Do you need an anchor bracket for underfloor heating? Installation technology with anchor brackets for heated floors, choice of fastening method depending on the type of base

Home » Equipment » Warm floor

When installing a heated floor system, it is extremely important to securely secure the coolant circuits to the thermal insulation. For this, an anchor bracket for a heated floor is used. It is used if it is decided to install the system without reinforcing mesh.

Anchor brackets for heated floors

Using such a mesh, there is simply no need to use staples. In all other cases, you simply cannot do without it.

Fastening underfloor heating pipes

In order to securely fix the pipes or heating cable, it is necessary to resort to the use of special clamps.
Today they are presented on the market in a huge variety, so finding the necessary consumables will not be difficult. The most popular options for installing heated floors are:

metal mesh. They may have different pitches between cells, but it is better to immediately decide which option is better. In this case, it will be much easier to calculate the pitch of laying pipes or cables, which will ultimately help you save a lot. In this case, the pipes are attached to a metal mesh using wire or clamps;
mounting tape. Today, both metal and polymer mounting mesh are available on the market. The advantage of metal ones is that the petals are bent here, making it much easier to attach cables or pipes. Plastic tapes are equipped with grips into which the water supply or heating cable is pressed. This type of mount is very popular today. The first reason is the affordable cost of such consumables. The second is simple installation, which does not require special skills, so fastening can be done without the help of third-party specialists;
expanded polystyrene boards. In such products, the fastenings for heated floors are already installed by the manufacturer. The disadvantage of this option is its high cost, but it combines two parts of the system at once - high-quality thermal insulation and the necessary fasteners for pipes and heating cables. Installation in this case is simple and easy. Plus, you can save a lot on high-quality thermal insulation. Expanded polystyrene boards are used if it is necessary to meet the deadlines and with the least amount of effort;
single clamps (brackets). Most often they are used in combination with heat insulators, where appropriate markings are applied. The clamps are attached to the subfloor using a preliminary installation board. Despite the fact that such work turns out to be very tedious and painstaking, it still has its merits. Such consumables are excellent for underfloor heating systems and create unique operating conditions if you resort to the use of high-density polystyrene. In this case, fastenings are installed manually or using special equipment (construction gun or stapler). Having done this work, it will be possible to achieve reliable fixation of pipes that will be invulnerable to vibrations and mechanical stress.

We recommend: How to connect a mixing valve for underfloor heating?

Expanded polystyrene boards with fixation

Option 1

A very creative way to install pipes. Since with the help of volumetric protrusions on the coating, pipes can be laid in any pattern as you wish. Despite the small distance between the protrusions, many people think that this is what will fix the pipe, but this is far from the case. For fixation, special clips are also used, which guarantee the reliability of a strong fastening of the pipe.

Advantages: The pipe is protected by special bosses from mechanical damage. Such a system can be freely purchased both on the market and in a specialized store.

Disadvantages: Quite a high price for all components. To fix the pipe, additional elements must be used.

Option 2

This installation method is very similar to the previous one, but there are significant differences. There are special protrusions on the coating that firmly fix the pipe without any additional equipment. You can fix the pipe in a very simple way: by carefully pressing the pipe between these protrusions.

Advantages: This method of attaching a pipe is considered very convenient and reliable. The slab is not damaged when moving across the floor. An excellent combination of functionality, quality and price.

Disadvantages: The cost is much higher than the earlier examples. Such a specimen is quite difficult to find in markets and specialized stores.

What are anchor brackets for heated floors?

An anchor bracket (clip) for a heated floor is a special product with teeth at the end, which is made of high-strength polymer. On straight sections, pipes should be fastened with staples no more than 50 centimeters between clips.

On bends and turns, it is recommended to place such fasteners at a distance of 10 centimeters from each other. Fastenings are installed using a special device - a construction gun or stapler.

It is not difficult to find everything necessary for such installation of a heated floor system on the market today. High-quality consumables in Moscow are presented in a huge variety and at the most affordable prices.

Features of cross-linked polyethylene

Cross-linked polyethylene is produced either physically or chemically. When it is created, units of ethylene molecules form a spatial (three-dimensional) network with cells through cross-links. Cross-linked polyethylene as a material is designated PE-X. According to the production method, they are distinguished: PE-Ha, PE-Xb, PE-Xc, PE-Xd.

