Heat distribution plate for underfloor heating

The decision to organize floor heating is adopted in cases where, for certain reasons, it is not possible to use conventional heaters, and central heating can not cope. That is, the warm floor almost always performs the function of auxiliary heating.

This is especially true for water systems, which are less efficient than heating mats, but are more economical in the process of operation. Increase the heat output helps the additional hardware. In particular, the heat distribution plate serves not only to fix the position of the pipes, but also as a means of uniform dispersion of hot flows over the working surface.

General information about heat distribution plates

The element is a metal profile, which, when laid, acts as a kind of substrate for the heating circuit. Warm water floor performs its heating function with a pipeline, whose diameter is on average 10-12 mm. In turn, the heat distribution plate forms a special niche in which the pipeline is laid. Although outwardly it has a rather primitive structure, there are many specific structural features in it.

First of all, this is the presence of an omega-shaped groove that runs along the entire length of the profile and just serves to install the pipe. But that's not all. In parallel with the groove, there are ribs on the sides that are used to improve the mechanical reliability of the plate. Manufacturers offer such elements in different configurations, sizes and shapes, but the general principle of the structural device is as described above.

Material of heat distribution plate

Usually two metals are used - aluminum and steel. The most common is the first option. Such material is more protected from corrosion. In some cases, it demonstrates more efficient heat distribution and is easy to install. True, it can not be said that steel plates are unstable to rusting processes. They receive special treatment with galvanizing and applying special powder coatings.

But the natural structure of steel alloys in the long run is still inferior to aluminum in terms of reliability. On the other hand, in the indicators of mechanical strength, steel heat distribution plates of the warm floor benefit. Aluminum alloy is easier to deform. Therefore, it should be used on stable dense bases. By the way, polystyrene plates are the best for the function of the load-bearing platform for aluminum .

When is the use of heat distribution plates justified?

The fixation of the pipeline by the plate is not a primary task. The plate should be used only with the calculation for the implementation of the heat distribution function, which is not always increased in this way. When assessing the usefulness of this solution, attention should be paid to the basis. Experts do not recommend laying plates, if the rough surface is represented by an ordinary concrete screed. There will be no harm from such a solution, but there is no need to increase the efficiency of heat transfer.

And on the contrary, instead of screed, wooden decks, penoblochnye platforms and overlappings from other materials are often used. In such cases, it makes sense to use heat distribution plates for a water-heated floor with a thin pipeline. However, even if the floor is realized in the form of a concrete screed, you can close it with the mentioned polystyrene substrate and already lay the plates with pipes on it. These are rotary plates, on the surface of which there are also provided small channels for the installation of transit heat-distributing circuits.

How is the heat distribution plate mounted?

Stacking can be performed using polystyrene boards, on a wooden rack, on gypsum boards, etc. In each case, the fixation lines of the plate itself must be pre-marked. Mounting is performed without mechanical fasteners - by inserting a profile tab into the gutters. The retention is provided by the force of the opening of the omega groove that occurs after the installation of the pipeline.

Prior to installation, attention should be paid to the slots that provide a solid heat spreading plate. You need to break the profile in these places with your own hands. Obtained segments should be superimposed on the base with small steps - about 10-15 cm.

What are the qualities of plates to pay attention to when choosing?

Each manufacturer of warm floors also produces plates for heat distribution. At the same time, the models differ in characteristics of storage capacity, heat capacity and protective properties. Manufacturers often advertise aluminum and copper elements as the most efficient in terms of thermal conductivity. But this characteristic will have a minimum value if the system is in tight contact with the concrete.

Not always useful is the thermal capacity of the heating elements. Even if the heat spreading plate with a high accumulative capacity quickly obtains the optimum operating mode, this property will not be of particular importance in the case of constant heating. But it can be useful in large rooms, because it affects the rate of rise of warm streams.

Conclusion

The main task of the heat distribution plates is to optimize the heating parameters. In this case, this is achieved by stimulating the dissipation of warm streams generated by the system's transit pipeline. In this case, the heat distribution plate for the warm floor is only one of the components, whose work is focused on increasing the efficiency of the entire structure.

Much also depends on the substrate material, and on the quality of the insulation coatings, not to mention the decorative flooring. Installation work and selection of auxiliary components should be carried out only for the project, which takes into account the characteristics of all materials of the structure, as well as the layout of their placement.