Warm electric floor under vinyl laminate. Is it possible to lay vinyl laminate flooring on heated floors?

The times when the choice of flooring types was limited to natural wood or stone are long gone. Whether this event happened, unfortunately, or fortunately, users who set out to change the floor covering in their home have to figure it out from their own experience. The modern market of construction and finishing materials offers a wide range of materials. One of these modern materials - vinyl laminate.

Judging by the description, this is a unique material that has only positive qualities: wear resistance, beauty, ease of installation and maintenance, low price and health benefits. Is it really?

What is vinyl laminate?

To try to make the right choice in favor of vinyl flooring, let's take a closer look at what kind of material it is.

History page: Vinyl chloride was synthesized at the beginning of the 19th century, in 1872 Eugene Baumann obtained vinyl chloride polymer (PVC), and by 1912 it was mastered industrial production PVC. It began to be actively used by the 1930s, and in the post-war period the real triumphal march of polyvinyl chloride began. This polymer is widely used in a variety of fields. In particular, it has found great use in construction industry. One of the directions is the production of decorative finishing coatings.

Vinyl laminate is commonly called flooring made from polyvinyl chloride. Available for sale various options- in the form of square or rectangular tiles of different sizes, plates, their dimensions close to the boards of the usual laminate, as well as in large format sheets. The most common tile sizes are 300x150, 300x300, 200x200, 490x490 mm.

Vinyl laminate has dimensions of 191x1316, 324x655 mm. Distinctive feature The material is small in thickness - it does not exceed 5 mm. This quality allows you to use vinyl laminate over old flooring without reducing the height of the room.

Varieties and features

In addition to the size and coating, the vinyl tiles on sale differ in the installation method:

• With a lock. The interlocking joints of vinyl laminate flooring are similar to the interlocking joints of regular laminate flooring. The locking connection allows installation quickly and simply, significantly increasing the speed of work. The lock design allows the coating to be used in a temperature range from 0 to 40°C;
• Laying with glue. Used for installation special types adhesives for PVC. The tile is glued to a base coated with adhesive mastic. This method installation is not very popular for self-installation;
• Panels with adhesive layer. On the underside of the panels there is an adhesive layer protected with paper. Perfectly attaches tiles to flat substrates, allowing you to lay flooring on old ceramic tiles or linoleum. The disadvantage of this method of laying the coating is the inability to remove the tiles and rearrange them if there is an error in laying;
• Tiles with adhesive tape. Another option for adhesive-backed vinyl tiles is the adhesive-lock panel variety. The slats are designed in the same way as laminate boards - there is a lock around the perimeter. But the connection is not made mechanically, but using adhesive smart tape.

Vinyl tiles come in flexible and rigid types. To lay a rigid one, an almost perfectly level base is required, because if there are significant differences, the panel may crack.

And, of course, all wide range The offered vinyl products are distinguished by good design. In addition to standard multi-colored options, quite successful designs are offered that imitate natural materials - stone and wood.

Modern technologies make it possible not only to reproduce in detail the pattern of marble or the texture of a wooden board, but also to complement the visual perception with tactile sensations - vinyl laminate boards have the relief texture of natural wood.

Just like MDF-based laminate, vinyl laminate has a multi-layer structure. The basis is a layer of polyvinyl chloride, which gives the product the necessary flexibility or rigidity. The second layer also consists of PVC, only this layer is soft and has reinforcement, for example, with fiberglass. Next comes the base layer, which gives the board or panel its strength. It consists of the same polyvinyl chloride, only with mineral additives. Fine quartz sand can be used as an additive. A decorative paper covering with a texture pattern is glued onto the base layer. The very last layer is a protective polyurethane layer that protects the decorative coating from damage.

Advantages and disadvantages of vinyl covering

Every the new kind emerging building materials are praised by manufacturers as the most wear-resistant, beautiful, and, most importantly, safe. In reality, things are usually not as smooth and rosy as in advertising brochures. First, let's look at positive sides material.

