Which pipe is better for a warm floor? Pipe for a warm floor: price, specifications, choice

To date, the device of the warm water floor system is gaining popularity, as it allows to create comfort and comfort at home. This construction consists of pipelines with hot water, which are located under the floor surface. It is quite simple, it is connected either to a heating system or to a common hot water pipe. However, not everyone knows about which pipe is better for a warm floor.

This heating system is preferable to the traditional central one, as the hot air flow is distributed evenly, 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 electrical option, is more effective.

Advantages of warm floors

The main advantages of this system of floors include the following:

1. The pipe under the warm floor provides uniform heating throughout the surface area.
2. There are no electromagnetic radiation.
3. At low costs it is possible to heat quite large areas.
4. Possibility to hide heating devices.
5. With further maintenance, there are no costs
6. Single installation costs.
   

disadvantages

There are disadvantages in such sexes. These include the following:

1. The complexity of the installation, when laying pipes of the warm floor of polypropylene.
2. The need for a water pump.
3. The likelihood of leakage and problems with their detection.
4. It happens that neighboring apartments can "lose" the temperature.
5. In some cases, pressure drop in the riser is possible.
6. Difficulties in controlling the temperature.
   

Main Function of Pipelines

Increasingly, the issue of floor insulation is reduced to using not only thermal insulation materials, but also a special design, which includes pipelines, fasteners, manifolds with fittings, 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 arises of which pipe is better for the warm floor. To answer it, you need to consider the operating principle of such a heating system.

Construction of water floors

In this heating system, the main heating element is a concrete plate (thermally insulated), into which pipelines with a circulating hot liquid are mounted.

To find out which pipe is best for a warm floor, you need to understand its design features:

1. A perfectly flat screed made of cement-sand mortar is arranged. Above it, along the walls, there is insulation made of aluminum film, which does not allow the heat to leave the base of the walls and floor.
2. A pipeline is laid over the insulation layer by means of fasteners.
3. Then the construction is poured with a solution of cement.
4. On top lay the floor covering. It can be laminate, carpet, tile, etc.

And in the end, the system must be brought to working condition by means of equipment for transmission through the coolant pipelines (distributors of heating circuits, pump, control systems - valves, thermostats, servo drives).

Device Features

There is an opinion that a warm floor can reduce the pressure of water a floor below. This can happen, but only in old buildings with gravity 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, unauthorized connection to a hot water supply system or central heating is strictly forbidden.

In the system of warm floors, the temperature of the coolant should not be above 55 ° C. At elevated temperatures, the floor surface will be excessively heated, which is uncomfortable for the feet. Also, high temperatures can lead to cracking of the cement screed and deformation of the coating.

So which pipe is best 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 the most common for the warm floor are pipelines:

• Copper;
• Metal-plastic;
• Steel corrugated;
• Pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene;
• Polypropylene.

To date, the most common are metal-plastic pipes and cross-linked polyethylene pipes, in contrast to expensive corrugated steel and copper products. But polypropylene pipelines are more often used in water supply systems. For these purposes, they are more suitable - they are characterized by low cost, easy installation, the ability to perform complex knots and branchings. Therefore, it is better not to install a warm floor made of polypropylene pipes.

Metal-Plastic Pipes

These are composite multi-layer products, which consist of five layers. The outer and inner polyethylene layers are tightly joined together by a special aluminum foil by means of glue. This pipeline is designed specifically for underfloor heating and has the following advantages:

1. Convenient installation - the product perfectly bends, which allows you to lay it with spirals and snakes with a lot of folds.
2. At a pressure of 10 bar, the maximum temperature reaches 95 ° C.
3. Durability - the operational period is more than 50 years.
4. Keep the shape.
5. Smooth surface, which reduces pressure loss.
6. Excellent noise insulation characteristics.
7. Resistant to chemicals and corrosion.
   

Rehau chimney for underfloor heating

This sturdy, flexible product is becoming more popular today. To impart stability and strength to polyethylene, it is processed under high pressure. As a result, additional molecular bonds are formed. This material was called "cross-linked" ("RHE"), and the system itself is called a pipe made of cross-linked polyethylene.

Choosing pipes "REX", it is necessary to pay attention to the degree of their cross-linking. According to the standard, it should be at least 65%. Such a pipe "Rehau" for a warm floor has a number of undeniable advantages:

• It can withstand high pressure and temperature changes;
• flexibility;
• Resistance to freezing during the cold season;
• Strength - the operational period is more than 50 years;
• Resistance to corrosion;
• Easily restores its original form;
• Simplicity of installation;
• Low noise level.

When comparing pipelines made of cross-linked polyethylene and metal-plastic, it can be seen that they have almost identical characteristics. However, metal-plastic products have a high thermal conductivity and heat faster, but their cost is higher than that of pipelines made of cross-linked polyethylene. In this case, the pipe "PEX" for a warm floor has a greater heat transfer, which allows you to lay it 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.

Advice of specialists

Pipelines for the underfloor heating system should be chosen thoroughly. After all, they are laid not for a few days, but for many years, so special attention should be paid to their reliability and durability. Ideal option in this regard are metal-plastic products and pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene. To date, they have no competitors in terms of performance. They are easy to pack, they are the most in demand, and most importantly - their cost is low.

When choosing a 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 feedback and own experience in installing such systems.

Cost

Pipelines from different materials differ not only in characteristics but also in cost. The most expensive of these 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 of 50 to 150 rubles per square meter. Considering the price of the remaining components, per square meter of heated area is about 2000 rubles, which implies an impressive cost for the room as a whole. But if you compare the water floor, made of pipelines made of cross-linked polyethylene (or metal-plastic), with electrical, the first is functioning from the boiler, so it can pay off after 5 years.