Underfloor heating is very popular. Most often, it is he who is given preference in cases where such a laying of pipes for a warm water floor is technically possible and is not associated with additional difficulties in the form of issuing special permits, a drop in pressure in a centralized system.
The advantages of such a solution are many:
- a water-heated floor is able to heat large areas, while saving heat due to the optimal distribution of heat in the room;
Which pipe is best for a warm water floor
- no dust circulation;
- eliminates the problem of high humidity;
- uniform heating of all zones;
- the possibility of using a cement screed mounted above the pipes as a heat accumulator;
- no electromagnetic field;
- it is possible to use any sources to connect to the system, including non-traditional ones;
- the average service life of the system is 50 years.
Varieties of pipes depending on the material of manufacture
To understand which pipe to use for a warm water floor, you should consider the main varieties. This is how copper, metal-plastic, polypropylene and cross-linked polyethylene products are produced.
Copper pipes
The copper line is recognized as the best material for organizing water heating systems. It is copper pipes that are considered the most durable. But, besides this, this type of pipeline has a lot of other advantages.
Among the main advantages of this metal:
- High wear resistance. The material does not deteriorate under the influence of aggressive media.
- Excellent thermal conductivity.
- Flexibility. Typically, annealed copper tubing is used.
- Durability. Copper floor heating will last for decades.
The main disadvantage for users is that prices for copper floor heating pipes are very high. Although, given the long service life, the cost is quite justified. The disadvantages of highways made of this material include the fact that special equipment is needed for installation. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will be able to carry out the installation yourself. The work must be done by a professional.
Reinforced-plastic pipes
The metal-plastic pipe for underfloor heating, consisting of two layers of polymer with an aluminum interlayer, is also very popular. Pipes made of such material are most popular with owners due to their affordable cost, as well as a number of other advantages.
The product has the following advantages:
- Good thermal conductivity. This is achieved through an aluminum interlayer.
- The structure is reliably protected from various kinds of damage thanks to polymer layers.
- Availability. It should be noted that the price of a metal-plastic pipe for a warm floor is quite acceptable.
- Installation is simple enough. The pipeline bends well. Therefore, it is very convenient to use this material in the system of water floors.
- The coefficient of casting expansion of metal-plastic is low. And this prevents wear of the line, the destruction of the screed.
Of course, in comparison with traditional plastic or copper counterparts, metal-plastic pipes have better characteristics. Therefore, many sellers, when asked by the client, which is the best pipe for a warm water floor, answer that it is made of metal-plastic. But here it is important to remember that the operational parameters of these products strongly depend on how high-quality adhesive component was used.Manufacturers, on the other hand, often try to save money on the adhesive composition.
Polypropylene pipes
Polypropylene pipes are cheap. But they are rarely used for floor heating equipment. In terms of thermal conductivity, the product is similar to metal-plastic lines. But it has poor elasticity. Such pipes can be bent no more than 8 radii. And for the heat supply system, this is a significant drawback.
XLPE pipes
A cross-linked polyethylene pipe for underfloor heating, which has a number of positive characteristics, has proven itself quite well. For example, the product is highly durable, does not wear out, is not afraid of scratches, does not crack, and is resistant to temperature extremes. Of course, the quality depends a lot on the degree and method of stitching.
Good cross-linking density of polymer lines ranges from 65 to 80%. The higher the density of the product, the higher the quality and durability. Accordingly, the price of a cross-linked polyethylene pipe for a warm floor will also be higher. Oxygen bed pipes are an excellent choice.
Also noteworthy is the pe rt pipe for underfloor heating systems, which has increased heat resistance, has an oxygen barrier made of ethylene vinyl alcohol. The product is characterized by a high level of protection against mechanical damage.
Which pipes are best for a warm water floor
When choosing a pipe for a water-heated floor, you should consider the entire set of their parameters. Consider pipes for underfloor heating in the order of their greatest suitability:
- Reinforced plastic PEX-AL-PEX. Pipes are generally inexpensive and easy to install. They also have a fairly long service life. They have good heat transfer and reduced elongation.
