Underfloor heating on the balcony and loggia: overview of heating systems

Underfloor heating on the balcony and loggia: an overview of optimal heating systems

Before starting the renovation in the apartment, it is logical to think about how to insulate the floor on the balcony. This solution will make you feel comfortable in winter. Underfloor heating is especially important for families with young children. Today there are different methods and materials that allow you to achieve the desired result. The ideal underfloor heating on the balcony can be obtained through the use of various technologies.

The arrangement of underfloor heating on the balcony will make you feel more comfortable in the cold season

Options for floor insulation on the balcony

In order to make a warm floor on the loggia or balcony at the moment there are several proven options. Each of them requires a professional approach and the use of special materials.

There are several technologies for creating underfloor heating

Common variants of underfloor heating:

• water;
• electric.

The first option is based on a water circuit. Electrical systems involve the use of mats, cables and even films that provide sufficient infrared radiation.

Water underfloor heating on the balcony: advantages and disadvantages

Among the positive qualities of this system, it should be noted the uniform distribution of heat over the entire floor area on the balcony. As for financial costs, they are of a one-time nature. You will have to pay for the heated floor only at the stage of its installation. In the course of further operation, the owners of the presented system will significantly save on heating. Another plus is the availability of maximum free space. This is due to the fact that the underfloor heating eliminates the need to use additional radiators and other devices.

Water underfloor heating in the section

The first drawback that deserves attention is the difficulty of regulating the temperature on the floor surface. And the process of installing the system is very time-consuming. It is not very convenient that the pressure in the riser can decrease under certain conditions. To stabilize it, you periodically have to use a water pump. Such heating of the balcony is beneficial until a leak occurs.

Considering the above factors, it can be noted that a water underfloor heating is not quite suitable for an apartment in a multi-storey building. In this case, the owners will have to face all the above problems. Quite another thing is a private house equipped with a separate heating circuit. If you approach the task professionally, you can easily achieve a positive result.

Useful advice! The water version of the underfloor heating can be chosen only because it allows, with minimal funds spent, to provide significant areas with heat.

Electric underfloor heating on the loggia: pros and cons

The electric floor warms the surface evenly. Users will be able to easily configure the most optimal temperature regime for themselves. The cost of the presented system is affordable for modern citizens. In case of any malfunction, it can be eliminated quite easily.

Electric floor is perfect for installation in apartment buildings

It is important for apartment owners in typical buildings to know that they can afford such a system. To carry out installation work, you do not have to use advanced technical equipment. The usual tools that are in every house will be enough.

There are also disadvantages of the electric version of underfloor heating. However, they are not too significant. The problem may be too high electricity tariffs. Such a system will still consume a considerable amount of it. For some citizens, the disadvantage is the presence of electromagnetic radiation.

As a rule, consumers often prefer the electronic version. Despite the possible overpayments on bills, it attracts the ease of installation and the possibility, if necessary, of carrying out repairs. It is not necessary to invite specialized specialists to solve such a task.

Electrical wiring diagram of heating mats for underfloor heating

How to make a warm floor on the balcony by different methods

Among the available options for heating the balcony and loggia, which are available for independent work, there are three main types:

• heating mats;
• infrared floor;
• cable system.

The first option, which involves the use of highly efficient heating mats, will suit many citizens. This system includes heating cables, which are gradually attached to a strong grid in the form of a snake.

Useful advice! The laying step of a single or double — core cable is approximately 5 cm . Heating cores can be made of various durable materials. It is better to choose those that are characterized by a significant degree of resistance.

Heating mats that are safe for human health are installed under the tiles on the balcony in compliance with a certain technology. In this case, the thickness of the floor will be increased insignificantly. Its maximum level will rise by only 1.7 cm (including tiles). Often the room is characterized by a complicated form. In this case, the mats can easily be cut into suitable fragments. The integrity of the cable will not be affected as a result of these actions.

For the installation of electric underfloor heating, it is not necessary to seek the help of specialists, you can cope with this task on your own

How to make a warm balcony with heating mats

It is not necessary to resort to the services of employees from the outside in this case. When installing the heating mats system independently, special attention should be paid to preliminary actions.

