FAQ About Installing Heated Floors

We’ve asked renovation experts for answers to your common questions about this increasingly common renovation project.

Even with a top-notch heating system, you’ll find parts of your home are uncomfortably cold. Maybe, you dread that moment when you step out of the shower onto the tiled floor. Or, how your wet boots never dry in the drafty entranceway. These little things can make the winter months unpleasant.

Luckily, through innovations like heated flooring, you can eliminate cold patches and create a cozy nest for the winter. Below, we’ve asked renovation experts for answers to your common questions about this increasingly common project.

5 Common Questions About Heated Flooring

1) Are heated floors a new invention?

No, underfloor heating has been around for a while. Some even trace it back to ancient China. But, because the modern variation is expensive compared to other standard options, it’s usually reserved for luxury renovations.

Still, more and more homeowners are considering heated flooring because it offers solutions to issues with more common heating systems. For example, baseboard heaters take up a lot of space and aren’t compatible with tight rooms. Because heated flooring is passed under the floor, it’s highly space efficient.

2) Which rooms do you recommend getting a heated floor installed in?

Heated flooring is perfect for a bathroom renovation project. This is the room where you’ll feel the winter chill the most, especially with a cold tiled floor. Just think of those dark winter mornings when you’re clutching yourself for warmth.

Heated floors are also great to add to all the entrances of your home. That way, when you come in from the cold all your gear will warm (and melt) quickly. It’ll be pleasanter to slip into when you’re ready to venture out again.

For those looking to do a full house renovation, you can install them throughout. Heated floors can be used as the only form of heating or in conjunction with another heating system, like central heating.

3) What’s the installation process like?

First, your renovation company will remove the floor. Once they get to the plywood, they will either reinforce it or replace it to ensure the subfloor is sound. Different companies will go with different flooring systems. RD Construction uses quality Schluter Systems. First, the Schluter membrane is installed; it’s designed with customized notches for the electrical wiring (and thus the heat) to fit in.

After the membrane is glued to the plywood, and the wiring is added, then the mortar is applied on top to fix the wires into the membrane. Lastly, the tiles are put in place and you can choose a thermostat option to control your heated flooring. Schluter products come with WiFi-controllable thermostats.

4) What are the major benefits of adding heated floors to my home?

The top benefit of the project is increased comfort. Baseboard or convection heaters will heat the room, but won't make the floor warm because heated air rises. With the addition of heated floors, you can maintain even heating throughout the house.

As mentioned before, heated floors are also more space efficient as all the equipment is tucked out of sight. For that same reason, it’s also more aesthetically pleasing. Unlike floor vents or radiators, radiant floor heating does not accumulate dust. So, it eliminates an eyesore and additional chore.

The project can also improve home efficiency. With more even heating, you’re less likely to crank the heat before a shower. Maintaining a steady temperature will reduce energy use and costs.

5) Will this project affect my home’s aesthetic?

No, your home’s aesthetic is an important part of the renovation project planning and installation. Before beginning your bathroom or full house renovation, professionals will need to consider whether they’ll need to install a transition between the bathroom and hallway. If it’s possible to make the bathroom flooring and hallway flooring flush, no transition is necessary. However, if it’s not possible, contractors can install a quartz doorsill between the flooring materials to make an elegant transition. Keeping an elegant interior design will be a top priority of any reputable renovation company.

Heated flooring is a luxurious but worthwhile addition to your home. This heating upgrade will increase the comfort and efficiency of your home, so even on the coldest winter day, you’ll be comfortable in every corner of your home.

Start Your Bathroom Renovation Today

Whether you're looking for a bathroom renovation cost estimate– with heated floors included– or to discuss a full house upgrade, RD Construction is here with solutions. Our team of renovation experts guides you through every step of a luxury renovation: Design, selecting and purchasing materials, and construction. Get in touch, and we'll help turn your design dreams into a reality.

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