PE-Ha is a polymer that is formed when heated using peroxides. PE-Xb polyethylene is obtained by moisture treatment with a catalytic agent and implanted silane. PE-Xc is a material formed after electron bombardment of polymer molecules. PE-Xd is extremely rare and is produced using nitrogen technology.

PE-Ha cross-linked polyethylene pipes are best suited for underfloor heating.

There are several types of cross-linked polyethylene pipes, they differ in the manufacturing method

Advantages and disadvantages

Pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene for heated floors have a number of advantages:

Elasticity. This allows you to use the most optimal level of bending when laying, without the risk of subsequent cracking and fractures. Rehau products are considered to be especially high quality in this regard.
Environmentally friendly. Cross-linked polyethylene contains no harmful components that would be released during heating. This guarantees safety in laying heated floors inside residential premises.
High combustion temperature. The material begins to melt only after reaching a temperature of +400 degrees. As a result of the breakdown of the substance, water and carbon dioxide are formed, which are completely non-toxic.
Excellent performance characteristics. The system, made of cross-linked polyethylene, is not afraid of rotting, corrosion and chemical influences. All this is the key to long-term and flawless operation of the water heated floor.
Frost resistance. In the event of a significant drop in temperature, polyethylene products are not deformed.
Sound-absorbing abilities. Thanks to this, there is no noise from the coolant circulating inside the circuit.

As for the weaknesses of polyethylene, they usually indicate the need for competent installation work. For example, it is recommended to securely fix turning areas, because this material does not hold the curved configuration given to it very well. In addition, the resistance of polyethylene products to direct sunlight is not very good.

Laying the contour must be done as carefully as possible, avoiding any damage to the protective layer

Cross-linked polyethylene or metal-plastic

Cross-linked polyethylene pipes and metal-plastic pipes are the main competitors when it comes to installing plumbing, heating systems or heated floors. They have a lot in common. Both types of pipes are quite flexible, durable, resistant to corrosion and relatively easy to install - you certainly don’t have to weld anything. True, it is still easier to install metal-plastic pipes than PEX pipes, with which you need to be extremely careful

Metal-plastic pipes have a slightly higher thermal conductivity coefficient (0.45 versus 0.38), but they will not survive freezing inside the coolant. PEX pipes, after the water in the system has melted, can be used as before. Moreover, some types of PEX pipes easily regain their shape. Resistance to high temperatures and pressure is high for both types of pipes: metal-plastic can withstand pressure up to 25 atm at a temperature of 250C, can be operated at coolant temperatures up to +950C with a short-term increase to +1200C, however, the maximum pressure is 10 atm. Thus, the performance characteristics are quite comparable with the similar parameters of cross-linked polyethylene pipes, which we cited above.

The choice depends mainly on the operating characteristics of the water supply system and the budget. The range of prices among pipes, even within the same group, is significant, but PEX pipes are often cheaper than metal-plastic pipes.

Description of anchor shackle

Anchor brackets hold the pipes in the desired position.
Fastening of pipes to the floor surface using special brackets is organized according to time-tested methods, which are based on a manual or semi-automatic principle. These methods are especially effective on turns or bends of thermal contours with a significant length of laid routes. On extended sections of the pipeline, the fixing points are located at a distance of about 50 cm from one another, and in fracture zones this interval is reduced to 10 cm. Compliance with this step allows you to fasten the pipes efficiently and reliably, significantly extending their service life.

Anchor shackles are made of material that is highly durable and can withstand significant overloads. The design of the fastening element includes special spacers, thanks to which the teeth and clamps of the pipeline are fixed as reliably as possible. Once the installation of such products is completed, it is almost impossible to release them without an external tool.

We recommend reading: Selecting a circulation pump for a heating system

Types of fasteners

To ensure that the pipes are securely held on the floor surface, in addition to the substrate, fasteners are used for fixation. There are different types of pipe fittings for heated floors:

Cable tie or clamps. This fastening material is used only for reinforcing mesh. The products form a loop that fits around the pipeline and grabs the reinforcing mesh bars.
Serrated staples. Plastic brackets for attaching heated floors are used for polystyrene backing. They are mounted on top of the pipe and carefully pressed into the polystyrene backing. The notches located at the tips of the staples grip the substrate and securely secure the product in a stationary state.
Clips. The mounting strip is made of plastic and looks like a horseshoe. The clip has a flat base on which it is mounted.
Metal hinges. The fastening element has the shape of a loop, which corresponds to the diameter of the pipe. Inside the hinge there is a hole for a nail or self-tapping screw. Fixation is carried out directly to the rough surface.

