Which warm floor is better for tiles: pros and cons of various solutions + review of the best manufacturers

Tile is considered an almost ideal floor covering. It can last for more than a decade.The material is not afraid of dampness, chemically active substances, and copes well with mechanical loads.

Another advantage is the ability to install almost any type of underfloor heating underneath it. Let's figure out what criteria to use to choose a warm floor for tiles - which one is best suited for a private house and apartment.

What influences the choice of heated floors?

To help you choose a heated floor for tiles, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

• Functions. The power and, accordingly, the type of underfloor heating depend on whether the system will be primary, additional or alternative. If the heated floor is intended for additional heating, the choice is wider.
• Screed. It is necessary to decide whether a concrete screed will be used when installing the floor. The issue of its thickness may also be fundamentally important, especially if we are talking about a room with a low ceiling.
• Type of living space. If in private houses almost any solution is acceptable, then owners of apartments in high-rise buildings are often limited in the choice of heating systems.
• The cost of the system itself and its operation. Cheap equipment is not always the most economical. When choosing a heated floor, you should take into account everything: the cost of materials, the complexity of installation, the consumption and price of energy resources.

In any case, it is better to put a warm floor under the tiles, because the material is very cold to the touch and it is unpleasant to stand on it.

However, the type of system should be chosen wisely. It must fully perform its functions and use resources rationally.

A water floor is a profitable solution. Although installation of the system is labor-intensive, and materials are expensive, these costs and efforts pay off thanks to the extremely rational use of resources

When choosing a system, you must also take into account the features of its maintenance and repair. It is advisable to have easy access to the equipment in case of breakdown.

Pros and cons of different types of systems

In hardware and construction stores you can purchase the following types of heated floors:

• water;
• electrical;
• electric-water.

Moreover, electric-water systems have appeared recently, so it is still difficult to judge their effectiveness and durability. But electric and water heating are time-tested. The pros and cons of these floors are well known.

We propose to consider in detail all the options for underfloor heating, compare their advantages, disadvantages, and limitations in the scope of application. This will make it easier to choose a suitable heated floor for the tiles, taking into account the operating conditions, type and purpose of the premises.

Option #1: water floor heating

A water floor is a system of pipelines with coolant, which is located between a concrete or wood base and the finished floor covering. The heated water enters the pipes either directly from the boiler or from the central heating.

Polymer and metal pipes are suitable for water systems, but products of the first type are increasingly being chosen. This is due to the greater durability of pipelines and their resistance to corrosion

You should not choose a water system for an apartment in a multi-story building. This is due to the inconvenience that may arise due to connection to centralized heating, and the possible consequences of accidents. The risks are too great. But for private houses there are no such restrictions.

Although it is not advisable to install water floors in high-rise buildings, owners of apartments located on the first floors can afford this luxury and connect to the return pipe (approval required)

Water systems are economical. Their installation allows you to reduce energy consumption by 20-30%, and in rooms with high ceilings - up to 50-60%. This becomes possible due to the fact that the temperature of the coolant in the pipes does not exceed 30-50°C. If the ceiling height in the house is higher than standard, then the air is not fully heated: 2-2.5 m above the floor level.

In a private house, two heating circuits are often connected. The water is heated in the boiler, passes through the radiators, and then enters the underfloor heating pipeline. This allows for the most efficient use of resources and maximum returns.

The design of a water floor is complex and is a multi-layered cake. Moreover, at each stage of installation you have to carefully carry out the work, otherwise accidents and leaks are possible. If this happens, the floors will have to be ripped out for repairs.

Properly installed water floors become a reliable and efficient source of heat. Ideally, they should complement or duplicate the main heating system. Another nuance: in order for the heating to be uniform and stable, you will have to take care of high-quality thermal insulation.

Option #2: electrical cable

Cable floors do not require any special care or maintenance, unlike hydronic systems. They can be installed in country houses or cottages where people do not live permanently, but visit them on weekends and holidays.

It is necessary to pour antifreeze liquid into the pipes of water floors so that the system does not freeze during severe frosts.It is also advisable to clean the coolant. There are no such problems with the cable.

The efficiency of cable electric floors reaches 100%, which cannot be achieved when installing water systems, which have additional heat loss when moving heated water through the pipeline

When installing cable floors, the height of the room from floor to ceiling decreases slightly, because The thickness of the screed can be minimal. On average, the thickness of the “pie” of a warm electric floor does not exceed 5 cm. The weight of the cable is much less than that of pipes. Accordingly, the load on the floor slabs is reduced.

To operate a cable electric floor, a connection to a 220 V network is sufficient, but the quality of the wiring is of fundamental importance. The power of the equipment is about 80 - 150 W/m2, and the electrical network in the house must withstand the additional load. This limits the use of electric heating systems in rooms with old wiring: it will have to be changed.

You can reduce the load on the network, save on bills and achieve optimal temperature in any weather using thermostats that control the operation of the system

Under favorable conditions, the service life of the cable can reach half a century. The design is simple, reliable, and does not require special maintenance. This is due to the absence of rubbing parts that could fail. There are cases where the electrical system worked without any problems for 62 years - in the Oslo Cathedral. It was dismantled in working order when replacing the worn out coating.