Vinyl laminate is usually advertised by manufacturers as:

• durable, wear-resistant coating that is scratch-resistant and can withstand furniture pressure;
• durable in use - manufacturers talk about the service life of vinyl flooring up to forty years;
• easy to maintain - easy to clean;
• moisture resistant – can be used in rooms with high humidity;
• finishing material with a variety of designs;
• easy to install with the ability to disassemble the coating with a locking connection and assemble it in another place;
• environmentally friendly coating, which is approved for use in children's and medical institutions;
• fireproof material;
• economical floor finishing material;

Even without examining the disadvantages of vinyl laminate, you can criticize the listed advantages:

• When cutting vinyl panels, do not use any other cutting tool except for the knife. If the material can be easily cut with a regular knife, is it as resistant to scratches, chips and gouges as the manufacturers claim?

Important! According to some reviews, chips on the coating appear a month after the start of use. It is not recommended to lay the coating near stoves and heating appliances. Vinyl flooring also leaves marks from cigarette butts or hot objects. Floor coverings made from natural materials are not only more resistant to mechanical stress, but are also absolutely repairable - ordinary parquet can be cycled and varnished, resulting in new floors for decades to come. Vinyl tiles that are worn out or cracked will need to be replaced. And the need for repairs will be required quite quickly;

• The coating is not resistant to solvents and some household chemicals. On contact with rubber it may start chemical reaction, leading to the appearance of spots and discoloration of the pattern;
• The moisture resistance of the coating is relative: by itself, the surface of the tile, naturally, does not allow water to pass through at all. But it can penetrate into the seams if a coating with an interlocking connection is used;
• Simplicity and speed of installation is achieved only under ideal conditions for preparing the base - installing a level subfloor using levelers. Therefore, advertisers are disingenuous, assuring that laying vinyl laminate flooring with a locking joint is as simple as the children's designer– to simply and quickly lay thin vinyl panels, it may take systematic work over the course of a month to create a perfectly even screed. Any unevenness will cause cracks in the hard tiles, or bending around the bulges in the flexible vinyl laminate. Although reviews from professionals about vinyl laminate are quite positive: it is much less capricious and demanding to install compared to conventional MDF coating. The ability to assemble, disassemble and reassemble the floor covering is also questionable - this quality of the material plays a positive role only in the minds of marketers. In practice, we have not had to deal with such a need as using the old coating in another place;
• The variety of designs of artificial floor coverings is indeed very great, and the possibilities for creating a high-quality imitation of the pattern of natural wood or stone modern industry quite significant. But is it worth it to imitate it well? natural materials for a price higher than the cost of natural wooden parquet?
• Manufacturers are actively introducing the idea of ​​the low cost of artificial finishing materials into the minds of buyers. But if you really try to conduct marketing research on the market for finishing materials, it turns out that the price of vinyl laminate may be even more than that of piece natural oak parquet;
• Vinyl coating actually refers to materials that do not support combustion, and therefore are not dangerous from the point of view of fire. But when heated, the material releases toxic chlorine-containing substances and compounds;

Environmental friendliness of vinyl laminate

The environmental friendliness of this material is most questionable. Even quartz-vinyl laminate can hardly be called environmentally friendly, only because the material contains natural quartz sand.

In the production of polyvinyl chloride, phthalates – salts of phthalic acid – are widely used. They are used to impart softness and flexibility to plastic products. Phthalates are popular in any plastic production because they are cheap. When added to the polymer mass, phthalates do not bind to the polymer molecules, and over time diffuse into the surrounding air.

This process occurs constantly, so manufacturers’ assurances that bad influence vinyl wears off within two weeks after laying the flooring, and it is quite simple to intensively ventilate the room after the renovation is completed, but this is unfounded. It is because of the evaporation of phthalates that plastic products become brittle over time - phthalic acid salts evaporate from the structure of the plastic, and the bond of the polymers is broken. The intense smell of the new coating does fade over time, but the process of releasing phthalates from PVC does not stop. Just the intensity of the smell of a new product indicates that a lot of substance is evaporating from the surface of the coating.

