Radiant Floor Warming Mat

Radiant floor heating mats are the best system to use in home heating. The system is comfortable, quiet and no dust is blown. The rooms are not overheated since the sub floor heating generates heat from below. This result in an even heat that warms up the entire room including: the furniture, surfaces and people inside it. This radiant heat can be compared to the sun’s heat from a window on a cold day. The floor heating mat is also installed under floor tiles and stones to provide a luxurious feeling.

The process of installation is easier compared to the process of installing a cable. In cable installation, there is a high risk of incorrectly spacing the cables. This can be avoided by purchasing a quality mat made with optimal built-in spacing.

Installation

Installing a radiant heating map is not difficult. Having wall-mounted thermostats, the heat mats are installed beneath the floor tiles to produce invisible heat and provide the necessary comfort. The heat mats can be used to supplement the heat in entryways, bathrooms and kitchen.

The initial step in installation is the installation of a tile backer board. It is secured to the sub-floor and cement screws. A scale drawing on the rooms it is to be installed is then done and taken to a tile store where the actual size of the required mat is bought. After purchasing the mat, you should look at the wiring using a continuity tester so as to ensure it was not damaged during the manufacturing process. An electric outlet box is then installed on the upper wall in which the wiring leads will end. The floor tiles’ layout lines should first be drawn, then the mat installed and secured firmly on the cement board. Afterwards follows the installation of conduit connectors after which the mortar is spread over the floor area. Finally, the tile is laid and tapped into place and the power lead is connected to the thermostat based on the instructions from the manufacturer.

The LATICRETE have formed an easy software layout that enables beginners to finish a floor heating layout fast.

Brands

Electric radiant floor heating mats are commonly found in two brands: Nu-heat and Sun Touch. Both mats are of high quality and are relatively equal in energy use, durability and heat output.

Sun Touch appears to be more flexible; their rolls can be easily cut to properly fit a room. This they serve well irregularly shaped rooms and those with obstructions. The Nu heat mats can’t be cut and are either square or rectangular shaped. They do offer the quickest installation and have a wide range of sizes designed to fit different room sizes.

Other mats

The under floor retro-fit warming mats are used to add heat to floors already installed. In their design, they can be installed amidst the joist bays beneath the floor.

Purchase

A floor warming mat can be bought as part of the package in a full floor warming kit. The other contents of the kit include a fault indicator and a floor warming thermostat.