With the popularity of geothermal heating, laminate flooring faces problems such as deformation and cracking in high temperature and dry environment, and the heat conduction efficiency also affects the heating effect. To achieve the stable use of laminate flooring in geothermal environment, comprehensive measures need to be taken from multiple aspects such as material performance optimization, installation process improvement, and structural design innovation.
The optimal selection of materials suitable for geothermal environment is the basis for anti-deformation. The base material of laminate flooring is mostly high-density fiberboard (HDF) or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). In geothermal environment, the board with a moisture content strictly controlled at 6%-8% should be selected. The moisture content in this range can not only ensure the toughness of the board, but also reduce the shrinkage deformation caused by water loss. At the same time, the use of specially treated environmentally friendly adhesives, such as urea-formaldehyde resin glue with heat stabilizer added, can reduce the formaldehyde release and the risk of board decomposition at high temperature. For the wear-resistant layer, wear-resistant paper with higher aluminum oxide content is used to improve the surface heat and wear resistance; the decorative layer is printed with high-temperature resistant ink to avoid fading or peeling of the color caused by geothermal high temperature.
Optimize the structural design to enhance the anti-deformation ability. Laminate flooring for geothermal use usually adopts a lock-joint structure. Compared with the traditional slot-type, the lock-joint design can provide more uniform stress distribution when heated and expanded, and reduce the arching phenomenon caused by local extrusion. Some products also add a glass fiber mesh layer inside the substrate, using the high strength and low expansion characteristics of glass fiber to constrain the expansion and contraction of the board and control the dimensional change rate within 0.1%. In addition, a multi-layer composite structure is adopted, and a balance layer is covered on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate to balance the force and water evaporation rate on both sides of the board under the geothermal environment, and prevent warping and deformation caused by uneven stress.
Special surface treatment improves heat conduction efficiency. In order to speed up geothermal heat transfer, the surface of laminate flooring can be micro-textured, and the contact area with the air is increased through the nano-level concave-convex structure to promote heat convection. Some high-end products use graphene coating technology, which uses the excellent thermal conductivity of graphene to increase the heat conduction efficiency by more than 30%, so that the floor can reach the set temperature faster. At the same time, optimize the thickness ratio of the wear-resistant layer and the decorative layer. Under the premise of ensuring wear resistance, appropriately reduce the thickness of the surface layer, reduce the obstacles to heat transfer, and achieve efficient heating.
Standardize the installation process to avoid potential risks. Before installation, the flatness of the ground needs to be tested, and the error is controlled within 3mm to ensure that the floor is evenly stressed; when laying the moisture-proof film, an aluminum foil moisture-proof film with a thickness of not less than 0.2mm should be selected to block the upward penetration of moisture from the ground and enhance heat reflection. Reserve 8-12mm expansion joints between the floor and the wall and furniture, and fill them with elastic sealing strips to reserve space for the floor to expand due to heat. Avoid using iron nails to fix during installation to prevent the nails from damaging the floor due to thermal expansion and contraction. Preferentially use suspended installation to allow the floor to have room for free expansion and contraction when the temperature changes.
Intelligent temperature control and humidity adjustment assist in stable use. With the intelligent temperature control system, set the upper limit of the geothermal temperature (recommended not to exceed 28℃) to avoid accelerated aging and deformation of the floor due to excessive temperature. At the same time, humidity monitoring equipment is installed indoors. When the ground humidity is lower than 40%, appropriate water is added through the humidifier to maintain the stable moisture content of the floor. Some high-end products also have built-in temperature and humidity sensors, which are linked to the geothermal system. When abnormal ambient temperature and humidity are detected, the geothermal power is automatically adjusted or an alarm is issued to achieve intelligent protection.
Regular maintenance extends the service life of the floor. When using laminate flooring in a geothermal environment, it is necessary to regularly check whether the expansion joints are blocked, clean up the debris in the gaps, and ensure that the floor expands and contracts normally; wipe the floor surface with a dry mop every month, and avoid using acidic or alkaline detergents to prevent corrosion of the wear-resistant layer. Check the moisture-proof film every six months for damage, and repair it in time to prevent moisture intrusion. In addition, avoid concentrated heating of a certain area for a long time, and regularly adjust the geothermal water distributor valve to make the floor evenly heated and reduce the risk of local deformation.