Important! Phthalates are not excreted in the human body, but accumulate. What leads to endocrine disruption, reproductive system, especially in boys, pathologies in the liver and kidneys. Constant exposure of the human body to phthalates can lead to oncological diseases, development of asthma, infertility in men and women, suppression of male sexual characteristics in boys (failure of the testicles to descend into the scrotum, underdevelopment of the penis, formation of behavior typical of girls).

In the future, children of both sexes will experience absent-minded attention syndrome and problems with self-control. Scientists believe that one of the causes of obesity in children is the effect of these substances.

Quartz vinyl tiles are a facing material in the manufacture of which several layers are used. The finished material has a reinforced layer, which is created using fiberglass. Thanks to him, it is possible to obtain a single whole canvas. During production, hot pressing is used, there are no harmful components.

The composition of quartz vinyl tiles can be called unique. This is a floor covering made from river sand and shell rock. They are present in the composition up to 70%. The composition also contains PVC, which is not harmful environment and human health.

Description

Before purchasing a quartz vinyl board, you need to familiarize yourself with the structure of this material. Several layers are used in its manufacture:

All presented layers are fastened using a special technology using PVC. It is an adhesive component and is completely harmless. Its presence in the finishing material improves performance. The thickness of the tiles can reach 1.6-4 mm. For selection best material for flooring should be read.

On video - quartz vinyl floor tiles:

Advantages and disadvantages

Quartz vinyl tiles are one of the most popular finishing materials today. And this demand is associated with the following advantages:

1. Layer structure. Tiles are environmentally friendly flooring materials. Under the influence of moisture and high temperatures it does not emit components harmful to the human body. The material is also 100% resistant to moisture, so the tiles can be used when laying in the kitchen and bathroom.
2. When comparing quartz vinyl tiles with laminate, they have a wear resistance class of 32.
3. Ease of installation and practicality of cladding. It is very easy to care for tiles using liquid household detergents.
4. Quartz vinyl tiles– This is a flammable and fireproof material. It has no static electricity, so it is completely antistatic.
5. If you install a backing underneath the tiles, then the resulting finish will have excellent thermal conductivity. In addition, vinyl material has high thermal conductivity. Therefore, tiles can be used to cover the base on which the heated floor was installed.
6. Long service life. It is 25 years old. Since the material contains no plasticizers or foaming agents, it does not deform under the influence of high temperatures and humidity. Consequently, there will be no air spaces between the cladding elements, which is extremely important. The tiles can be laid end-to-end against walls or plumbing fixtures.
7. Quartz vinyl tiles- This is a finishing material that belongs to the category of soundproofing. It is capable of muffling shocks and noises up to 19 dB.
8. The tile surface can be repaired. It is very easy to dismantle one tile and install a new one; each person can do all the work independently without any outside help.

On video, interlocking quartz vinyl floor tiles:

The disadvantages of quartz vinyl tiles include:

1. The tiles are installed on a cement base. For fastening, special adhesives are used, thanks to which the material holds for a long time and firmly.
2. Quartz vinyl tiles will be cool in a room where concrete serves as the base.
3. After laying the slab, cracks may appear, which cannot be said about rolled materials. In addition, these gaps will lighten and become more noticeable over time.
4. Before using quartz vinyl tiles, the floor surface should be leveled. If this is not done, then all the defects will be noticeable, especially if the tile is thin.

But how long does it take for a cement floor screed to dry under tiles and how to determine the correct time frame is described in this

Installation

The installation process begins with properly preparing the base. It should be strong and even. To achieve this result, it is necessary to screed using cement or self-leveling mixtures based on polymers.

If the base is wooden, then the leveling process will have to be done using sheets or chipboards. A flat surface must be treated with a primer and checked for moisture. The last criterion should not be higher than 5%. Special glue is used to attach the plates. If this is not the case, then installation can be done using a dispersion adhesive composition. But what it is and how to calculate it yourself is indicated here in the article.

In the video, quartz vinyl tiles on a warm water floor:

Prepare glue following instructions. Apply to the surface using a notched trowel. At the same time, make sure that the layer is uniform. After applying the glue, wait a while so that it can acquire adhesive strength. As a rule, this will take 10 minutes. The slabs are produced in two types: squares and rectangles. Sizes may vary.

