Underfloor Heating Under Floor Panels

Underfloor Heating Under Floor Panels

An increasingly common solution is underfloor heating using infrared heating films. Heating films are placed directly under the floor panels in the apartment. The costs of installation and operation of such a system are lower compared to alternative heating methods, especially central heating. The investment outlay is small, making it possible to implement the described underfloor heating in an apartment, house, or office.

Advantages of the Proposed Solution

There are many strong points of underfloor heating using heating films. Among the most important are:

• low investment costs and low operating costs of the heating system;
• no system failures and a high level of safety for the user;
• relatively simple and quick installation of the heating film under the floor;
• achieving an even distribution of temperature in the heated room, including obtaining the effect of a pleasant, warm floor;
• minimal energy losses;
• the possibility of heating only selected rooms depending on the user's preferences, who can remotely control the system;
• no need for annual servicing of the system, and thus, cost savings on the operation of this system;
• no carbon dioxide emissions and the complete elimination of hazards related to carbon monoxide poisoning or explosions;
• no interference with the floor when installing the heating film;
• no need to designate a boiler room or build a chimney;
• reduction of convection in rooms;
• the possibility of coordinating the operation of the system with other heating systems to achieve better heating effects in the house, apartment, office, etc.;
• scientifically confirmed health benefits from using infrared heating.

Direct System with Underfloor Heating Under Panels and Floorboards

This system involves placing the heating film under the floors to quickly achieve a regulated temperature according to the user's needs. It avoids unproductive use of thermal energy. A significant advantage of the system is the thickness of the heating film, which does not exceed 1 millimeter – it can therefore be easily placed under the floor without any aesthetic or spatial discrepancies. It remains invisible to the user. The system eliminates the need for traditional, protruding radiators.

To install the film under existing panels, one must first dismantle them, lay the film, and then reinstall the panels. The film can be installed under any type of panels, as it is neutral in terms of its impact on the properties and functionality of the material under which it will be installed. The system independently maintains the desired temperature in such a way that it is not too high and does not affect the lifespan of the floor panels themselves.

Floor Coverings with Laminated Panels

Such coverings are most commonly found in residential spaces. The low purchase price, variety of available colors, and simple installation are the main strengths of this solution. Laminated panels can easily be used when implementing a system that operates using infrared heating films. These panels are generally installed in a floating system that works on the so-called lock. This creates the possibility of installing the heating film practically over the entire surface of the room (so-called surface heating). In this way, the user can achieve a constant and even temperature distribution in the room, which is significant for improving their quality of life. The heating film is therefore successfully dedicated to laminated floor panels.

Diversity of Heating Film Applications

Systems operating with infrared heating films can be applied in various types of buildings and rooms. They can be dominant or supplementary solutions for underfloor heating in homes, apartments, or offices in workplaces. In every case, the installed heating system is maintenance-free – it operates based on electronic room thermostats. The manufacturer also provides a multi-year warranty for the proper operation of such a system.

The heating film under the panels is installed over the entire surface of the room excluding the area of fixed installations, which includes various types of furniture without legs, directly adjacent to the floor, thus preventing the free escape of heat. The manufacturer designs the heating film so that the floor temperature does not exceed 29 degrees Celsius in rooms, kitchens, and hallways, while 31 degrees Celsius is allowed for heating bathrooms and toilets. A smaller coverage of the heating film is also permitted in those rooms that have very good thermal insulation and low demand for thermal energy.

The Effect of the So-Called Warm Floor

This effect is extremely important for ensuring the comfort of household members, and the heating system using infrared heating films allows for this effect to be achieved. It may be particularly desirable to install heating films in children's rooms, where the absence of heat loss and the achievement of a warm floor effect is very beneficial for the child's comfort. Higher floor temperatures are also recorded in the case of floor surfaces in bathrooms, where infrared heating films can be successfully used.

It should be emphasized that achieving optimal results in heating requires the use of heating film over more than 70% of the entire surface in the given room. Only in this way can a uniform temperature distribution be guaranteed throughout the room. It is also necessary to adjust the operation of the heating system to the maximum temperature for the floor panels as specified by the manufacturer. This is usually around 28-29 degrees Celsius.