Specifications

Pipe clips are selected based on diameter.
Anchor clips in the category of fixing devices are classified according to the typical size corresponding to the width of their base fastening. This parameter is decisive when familiarizing yourself with their technical characteristics. According to the existing classification, they are divided into samples of the following type:

U-shaped brackets of the “STK” brand, suitable for fastening pipe blanks of various diameters;
plastic anchor fasteners used for fixing pipes of the “DN 16” type in the “water heated floor” system;
the same products designed for pipe size “DN 20”.

In the practice of installing underfloor heating systems, 16 mm anchor brackets for underfloor heating are especially common; they are optimally suited for attaching polystyrene foam insulating flooring slabs. The dimensions of such a bracket in height are about 51 mm. It contains double hooks in its design, thanks to which the fixed pipe is securely fastened and does not jump out of the insulating material.

Anchor products are suitable for installing underfloor heating from such well-known manufacturers as Uponor, Rehau, KAN and others. The approximate consumption of U-shaped staples of the STK brand is 2 pieces per linear meter. They are made in the form of red clips, which contrast well with the gray plastic pipes.

Installation features

As a rule, the length of the pipeline does not exceed 100 meters, which is necessary to create normal pressure in the system and circulate the coolant. In this case, the number of staples required will be about 250 pieces.

It is allowed to install two brackets per meter of water circuit. In this case, it will be possible to ensure reliable fastening of the pipes without damaging the concrete screed.

By securely securing the pipeline, it will be possible to make it as resistant as possible to any mechanical stress that could lead to depressurization of the system and its failure.

In addition, durable clips can protect pipes from deformation during high pressure in the system, which can also lead to coolant leakage and, as a result, expensive repairs.

Without taking care to securely fix the pipes and encountering their damage, you will have to completely or partially dismantle the floor covering and concrete screed, which will always be accompanied by large financial costs and loss of time.

Advantages and disadvantages

Using a special device, you can quickly secure pipes.
The advantages of anchor brackets include:

high speed and ease of installation of products in comparison with other methods;
reliability of fastening of pipe blanks;
durability;
relatively low cost.

The fastening element can be used to fix other types of pipelines that are not related to heated floors. Due to the presence of protective plastic teeth, the products in question are highly resistant to impact loads. The disadvantages of fasteners of this class include the complexity of installation on some types of water and electric heated floors.

Types of heated floors

There are only two types of heated floors: water and electric.

Water

The water heated floor system operates on the basis of water pipes laid under the floor covering. The coolant enters them either from the heating system or from a separate heating device (boiler, boiler).

For pipeline installation, pipes made of metal-plastic, polyethylene or polypropylene are used. The installation diagram begins with the collector, the circuits are calculated before purchasing materials.

The piping is installed both in a concrete screed and without its use, directly on the polystyrene base under the floor covering.

Electric

This type of floor is heated by electricity supplied to the system through wires (cable electric underfloor heating), special heating films, and carbon rods.

Collector connection diagram

The choice of a ready-made mechanical or automatic collector model depends on the characteristics of the heating system.

The first type of control module is recommended to be installed for heated floors without a radiator, the second can be used in all other cases.

Valtec collector groups are the most popular. The manufacturer provides a 7-year warranty on its products. The installation diagram for the liquid circuit manifold is already included in the package of the finished mixing unit

According to the diagram, the assembly of the distribution comb for heated floors is carried out as follows:

Installation of the frame. The following can be selected as the installation area for the collector: a prepared niche in the wall or a collector cabinet. It is also possible to mount directly to the wall. However, the location must be strictly horizontal.
Connection to the boiler. The supply pipeline is located at the bottom, the return pipeline is located at the top. Ball valves must be installed in front of the frame. They will be followed by a pump group.
Installation of a bypass valve with a temperature limiter. After this, the collector is installed.
Hydraulic test of the system. Check by connecting to a pump, which helps build up pressure in the heating system.

In a mixing unit, one of the required elements is a two- or three-way valve. This device mixes water flows of different temperatures and redistributes the trajectory of their movement.

Shut-off valves and fittings are installed on both pipelines, return and supply, connected to the manifold installation, designed to balance the volume of the coolant, as well as to block any of the circuits

If servo drives are used to control the manifold thermostats, then the mixing unit equipment is expanded with a bypass and bypass valve.

