Radiant Heat Flooring

You can use the Warmup® Underfloor Heating System under carpet, vinyl, wood or any ceramic or natural stone floor tile such as slate, porcelain, limestone, marble and terracotta. You can even use the heater under thicker floor finishes such as flagstones - just plan a little more time for the floor heat up.

You may choose to cover or protect the heater as part of pre-floor finishing work with a cement-based smoothing underlayment (this is especially useful when laying flagstones). Follow the floor manufacturer`s instructions closely, using grout and thin-set tile adhesive, each with a compatible latex additive.

Please note that you should never install Warmup Underfloor Heating System under cork.

You may install the heater on an interior wood subfloor or solid (concrete slab) sub-floor. In either case, a cement backer board should be installed for maximum stability.

If you`re using a water proofing, or moisture barrier system, consult with the system manufacturer to establish if the membrane must be fitted above or below the heater. Please bear in mind that the heating element can reach temperatures of 131 degrees F, so it may be necessary to use a skim or scratch coat layer to dissipate the heat.

 

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Preparing interior wood subfloors

When installing the heater to a timber sub-floor, make sure you fix a suitable tile-backer board to the existing floor. Prior to installation, attach the existing floorboards securely and, if necessary, ensure a flush fit by first levelling with a latex or cement underlayment.

Secure the backer board according to the manufacturer`s recommendations and in line with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications. Tile and stone installation should also conform to TCA (Tile Council of America) guidelines.

Underlayment fasteners should not penetrate joists below.

Chipboard, MDO and other particle boards are not appropriate bases for tiling.

 

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Preparing solid floors

When installing flooring onto a concrete slab sub-floor, Warmup recommends using insulated polystyrene tile-backer board to improve the performance and efficiency of the heating system.

Warmup Underfloor Heating Systems will work with un-insulated concrete sub-floors, but once completed, the floor will take significantly longer to heat up. Note also that the extended heat-up times will lead to higher running costs. Go to the heating section for more information on heat-up times.

Insulation dramatically enhances the performance and efficiency of floor warming-systems.

 

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