A concrete base is quite suitable for the role of a substrate. It should be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust. The primer will provide a good coupling. Using an ohmmeter, it is recommended to check the exact resistance values of the mats. This action should be performed before starting the main work. It is important to choose the right place to place the thermostat. A mandatory stage is the equipment of special grooves to the wall and floor.

The inner part of the channel is perfect for mounting the sensor. Experts prohibit placing this element in the immediate vicinity of the heating element. Only after completing all the described steps, you can proceed with the installation. This process is a set of measures aimed at laying heating mats. They are placed in adhesive mastic, which allows you to fix the tile in the best way.

Useful advice! After the main work has come to completion, it is necessary to check the system for functionality. We are talking about indicators of working resistance. A thorough visual inspection of the surface should complete the inspection. This will allow you to identify and eliminate even minimal kinks.

When installing heating mats, special attention should be paid to the preparatory stage

A warm turnkey balcony with a film infrared floor

The main advantage of the corresponding solution is its compatibility with a variety of floor coverings. Even wool carpet is no exception. The principle of operation of the infrared floor is based on long-wave radiation, which is provided by reliable heating elements. This technology allows you to heat not only the floor itself, but also the objects surrounding it. Thanks to the effective return of secondary heat on the loggia, a comfortable temperature regime is provided.

The film infrared floor has a number of positive qualities. First of all, it does not lead to too significant energy costs. Installation and commissioning of such a system can be carried out in the shortest possible time. After turning on the equipment, the floor warms up qualitatively for only 10-30 minutes. The electromagnetic field in the case of using this technology is still formed, however, it is not too significant. Safety and reliability can also be attributed to the advantages of this system.

Installation of a film infrared floor

Before placing laminate flooring on a warm floor on a balcony or any other floor covering, it is necessary to install infrared heating. The initial action is to align the base. Then it is possible to lay the material with heat-reflecting properties. The film should be carefully cut into identical lines. After that, it will be easy enough to install them on pre-prepared thermal insulation.

Before installing underfloor heating, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions

The above steps allow you to start installing the main thermostat and electrical contacts. Do not forget about the insulation in the places where electrical elements are connected. Widespread and affordable bitumen insulation is suitable for these purposes.

Useful advice! To fix the film lines directly to the reflective material, it is best to use masking tape. During the subsequent installation of the finishing floor, these strips will be stable and stationary.

Infrared underfloor heating on the balcony under laminate and other coatings necessarily contains detailed instructions. It is better to read this information from manufacturers carefully. Also, at the stage of choosing the optimal floor, it is necessary to focus on the area of the balcony. In this case, the chances of creating an ideal microclimate are significantly increased. Such a film can easily be installed on walls and ceilings. Thanks to this solution, the balcony will not be afraid of even the most severe weather.

Cable underfloor heating on the balcony with your own hands

This technology of heating balconies and loggias is considered the most common. The main difficulty when working in such rooms is limited space. Because of this, the cable system is the most appropriate solution. It provides for the installation of a cable under the finishing floor. Only the thermostat remains in sight. The presented device is responsible for regulating the heating intensity.

Wiring diagram of cable underfloor heating

Positive aspects of the cable system:

• durability;
• reliability;
• endurance;
• ease of maintenance;
• economy.

After the insulation of the balcony with a warm floor consisting of cables has been completed, the consumption of electrical energy will not increase much. The durability of the system is ensured by reliable and insulated heating conductor. This does not allow it to oxidize. It is recommended to use a cement-sand screed to protect the cable. Additional protection is also provided by the floor covering, which is mounted in the future.

If the loggia is combined with a living room, then this system will provide additional heating in winter.

If a cable without a mesh base is used for the arrangement of underfloor heating, it must be fixed beforehand

Independent installation of underfloor heating on the balcony

When working with electrical cables, it is very important to carefully approach the creation of a waterproofing layer. The insulation should also be characterized by high quality. This stage of work is very important for heat preservation. If you abandon insulation and waterproofing, then a significant amount of generated heat will go down. As a result, heating of the ceiling of the lower floor balcony will actually be organized.

