Particularly in the winter months, heated floors may create an exceptionally warm and inviting atmosphere in a house. A few crucial steps must be taken when laying these systems within screeds to guarantee their long-term durability and optimal performance. This post will examine the procedure for putting heated floors inside screeds, emphasizing the important tools and methods that are used.
We will dissect the procedure, beginning with the floor’s initial preparation and concluding with the screed covering the system. Gaining an understanding of each phase will enable you to plan ahead and make the best choices for your heated floor installation. Regardless of whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or hiring pros, this guide will provide insightful advice on how to make your house feel cozy and inviting.
- Functions and features of screed for heated floors
- Varieties of compositions for laying the system
- Features of installing an electric floor
- Technology of working with a cable
- Laying heating mats
- General procedure for installing a warm floor
- Pouring the screed and installing the system
- Video on the topic
- Installation of a warm floor without a screed. Apartment renovation Omsk.
- Do-it-yourself installation of a warm floor based on a heating cable
- Warm floor Heating mat or cable
- WARM WATER FLOOR 🔴 Marking. Installation. Connection.
Functions and features of screed for heated floors
Among the many uses for heated floor screed, the following are particularly noteworthy:
- Complete protection of the heating system from various types of influences that can lead to damage to the structure.
- Proper distribution of generated heat over the surface, as well as increasing the efficiency of heating the entire room.
- Obtaining the required level of base for laying decorative facing materials.
- There is no need to use bulky heating elements, which significantly reduce the area of the object or spoil the appearance.
Thus, a sensible solution that contributes to the creation of comfortable living conditions is a heated floor situated within a screed. However, several conditions need to be considered:
- Thickness of the poured layer. Location of the heating system at the wrong depth levels out the desired effect and creates numerous problems. That is why all work is divided into two successive stages: formation of a rough and finished surface, between which the electric element will be located. But with minimal deviations of the base, only one layer is poured.
- Type and kind of the applied screed. This is what the technology used depends on.
- Precise observance of all the nuances in the preparation of the mixture and the stages of its pouring. The created structure can have several different layers: insulation, waterproofing, reinforcement.
- Safety. Electric floors and water systems require great care and caution. Correct installation of elements is of great importance.
A satisfactory, dependable, and long-lasting outcome depends on the harmonious coexistence of all the factors.
Varieties of compositions for laying the system
Depending on their features, different types of compositions are used in different situations to install underfloor heating in screed.
The most chosen choices are:
- Concrete with the addition of a fine-grained filler. This solution is suitable for the installation of a subfloor or for pouring thermal systems on water heating.
- Cement-sand compositions. They are the ones that allow you to lay an electric underfloor heating. Special plasticizers are added to give the solution additional properties.
- Mixtures with a self-leveling effect. Used to obtain a thin coating, which is necessary for a small room height, as well as when installing a screed on a fairly flat base.
- To simplify the process, special products for underfloor heating have been developed. Such mixtures have all the necessary characteristics and qualities.
Wet screed is currently the most popular because it gives you the best outcome. However, there are a number of serious disadvantages, chief among them being the inability to quickly disassemble it without causing structural damage. Additionally, the dry option is becoming more and more popular because using the incorrect technology increases the likelihood of multiple cracks and deformations.
Features of installing an electric floor
The characteristics of the chosen components directly affect how an electric heated floor is laid.
Technology of working with a cable
This alternative system uses a cable that is laid out in a specific pattern to act as a heating element.
The working principle
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The place for installing the thermostat is determined in advance. For its installation, 30-40 cm are retreated from the level of the future floor covering. Laying can be carried out in various ways, but the most preferable is the hidden option, it allows you to drown all the wires and the sensor in the wall.
Note: The thermostat should always be in the adjacent room when operating in an unstable or highly humid environment.


Such a system must be installed strictly according to the planned diagram and connection method.
Laying heating mats
The process of installing heating mats to create a warm floor is less complicated and doesn’t depend on precise cable placement. This is because they are already fixed in one structure, which needs to be properly arranged on the outside.
