How to Install Floor Tile Mesh

Install radiant heating mesh under your tile floor.

When you decide to install radiant heating under your tile floor, floor tile mesh helps transmit the heat under the surface of the tile. Floor tile mesh looks like mesh material made out of metal, and it has large wires that run underneath it. Proper installation of your tile mesh floor will ensure that every area of your tile flooring is heated evenly. After you install your radiant heating mesh, you can apply a layer of thinset mortar directly over the floor tile mesh and then install the tile of your choice on top of the thinset.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Floor tile mesh
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue
• Extension cord
• Staple gun
• ¼-inch staples

Instructions

1. Measure your room to make sure you have enough mesh to cover the surface of the floor. Buy floor tile mesh to cover the dimensions of your room, and also buy an extra 10 percent so you have plenty on hand in case of cutting errors or incorrect measurements.

2. Lay your tile mesh floor on the ground so you can cut it to size. Position the mesh so the white wire and the yellow wire both meet at the wall underneath the thermostat.

3. Cut your floor tile mesh using wire cutters so it fits on the floor where you will install your tile. The mesh will fold up on itself where it meets the wall, and that's where you can make your cuts. Pay attention to what you're cutting to make sure you don't cut any of the electrical wires.

4. Apply hot glue to loose wires so they stay in place instead of moving around. Glue the wires to the sub floor. Run an extension cord from your wall outlet to the hot glue gun, if necessary so you can apply hot glue to all areas where there are loose wires.

5. Staple your floor tile mesh to the sub floor to keep it in position while you install your tile floor over it. Use ¼-inch staples and a staple gun, stapling it all around the perimeter of the room and anywhere you may have seams.

Tips & Warnings

• Hire an electrician to run a new electrical box and wire the radiant heating mesh up with electricity. An electrician will make sure that the new electrical box and the connection between your electrical wires and your radiant heating mesh are up to code.

• Never install tile mesh floor in such a way that the mesh overlaps. The heating element in these wires could cause that area to overheat and quickly become a fire hazard.

References

• The Tile Doctor: Floors Specialty