- Crosslinked polyethylene. Has almost all the advantages of the previous one, except for lower heat transfer and increased thermal expansion.
- Heat-resistant polyethylene. Lower price compared to other options. The main disadvantage is the increased oxygen permeability. In case of severe overheating, the service life of the product will be reduced.
- Copper pipe. The best option for installing a warm floor, if you do not take into account the high cost.
- The stainless steel corrugation is ideal for short lengths.
Existing nuances when choosing a product
So, the main line for organizing the heat supply system can be used of different types. But how to choose pipes for underfloor heating, which ones are best suited? The answer depends a lot on the consumer's budget. And also from the forecasts of living in a particular house.
If the building is reliable and no move is planned in the coming decades, it is advisable to stay with copper pipes.
Yes, they are expensive. But having laid such communications, you can forget about the need for repairs, replacement of system parts. If the budget is small, then you can buy a pipe for a warm floor made of metal-plastic. For the installation of such products, special equipment is not required. And the consumption of materials is minimal. The choice also depends on the type of coolant used. So, if antifreeze is supposed to be used, it is better to purchase pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene or polyethylene of a heat-resistant class. These options are highly resistant to the influence of aggressive environments.
Below are tips on how to choose a pipe for a warm floor so that your purchase in the future does not disappoint:
- Preference should be given to options with the maximum level of heat transfer. This indicator affects how well the apartment will be heated.
- Strength is also important. The higher it is, the more pressure the pipe can withstand. Strength also affects the ability of the product to work properly at high temperatures.
- It is necessary to pay attention to the minimum radius along which the pipeline can be bent without damaging it.The good flexibility of the product makes the installation process much easier.
- The pipe must have a low coefficient of expansion. Quality depends on it.
- It is important that the product is environmentally friendly and does not emit toxic substances. And also had a long service life. The pipe is filled with a screed. And it will be very expensive to replace it. Yes, and troublesome. Therefore, durability is a very important parameter.
Of course, it is up to the consumer to decide which pipe to choose for a warm floor. But, taking into account the above recommendations, it will be much easier to choose a high-quality and durable product.
Is XLPE suitable for space heating?
Cross-linked polypropylene is most popular nowadays
XLPE pipes are gaining more and more popularity today. This trend is due to the many benefits they have.
Strengths of XLPE pipes include:
- high flexibility and elasticity, which allows you to bend them several times in the same place;
- strength and reliability;
- resistance to low and high temperatures, cross-linked polyethylene retains its performance characteristics, does not burst or break in the range from -50 to + 150 °;
- do not lend themselves to corrosion processes;
- convenience and simplicity of installation work, which does not require the purchase of expensive equipment and additional components;
- good level of sound insulation;
- do not respond to changes in water pressure;
- are not a breeding ground for various pathogenic bacteria and fungi;
- an environmentally friendly product that, even during combustion, decomposes into pure components - water and carbon dioxide.
Installation of pipes is simple and convenient
XLPE pipes are suitable for both heating and water supply installations.
The only point worth paying attention to is the transportation of material that has an anti-diffusion protective layer. If it is damaged, air can enter the structural components of cross-linked polyethylene, which will significantly reduce their service life.
How much will it cost to buy pipes?
For many users who are planning to buy a pipe for a warm water floor - the price is a decisive factor in the purchase. But here it is important not to chase cheap models from unknown companies.
Prices for pipes for heating systems depend on the production technology, material used, product diameter, country of origin, brand.
And really high-quality communications are unlikely to have a low cost. The product is not purchased for a year or two. And frequent repairs will be very expensive for the owner of the house. Indeed, in addition to buying and replacing individual parts of the system, you will also have to dismantle the floor covering. Therefore, deciding which pipes are better for a warm floor - the price should be of secondary importance.
On average, communications for a warm floor cost at least 70-80 rubles per square meter. Copper models are considered the most expensive. So the price of a copper pipe for a warm floor is from 500 rubles per meter. Therefore, copper communications are used extremely rarely, in cases where it is necessary to create a high temperature or high pressure in the circuit.
