Electric Heating Under Laminate Flooring - Heating Film Installation in Hungary, Sitke, April 2020
Author: Tóth Tamás · 3 min read
In April 2020 in Sitke we installed heating film underfloor heating under laminate flooring. The layer build-up for the installation, with diagrams for tiles, plank flooring and PVC, room-by-room control and the installation video.
In April 2020 in Sitke, Hungary, we installed electric underfloor heating with heating film under laminate flooring. The layers from the bottom up: concrete, step-resistant thermal insulation, 5 mm reflective foil, heating film, vapour barrier, earthing mesh, 4-5 cm of concrete or 2 cm of rigidur board as needed, underlay paper, and finally the laminate flooring. The heating is controlled by a thermostat in each room, and we checked the finished system with a thermal imaging camera.
The installation in Sitke
The client wanted electric heating, and we provided it as underfloor heating with Intelligens Fűtőfólia heating film. The floor covering was laminate flooring, so the video shows the preparation of this layer build-up, the course of the installation and the thermal camera check.
One advantage of heating-film underfloor heating is quick, clean installation: in our experience the underfloor heating of an apartment is typically finished in one day. Infrared heating radiates heat from the floor surface, so an even, pleasant warmth develops throughout the home.
When this article was published (2020), 3rd-generation heating film was the newest; today we install 4th-generation heating film.
Layer build-ups by floor covering
The layers are listed from the top, starting with the visible floor covering, down to the concrete subfloor. The part below the heating film - thermal insulation, reflective foil - is the same for every floor covering; the difference is above the film. With laminate flooring and plank flooring the concrete or rigidur layer is only optional, but with tiles it is required, because tiles must be glued onto a solid layer.
Laminate flooring
| Layer (from the top) | Diagram |
|---|---|
| Laminate flooring |  |
| Underlay paper |  |
| 4-5 cm concrete / 2 cm rigidur (optional) |  |
| Earthing mesh |  |
| Vapour barrier |  |
| Heating film |  |
| 5 mm reflective foil |  |
| Thermal insulation (e.g. step-resistant EPS) |  |
| Concrete |  |
Tiles (ceramic tile, floor tile)
| Layer (from the top) | Diagram |
|---|---|
| Tiles |  |
| Tile adhesive |  |
| 4-5 cm concrete / 2 cm rigidur dry screed |  |
| Earthing mesh | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| Vapour barrier | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| Heating film | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| 5 mm reflective foil | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| Thermal insulation (e.g. step-resistant EPS) | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| Concrete | same layer as for laminate flooring |
Plank flooring (ship's deck style)
| Layer (from the top) | Diagram |
|---|---|
| Plank flooring |    |
| 4-5 cm concrete / 2 cm rigidur (optional) |  |
| Earthing mesh |  |
| Vapour barrier |  |
| Heating film |  |
| 5 mm reflective foil |  |
| Thermal insulation (e.g. step-resistant EPS) |  |
| Concrete |  |
Carpet or PVC flooring
| Layer (from the top) | Diagram |
|---|---|
| Carpet or PVC flooring |  |
| 4-5 cm concrete / 2 cm rigidur |  |
| Earthing mesh | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| Vapour barrier | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| Heating film | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| 5 mm reflective foil | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| Thermal insulation (e.g. step-resistant EPS) | same layer as for laminate flooring |
| Concrete | same layer as for laminate flooring |
Subfloor insulation - thickness, waterproofing, edge insulation strip - is covered in detail in our article on underfloor heating insulation.
Controlling the heating
In Sitke, the heating is controlled by a separate thermostat in each room. The thermostat monitors both the air and the floor temperature, so a comfortable temperature can be set for the floor. On request, smart home control can also be set up: the home's heating can then be accessed and adjusted remotely, from your phone.
Infrared underfloor heating in your home
For our client in Sitke, the electric heating built under the laminate flooring gives comfortable, even warmth. If you are also considering underfloor heating, request a quote (installation is available in Hungary), or have a look at the related solutions:
- 3rd-generation heating film (the film used in the 2020 installations)
- Ceiling heating, if heating cannot go into the floor
- Infrared heating - how radiant heating works
Recommended by the Hungarian National Electric Heating Association
Request a quote — installation anywhere in Hungary
We survey, design and install heating film and infrared heating throughout Hungary. Tell us about your home and we will get back to you.