Do you know how to install underfloor heating panels correctly?

Before installation, let me briefly introduce our product. The thickness can be selected as 20/25/30/35 mm. We can provide compressive strength of 300-1200 kpa. Finally, you can customize the desired pipe od, pipe distance, etc.

Then please prepare the items you need before installation：

1. Materials & Tools  

Main Materials:  

  XPS-aluminum foil heating panels (matching desired thickness and compressive strength), 12/16 mm PERT heating pipes, distribution box, room edge insulation strips (2 cm thickness, 5 cm height), two-layer moisture barrier (underlay: 0.3 mm PE film, overlay: floor moisture barrier).  

Tools:  

  Laser level, 2-m straightedge, utility knife, floor mallet, pipe clamps, pressure tester (manometer).  

2. Substrate Preparation  

Flatness: The surface must have a waviness ≤ 2 mm (checked with a straightedge). Irregularities are leveled with self-leveling compound (2-3 mm thickness).  

-Dryness: Moisture ≤ 8% (test with a moisture meter). For renovations: Remove old floor coverings and subfloor.  

Next, please follow my steps to start the installation.

Step 1: Moisture Barrier & Room Edge Insulation  

1. Lower Moisture Barrier:  

   Lay 0.3 mm PE film fully, overlapping ≥ 10 cm, seal edges with aluminum foil tape. Stand up 5 cm high against walls.  

2. Room Edge Insulation Strip:  

   Attach 2 cm thick XPS strip (same material as heating panels) to all walls (5 cm height, bond with construction adhesive) for thermal expansion.  

Step 2: Laying Heating Panels  

1. Mark Position Lines:  

   Use a laser level to mark the first panel row 10 cm from the wall (for floor expansion gap).  

2. Panel Installation:  

   Place aluminum foil side up, push tongue-and-groove joints tightly (gap ≤ 1 mm, no adhesive).  

   For corners/doors: Cut panels with a utility knife (5 cm from pipe slot), apply aluminum foil tape to cut edges.  

3. Load-Specific Details:  

   Heavy duty (e.g., hallways, offices): Attach additional reinforcement strips (5 cm wide XPS strips) to joints with structural adhesive.  

   Corners/columns: Insert L-shaped XPS supports to prevent edge deformation.  

Step 3: Heating Pipe Installation & Pressure Testing  

1. Pipe Insertion:  

   12 mm pipes in 20-25 mm panels (slot depth 13 mm), 16 mm pipes in 30-35 mm panels (slot depth 17 mm). Press pipes fully into slots (no overhang).  

   Fixing: Residential: 1 clamp per meter; Commercial: 2 clamps per meter (at slot starts and midpoints).  

2. Pressure Testing:  

   Pressurize system to 0.6 MPa, hold for 1 hour. Pressure drop ≤ 0.03 MPa = passed. Then reduce pressure to 0.3 MPa (protect against pipe damage).  

Step 4: Install Floor Covering  

1. Upper Moisture Barrier:  

   Lay floor-specific PE film (with 1 cm expansion gap at walls, filled with room edge insulation strip).  

2. Covering Recommendations:  

   - 20-25 mm panels: 8-10 mm laminate (total height ≤ 35 mm).  

   - 30-35 mm panels: 12 mm solid parquet (total height 42-47 mm).  

   - Heavy duty (e.g., marble): Lay 5 mm fiber cement board before tiling (only for 30-35 mm panels ≥ 800 kPa).  

3. Installation Rules:  

   No nails/pneumatic drills (risk of pipe damage)! Use mainly adhesive or click-lock floor coverings.