Tile gurus - underfloor heating recommendations

[KFC911]

I've got a couple of bathrooms that I'm planning to tile and am contemplating installing some underfloor heating. I have no previous experience with these, so am looking for others' suggestions or experiences. I'm looking at two relatively small areas to be heated on top of a wood subfloor. Is this a good idea? Any brand name recommendations, pros/cons, installation tips, etc. are appreciated ...thanks!

[osidak]

just tiled my kitchen and downstairs bath and the upstairs baths are next - was thinking about doing the same as well so I guess I will be watching this thread.

[bigchillcar]

wife just tiled bathroom floor...i'd forgotten this could be done. ummm, how is it done?

[KFC911]

Ryan here's just one example: http://www.warmup.co.uk/
I saw a similar product at Home Depot which got me thinking...that could lead to serious trouble

[Rot 911]

It is incredibly simple to do. Here is a good tutorial to use. http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Electric-in-Floor-Heat-Under-a-Tile-Floor Just make sure you have an electric outlet in the right place to hook up to! And like the tutorial says, keep making continuity tests as you go along to insure you haven't cut or broken a wire.

[JavaBrewer]

Spend a couple hours on the John Bridge tile forum. Do a search for "radiant heat". Lots of good info there.

[KFC911]

Thanks for those links! I'll admit, I've used the John Bridge site before, but I figured it would be like searching for "oil" in our tech forums I'll do some reading...

[stomachmonkey]

Had an office with the in floor radiant heat. Was an odd sensation for me. Not sure if I dug it or not.

Scott

[Bill Verburg]

I just installed this in a bathroom I redid over the summer. Works great, easy install.

the worst part was waiting for the thin set to dry. It is applied thicker than usual.

It's not as good as the original hydronic floor heat that I used to have.

[trekkor]

Here's an electric radiant heated floor I installed a few years ago:




I like the brand "Warm Floors".

You submit an exact floor plan of your space to recieve the heat.
They will make the matte to order with the controll wiring located in the place you specify.

Yes, check the wiring.

They give instructions to complete the warranty card.
Verify the specs are the same as delivered, after matte install, after tile install.

The matte is bonded to the cement board underlayment first in acrylic modified thinset.
After the thinset has cured, you can level the floor with a self leveling, pour in place underlayment. Then set the tile.

The system in my picture above added about $2000 to the cost of the job if I recall. The system was around $800, alone.

Once installed, it is comparable to a single light bulb in operating expense.
It uses a wall mounted thermostat/programmable timer. Set and forget.

Any more questions?


KT

[TimT]

Another resource http://www.warmtiles.com/

I used this brand about 10 years ago when I redid one of my bathrooms. Its great in the winter.

[lookin]

Hi, KC911-

I'm a contractor and we have installed several electrical radiant floor heating systems in client's bathrooms. Every client loves it.

The product we use is called NuHeat. We decided to use NuHeat's product due to NuHeat's custom sizing of the mat to the bathroom floor along with the ease of installation for our tile & electrical contractors and the ease of use for our clients.

If you are planning on doing the install yourself, please be aware of the follow:

1. need a dedicated circuit (20 amp)
2. need to determine where thermostat is going to be located, so you can tell this to NuHeat when the fab the mat. If there are little kids, I like to install the thermostat a little high, so the the kids cannot reach.
3. need to be very cautious when cleaning the mortar from between the tiles as we have heard of people cutting the mat's wires while doing a bad job cleaning out mortar prior to grouting.

Warm floor's product as mentioned by trekkor also may be a great option, we just happen to use NuHeat's product.

If you have time, check out www.nuheat.com and see what you think.

Best of luck.

Dale

[trekkor]

I think it was NuHeat I used. It's been a few years.

I'm getting old...


KT

[89911]

timely post. We are just starting on a 2 story addition with a new masterbath and are planning to put this heating in the bathroom. Not looking to heat the place with it, just have the tile so they are not too cold. I installed tile years ago in a bathroom that sits over an unheated garage. Needless to say, the tile always has a chill.

[KFC911]

Thanks everyone...just the info I was looking for!