The installation process can be carried out along the room, as is the case with laminate flooring. And if you use square tiles, then they will have to be placed along a line that is parallel to the length of the wall.

According to a number of experts, quartz vinyl tiles and heated floors are not a very rational combination. Constant thermal exposure of the material can lead to accelerated wear. In addition, it itself is quite warm. Such arguments should be taken into account, but if you think that the house needs additional heating, feel free to start choosing a heating system. When the installation is carried out taking into account all the manufacturer’s requirements, this will not significantly affect the service life of the quartz vinyl coating. But the level of comfort will increase significantly.

What kind of coating is this

The basis of this relatively new PVC material on the domestic market is quartz sand, from which 60 to 80% of the product is formed. Quartz vinyl tiles for heated floors boast the highest strength and durability, are not afraid of moisture, fire and are practically not erased. Externally, it can look like any modern coating, from laminate to granite or marble. The product is multilayer and consists of the following components:

1. Transparent polyurethane that protects the surface from deformation and scratches.
2. Decorative film that gives the material texture.
3. The main layer of quartz vinyl, providing proper strength and stability.
4. Fiberglass reinforcement.
5. Vinyl layer responsible for balance.

Laying heated floors

Warm floors under quartz vinyl tiles can be either electric (cable, film) or water. The main thing that working temperature did not exceed the level specified by the coating manufacturer. When it comes to installing heating for a private home, a pipe system is often installed.

Installation of a water structure

The easiest way is to lay pipes on a concrete screed. If the old surface is fairly flat, you don’t have to fill in a new layer, but limit yourself to eliminating defects building materials. Insulating material is spread over the entire heated area. The pipes are pulled around the room in a “snail” or “snake” manner, observing the step indicated in the installation diagram, after which they are fixed to the base. The system is tested and filled with finishing screed. Once the concrete has completely set, you can begin laying the material.

If it is not possible to lay a heated floor under a vinyl laminate on a cement base, there is an option to fix the pipes on a wooden surface. The contour is placed in channels specially made on the boards and covered with plywood boards on top. For an electrical cable, this option is not suitable due to the requirements fire safety. When it comes to heating an apartment, water equipment is contraindicated here.

Electrical systems installation

Obtain permission to install floor pipes in multi-storey building With central heating it is almost impossible. You will have to choose between a cable (“bare” or built into mats) and infrared film. In the first case, the installation is carried out according to the “pipe” scheme: the base is leveled, insulation is spread, the cable is laid out, fixed and connected to the thermostat, tested, and covered with a screed.

If you choose film heated flooring under a vinyl floor, you only need to carefully lay the material and connect it to the thermostat correctly. The tiles can be installed without any “intermediaries”, directly on the surface. For such an installation, products with a locking connection should be used. In other cases, it is easier and cheaper to fix with glue. More useful information information on this topic can be found on our website.

Is it possible to lay tiles on an IR heated floor (infrared heated floor)?

An infrared film heated floor can be laid under a quartz-vinyl Fine Floor, provided that soft foam substrates are not used, which decrease in thickness under the influence of a vertical local load (for example, from the cabinet legs). Here we take into account that quartz-vinyl flooring does not distribute the load and transfers it entirely to the base. Manufacturers of heated floors recommend laying a thick soft foil backing in order to avoid unnecessary heat losses on an uninsulated screed and hide wires and terminals in it without gating.
Application is possible if you replace the thick substrate:

1. On a thin cork technical substrate with an additional layer of foil membrane and deepen the wires and terminals.
2. Without the use of a backing, on an insulated screed with a recess for wires and terminals. In this case, heat losses increase, but the “warm floor” is protected from overheating and burnout.
3. On the foil membrane, in this case infrared radiation will be reflected inside the room.

What is the thermal conductivity of quartz vinyl tiles Fine Floor?