Reinforced plastic pipes for the floor: strengths and weaknesses
Reinforced-plastic pipes are a budget option, which is why they are highly popular with consumers. In fact, high-quality metal-plastic material is a worthy replacement for copper pipes. When buying them, it is better to find out which manufacturer of the material is to be sure of its reliability and to be sure that the pipe is suitable for installing a warm floor.
The structure of metal-plastic pipes
The advantages of metal-plastic pipes include:
- long service life (up to 50 years);
- do not corrode;
- environmentally friendly product;
- compactness and low weight;
- have a good level of sound insulation.
Such structures are able to withstand temperatures from -10 to + 95 ° C. Sometimes high-quality metal-plastic is able to withstand even at 100 ° C, but only on condition that the duration of such exposure is insignificant.
It is better to choose more expensive metal-plastic pipes for installing a warm floor than analogs at a minimal price, which can provoke leaks after a short period of their use.
Review of popular manufacturers
Today the heating equipment market offers various types of pipes from different manufacturers. Let's consider the most popular options in more detail.
Valtek
VALTEC multilayer metal-plastic pipes are very popular. The product is made on the basis of cross-linked polyethylene technology. The material is highly resistant to mechanical damage and has high temperature resistance. The degree of hydraulic resistance is quite low. Pipes are not subject to corrosion. Electrically inert. Service life exceeds 50 years. The price of the product is about 60 rubles per meter.
Rehau
Rehau is one of the leading companies in the market for the production of pipelines for water-type systems. The company uses cross-linked polyethylene and polypropylene as a material. The pipe for underfloor heating Rehau has high quality standards and unique properties. The product is highly durable, absolutely safe. Also characterized by resistance to temperature fluctuations. After deformation, the product is able to restore its original shape and all parameters. Resistance to corrosion and scale can also be attributed to the list of advantages inherent in pipes of this manufacturer.
In addition, the price of Rehau pipes for underfloor heating is quite acceptable for most consumer groups - about 90 rubles per meter. Of course, it all depends on the diameter, wall thickness. So a product with a diameter of 20 and a wall thickness of 2 mm will cost the buyer about 110 rubles per meter. But the Rehau 16 pipe for a warm floor will already cost a little cheaper: about 75 rubles per meter.
Giacomini
The pipes of the Italian company Giacomini are also quite popular. Products are manufactured from cross-linked polyethylene. The pipes are characterized by excellent flexibility. And thanks to the smooth inner surface, the likelihood of scale or build-up is minimized. The communications of this brand are quite durable: subject to proper installation, they can last more than half a century. In addition, the price of a tube for a warm water floor is very affordable: only 45 rubles per meter.
Of course, there are many more affordable Chinese-made models on the market. But it's better not to buy them. Products of little-known companies are also not worth choosing. The first criterion when choosing should be quality.
How to calculate the flow rate of a pipe?
On average, the consumption of a floor heating pipe per 1 m2 is 5 running meters of the product. This method is considered the easiest. Knowing the area of the apartment, you can simply calculate the required number of pipes. You can determine the required number of pipes for floor heating equipment using a special formula. To do this, you need to know the laying step and the area of \ u200b \ u200bthe room. The area should be divided by the laying step and multiplied by the pipe stock per bends (1.1). Also, when calculating, it is important not to forget to add the number of meters from the floor to the collector and back.
If there will be dimensional equipment, furniture in the room, then it is impossible to lay pipes under these objects. As a result, the area will shrink. Also, about 20 cm should be retreated from the walls. All this must be taken into account when calculating the total area of the warm floor.
Thus, there are three types of pipes that can be used when organizing a water-type floor heating system. The best option, of course, is considered to be copper communications. But their cost is extremely high.Therefore, if it is not planned to create high pressure, high temperature in the circuit, it is recommended to use metal-plastic products or pipes made of cross-linked polypropylene.
Having decided on the material of the pipes, you should calculate the required amount of the product. This is quite simple to do, because there is a special formula. You can install communications for the underfloor heating system yourself. The main thing is to have skills, experience and clearly follow the instructions.
