Put a carpet on a warm floor or keep warm with the right material?

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Warm floors have long and quite firmly entered our lives. Now they no longer look like a luxury, but rather a tribute to comfort and concern for the health of their loved ones. Of course, their installation raises questions among the consumer, and one of the most common of them is - is it possible to cover a heated floor with a carpet? For example, a mat does not cause such difficulties, but some people are afraid to place a dense textile covering on heating equipment. Are these fears justified or can they be ignored?

Initial data

Both components of our question have a centuries-old history. Warm floors appeared in Ancient Rome, but they have been widely used since the eighties of the last century, when polymer pipes were invented.

The variety of power supply principles for such heating systems allows them to be used both in a private home and in an apartment. The choice of device depends on the customer's preference.

Warm floors are divided into stationary and mobile.

Stationary ones, depending on the heating element, are water, electric and infrared. Their installation requires special knowledge, preliminary preparation of the layout of heating sections and a thermostat, and a flat floor surface. The role of the final coating element, protecting the heating system from mechanical stress during operation, is best handled by tiles, marble or stone.

Mobile heated floors do not require special dismantling. Available in the form of mats or panels. There are infrared and resistive.

Carpets are made from artificial and natural materials and have different pile structures, colors, designs and shapes. With all their diversity in the house, they perform two functions:

• floor insulation;
• decorative element.

The former have a dense structure, long pile, and low thermal conductivity. The latter are a key detail of the interior, so the main criterion for their selection is the style of the room. To harmonize with the overall design of the house, the flooring product can be made from both traditional materials - wool, polyester, acrylic, cotton, linen, and unusual ones - leather, seaweed, banana silk, rice.

Is it possible for the two components to fully perform their functions during operation will be the answer to our question.

Advantages

A carpet laid on a warm floor is more convenient than its stationary counterpart:

• he is mobile. Portable models are easy to move from one place to another. This is a significant plus, especially in a large family where circumstances change every day;
• easy to install. You just need to spread the electric carpet on the floor and plug the system into a power outlet;
• can change temperature. There is a thermostat for this, which is very easy to control;
• safe for the whole family. The temperature on the surface of the portable mat does not exceed 30 0. Therefore, even for small children this option is preferable to other heating systems;
• economical. The energy consumption per square meter is approximately 250 W. It should be taken into account that the larger the size of the mat, the larger the quantities we will be talking about;
• strength. The product is durable and does not wear out;
• efficiency. Efficiency is almost 90%;
• environmental friendliness. The heating device does not dry out the air, which is very important for people with allergies or asthma.

Of course, there are also disadvantages. Furniture cannot be placed on the system; it does not tolerate high pressure. In small apartments this can be critical. In addition, laying such a floor requires a prepared, flat surface.

Under what circumstances is it impossible

If the choice fell on water or electric floors as the main heating system, then a thick carpet with a large pile or carpet will reduce their efficiency. In this case, water ones will work with low efficiency, but electric ones may burn out.

The carpet will also lose its visual appeal and become deformed, especially if it is based on synthetic materials.

If you can’t imagine your life without a luxurious thick-pile wool carpet and at the same time without heated floors, the solution may be to install a rod or graphite floor. The innovative heating system is equipped with a temperature regulator and its “cooperation” with an additional coating will be successful. True, such pleasure costs a lot of money.

How can carpet save you money and keep you warm in winter?

With winter approaching and utility costs rising, choosing the right rugs for your home is a great way to stay warm and save money. Floors without proper carpeting and insulation are major sources of heat loss.

How to lay a carpet correctly: preparing the base

While a good carpet is essential to keeping your home warm during the winter, it will be more effective if you take a few other important steps beforehand.

How to lay a carpet correctly: insulate your home

It's never too late to insulate your home—homes without insulation are 70% cooler than homes with insulation, and insulation can cut heating costs by 45-55%.

How to Install Carpet: Shorten the Openings

If you add up all the openings and cracks in the average house together, they are equivalent to leaving a 1 x 1.5 meter window open 24/7! Seal all holes with good quality filler or caulking and you will see a big difference.

When is it possible

For stationary heating systems operating on water, thin carpets with reduced thermal insulation are suitable. Their material must be of high quality and natural, since temperature changes deform the product.

The situation is different with electrically powered systems. For it to work effectively, the heated surface must be almost completely open. It is acceptable to use dim small decorative or bedside rugs. Otherwise, the heating elements will burn out and the fabric covering will burn out.

Mobile floors work well with carpeting. The installation technology requires covering them with a carpet. But it will still be safer if the carpet has a medium density or is made of heat-resistant synthetics.

It is possible to solve the problem of mutual happy existence of a carpet and a warm floor. To do this, you need to listen to the advice of experts, show imagination and ingenuity.

Carpet Floor

Types and varieties

Before installing an electric heated floor, you will have to think a lot. The number of models on the market is such that it is impossible to decide on such a coating without preparation. Experts distinguish several types of heating systems:

• stationary. They are laid under a coating with high thermal conductivity. This could be ceramic tiles or special types of laminate;
• mobile. They can be placed in any place convenient for you and moved. This floor can be covered with acrylic carpets or other covering of your choice.