The mounting method depends on the base

The choice of method for attaching the circuit depends on the base under the pipes. Let us dwell on the options for bases and methods of attaching underfloor heating pipes.

Mats with bosses

Modular mats for laying heating elements
The use of mats with bosses provides the following advantages:

The possibility of using a concrete screed over the mat without a special protective layer, since the cement will not react with the elements of the mat. The surface of the mat has its own protective film.
Easy installation. Putting the modules together is not difficult.
Simple pipe fastening. To secure the pipes, no fasteners are needed, since the slab bosses securely fix the pipes.
Relief reverse. This provides several advantages at once: increased thermal insulation, sound insulation and the ability to use on uneven ground.

Important! There are polystyrene plates that do not have bosses, but special markings that facilitate the process of forming the contour.

When using mats with bosses, there is no need to worry about how to attach the heating elements to the polystyrene foam.

Reinforcement mesh

A reinforcing mesh is laid on top of the concrete screed to add strength to the structure. When laying pipes on reinforcement mesh, the following fastening methods are used:

Fastening with plastic clamps is reliable and quick

plastic clamps. Securing with silicone clamps is easy and simple, because the process of tightening the pipes takes place in a couple of deft movements. At the same time, the connections are reliable. It is impossible to break such a clamp.
wire. Do not pull too hard, otherwise the pipe will be damaged.
iron clamps. Average between the two previous methods, but it takes more time and the clamps are more expensive.

Conclusion: plastic clamps are suitable for attaching warm water floor pipes to reinforcement mesh.

Foam insulation

Anchor brackets
If the insulation layer consists of polystyrene boards, then special brackets for warm water floors made of plastic with pointed and hook-shaped teeth are used, which is why they are called anchors.

When using staples you need to be careful and careful. It is necessary to correctly calculate the distance between the pipes using foam plastic and only then proceed with fastening. It is not recommended to pull out staples and drive them into new places. It is possible to crumble and degrade the technical qualities of the thermal insulation material.

We recommend reading: Maintenance of wall-mounted boilers: what is included in the list of services and what is the frequency of the procedure

Concrete base

Often a concrete screed without an insulating layer is used as a base. In such cases, special perforated tapes are needed, which have special places in the structure for securing pipes. The profile is fastened to the concrete base with self-tapping screws, and the circuit of heating elements is attached to the fixing rail.

To attach pipes directly to a concrete base, use clips for warm water floors. A plastic clip is attached to the concrete using a self-tapping screw, and a pipe is placed on the clip. For example: if the pipe for a water heated floor is 16 mm, then the clip has a larger diameter and a cut-off arc for connection. Don't be alarmed if the pipe is slightly loose on the clip. The main thing is that the contour does not move during operation.

Conventional insulation with a system of wooden logs

Wooden modules
To heat wooden floor coverings, use a special wooden module, which is installed on top of the logs. It turns out that a water circuit of the pipeline is laid on top of any type of insulation, securing the pipes to special wooden logs with grooves. And there is no need to rack your brains over the process of forming the contour, because the distances between the grooves have been calculated.

The fastening method is selected depending on the base for laying the pipeline. It is necessary to take into account all the nuances during the design process in order to complicate installation.

Installation

The pipe fastening for heated floors is done on a flat surface. To do this, the base is leveled and a rough screed is prepared. The surface is cleaned of dust and debris. DIY installation:

First, the base is covered with a waterproofing film. At the same time, small overlaps of 15-25 cm are made on the walls. The thickness of adjacent panels in the corners should not exceed 10 cm. All joining points are fixed with tape.
Insulation is laid on top of the film. The seams are covered with a polyurethane substance.
Walls are covered with a damper strip. The remaining waterproofing overlap is placed on top of the tape.
Assemble the distribution cabinet with your own hands. It is equipped with a collector and a pump.
The pipeline contours are laid according to a previously prepared scheme. The work is done using a measuring tool. When laying, take into account the required spacing between pipes. Each end of the loop is brought to the comb and connected.
When fixing underfloor heating pipes to thermal insulation, plastic harpoons are used. They are inserted at a distance of 50 cm from each other. Before installing the circuit, a metal mesh is laid on top of the insulation, to which the pipes are secured with clamps. This must be done if the insulation structure does not hold the fasteners.
Compensation tape is installed at the boundaries of concrete monoliths, in doorways and on expansion joints.
The pipes are covered with thermal insulation material and routed to the radiators. The area near the comb is also insulated.
Then the collector is connected to the heating system. Electrical wires are laid in the cabinet.
The underfloor heating system is checked for leaks. To do this, the circuits are filled with warm water.