Thermal conductivity of the tile R = 0.25 W/m*K, this indicator characterizes the thermal insulation properties, for us the more important is the thermal conductivity indicator, which shows how quickly the material conducts heat through itself, and the thermal conductivity of quartz vinyl corresponds to wood such as ash, which is why when touched we feel thermal comfort to the surface of the tile.

How long after laying Fine Floor tiles can the “warm floors” be turned on?

Not earlier than 24 hours when installing adhesive quartz vinyl.
Immediately the field of installation of free-standing interlocking quartz vinyl.

How to properly install film heated floors under FineFloor flooring and what should be used?

Base: concrete screed.
1. We lay out the heated floor carpets on the screed and mark with a marker the places where they are joined. In the marked areas we make recesses to hide all the wires and terminals in them.
2. We make holes and remove debris.
3 Lay the film floor. Wires and terminals must be hidden in pre-prepared recesses in the screed and filled with one-component polyurethane sealant to create a smooth surface.
4. Lay Fine Floor according to the instructions.

You can arrange furniture immediately after installation, avoiding installing furniture above heated floor mats.

What underfloor heating systems are suitable for FineFloor vinyl tiles?

Fine Floor flooring is suitable for any “warm floor” systems that do not require a thick foam underlay. The temperature on the floor surface is regulated by SanPiN standards and is 27-28 O C. Heating the tiles to higher temperatures is possible, but it must be taken into account that the tiles become more plastic and their technical specifications that the adhesive tiles, while thermally expanding, do not move into the thermal gaps, but the free-lying interlocking tiles move, so the thermal gaps near the walls in this case must be observed.

The floor is a part of the interior for which characteristics such as practicality and durability are especially important.

If you want to install not just stylish, beautiful, but reliable and high quality flooring, Then vinyl laminate flooring is ideal for you.
It appeared on the market not so long ago, but has managed to become the most popular among other floor coverings.

Composition and structure

The main criterion for the strength of this material is vinyl, which is used to treat the base in order to increase wear resistance.

The laminate plank consists of two layers: protective and lower.

Top protective layer usually made from polyurethane or aluminum oxide.
This layer gives the surface an aesthetic appearance like stone, wood or parquet; it can also imitate the appearance of leather, sand in three-dimensional quality.

Bottom layer, also known as the base, is made of vinyl, which is the key to the strength of this type of floor.
The thickness of the vinyl layer is about 0.5 mm.

Between these layers passes the middle is in the form of stone chips, and is also issued substrate made of vinyl as an additional stabilizing layer.

Advantages and disadvantages

Due to its multi-layer nature, vinyl laminate is in many ways superior to other types of coatings, and this is what makes it different. Not only this “sandwich” structure, but also the materials from which the floor is made help it withstand large loads, including heavy sports equipment, furniture.

It is also important that the coating withstands moisture, detergents and non-slip. Resistant to possible damage. It is important to note that such a floor initially has sound and heat insulating qualities due to its composition.

Plus, when the vinyl heats up will not emit harmful substances.

Laying will also greatly benefit from other coverings - vinyl tiles are easily separated, which allows you to lay them evenly next to each other.

Let's summarize by collecting all the advantages of vinyl laminate:

• strength;

Strength quartz vinyl tiles due to the inclusion of up to 80% quartz sand in its composition and reinforcement with fiberglass.

• durability;

The tile is poorly abraded and scratched, so it is considered durable.

• sound insulation;
• thermal insulation;

Possessing good thermal insulation properties, this material is widely used for the manufacture of heated floors.

• wear resistance;

Vinyl laminate contains mineral chips or quartz sand, which ensures high wear resistance of the material. Usually correspond to class 34-43.

• ease of care;

The tile is characterized by antibacterial and antiseptic properties; it is easy to clean, which makes it easy to care for.

• original design, big choice coatings;

The original design of the outer surface of the material makes it possible to create an imitation of ceramics, parquet, and granite.

• ease of installation;

This floor will look great in any room and is easy to maintain. Vinyl laminate, unlike the conventional type, safe for health, so it is recommended and widely used in schools, hospitals, kindergartens and other preschool institutions.

