Laminated Flooring: Click here to view all message pictures. Laminated Flooring
Advantages: Minimal deformation, relatively comfortable foot feel
Disadvantages: Slow heat conduction, increases energy consumption
Professor Zhang Binyuan from Nanjing Forestry University's School of Wood Industry pointed out that as the temperature of the heating system rises, the deformation of laminated flooring is relatively small. The reason lies in the characteristic of each layer of its base material being interwoven horizontally and vertically, thus restraining each other; additionally, the backside of the laminated flooring has dense anti-deformation grooves which can decompose the stress generated by the heated surface, facilitate air circulation, reduce noise, and prolong warmth retention.
Professor Zhang Binyuan said that due to the low density of laminated flooring, water evaporates faster under heating conditions, making it easier for gaps to appear. Moreover, laminated flooring is relatively thick, leading to slower heat conduction, which is not conducive to transferring heat through the floor to the surface, thereby increasing energy consumption. During the heat transfer process, the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the laminated flooring is larger, easily causing deformation. Thermal expansion and contraction, as well as moisture expansion and dry shrinkage, can all lead to warping, twisting, bending, and cracking of the floor, failing to ensure the stability and flatness of the floor.
Reinforced Flooring
Advantages: Low price, good heat dissipation performance
Disadvantages: Formaldehyde release, short lifespan
Professor Zhang Binyuan introduced that the surface of reinforced flooring is a wear-resistant layer made of metal oxide, allowing heat to spread quickly and evenly on the surface. Although the lifespan of reinforced flooring isn't very long, it is easy to replace. Additionally, the dimensions of reinforced flooring are relatively fixed, with thin boards predominating in the market. The thermal stability is relatively better, and the moisture content is lower, so the floor is less likely to deform after being heated. Of course, many consumers choose it because of its low price.
After being heated, formaldehyde and some harmful gases will be released from the reinforced flooring, resulting in poorer environmental performance. Reinforced flooring is very afraid of water immersion. If the underfloor heating pipe breaks, the consequences can be severe, as the floor may experience mold growth, insect infestation, corrosion, and discoloration after becoming damp. Professor Zhang Binyuan reminded that some irregular enterprises use poor-quality raw materials to cut costs, causing formaldehyde and other harmful substances to be more easily volatile when heated, posing significant harm to human health. If the moisture content of these selected panels does not meet the standard, it can easily cause warping and arching. Additionally, the heat conduction effect of reinforced flooring is not ideal, and its lifespan is not long.
Tiles
Advantages: High thermal efficiency, easy to clean
Disadvantages: Difficult to repair, large heat loss
In terms of heat conduction, tiles conduct heat faster than wooden floors, with higher thermal efficiency. Tiles won't swell or bend like wooden floors and won't deform or be damaged under high temperatures. They are also easy to maintain cleanliness. Yang Huanggu suggested that if laying tiles, try to keep the sand and cement layer not too thick, which allows for faster heat conduction. Tiles are moderately priced and have a long service life.
Wooden floors are easy to repair, whereas one disadvantage of tiles is that they cannot be replaced. If there is maintenance required for the heating system, the tiles need to be lifted, almost leading to total scrapping. If the tile laying level is not up to standard, thermal expansion and contraction can severely deform the entire floor, causing issues such as loose and cracked ground surfaces. Additionally, tiles, as a type of underfloor heating material, heat up fast but cool down quickly, with an obvious inferior insulation effect compared to wooden floors, leading to greater heat loss and increased energy consumption.
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