If all pipe joints are made hermetically, they are filled with cement-sand mortar with plasticizer and fiber. The plasticizer makes the mixture more flexible and durable. The mobility of the solution will help to securely grip the pipes and bring air voids out. If there is no plasticizer, then water is used instead. Thanks to the fiber, the screed is not subject to abrasion and does not crack. The solution is poured one at a time, in strips, starting from the far corners of the room. The system is put into operation after the screed has dried.

Alternative options for mounting heated floors

To fix heated floors, not only a bracket is used, but also other devices:

Mats with bosses do not require additional fastening. They are easy to install and fix, and their thermal insulation qualities are above average;
Masonry reinforcing mesh for pipelines is fixed with plastic and metal clamps. The design is reliable and highly durable;
If the base is made of foam plastic, then the pipes are secured with an anchor bracket;
Concrete base requires perforated tapes during installation;
Wooden floors are usually heated with pipes installed on wooden modules.

Mats with bosses

Advantages of using mats with bosses:

You can make a concrete screed directly onto the mats without making a protective layer. Cement does not enter into chemical reactions with mats that have a protective film on the surface;
Easy installation - modules are assembled by hand;
Pipe fasteners are not required; the bosses on the plates themselves firmly fix the pipeline;
The reverse side with a relief increases thermal insulation, noise protection, and also makes it possible to build the system on an unleveled base.

Some polystyrene boards are supplied without bosses, but with markings for the heating circuit.

Reinforcing mesh

The concrete screed can be additionally strengthened with reinforcing masonry mesh. The design becomes several times more durable. To do this, the grid must be laid in a special sequence:

Clamps made of plastic or silicone make the fastening easy and simple, so the installation of the pipeline will be completed in a few movements. Connections of this type are very reliable and do not break;
The use of wire limits the installation process - strong tension should not be allowed, since there is a high risk of damage to the pipe;
An iron clamp is a compromise between plastic clamps and wire. Iron fasteners are more expensive, but the installation process will be lengthy.

Having considered all the options, we can conclude that the installation of the water circuit pipeline is carried out on a reinforcing mesh using plastic clamps.

Mounting options and fixation methods

Effective operation of underfloor heating is possible provided that the pipes are correctly installed and connected to the central heating system. The key task of the contractor is to correctly distribute the linear footage of the pipeline on the surface of the subfloor to ensure uniform heating of the floor covering.

As a rule, pipes are installed in a “snake” pattern, i.e. First, the pipe goes in one direction, then makes a 180-degree turn and is laid in the opposite direction so that the two sections are located relatively close to each other (up to 30 cm).

This way, the coolant energy is effectively distributed over the entire floor area in the room. The pitch between pipe branches depends on its thickness, material, flexibility and intended heating mode. Thin plastic pipes made of polypropylene or polyethylene are laid in frequent increments.

Important! Methods of laying in a spiral, “snail”, as well as irregular arbitrary shape are also allowed. The main thing is that the distance between the turns of the pipeline is approximately the same for uniform heating of the area.

Before installing a heated floor, prepare a rough surface - a concrete screed or a wooden plank floor, on which film waterproofing is laid. One of three types of underlay is placed on the subfloor:

reinforcing metal mesh;
polystyrene boards;
mounting rails.

A special fixing substrate is a mandatory requirement for the correct installation of underfloor heating pipes, otherwise the pipes may move during the process of pouring the cement screed, and the system will not work correctly.

Reinforcement mesh - advantages and disadvantages

Metal reinforcing mesh is the most popular way to fix underfloor heating pipes. It is sold in the form of identical lengths or in coils, and is laid on a concrete floor. Pipes are distributed along it and fixed using various fasteners.

The advantage of this method is the availability of reinforcing mesh and its low cost in construction stores. The disadvantage is the labor-intensive installation process and the high risk of damage to plastic pipes.

We recommend that you read: Ventilation and rectangular air ducts

Pros and cons of polystyrene backing

Polystyrene boards are shaped products with protrusions equidistant from each other - bosses, between which pipes are laid. There are various shapes and configurations of bosses.

