Underfloor heating mesh: composite reinforcing mesh ETHYZ

A warm floor is a "pie" made of insulation, a reflective layer, a heat carrier (pipe or cable) and a screed. The reinforcing mesh in this pie solves two problems at once: it serves as a base to which the contour is fixed, and a frame that prevents the screed from cracking when heated and cooled. The durability and safety of the system directly depend on the mesh material, so increasingly, instead of steel, they choose composite mesh for underfloor heating.

Why composite mesh is better for underfloor heating than steel mesh

The warm floor works in conditions of constant temperature changes and a moist alkaline environment of fresh concrete — this is where the metal begins to corrode. ETHYZ composite reinforcing mesh is devoid of these weaknesses.

• Does not rust or corrode. The glass composite is inert to moisture and alkali of concrete, so the mesh under the screed does not give rusty spots and does not deteriorate for years.
• Dielectric — does not conduct current. This is critical for electric underfloor heating: the mesh does not create conductive circuits and increases the electrical safety of the unit.
• It does not form cold bridges. Metal rods conduct heat to the floor slab and "drain" it down; the composite has almost no thermal conductivity, the heat remains in the room.
• Light. The web is much lighter than steel welded mesh, it is easier to lift it to the floor, carry it around the object and lay it alone.
• Flexible and comfortable to cut. The mesh is rolled, and on the spot it is cut with scissors or a grinder for any configuration of the room.
• High fracture strength and durability The frame keeps the screed from cracking for the entire service life of the floor.

Compliant product GOST 31938-2012 for composite polymer reinforcement and mesh. In fact, this is a full-fledged replacement of a metal welded mesh or "chipper" — without corrosion and cold bridges.

Which mesh to choose for underfloor heating

For underfloor heating, the canvas of the family is used "Armosetka SSK" — glass composite mesh of rods with a diameter of Ø2-6 mm (brands SSK-2, SSK-3, SSK-5, SSK-6). The cell can be 50×50, 100×100 and 200×200 mm, the color is black or green. The choice of the cell determines both the rigidity of the frame and the convenience of fastening the contour.

How the cubicle affects the installation

The canvas is supplied in rolls and maps — standard formats 0.5×2, 0.5×15, 1×2, 1×15, 2×30, 1.35×50 m and others. The roll can be conveniently rolled along the room, the cards can be selected for small or complex rooms. The exact brand, cell and format for your project will be prompted in eTHYZ Composite Mesh CatalogueAsking price; On request

Fastening of pipes and cable to the grid

The main practical advantage of the mesh is the finished mounting plane. The contour of the water floor or the heating cable is laid out on the canvas and fixed so that when pouring they do not float and hold the calculated step.

1. Roll the mesh over the insulation with a reflective layer, joining the canvases with an overlap of one or two cells.
2. Lay the pipe or cable on top of the grid according to the design scheme ("snail" or "snake").
3. Fix the contour to the mesh with plastic clamps (ties) or soft binding wire in the nodes of the cells.
4. Check the geometry and pitch, if necessary add the fixing points on the bends.

Since the composite is a dielectric, fixing the heating cable to such a grid is safer than to a metal one: the grid is not included in the electrical circuit. And the absence of cold bridges means that the heat from the circuit does not "leak" through the frame down to the stove.

One or two layers of mesh

Often, one layer of mesh is laid under the pipe — as a basis for fastening and lower reinforcement of the screed. With a thick screed or high load, a second layer is added on top of the contour — it works as a distributing frame and protects against cracks on the top. A specific scheme is selected according to the thickness of the screed and the load on the floor.

Mesh laying in underfloor heating screed: short

• Basis Insulation, hydro- and reflective layer, damper tape along the perimeter.
• Net. Roll out with an overlap, if necessary, lift on stands so that the canvas is in the body of the screed, and not at the very bottom.
• Circuit Lay out and pull the pipe/cable to the grid with clamps.
• Filling Pour the screed, observing the design thickness above the contour; the mesh will distribute the load and reduce the risk of cracks.

You can cut the canvas for columns, thresholds and complex corners right on the spot — with scissors on thin bars or with a grinder. You cannot cook the composite (it is not metal), but you do not need welding for the mesh: the canvases are overlapped and knitted together.

Composite or metal mesh: what is important for underfloor heating

If you formulate the choice qualitatively, without unnecessary numbers: the metal mesh eventually rusts in a damp screed, conducts current and heat, heavy. ETHYZ composite mesh does not corrode, is dielectric, does not create cold bridges and is easier to install. For underfloor heating, where the durability of the screed, electrical safety, and heat retention in the room are important, these properties work directly on the result.

You can choose a mesh for a specific screed and the type of underfloor heating in section of composite reinforcing meshes — with the desired cell and the format of the roll or card.

FAQs

Which grid cell is needed for underfloor heating?

For underfloor heating, "SSC reinforcement grid" with a cell of 50×50, 100×100 or 200×200 mm is used. The cell of 100×100 mm is universal for most residential premises: it gives enough attachment points for a pipe or cable at an economical flow rate. A cell of 50×50 mm is taken under thin screeds and a small contour pitch, and 200×200 mm — for large areas and a distribution layer. The exact cell is selected according to the thickness of the screed and the load.

Is it possible to fix the heating cable to the composite mesh?

Yes, and it is safer than metal. Ethyz composite mesh is a dielectric, it does not conduct current and is not included in the electrical circuit of the underfloor heating. The cable is laid out on the canvas and fixed with plastic clamps in the nodes of the cells according to the design scheme. The absence of cold bridges additionally helps: the heat from the cable remains in the tie, and does not go down through the frame to the floor slab.

Why is composite mesh better than metal mesh for underfloor heating?

The composite mesh does not rust or corrode in the wet alkaline screed environment, whereas the metal breaks down over time and produces rusty stains. It is dielectric, does not conduct current, does not form cold bridges and is noticeably lighter than steel welded mesh. Flexible canvas: rolled up, cut with scissors or grinder on site. The products comply with GOST 31938-2012 and replace the metal mesh without its drawbacks.

How to cut and join the mesh when laying?

The composite mesh is cut right on the spot: thin bars — with scissors, the whole canvas — with Bulgarian, adjusting the shape of the room, columns and thresholds. Neighboring webs are laid with an overlap in one or two cells and connected to each other by binding wire or plastic clamps. It is impossible to cook the composite — it is not metal, but welding is not required for the mesh: overlap and knitting ensure the integrity of the reinforcing screed frame.

In what form is ETIZ mesh for underfloor heating supplied?

The "Armosetka SSK" mesh is supplied in rolls and maps. Typical formats are 0.5×2, 0.5×15, 1×2, 1×15, 2×30, 1.35×50 m and others, the color is black or green, bars Ø2-6 mm. Rolls are conveniently rolled along the room, the cards are selected for small or complex rooms. The desired format, brand and cell for your project will be prompted in the catalog; the price is calculated on request.