Features of installation: rolls of mesh are laid out on the base that has been ready, and the cells are turned with caution to avoid damaging the cable. The heating elements are positioned the required distance apart and the mesh is severed if it becomes necessary to avoid an obstruction. The system is inspected and the thermostat is connected.
Because of the mats, the screed can be poured with a minimum thickness, greatly lowering the floor’s height.
Note: Currently, infrared electric systems are installed at the depth of the screed, but directly on its surface, below the decorative cladding.
This post will examine the technology involved in putting heated floors under screeds, with an emphasis on the useful methods and procedures for creating a system that is both effective and efficient. We’ll go over the technology’s key parts, the right way to prepare and lay screed, and advice on how to maintain the longevity and best possible performance from your heated floors. Whether you’re beginning a new project or remodeling an existing space, knowing these essentials will make it easier to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
General procedure for installing a warm floor
Pouring the screed and installing an electric heated floor are done according to a conventional plan. There are three steps in the process of working on an unprepared base:
- First of all, the base is leveled with all the necessary procedures, which allows you to create a flat surface for laying a layer of thermal insulation. It is advisable to carry out this stage even when installing a dry screed.
- After the layer of thermal insulation, the coating is poured, which will become the basis for installing the "warm floor" system. This allows you to create an optimal barrier between the insulation and the heating elements, which should not touch.
- The final layer hides electrical and reinforcing parts, it is responsible for good thermal conductivity. Often it is made of special building mixtures.
Sometimes the middle layer is omitted and the insulation is covered with waterproofing because it isn’t always the best solution. However, the heating system needs to be fixed to the reinforcement at a distance.
Pouring the screed and installing the system
A full range of installation works is a series of steps that vary based on the particular circumstance.
Technology used to lay a warm floor and pour the screed:
- Thorough preparation of the base: it is necessary to expand all cracks, treat them with a deep penetrating primer and cover them with putty. Such a mixture can be replaced with polyurethane foam, after wetting and cleaning the cracks. Dust and dirt are removed from the surface.
- If necessary, waterproofing is performed. If it is supposed to lay the insulation, then this procedure is carried out selectively, covering only the joints and unstable areas.
- In case of significant differences, the first layer of screed is poured, which is a cement mixture with additives of plasticizer and fiber.
- The insulation is laid on a dried base, for this foam plastic or penoplex is used. The material is distributed in a checkerboard pattern on the surface and fixed with a special glue, which is also applied to the edges.
Take note: The room’s entire perimeter needs to have damper tape adhered to it.
Therefore, if the stages are developed correctly, the general technology for laying the structure is not very difficult.
You can better grasp the steps involved in installing a warm floor in a screed by watching this training video:
Step | Description |
1. Prepare the Base | Ensure the subfloor is clean, dry, and level. Repair any imperfections before laying the heating system. |
2. Install Insulation | Lay insulation boards to improve energy efficiency and prevent heat loss. Ensure they fit snugly and cover the entire floor area. |
3. Lay Heating Mats | Roll out the heating mats or cables according to the manufacturer"s instructions. Secure them in place with adhesive or clips. |
4. Connect to Power | Connect the heating cables or mats to the power supply, following electrical safety standards. Ensure all connections are secure. |
5. Pour Screed | Pour the screed over the heating system, ensuring it covers the mats or cables completely. Smooth the surface with a trowel. |
6. Allow to Cure | Let the screed cure fully according to the manufacturer"s guidelines before turning on the heating system. |
By adding a consistent and pleasant warmth to your home, installing heated floors in screeds can significantly improve comfort. You can guarantee a successful installation that optimizes longevity and efficiency by closely adhering to the technology and techniques described.
Every stage of the process, from laying the heating elements and pouring the screed to preparing the base, is vital to the overall functionality of your system. A dependable and efficient heating solution can be achieved by using high-quality materials and paying close attention to detail.
Heated floors may be a useful addition to your house, providing both useful advantages and increased comfort, with the right design and installation. If you have any doubts about any step of the procedure, make sure to speak with experts to guarantee a smooth and efficient installation.