Underfloor heating is becoming an increasingly popular method of primary and secondary heating of residential and office buildings. Laying tiles on a warm floor ensures the most efficient transfer of energy from the heating element. This process is not very difficult, but requires certain theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Taking into account all the nuances of this work, you can do it yourself, without outside help.
The rationale for using tiles on a warm floor
Ceramics and tiles are materials that are used to decorate rooms with high humidity and traffic. They are indispensable for arranging a kitchen, toilet, corridor, bathroom and loggia. The peculiarity of this coating is that it is cold to the touch, it is unpleasant and dangerous to stand on it. This disadvantage can be easily eliminated by installing a floor heating system.
The advantages of using tiles on a warm floor are as follows:
- presentable appearance;
- waterproofness;
- resistance to pressure and impact;
- immunity to mold and mildew;
- resistance to active chemical reagents;
- long service life;
- high degree of thermal conductivity;
- uniform heating of the premises over the entire area and volume;
- low thermal expansion;
- almost limitless product range.
One of the factors in favor of choosing ceramic tiles is their quite affordable cost.
Varieties and selection of materials
There are such types of heating elements:
- Cable. They represent a continuous heating wire in a strong dielectric sheath and a metal screen. The products are durable, reliable, but emit strong electromagnetic radiation.
- Matte. The mats are made in the form of flexible polymer mesh strips, into which a thin cable is embedded. Easy to install, can be used as a base for laying tiles.
- Film. They work on the principle of generating infrared radiation that penetrates any materials. They differ in their higher cost, but the initial costs are offset by subsequent savings in electricity.
The water floor is difficult to install and is unsafe in terms of leaks during operation. Such structures are installed in private houses with autonomous heating boilers. The system consists of polymer reinforced pipes, a manifold and a thermostat. Using your own heating device can significantly save utility bills.
Masonry features
Tile flooring can be entrusted to specialists, but it will cost a lot. In this case, you will have to allocate time to be present at the facility in the process of performing work. Therefore, it is advisable to complete the finishing yourself.
You should take into account the following nuances:
- The surface of the topcoat should be flush with the floors of the rest of the rooms.
- The screed must not be made thinner than 3 cm. This is a necessary margin of safety so that the floor surface does not crack under the influence of temperature differences.
- It is not allowed to lay heaters where furniture or household appliances will stand, cover the warm floor with carpets or animal skins. This leads to overheating and burning of the elements.
To lay the tiles, you need the following tools and materials:
- level;
- Bulgarian;
- tile cutter;
- notched trowel;
- mixer;
- silicone spatula;
- plastic crosses;
- tile adhesive;
- grout for joints;
- rags.
Construction goggles and gloves are required to protect eyes and breathing.
Stages of laying tiles on a warm floor
You need to lay on a perfectly flat surface. Otherwise, the finish will turn out to be crooked or you will have to use a large amount of glue to smooth out irregularities. The horizontal is checked with a level, after which the recesses are sealed with cement mortar, and the bulges are grinded. After the solution is completely dry, the surface must be treated twice with a deep penetration primer. This will help to achieve better adhesion between the adhesive and the substrate.
The next step is marking. It is carried out based on the chosen laying method - horizontally, staggered or diagonally. The last option is the most difficult to execute and is accompanied by a large amount of waste. The drawing made is the basis for the purchase of building material. Tiles need to be bought 10-15% more of the estimated quantity. During the work, there may be errors, some of the material will be used for trimming.
The markup should be carried out in the following sequence:
- Make a diagram of the room. Decide where the tile will start from.
- Transfer the drawing to the base. To do this, you can use a cord or a rule.
- Determine the line of the first row. This is done if the finish does not have a matching pattern.
- If the picture is laid out, the work is carried out from the center. It is defined at the intersection of the lines connecting the corners.
At the end of this phase, it is recommended to lay the tiles on the surface in order to check the correctness of the actions performed.
The glue is prepared just before its use. It is necessary to knead the amount of solution that can be consumed until the moment it begins to thicken.
In accordance with the instructions for use, the glue should be done as follows:
- Pour a certain amount of water at room temperature into the bucket.
- Lower the mixer into the container, turn it on at low speed and start pouring the mixture.
- Leave the prepared solution alone for 7-10 minutes to soften the lumps.
- Repeat mixing.
A well-prepared composition has the consistency of thick sour cream.
It is recommended to wet the tiles before laying to remove dust and improve adhesion. The glue is applied to the back sides of the masonry fragments with a notched trowel so that no voids remain. Then the tile is laid in place and pressed tightly against the screed. It is aligned, excess solution is removed and fixed with plastic crosses.
Grouting is the final phase of finishing the warm floor. The openings are preliminarily cleaned of dust and crumbs. The mortar is rubbed into the seams with effort and leveled flush with the surface of the tiles. After the grout has set, wipe the tile surface with a damp sponge or soft cloth.
You can turn on the heating in a day, when the mortars finally dry out and crystallize.