Useful advice! Cement-sand screed should not contain even minimal air gaps. The optimal thickness for it is 4.5 cm. The heating cable should be laid in a zigzag pattern.

In the step-by-step instructions of a warm balcony with your own hands, it is indicated that the cable must additionally be protected with a screed. Although it shouldn’t be too thick. It is important to correctly determine the location for the thermostat. It should be accessible in the first place. It is not necessary to start using the system immediately after the installation is completed. The operation of underfloor heating can start only after 3 weeks. This period of time is needed for the screed to dry completely.

Related article:

Infrared film underfloor heating: overview of models and subtleties of installation
Pros and cons of IR film floors. Varieties, technical characteristics. Overview of manufacturers. Installation of INFRARED floors. 

Highly efficient electric underfloor heating on the balcony is primarily necessary for those people who want to provide an ideal microclimate in their home. This technology also allows you to fully utilize the potential of the room itself. If you have a desire, you can study each of the options presented above and decide on the most appropriate one.

When installing underfloor heating, special attention should be paid to waterproofing

Underfloor heating on the balcony: mounting layers of the structure

The very first action is to calculate the area that should face heating. If we allow at least minimal errors at this stage, then in the future we will have to reduce the pitch of the cable being mounted. After performing all calculations, you can start preparing the surface. It is on it that the selected layer of thermal insulation is laid in the future. The optimal layer thickness is 50 mm.

The next layer after thermal insulation is a metal mounting tape. The heating cable is installed on top of it. When carrying out all processes, it is necessary to observe the safe distance prescribed in the instructions.

According to the reviews, the underfloor heating on the balcony is not complete without a clear control of the device. The thermostat is responsible for performing this function. It should be located on one of the walls. A thermal sensor and a cable should be connected to it.

An example of a diagram of the mounting layers of a underfloor heating structure

Useful advice! The thickness of the screed should be within 30-40 mm. For the ideal implementation of the work, the base with an already installed structure must be filled with concrete mortar. It is possible to mount the selected floor covering on the screed only after its complete drying.

Additionally, you can install batteries on the loggia, thanks to which it will be much easier to ensure an ideal temperature regime.

Useful advice! It is important to know that the installed cable heating system should eventually occupy at least 70 percent of the total area intended for heating.

Choice of flooring for underfloor heating systems

After purchasing a underfloor heating system for the balcony, you can start choosing a suitable floor covering. You should know that not every option available today can be combined with a cable system.

The next step after choosing the type of underfloor heating is the choice of the finishing floor covering

Electric underfloor heating on the balcony: optimal floor covering

The most suitable option for underfloor heating is ceramic tiles, which can easily tolerate the effects of high temperatures. An alternative option is porcelain stoneware, characterized by increased strength and durability. Even serious temperature changes will not lead to deformation of the presented materials. Ceramic tiles are able to withstand a long heating process. Its strength is an additional protection for the heating system.

Do not discard the option with linoleum. The corresponding floor covering may well be used simultaneously with the underfloor heating on the loggia or balcony. However, it is better to choose models without a warming base. It is better to abandon the use of carpet. It can perform the functions of thermal insulation, which is why the room will not warm up sufficiently. The same can be said about carpets.

Coating for infrared underfloor heating

In this case, there are fewer problems with choosing the optimal floor covering. Such a warm floor on the balcony under the tile can be safely mounted due to the lack of difficulties. Experts assure that the finish coating in this case can be very diverse at all. Carpet, linoleum and parquet are no exception.

Using infrared technology for floor heating as a finishing coating, you can use: tile, laminate, linoleum.

Laminate flooring on the balcony is very popular, because it has a very attractive appearance and excellent technical characteristics.

Useful advice! If laminate or parquet is used on the balcony, the infrared film should be mounted on a smaller area. In this case, the floor will not be able to crack.

Another secret you need to know in the case of carpet or linoleum. After installing the main heating elements, it is necessary to use plywood or fiberboard sheets. Their thickness should not be less than 5 mm.