In addition, due to its moisture resistance, vinyl laminate, like no other, is suitable for use in rooms with high humidity. This could be a swimming pool, a gym, some kind of basement, and even a bathroom or bathhouse.
Vinyl laminate disadvantages but do they exist? It is difficult to identify problems with such a floor covering, so we will only note its cost. It is several times higher than the price of both conventional laminate and coatings made of other materials.

In addition, there is one trick that not all users know. Although stain resistant, in contact with rubber, the floor begins to lose its color. A chemical reaction occurs that can permanently change the color of the floor.

Any rubber mat is contraindicated for this floor. The heel of a rubber shoe can cause similar damage to the surface.

As already mentioned, the service life of vinyl coating is much higher than any other and is more than 25 years. But, despite such a long period, any thing is prone to wear and tear. Direct sunlight can lead to fading and significant lightening of the floor, therefore, if the vinyl laminate has served you for a long time, yellowing will inevitably appear on it.

And yet, despite the vinyl, it is still laminate. And like anyone else he is not a fireproof material.

If vinyl laminate does not emit harmful substances when heated slightly, it becomes toxic when it catches fire. Therefore, it is not recommended to place it in the kitchen and other areas with an increased risk of fire.

Kinds

Vinyl laminate is easiest to immediately divide into two types: according to installation method and composition.

The installation method can be of two types: using glue or a locking system.

Adhesive

Not the most popular type of laminate. It is rarely found in stores, installation is extremely difficult, there are no special devices, and the glue itself is also a rare find for such purposes. But if you still find and use good glue, it will adhere so tightly that such a coating is no longer afraid of moisture and damage.

The coating becomes perfectly smooth and durable.

But there is a catch here too. If one laminate panel is damaged, then it can no longer be replaced.
Replacing the panel will cause damage to other areas of the floor, the edges will be damaged and all this will ultimately lead to the need to replace the entire floor.

The demand for the self-adhesive type is small, so it is more profitable for manufacturers to completely abandon supplies with adhesive joints.

Castle

Much more popular than adhesive and is the most common. First of all, because such a floor can be repeatedly disassemble or rebuild, if one tile is damaged.

No installation required large quantity tools, usually these are:

• roulette;
• square;
• pencil;
• hacksaw;
• circular or carpenter saw;
• hammer and electric drill.

Everything is the same as when laying the adhesive coating.

Material with a locking system may have click and lock connections.

The first is a collapsible lock, and the second consists of latch locks. If compared with adhesive, then locking susceptible to moisture.

Laminate with increased level strength is quartz vinyl laminate. Quartz gives this coating a special hardness.

Its production occurs through hot pressing, which contributes to a more dense laying of all layers, the top of which is aesthetically pleasing polyurethane.

According to the manufacturing method and composition, vinyl laminate is also divided into vinyl-PVC.
In addition to layers of vinyl, resin, stabilizers and plastic, such tiles contain an additional layer of PVC that protects the floor from a variety of damage and environmental influences.

Laying

Installing vinyl laminate flooring is essentially no different from installing regular laminate flooring. main feature– lightness and simplicity.

Vinyl floor has Can be installed on any old surface made of ceramics, concrete or linoleum.
The process is divided into stages

1. The base for installation is carefully leveled and putty is applied.
2. The surface is cleaned of moisture, dust and dirt. The material itself is cleaned using the same system and kept indoors for about two days.
3. Before installation begins, the room temperature is checked. It should be no lower than +18 degrees.
4. Section of the planks. The laminate planks are separated using a hacksaw or scissors. After separating the boards, special glue is applied to them.
5. Laying begins from the corner of the room; the planks should be connected at an angle of 45 degrees.

Very fast installation. Just a few hours.

It is also important not to forget about the deviation of the planks from the wall by 4-5 mm. Everything is carefully checked for possible cracks and uneven joints.

The same applies to laying interlocking laminate. First, the panels are joined at the specified angle, then lightly pressing downwards are snapped into place.

At the end of the work, the floor is once again checked for unevenness and the strength of the connection of the planks. To do this, it is best to use a special rolling roller.