The main advantage of this installation method is the speed and ease of installation of pipes, which can be arranged in any way: “snail”, “snake” and other patterns. Thanks to the protruding elements of the polystyrene plates, the pipes are protected from mechanical damage. Disadvantages include the high cost of materials and the need to use additional fasteners.

Mounting rails for laying heated floors

Tires are long products with special clamps with which pipes are secured. With their help, you can easily and quickly install flexible plastic pipes that will be protected from damage.

Compared to reinforcing mesh, mounting bars are less labor-intensive in terms of installation, but their disadvantage is that they are rarely available for sale and can be quite expensive.

In addition to the substrate, various fasteners are used to firmly fix underfloor heating pipes:

Plastic clamps or cable ties are simple products that form a loop covering the pipe and the bars of the metal reinforcing mesh. This is the simplest and most affordable method of fixation, but it is only suitable for reinforcement substrate.
Plastic clamps with notches are products designed for fastening pipes to a polystyrene backing. They are installed on top of the pipes and pressed into soft polystyrene, held in place by spacers included in the sharp tips.
Plastic clips are products in the form of a small horseshoe with a flat, level base on which they are installed. The pipe is laid and held motionless.
Metal clamps in the form of a loop that matches the diameter of the pipe. Such products have a hole for a fastening element - a nail, self-tapping screw or bolt - for fixing on the rough surface.

We recommend that you read: Features of two-pipe wiring of a home heating system

Foam insulation

In cases where the insulation is made of polystyrene boards, special brackets are used for the water circuit. The bracket is made of plastic, at the end there are teeth in the form of hooks with pointed edges.

Outwardly, its appearance resembles an anchor. The use of staples during installation must be accompanied by accuracy and special care.

The distance between the laid pipes on the foam sheet is calculated, markings are made, after which fastening can be done.

Experts do not recommend removing the bracket and changing its installation location, since the thermal insulation sheet crumbles and becomes of poor quality.

Concrete base

The base of the room is most often made of concrete; the screed is not always covered with a layer of insulation. To fasten pipes to such a base, perforated tapes are used, the structure of which has special recesses for laying pipes.

The profile on a concrete base is fixed with self-tapping screws, the heating elements are installed with special fastening bars. The pipe can be secured to concrete using clips for the water circuit.

A plastic clip is installed to the concrete using self-tapping screws, and a pipe is placed on top of the structure.

For a diameter of 16 mm, staples are chosen with a larger size, and the arcs for connection are cut off. The pipe may wobble slightly when fixed, which is acceptable given thermal expansion.

We recommend reading: Drainage pump: types, technical characteristics, choice, manufacturer

Insulation on wooden joists

The heating system for floor coverings made of wood requires installation on wooden modules. Each module is placed on logs, so the water circuit is always on top of the insulation.

The pipes are fastened into special grooves, so the installer does not have to think about how to form a heating circuit - the distance between adjacent grooves has already been adjusted. Fixation and type of fastening are selected based on the base, which is located under the pipeline. It is important to take into account all the features so as not to complicate the installation processes.

Types of heated floors

Today there are three main types of underfloor heating systems:

water;
electric;
infrared.

A water heated floor operates on the basis of water pipes, which are laid directly under the finished floor covering. The source of the coolant is hot water from the heating system (less often, from a separate heating device - boiler and boiler). For installation and connection of pipes, metal-plastic and plastic pipes are used, which are connected to the heating outlet pipeline.

Electric underfloor heating is based on the so-called. heating cable. By passing current through itself, the wire converts its energy into heat due to the high resistivity of the conductor. Any cable is not suitable for installing an electric heated floor - you need a special wire with a conductor of the required thickness, as well as with good insulation.

Infrared heated floors are the rarest variety. It is installed on the basis of special roll films, in which special heating elements are built-in. When exposed to current, they produce infrared radiation, generating heat.

Next, we will talk specifically about the water type of heated floor, which is most often preferred, because... it is much easier to connect pipes to an existing heating system in a house or apartment.

We recommend that you read: How to choose a pipe cutter for installing copper pipes

Which way is better?

The choice of the best method is influenced by the quality of fastening and the price of the issue. For professional craftsmen who perform large volumes, convenience and speed of installation play an important role.

Fastening to reinforcing mesh has been used for a long time, its advantages are ease of installation and minimal costs. However, it is difficult to call the method convenient: you have to work all the time bent over, tying nylon ties with your hands. And the use of a grid does not cause unanimous approval. There is an opinion that it gradually cuts the plastic and over time the pipes begin to leak.