Obviously, a warm floor under a carpet is a mobile option. But there is one more factor that must be taken into account. This is the type of palace itself:

• warm. This type includes long-pile models with low thermal conductivity;
• decorative, whose main task is not to warm, but to decorate the apartment. These can be openwork mats or other carpet models.

Deciding what to lay something on a warm floor can only be done with the right combination of two factors - the type of covering and the type of carpet.

Famous brands

Sinplen brand products are in good demand. The model looks like a thin film, but this does not prevent it from being quite durable and reliable. On sale you can find many different products in standard sizes that will suit most customers. Their price will be about 4,000 rubles. Of course, if you wish, you can make a floor to fit the dimensions of any room, but this will cost much more.

Another well-known brand is Teplolux. The Teplolux Express series is especially popular. All products in this line are suitable for use on tile, parquet and linoleum flooring. The electric heating mat is very convenient to store and install, because its front layer is made of elastic felt, and the weight of the device does not exceed three kilograms.

The mobility of TEPLOLUX floors is made at the highest level

There are many different models of heating coating from well-known manufacturers

And despite the fact that to use such a device you do not need to have any skills or knowledge, it is still worth paying attention to the instructions for use from time to time

Infrared heated floor LamaHeat:

Installation of infrared heated floor under carpet

Warm floor CALEO (Kaleo) - video instructions for installation under linoleum and carpet

Infrared heated floors, as mentioned above, are one of the most suitable options for installation under carpet. In addition, you can install this system yourself. The covering is assembled from separate elements.

Step-by-step installation of an infrared structure under a carpet looks like this:

• preparation of the base - by repairing the existing concrete screed or installing plywood flooring;
• laying foil insulation;
• placement of film elements according to the manufacturer’s instructions;

• connecting and checking the system;
• pouring a very thin concrete screed or applying an adhesive composition;
• laying out the carpet.

At this point, work on installing the heated structure under the carpet is completed. And you get a warm and soft floor.

Warm floor under carpet on wooden floor

If there is a subfloor made of wood, and it is not permissible to increase the load on it, it is possible to install a heated floor under the carpet in a “dry” manner. It is allowed to install both water and electrical systems.

Pipes or cables are installed on a wooden floor in grooves prepared from slats. The size of the openings must be equal to the thickness of the heating elements. You can install ready-made modules on a wooden floor, into which the heater will be installed.

There is another way - grooves are cut into polystyrene foam, it will simultaneously serve as insulation and prevent heat from escaping through the subfloor. On top, this structure is covered with plywood or chipboard sheets on which the carpet will be laid.

Infrared heated floors can be laid directly on a wooden base, then covered with plywood and carpet.

For your information! To eliminate unexpected heat costs or keep them to a minimum, it is recommended to lay a foil film between the heating elements and the subfloor, which will reflect infrared rays upward.

It is possible to use carpet in combination with warm floors if the requirements for the material are properly met. The structure of the coating must have a porous and natural base. Such a product will not interfere with the passage of heat so much.

However, you will need to regularly clean the carpet to prevent dust mites from infesting it. But this drawback is compensated by the comfort of the floor at any time of the year.

Criterias of choice

Since the warm floor covering under the carpet plays an important role in heating the room, experts recommend approaching its choice with full responsibility. The following points are highlighted as priorities that need to be paid attention to:

• type of system. As the results of the analysis show, many consumers give their preference to inexpensive and practically safe IR systems;
• power indicator. When assessing this criterion, it is necessary to take into account that if the system plays the role of an auxiliary heat source, then you should not chase high power, because you will need to slightly heat the air for complete comfort;
• presence of children or elderly people. For this category of residents, the heating system becomes not only a source of thermal energy, but also a way to prevent colds;
• price. This indicator is considered important for many consumers, so before purchasing it is recommended to carefully study all the options available in stores and only then make the final choice.

Tips for choosing ITP

Before purchasing a heated floor, you need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Reliability of insulation. In the case of film ITP, it is advisable to try to delaminate the insulation yourself. If you can do this manually, the film is of poor quality. The same applies to rod heated floors. The rods should not fall out of the insulation due to simple force. In both cases, high-quality insulation can only be broken with a knife.
2. Reliability of contacts. Does not apply to the core ITP, since all contacts there are insulated and invisible. In film IHP, you must try to “break” the contact by bending the film at the junction of the conductive and heating strips.
3. Width of conductive and heating strips. The wider both elements are, the more reliable the system is and the better it heats the room.
4. Appearance. There should be no debris under the film, even the smallest. The carbon strips must have the same shape, the same size and the same structure. In addition, there should be no damage on the surface of the film: dents, punctures, cuts, cracks, and so on. All this can break the tightness of the insulation.

When choosing, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of each type of ITP. For example, it is not recommended to lay infrared film heated floors in a bathhouse, as they are susceptible to dampness. If the insulation leaks, dampness can lead to a short circuit.

Striped film flooring is not placed under massive furniture. This threatens to overheat the floor covering, which will lead to its damage. Either no ITP is installed under the furniture at all, or a carbon heated floor (film or rod) is installed.

