How to Build a Radiant Heat Floor
Radiant floor heating can turn any floor into a large, low-temperature radiator. Some systems utilize warm water, which is pushed through plastic tubing that is either embedded in a floor slab or attached to the underside of the sub-flooring. These systems are very expensive and difficult to install. An easier, more affordable option for a single room is an electric system. This type of radiant heat floor is ideal for a room with ceramic tile, such as the bathroom or kitchen, where thin heating cables can be installed under the tile. You will need to pull up your existing tile before installing your radiant heating system. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Make a scale drawing of the room's floor plan, making sure to identity the area where the cable will run. Do not position cable under or against cabinets, tubs, showers or near any wax seals for toilets. The cable should only be located in the areas where people are most apt to walk.
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Send a copy of your floor plan to the company that is providing you with your system. Many, such as Sun Touch, use heating cables that are woven into 1 to 2 foot wide plastic mats.
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Arrange the plastic mats on the floor in their pre-determined locations, making sure to push them down as far as they can go. Don't overlap the mats; line up the seams so that they butt up against each other.
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4
Hook up the wiring. Run the wiring off of an already-installed GFCI receptacle, or run new wiring from your circuit breaker. Contact an electrician for help with this step. Test the radiant flooring mats to ensure that they're working before you start tiling.
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Carefully tile directly on top of the plastic radiant flooring mats. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to adhere the tiles to the mats; this process varies depending upon the manufacturer.
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Tips & Warnings
Because the cables used in an electric radiant floor heating system are so thin, they don't raise the level of the flooring very much, which makes this a perfect project to take on when remodeling. Electrical radiant heating systems are usually compatible with any tile, but there are certain types of tile that are more ideal than others. Ask your radiant heating system supplier for specific recommendations.
Electric radiant heating systems use their own thermostat. These systems do not replace your main heating unit, they only improve upon it.
