor. The sensor of the controller is placed into the same layer. This way prepared heating is carefully poured over by second concrete layer of 40 mm.
When installing floor heating into a layer of anhydrite, the fixation of the heating cable onto a Kari grid cannot be used. Anhydrite is agressive and the steel grid would soon fall apart. Before pouring the floor over with anhydrite, a foil is placed the thermal insulation, and it prevents the leak of anhydrite. The heating cable can be fixed by small, U-shaped plastic clamps, which are poked into the thermal insulation (polystyrene). A clean puncture will not allow a leak. With regard t a lower thermal expansivity of anhydrite, it is possible to leave larger dilatation joints. Other rules are similar to those of a concrete floor.
Installation of floor heating into putty
This method is mostly used in reconstructions, with not enough height for a complete setup. If it is possible, we recommend to use at least a minimal layer of thermal insulation, eventually with a reflective aluminium foil to prevent heat loss towards ground, or else it is necessary to install a higher output (up to 160 W/m2). For this type of installation, we use the heating power of a cable with a lower specific output. The subfloor is usually represented by the existing floor or concrete. The heating cable (KYCY, KYCYR 10 W/m) is attached using the FX/FXT fixation strip. It is a galvanized strip with little tips cut out on it for the fixation of the heating cable. A heating mat (ECOFLOOR LDTS 100, 160 W/m2) is used more frequently, though. After laying the cable or the mat, a layer of putty is carefully applied, so that it covers the cable on the whole floor surface. Then it is possible to pave or lay other floor covering. After finishing the installation, it is necessary to wait for the putty to solidify before turning the heating on.
Installation of heating foils
The ECOFILM heating foils are designated as floor heating for dry constructions - under laminate or wooden floating floors or floors with complementary HEAT-PAK pads placed under PVC or carpets. The temperature of a floor with floor heating should not be higher than 27°C, which is why the foils are only manufactured with such outputs, that cannot exceed this limit if all the installation requirements are respected - 80 W/m², 60 W/m² and 40 W/m² for very well insulated objects (NED). Heating foils are offered in widths of 600 and 1000mm. They are available either prepared in a certain size, or it is possible to create the required size from length. It is not possible to attach other layers directly onto the heating foil, which is why it cannot be used for example under floorings. But it is possible to use it under carpets and PVC by using HEAT-PAK pads.