Regardless of the chosen floor covering, only an infrared film floor is able to provide the most comfortable conditions for a person. This system is able to automatically maintain the ideal temperature in the room. As for the price of a warm turnkey balcony, in this case it is unlikely to be more than alternative options. The main costs relate to the installation stage of the system. During operation, you can easily adjust the temperature regime at your discretion.

The infrared floor heating system is able to automatically maintain the ideal temperature in the room.

Underfloor heating under laminate flooring on the balcony

Unlike ceramic tiles on the floor to the balcony, in the case of laminate, additional nuances will have to be taken into account. First of all, they concern the reaction of the coating to temperature and mechanical loads. It is best to bet on electric underfloor heating options. During the selection, it is necessary to take into account the power level of each system. If laminate flooring is laid on the loggia, then the optimal cable power will be 190 W/m2.

The maximum power of the infrared film, which can be used for the organization of underfloor heating on the balcony, is 160 W / m2. At the same time, this system may well be used on the balcony. The same goes for the cable version. Moreover, it has a power of 190 W/m2.

Taking into account the characteristics of all existing options, we can safely say that the best option for a balcony with laminate is precisely the electric type of underfloor heating.

For a balcony with laminate flooring, both electric and water type of underfloor heating is suitable

Organization of underfloor heating screed under the tile

It is the tile that is considered the most durable type of flooring. We can safely say that this option can be combined with any kind of underfloor heating. The water system is no exception. To organize this option, it is necessary to lay two types of screed at once.

The concrete version is a structure on which the preliminary installation of thermal elements is carried out. We are talking about cables, pipes and heating mats.

There is also a flooring screed. In this case, it is necessary to use materials characterized by light and simple technology. Such a screed may well be modular, wooden, polystyrene or rack-and-pinion. Everything in this case depends on the personal preferences of the consumer and the technical requirements of the room. Laying pipes in this case should be done from the wall to the center.

After the installation of the underfloor heating is completed, the stage of crimping its main elements begins. This action is performed in order to see possible damages and leaks. The pressure inside the system during these operations should be at around 4 bar. The crimping process lasts 24 hours. Then, if necessary, it is possible to produce warm glazing of balconies and loggias in order to consolidate the result and guarantee an excellent temperature regime indoors.

In some cases, when installing a underfloor heating system, it is necessary to lay two types of screed at once

As in the case of laminate flooring, the best option for underfloor heating on the balcony under the tile is electrics. In this case, consumers can not even use the services of outside specialists to carry out installation work. If you prefer heating mats, you don’t even have to spend time and energy calculating the exact number of cables for heating. This coating, consisting of fiberglass mesh, is perfect for tiles.

Useful advice! When cutting heating mats, care must be taken. The most important thing is that the cables are not damaged in this case.

Advantages of tiles when installing underfloor heating

This floor covering is characterized by durability. When heated, the tile is able to qualitatively warm up the room. You can not even use batteries on the balcony, because the temperature regime will be optimal without them. Even the most significant temperature changes are not terrible for this material. With all these positive aspects, installing tiles on a warm floor is a fairly simple event.

There are several options for laying tiles in underfloor heating systems. Standard installation is in high demand. It is best to give preference to it in the case of using plain tiles. The chess mounting method will be more attractive. Experts also note the diagonal option and the herringbone installation as an alternative.

It is recommended to start laying tiles on the balcony from the center of the room.

The process of laying tiles on the balcony is characterized by its technical nuances. To achieve this goal correctly, it is better to start installation from the center of the room. You must first calculate the exact number of tile fragments that will be needed for a specific area. As a result, the design of a warm balcony, photos confirm this, will look as attractive as possible.

Summing up, it should definitely be noted that it is quite possible to organize a warm floor on the balcony on your own, given that there are plenty of ways to arrange it. For apartments in multi-storey buildings, it is better to choose an electric option, a water underfloor heating is suitable for houses with an individual heating system, and the existing variety of floor coverings will make a warm balcony also aesthetically attractive.