In apartments (houses) with low ceiling heights, using a rod-based heated floor is simply irrational. It requires a screed of at least 2-3 centimeters, which will also reduce the distance between the floor and the ceiling. On the other hand, rod ITP can be laid on a slightly uneven surface, then it will be leveled using the same screed.

In a room where there are a lot of curves, bends, turns, and so on, it is better to take a carbon film floor that can be trimmed. You can also take carbon ITP, but part of the space, one way or another, will remain unfilled.

Manufacturers

Mobile floor heating systems are produced both in Russia and in Europe and China. All companies are constantly improving the designs of heating devices.

Our most popular products are domestic ones.

Teplolux Express

Teplolux (Russia) is the leader in sales of mobile floors; the most popular product is Teplolux Express. This model range is used for various flooring materials; laying laminate, carpet, linoleum, and even tiles is possible.

This type of rug has a front side made of elastic artificial felt, so it is easy to twist. The weight of the floor is about 3 kg, with a power of 300 to 560 W. The product is equipped with a wire, its length is 2.5 meters.

A huge plus is the presence of a special thermostat on which you can set the temperature for each day of the week. This allows you to save up to 70% of electricity.

NICK SINION

LLC "NIK SINION" (Russia) - produces film heating devices SinPlen, standard size 5 - 6 m2. They operate from a 220 V power supply. The power of these floors is 280 W per m2, which allows you to fully heat the room covered with a heating mat by 30%.

Trio

Specialization (Ukraine) - small mobile devices (1.8 x 0.6). These floors are effective, economical, and affordable; they are suitable for spot heating in small rooms (bathtub, balcony).

Good warmth

The main direction of the company is portable infrared floors measuring 80 by 50 cm, the power of which is 220 W. The main advantage of the brand is a huge palette of designs, a variety of colors and a variety of patterns.

The floor is economical, safe, and works even in a damp room. The product can be used for drying shoes and in rooms where vegetables are stored.

Warm house

The Viks model is popular among products.

This is a carpet mat with a colored coating on both sides, which allows it to be laid even in a damp room. Installation is simple - just lay the product down and connect it to the network.

Sinplain

Sinplen is a mobile heated floor that is in great demand among customers. It is only 0.6 ml thick, but this does not affect the quality of heating and wide temperature range. Pairs perfectly with laminate and carpet.

In addition to the standard length, the manufacturer accepts orders for custom-sized rugs.

Verdict - for or against?

Undoubtedly, a mobile floor heater has many advantages and is practically free of disadvantages. It is ideal for use on winter evenings when the house is not warm enough, it will save you from such a problem as eternally icy feet, and in general, such a heated mat is necessary for every family with small children. Kids often play on the floor, and sometimes even fall asleep on it, and to avoid colds, experts strongly recommend placing a mobile heater under the carpet.

In conclusion, I would just like to note that, unlike a stationary heated floor, its mobile version can be moved from room to room or taken to the dacha or work, it is completely safe, very compact and light in weight. If, if a classic heated floor malfunctions, you have to dismantle the floor covering, then with a mobile heater everything is much simpler - significant savings on your finances.

If you have settled on this option for heated floors, then the most important thing is to make the right choice, which largely depends on the brand. The manufacturers described above have been on the market for a long time and have established themselves as some of the best in terms of high quality products.

Review of film heated floors (2 videos)

Various products (42 photos)

Warm carpets: wool carpet

Wool rug has been a functional and decorative addition to interior design for thousands of years. Here are some good reasons why:

• This is an exceptional insulator; it adds heat and reduces heating costs.
• It is a natural air conditioner that removes moisture from the air when it is humid and releases it when conditions are dry.
• Wool carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs among building materials used in home construction and interior design.
• A wool carpet significantly reduces annoying noise.
• Wool is naturally antistatic and fireproof.
• Wool carpet looks good and feels great underfoot.

How warm is a wool rug? Can it save energy and money?

Anyone who has ever worn a wool sweater, shirt or socks knows how well wool retains body heat. At the same time, it is breathable; therefore moisture is not absorbed inside. This makes the material a good, comfortable insulator for your body. The same principle applies to your floors through wool carpeting, this method will help you keep the heat in the walls of your room.

Technically speaking, a wool carpet will reduce the heat transfer between floors and the air space of a room by 50% compared to most other types of flooring. This thermal resistance, measured as R-value, can lead to energy savings.

How to measure the insulating ability of a wool carpet? The R-value of a carpet depends mainly on its thickness. The thicker the carpet, the higher R-values ​​and better insulation it provides. Wool ranks highest in R-values ​​when compared to other synthetic carpets of equal thickness.

What types of carpet are there?

A natural carpet can be made from felt, wool, cotton, silk. These materials are hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, do not emit harmful substances when heated and do not fade in the sun. A synthetic carpet is made of acrylic, polyester, microfiber, and velor. Thanks to modern technologies, the appearance of artificial material is practically no different from natural material. But it differs in its properties. The starting materials for synthetic fabrics are products of oil and gas processing. When heated, they melt and emit a specific odor. It's not environmentally friendly. Also, artificial carpets can fade in the sun. But in general they are less durable than natural ones.