Warm floor and carpet: how compatible are they?

At first it was warm. Beauty came later. This is how we can briefly outline the history of the evolution of carpets - a covering designed to protect the feet of residents from the coolness of the floor. Aesthetics come to the fore only when the need for the thermal insulation properties of a decorative element of the interior disappears. Taking this into account, it would seem that the issue with a carpet on a warm floor has been resolved. But alas, not everything is so simple.

Initial data

The evolution of heating devices has led to the fact that the variety of heating systems forces you to seriously think about choosing one of them. This also affected warm floors, among which are:

stationary, mounted under a finishing coating with high thermal conductivity (special heat-resistant laminate, ceramic tile);
mobile, placed on top of the floor in any convenient place.

Among the former, there are water and electric heating systems. A distinctive feature of the latter is uneven heating, smoother temperature control and compatibility with auto control sensors. The range of mobile options comes down to cable, carbon or film models, which require additional protection from mechanical stress.

Carpets, regardless of the material from which they are made, can also be divided into two large categories:

warm - characterized by low thermal conductivity, which is achieved due to the dense structure and long pile;
decorative - not protecting from the cold, thin or thick, but openwork, with large holes.

The answer to the question “is it possible” to lay a carpet on a warm floor depends precisely on the combination of these two variables.

Advantages of laying heated floors under carpet

The positive qualities of such mobile devices are the following:

convenient to use and do not harm human health;
Can be installed under any carpet;
you can lay a heated floor under a carpet on a wooden floor, laminate, linoleum or any other base;
the possibility of thermal burns from the heating device is excluded;
do not emit electromagnetic waves;
energy consumption is 60% less compared to traditional heaters;
ease of transportation;
manufacturer's warranty for 7 years of continuous operation;
strength and resistance to mechanical damage.

There are two main types of mobile heaters:

In the case of an infrared heated floor under a carpet, we can say that it efficiently warms the room without burning oxygen or drying out the air. Infrared radiation heats objects in the room. Such devices are convenient to use on glazed balconies and loggias, in bay windows or on cold stairs. It is also quite common to create warm floors in a frame house using mobile rugs.

Heating is carried out by carbon paste applied in a special way to the film. It is simply laid out in the right place and connected to a power source. But a resistive floor is made of individual heating elements fixed on a film substrate. Please note that such an electric heated floor under the carpet must be grounded.

The complete set of mobile film devices necessarily includes:

heating elements of the installed type;
thermostat;
two layers of film backing and protection;
plug and power cord.

Under what circumstances is it impossible

If stationary underfloor heating is installed as the main heating system, then additional thermal insulation by the floor covering will reduce its effectiveness. Especially when it comes to large thick carpets or rugs. Moreover, such a serious obstacle will worsen the heat dissipation from the heating elements. And if water systems have a sufficient safety margin for this case, then electric ones can simply burn out.

The other side of the coin is the safety of the carpet. In winter, when the heating system is operating at full capacity, synthetics and carpet simply cannot withstand the load - the canvas becomes deformed and discolored. Natural materials also suffer from such treatment, but are quite capable of “living” longer than electric heating elements.

If you really can’t bear it, you can lay a carpet and connect a temperature control sensor under it to the heating. This way you can avoid damage to property. But you will have to forget about home comfort in winter frosts - the furniture will not be covered with frost, but there will be no warmth in the house.

Heating system manufacturers

The leading manufacturer of mobile underfloor heating systems is Teplolux. The company produces cable and carbon heating elements. They are used as main or additional heating.

The mobile “warm floor” under the Teplolux Express carpet has the following characteristics:

canvas size 2*1.4 m or 1.8*2.8 m; the model is selected according to the area of the carpet;
the heating element is the cable; it is secured to the mat with a “snake”;
the base is rigid, made of fabric; the material is impregnated with moisture-repellent impregnation;
the top layer can be made of velor or felt covering; the fabric is thick, repels moisture;
the mat can be laid not only in residential premises, but also in the bathroom, on the balcony or on the veranda;
the system is equipped with a cable that connects to the thermostat; on the front panel of the device there is a small display that displays the temperature under the carpet;
The thermal mode is set using push-button control.

We recommend: How to lay a water-heated floor under tiles?

Mobile “warm floor” can be laid on any base: parquet, laminate, tile, linoleum. The recommended operating temperature of the equipment is 20 0C, maximum 30 0C. It will take 60 minutes for the cable to fully warm up.

For the hallway it is recommended to install a “warm floor” from the “Teplolux” series “Carpet”. The manufacturer delivers throughout Moscow and other Russian cities.

Its size is 50*80 cm. The rug is placed in the hallway. Shoes that need to be dried are placed on it.
The operating temperature of the system is 45 0C.
The outer covering is pile.
The shade is selected depending on the finishing floor covering.
The mat can be cleaned from dirt with a vacuum cleaner, brush or damp cloth.