Cable flooring under tiles is an excellent solution for apartments and private houses. An electric system consumes more resources than a water one and is more expensive to operate, but has its own undeniable advantages.

Option #3: heating mats

This is still the same cable floor, but in a more convenient form: the wire is fixed on a special mesh (width 50 cm, length up to 30 m). The use of mats significantly speeds up the installation of the electrical system. They can not be laid on the entire floor, but only on the part that needs heating, bypassing the areas where furniture or plumbing will be installed.

Single- and double-core cables are used in heating mats. Products of the first type are cheaper, and the second are safer, because... during their operation there is no radiation of an electromagnetic field. Both types of thermomats are easy to install and do not reduce the distance to the ceiling (mesh thickness is about 3 mm).

To install a thermomat, you do not need any special skills: it is enough to be able to handle simple tools and strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions

Thermal mats are an ideal solution for heated floors under tiles. This system is as simple and effective as a cable system, and its installation requires a minimum of effort.

Option #4: film systems

Film systems operate by emitting energy in the infrared spectrum. They heat up opaque objects, incl. flooring. The main advantage of the film is that the temperature of the heating rods themselves almost does not increase, i.e. no unnecessary energy consumption. When the top covering heats up, the heat rises 2-2.5 m. The most comfortable zone is below, near the feet.

The system is simple. It consists of a polymer heating film about 0.4 mm thick, a temperature sensor, and a thermostat. An electric current is applied to the graphite strips and they generate infrared radiation.

The sensor is a rod or plate made of two welded metal elements.Depending on the type, it can be remote or located between the heaters

When heated to the set temperature, the sensor is activated, and the thermostat controls the operation of the heated floor. The ease of use of the system largely depends on the type of thermostat chosen.

Some models are real mini-computers that can be programmed to operate in a certain mode for a long period of time - for a week, two or a month.

When a film heating system operates, an electromagnetic field is generated, but it is very weak and has virtually no effect on humans

Despite all the advantages of infrared film, it is better not to lay it under tiles or choose it with carbon heaters, because bimetal will not work. Due to poor adhesion of the film to the tile adhesive, problems arise: the system does not work efficiently.

Due to the thin film thickness, the underfloor heating system takes up minimal space. Installation is simple and does not require the use of expensive tools and complex technologies

Difficulties with the quality of adhesion of glue and heated floors can be solved: you can lay a fine-mesh fiberglass mesh or lay gypsum fiber board sheets, and tiles on top of them. This will improve the situation somewhat. However, then a logical question arises: is it worth overpaying for materials and investing more effort in installation if you can simply choose heating mats or a cable system.

Option #5: electric-water heating

This heating is a system of pipes made of structured polyethylene with a diameter of about 2 cm. Antifreeze is poured into them and a seven-core chrome-nickel heating cable with Teflon coating is laid. The pipeline is laid in a concrete screed.If it is damaged, antifreeze will appear on the surface of the coating, marking the location of the breakdown. This makes it very easy to diagnose and repair underfloor heating.

On average, electric water floors consume about 14.4 W/m2. The system is controlled by a thermostat, which turns on the heating after the temperature drops. Since antifreeze cools very slowly, energy consumption is low

The heating element gives off heat to the antifreeze, which boils almost instantly. Due to this, the floor warms up very quickly, after which it maintains the temperature for a long time. This system allows you to consume a minimum of electricity with maximum efficiency. It is resistant to overheating, so it can be safely mounted under furniture and rearranged.

What type of heating should you choose?

Heating mats, water and electric water floors are best suited for tiles. The cable system option is worth considering if you have the skills to install such floors yourself or you can order such a service for a reasonable price. It is worth remembering that problems may arise with diagnosing and repairing breakdowns.

A water floor is a relatively cheap heating option. If it is possible to connect the heating circuit to a gas boiler, you can provide economical floor heating. If you have to use electricity, it is better to give preference to an electric-water system

Film infrared floors are considered the worst solution, despite their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. They are perfect for installation under laminate, but do not “get along” well with tiles. Experts advise choosing a different, more practical heating option.

TOP 9 best manufacturers of heated floors

There are many good manufacturers of heated floors, but when choosing a heating system, it makes sense to buy not just a good one, but the best one and at a reasonable price. Domestic ratings are topped by the following brands:

1. Thermo;
2. Rehau;
3. Caleo;
4. Ensto;
5. Energy;
6. Unimat;
7. Devi;
8. "Teplolux";
9. "National Comfort".

These brands have proven themselves to be excellent. Their products undergo strict multi-stage quality control, and there are practically no complaints from customers.

All of these market leaders are deservedly popular. Another important plus: the systems are really inexpensive and economical.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

All heated floors have features that manufacturers do not mention.We offer useful video tutorials and reviews. Thanks to them, you can choose the right system that is suitable specifically for your operating conditions.

Video instructions for choosing the best electric floor:

Video tutorial on laying tiles on an installed heated floor:

The main disadvantages of different types of electric floors:

Which warm floor is better for tiles can only be determined by the owner of the room. Only he knows everything about the operating conditions of the system, the intensity of its operation, and the desired temperature conditions. General recommendations are not suitable for everyone, so it is worth taking the time to choose the best heating option. The reward for your efforts will be warmth, comfort and savings in the future.