Ultimate Guide to Radiant Floor Heating

As colder weather starts, heating systems start kicking in. While they can help warm up a home, they don’t always provide the most sufficient or cleanest heating, that is, unless you have a radiant floor heating system installed. Keep reading if you’re interested in learning everything there is to know about underfloor heating.

What is Radiant Floor Heating? How does it Work?

Radiant flooring is a form of heating that involves installing a network of either water tubes or electric heating cables under the floor’s surface. While traditional heating systems require air ducts and vents, a radiant heating system works by warming the floor first. The heat produced by the floor then radiates upwards into the rest of the room, providing efficient heating. 

Why Install a Radiant Floor System?

While winter signifies the end of allergy season for most, those who suffer from allergies ranging from dust to pet dander will continue to struggle. Air heating systems are known to aggravate these symptoms. Radiant flooring, as mentioned previously, doesn’t rely on ductwork and vents, which can help eliminate that concern and provide cleaner, safer heating for allergy sufferers. 

Traditional heating systems also present another common household problem: inconsistent heating. The location of the vents determines heating, leading to some areas being warmer than others. Underfloor heating distributes heat through the entire floor, creating an evenly heated room with no cold drafts. This makes them a more efficient and cost-effective heating solution.

Types of In-Floor Heating Systems

When considering radiant heat flooring systems, there are two primary types: electronic and hydronic. 

Hydronic Heated Floor Systems

Hydronic radiant heat systems rely on a network of pipes installed under the floor, which are heated by a boiler. While the long-term cost of hydronic systems is less than that of electric systems, the upfront cost is higher, and they take longer to install. Due to this installation time, hydronic underfloor heating systems are best in new construction. Other considerations for hydronic systems are that they will require regular maintenance, take longer to heat up a space, and carry a risk of leaking, which can cause damage to your home. 

Electric Heated Floor Systems

Electric under floor heating systems use electrical wiring to heat the floors. Unlike hydronic systems, electric radiant heat systems work with most types of flooring and are easy to install, making for a smaller initial cost. Electric floor heating is also more effective and has no additional maintenance requirements. 

Electric Heated Floors from Warmup

Founded over 25 years ago, Warmup is a UK-based manufacturing PLC dedicated to creating innovative smart controls and underfloor heating solutions. They focus on electric heating systems that offer solutions for every project, room, and floor type. 

The DCM-PRO is one option that combines the DCM-PRO Heating Cable and Membrane with the 6iE Smart WiFi Thermostat. It is the only UL-approved Membrane System in North America and offers the highest heating outputs, making it one of the best floor heating systems Warmup offers.

The Warmup Foil system is ideal for carpet, laminate, engineered wood, and other floating floor options. It doesn’t require any self-leveling and is thin enough that it won’t bring your floors higher. The In-Slab Cable system is designed for installation in concrete slabs between 2″ to 4″ thick. 

They offer heating systems for driveways that melt snow and ice, keeping driveways oriented from winter weather. These systems work with concrete, asphalt, and even pavers. 

Sounds interesting? These are just some of the products offered. Check out our website for everything else we offer. 

Benefits of Heated Floor Systems

Under floor radiant heating systems offer many different benefits. Here are some of the top reasons to consider installing the system in your home. 

1. Floor Heating Systems Go Unseen

The big problem with most heating options like HVAC systems, space heaters, and radiators is that they take up space and are often unattractive. A heated floor system offers a discreet option that doesn’t take up space or disrupt the room’s aesthetics.

2. Energy-Efficient and Cost-Effective

Radiant heat flooring is cost-effective and energy-efficient compared to more traditional options. Radiators, for example, have to be heated to around 167ºF before heating up a room, and duct-based systems almost always suffer some heat loss. This will make the systems work harder to compensate for the loss, increasing energy consumption and costing homeowners more. 

With in-floor heating, the floors are heated directly, which allows heat to radiate upwards and evenly across a room while significantly reducing heat loss. As a result, a radiant floor system can help homeowners save on heating costs.

3. Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Here at Warmup, we offer smart thermostats that are compatible with Creston, Control 4, Alexa, and Google, making them easy to integrate into any home system. A smart thermostat will also allow you to program your heated floor system, create preset schedules, and ensure consistent temperatures whether you are in or away from your home.

4. More Design Freedom

Radiant floor heating systems are under the floor—out of sight. With these systems, you won’t have to worry about planning your interior around radiators or air registers, which gives you more design options. 

5. Maintenance Free

If you choose an electric in-floor radiant heat system, there are no maintenance or servicing requirements; if installed correctly, you won’t have to do anything but enjoy a warm house. 