Customers respond well to the mobile system from. The manufacturer offers thermal film. It has the following characteristics:

film thickness 0.2 mm; length and width 180*60 cm;
system power 250 W;
operating temperature 40 0C;
the film is made of heat-resistant polymer;
it consists of 2 layers; the heating element is carbon wire;
a temperature sensor and a temperature regulator are inserted inside the film, which is set to the operating thermal mode; The control device prevents the system from overheating.

The “warm floor” is placed under the carpet and connected to the network. The carbon conductor heats up quickly. Warmth is felt within a few minutes. The film can be placed on any floor covering. It can be enclosed in a fabric cover. The heating element looks like a small mat. The upper surface is decorated with ornaments.

The manufacturer warns that it is not recommended to heat the bed with thermal film, place it on a mattress, or under a blanket. The systems are placed on a surface that reflects heat upward. Pastel accessories do not have this characteristic.

To heat the carpet, small rugs are used, inside of which heating elements are built. Heating systems are selected based on power and ability to maintain thermal conditions. Some models are decorated with patterns, so they can be used without additional coating.

We recommend: How to install cable heated floors?

The mobile “warm floor” is easy to use, it does not dry out the air and does not raise dust. The system is economical. It requires less energy than an oil heating device.

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When is it possible

Small decorative rugs near upholstered furniture are always allowed. Cloths occupying a large area on a heated floor are permissible only if they have high thermal conductivity. And even then, it is better to choose durable mats or openwork fabrics made from natural materials - synthetics will not last long.

As for mobile heated floors, they need a carpet - this is the very protection from mechanical impact. True, you should still not use options that are too dense and fluffy - with such a coating, the efficiency of the heaters is reduced, and their circuitry requires the connection of automatic thermostats. The best option is heat-resistant synthetics or natural fabrics of medium density. Let's say short pile. But it is better to avoid bright colors and patterns - it is unknown whether the dye will withstand the temperature test.

Application (rules of use)

Many people are mistaken in thinking that a portable heated floor under a carpet can only be used in an apartment or house. It is also perfect for non-residential premises. According to manufacturers, such a heater can be used in completely unheated areas, for example, in a country house during the off-season, in a sales kiosk, utility rooms and various types of domestic premises.

So-called heated floor carpets are also on sale. They can be small in size and are ideal for drying shoes, heating the floor on a poorly insulated balcony; after all, a mini heating mat can be placed in a doghouse.

It is worth noting that with all its advantages, the heating nanocarpet has a very affordable price. On average, the price varies between 5000-6500 rubles.

As for the disadvantages, there are none, but there are some limitations in operation:

Film heated floors can be laid only where it is not intended to place too heavy and oversized furniture.
It is not recommended to cover the temperature sensor, otherwise its readings may be incorrect and the system may malfunction.
A mobile heated floor under a carpet can only be laid on a flat surface. If the floor is uneven, has potholes or any serious defects, there is a possibility of damage to the heating elements.

Related article: Making a carpet from pompoms with your own hands - an exclusive hand-made technique

Verdict - for or against?

Undoubtedly, a mobile floor heater has many advantages and is practically free of disadvantages. It is ideal for use on winter evenings when the house is not warm enough, it will save you from such a problem as eternally icy feet, and in general, such a heated mat is necessary for every family with small children. Kids often play on the floor, and sometimes even fall asleep on it, and to avoid colds, experts strongly recommend placing a mobile heater under the carpet.

In conclusion, I would just like to note that, unlike a stationary heated floor, its mobile version can be moved from room to room or taken to the dacha or work, it is completely safe, very compact and light in weight. If, if a classic heated floor malfunctions, you have to dismantle the floor covering, then with a mobile heater everything is much simpler - significant savings on your finances.

If you have settled on this option for heated floors, then the most important thing is to make the right choice, which largely depends on the brand. The manufacturers described above have been on the market for a long time and have established themselves as some of the best in terms of high quality products.

Review of film heated floors (2 videos)

Various products (42 photos)

Review of popular models

Many companies produce mobile heated floors. Let's consider options that are deservedly popular.

"Teplolux". The product can be used effectively on parquet, linoleum and laminate. The length of the installation wire reaches two and a half meters. The infrared heating element can even work on tiles. The system is easy to clean because the outer surface of the mat is made of artificial felt material. The heating system is compact in size, which facilitates its storage and transportation. The maximum heating does not exceed thirty degrees. The system is recommended to be placed under various carpets.
"Sinplein." Another popular option. The thickness of the heating system does not exceed 0.6 mm, but this does not have a negative impact on the operating effect. Products are produced in standard sizes and can work with various floor coverings. The system has a regulator for easy temperature control.
"Trio". The company produces small-sized models capable of producing the required amount of thermal energy to heat a room. Users unanimously note the good efficiency of this system. A Korean company that produces heating systems of various widths with a high melting temperature.
"Rex Va Xica". Another Korean version of film flooring, known not only for its efficient heating, but also for its excellent quality characteristics.

Having studied the models and their design features, you can once again verify their undeniable advantages over other analogues. The main difference between mobile heated floors is that their installation does not involve labor-intensive work.