More and more craftsmen are resorting to working with a tucker, which allows them to produce large volumes of work in a short time. At the same time, the quality does not suffer compared to other methods.

The same can be said about the use of polystyrene foam mats with fixation. Time will tell which method will become the most common.

This video shows common installation methods

Features of cross-linked polyethylene

PE-Ha cross-linked polyethylene pipes are best suited for underfloor heating.

There are several types of cross-linked polyethylene pipes, they differ in the manufacturing method

Advantages and disadvantages

Pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene for heated floors have a number of advantages:

Elasticity. This allows you to use the most optimal level of bending when laying, without the risk of subsequent cracking and fractures. Rehau products are considered to be especially high quality in this regard.
Environmentally friendly. Cross-linked polyethylene contains no harmful components that would be released during heating. This guarantees safety in laying heated floors inside residential premises.
High combustion temperature. The material begins to melt only after reaching a temperature of +400 degrees. As a result of the breakdown of the substance, water and carbon dioxide are formed, which are completely non-toxic.
Excellent performance characteristics. The system, made of cross-linked polyethylene, is not afraid of rotting, corrosion and chemical influences. All this is the key to long-term and flawless operation of the water heated floor.
Frost resistance. In the event of a significant drop in temperature, polyethylene products are not deformed.
Sound-absorbing abilities. Thanks to this, there is no noise from the coolant circulating inside the circuit.

Laying the contour must be done as carefully as possible, avoiding any damage to the protective layer

Cross-linked polyethylene or metal-plastic

The choice depends mainly on the operating characteristics of the water supply system and the budget.
The range of prices among pipes, even within the same group, is significant, but PEX pipes are often cheaper than metal-plastic pipes. Date: September 25, 2022

Distance between fasteners

In order for the floor heating system to work efficiently and without unnecessary costs, you need to calculate the optimal pitch between the pipes in the floor. The standard distance is from 10 to 20 cm. The step can be either constant or variable:

a constant contour step of 20 cm wide is used for systems with a heating load of up to 50 W per 1 sq. m;
a distance of 15 cm is made with a heating system load of 80 W per 1 sq.m.

Variable pitch is used in other cases. If the installation of a water circuit near external walls is done with a distance of 10 cm, then, moving towards the center, this distance is gradually increased to 20 cm. For economical floor heating, it is recommended to make a distance of 15 cm.

Choosing the optimal step

After selecting the material and method of pipe placement, you need to determine the distance between adjacent turns of the circuit. It does not depend on the type of placement of coolants, but is directly proportional to the diameter of the pipes. For large sections, too small a pitch is unacceptable, just as for pipes with a small diameter, a large pitch is unacceptable. The consequences may be overheating or thermal voids, which will no longer characterize the heated floor as a single heating system.

Video - Warm floor "Valtek". Installation instructions

A correctly selected step affects the thermal load of the circuit, uniform heating of the entire floor surface and the correct operation of the entire system.

Depending on the diameter of the pipe, the pitch can range from 50 mm to 450 mm. But the preferred values are 150, 200, 250 and 300 mm.

The spacing of coolants depends on the type and purpose of the room, as well as on the numerical indicator of the calculated heat load. The optimal pitch for a heating load of 48-50 W/m² is 300 mm.
For a system load of 80 W/m² or more, the pitch value is 150 mm. This indicator is optimal for bathrooms and toilets, where the floor temperature must be constant according to strict requirements.
When installing heated floors in rooms with a large area and high ceilings, the coolant laying step is taken to be 200 or 250 mm.

Warm water floor installation project

In addition to a constant step, builders often resort to the technique of variable placement of pipes on the floor covering. It consists of more frequent placement of coolants in a certain area. Most often, this technique is used along the line of external walls, windows and entrance doors - maximum heat loss is noted in these areas. The value of the increased pitch is determined as 60-65% of the normal value, the optimal value is 150 or 200 mm with an outer pipe diameter of 20-22 mm. The number of rows is determined during the laying process, and the calculated safety factor is 1.5.

Schemes for enhanced heating of external walls

Variable and combined laying steps are practiced in external and peripheral rooms due to the urgent need for additional heating and large heat losses; in all internal rooms the usual method of placing coolants is used.

The process of laying underfloor heating pipes is carried out in strict accordance with the project