6. Wide  Floor Material Compatibility 

Another benefit specific to an electric radiant heat floor is wide flooring compatibility. Whether you want wood, laminate, stone, carpet, or another material, you have heated floor options. 

• DCM-PRO is a great option for tile and stone flooring.
• You can use Warmup’s StickyMat or DCM-PRO systems for vinyl and LVT.
• FOIL systems are great for laminate, engineered wood, and carpet since it doesn’t require thinset or leveler. 
• Concrete works best with In-Cable systems.

7. Ease of Installation

Electric in-floor heating systems are easy to install; even a DIY-er can install it under their floors. If DIY isn’t your thing, you can easily hire a licensed professional to do it for you. 

8. Better Air Quality

Under floor heating systems offer better air quality than other systems on the market. Radiators, for example, require higher temperatures, which can reduce oxygen levels. They also circulate air like HVAC systems, which can lift and move dust around, aggravating allergies. Since radiant flooring doesn’t circulate air, it helps keep the air cleaner, improving the quality significantly.

Disadvantages of Heated Floor Systems

While there are many benefits of radiant heat systems, there are also disadvantages.

1. You Have to Get New Floors

Since radiant flooring goes under your flooring, you have to remove your old floors to install the system. This adds additional costs, so installing under floor heating during renovations where you are already replacing your flooring is best.

2. Installation Time

While installation is easier, it still takes time to install a heated floor. Typically, installation starts with applying a self-leveling compound to ensure an even, level surface for installation. Once that is dry, you can install one of the different systems. Options like DCM-PRO are “ready to tile” and can be done in a day. FOIL  systems don’t require any thin-set or leveler, which allows it to be installed and ready to use in a day.

3. Floor Height Issues

Floor heating systems can result in floors sitting higher. Warmup offers heated floor options in a range of thicknesses; some are so thin they make no difference in the height of the floors—like the Warmup FOIL systems—while others, like the ultralight + DCM-PRO with leveler, can add up to 7/8″ in height. Insulation boards, often used to help maximize efficiency, also add height to the system. It is important to consider these details to avoid potential issues.

How to Install Heated Floors

Installation depends on the product you choose. You must follow the directions carefully. Otherwise, the system may not work properly. For a general idea, the installation is as follows:

1. Find the Electrical Power

Electric heated floors cannot be connected to any outlet. They require GFCI-protected outlets installed by a qualified electrician following the National Electrical Code and the local codes in your area.

2. Prepare Subfloor

Next, prepare the subfloor, by removing any old flooring and glue. More specific subfloor preparation depends on the type of subflooring. For optimal performance, you will also want to use Warmup Insulation Boards.

3. Install the Membrane

Install your chosen membrane using the correct adhesive, as listed in the instructions of your chosen heating system.

5. Test and Install the Heating Cable

Test the heating cable and floor sensor to ensure it is working properly. Once the operation is confirmed, you can begin laying the cable according to directions.

6. Apply Thinset

Apply a thin layer of waterproof thinset between membrane runs and over the cable joints, ensuring the membrane cavities are filled. 

7. Cover Thinset With Waterproof Tape

Apply waterproof tape to the thinset using a trowel to remove any air caps or creases, taking care not to damage or dislodge the cable.

7. Install Flooring

Install the chosen flooring according to instructions. 

To learn more about how to install radiant floor heating—and to gain a more thorough explanation on the installation process—check out our ultimate guide to radiant floor heating installation. It goes into more detail for each step of the process and provides additional tips on how to make the process easier.

Best Areas to Install Heated Floors

Warmup’s under floor radiant heating systems are designed to control each room individually, making for an energy-efficient option whether you use it as supplemental or primary heating. The ability to heat only the space you’re using can cut your energy consumption significantly, saving you lots of money. Some great places to install radiant flooring include:

Bathrooms

Most bathrooms have tile floors, which are cold no matter the season. Add humidity and wet towels to that, and you get a cold room–especially during cooler seasons. A bathroom radiant floor heating system will help ensure yours is warm all year long.

Kitchens

Kitchens are another space that is typically tiled and can get humid and cold. Heated flooring can help eliminate that cold and make cooking comfortable at any time of day, in any season.

Bedrooms

Radiant flooring can also be great for bedrooms. This way, you can have a warm, comfortable space at night without adjusting HVAC temperatures or using a space heater.

Garages

Most homeowners don’t consider the potential of in-floor radiant heat in a garage, but there is a lot of potential. Heated garage floors can help with snow management and provide a warm space if you use your garage as a workshop. 

Home Offices

Working from home is more common than ever, but nobody can focus on work if they’re cold. Installing heated floors will create the perfect office environment to stay warm and be productive.