How Much Does a Heated Bathroom Floor Cost in 2024?

Going from a warm, cozy bed to cold bathroom floors can be jarring, especially in winter.

Installing heated floors in bathrooms can be one of the best decisions you can make. But how much does a heated bathroom floor cost?

Read on to learn more about the cost of heated bathroom floors and whether they are worth it.

Types of Heated Bathroom Floors

Heated bathroom floors are a form of electric radiant floor heating, which has two primary forms, regardless of where you want to install it: electric and hydronic. These systems work the same way but use different power sources.

Water-Based, Hydronic Heating Systems

Hydronic radiant heating systems are made up of small pipes or tubing under the floor. They are connected to a boiler, which heats the water before pumping it through the pipes or tubing. 

As it runs through, it heats the floor and, in turn, begins to heat the bathroom. Once the water has cycled through the entire system, it returns to the boiler to be reheated and continues the process.

Advantages:

• They are energy efficient and often have lower operating costs.
• They can work with multiple energy sources, including natural gas, propane, and electricity. 
• They can provide effective, even heating.
• They can stay warm longer.

Disadvantages:

• They are difficult and expensive to install. 
• They are best installed in new builds because they raise the floor levels.
• The boilers require regular maintenance. 
• They take longer to heat up.

Electric Heating Systems

Electric radiant heating, as the name implies, relies on electricity to heat the bathroom. With electric systems, thin electrical heating cables are installed under the floor. Once the system powers on, it begins to heat up, and the thermal energy and electromagnetic waves heat the bathroom quickly and evenly.

Advantages:

• Heats up in 15 to 30 minutes.
• They are cheaper to install and great for renovations.
• They require no more than a thermostat and electrical connection, making them virtually “invisible.”
• Virtually no maintenance if installed correctly.

Disadvantages:

• They can have higher running costs.
• If you lose power, the system may not work.

How Much Do Heated Bathroom Floors Cost?

There are several factors that contribute to the cost of heated floors in the bathroom. For instance:

The System You Choose

Out of everything, this will likely be the most significant cost for a heated bathroom floor. Electric radiant heating costs around $7.90–$15 per square foot, and hydronic systems will cost around $6–$20 per square foot.

Automatic vs. Manual Start

Once you choose your system, you can choose between thermostats with manual start, where you turn the system on and off, or automatic start, where the system turns on by itself in certain conditions or on a set schedule. 

Both options offer high and low-end price points, with manual system controls costing up to $160 and automatic system controls up to $300.

Labor

The labor related to heated bathroom flooring installation costs can also vary depending on many factors, with some contractors charging by the hour and others by square footage. Nevertheless, to get the best installation possible, you will need someone to install the system and the flooring.

You will also need an electrician for electric radiant heating to do the wiring. These services can cost $50–$130 an hour. 

Insulation 

Heat loss can reduce the efficiency of your heated bathroom. 

Adding floor insulation is a great way to make your system more effective and reduce heat loss. Floor insulation will help you save money on running costs, however, it will add to the upfront cost of your heated floor installation.

Flooring Material

The flooring material you choose can also affect the cost to install heated floors in a bathroom. Tile floors are a popular option for bathroom flooring, with heated tile floors costing between $3–$20 per square foot depending on the type of tiles. 

Ceramic and porcelain are the cheapest and also excellent options for radiant heat flooring.

Old Floor Removal

If you choose to remove your old floor before installing your system, this can also affect the overall heated floor installation cost, as it will mean additional labor for your contractor.

The Size, Shape, and Layout of the Bathroom

The bigger the bathroom is, the more heated bathroom tile floors cost. Oddly shaped bathrooms with many angles or curves typically require more shaping or cuts to ensure you get the desired coverage. 

Running Cost of a Heated Bathroom Floor

The cost to operate radiant heating is impacted by the energy source you rely on.

Electric radiant heat is often considered more costly because of the electricity costs, but in reality, it is not drastically more expensive than day to day energy usage. Generally speaking, an electric bathroom floor that uses radiant heat will cost $4–$8 an hour. However, keep in mind you do not spend all day in the bathroom, so the heated bathroom floor does not need to run all day long.

You can also make it more efficient and lower your heated bathroom floor cost by:

• Use floor insulating materials in your bathroom
• Choosing a cost effective flooring material
• Using a smart thermostat

Are Heated Bathroom Floors Worth the Cost?

With all the various things that affect how much bathroom heated floors cost, the greater question is: are they worth it? 

There is no denying that heated bathroom floors are an investment, but it can be worth it for many. At the end of the day, it is a matter of personal opinion.

If your bathroom is where you go to unwind and practice self-care, it can be well worth the cost to add to your overall comfort. It can also be worth it if you live somewhere with cold winters, making your bathroom unbearable. Heated floors, even in the bathroom, also add value to your home, which is another reason that makes it worth the cost in many ways. 

Keeping Warm in Your Bathrooms With Warmup

Bathrooms are now not only functional spaces but also places of comfort and relaxation.  The only issue is: bathroom floors can be cold and take away from that comfortable, relaxing vision many homeowners dream of.

Warmup’s heated bathroom floors can fix that.

With over 30 years of experience researching and developing electric radiant heated flooring, you can trust Warmup to have the perfect solution for bathrooms of any size.

Want to learn more about how much heated bathroom floors cost and get an estimate for your own bathroom? Contact the experts at Warmup today!