For heating hardwood or laminate floors, FilmHeat is one of the best, most recommended floor heating systems available. The advanced system features a near paper-thin heating element, resulting in virtually no floor buildup. The 0.016-inch thick heating panels can be cut onsite, and come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty. The FilmHeat floor heating system is one of the best values for installing radiant heat under laminate and hardwood flooring. It is laid out directly under the flooring as it is being laid out, making it quick, easy, and affordable to install.
For new construction applications, you even have the option of installing heat cable directly in the concrete slab of your floors. The In-Slab Floor heating system is a proven system, ruggedly designed to withstand installation in heavy concrete pours. The heat cable is thicker and more durable than other floor heating cable. This system offers homeowners an affordable option for heating basement floors or other floors installed over concrete. It is also one of the most efficient floor heating options available. The floor heating system utilizes the thermal properties of the concrete to efficiently store and distribute the warmth.
In-Slab heat cable has a protective metallic shield and is waterproof, so it can be safely installed for both wet and dry applications. Designed to produce 12-27 watts per square foot, the heat cable is a premier radiant floor heating solution for in-slab applications in both small, custom residential and large commercial radiant heating projects. Virtually any type of flooring can be installed with the In-Slab floor heating system.
The low-voltage FloorHeat system features a unique, thin polymer heating element. In addition to heating hardwood and laminate flooring, this system can also be discreetly installed under carpet, ceramic tile, and slate. The flexible polymer heating element is so thin that it will not affect your floor buildup, weight loads, or flooring choices.
Radiant heat can also be added to a home without the need of tearing out the existing floors. If a homeowner has access to their floor, either through the basement or a crawl space, a special floor heating element can be installed between the floor joists. This RetroHeat floor heating system features ultra-thin heating panels that are stapled up between the joists, and then batt insulation is placed over the element to direct all the heat upward to effectively warm the floor.
Additionally, heating mats, featuring thin heat cable, sandwiched between two specially reinforced sheets of aluminum can be installed to heat laminate, carpet, and hardwood floors. This FoilHeat system can be cut and shaped on site to meet the specific requirements of the project.
As you can see, you have a variety of choices when it comes to heating your floors. But perhaps even more important than your choice of system is your choice of system designer and installer.
A radiant floor heating system is only as good as its installation, so be careful about “bargain shopping”. An established, highly recommended radiant heat provider combines competitive pricing and top product offerings with complete radiant heat design and support services. Unlike most other providers in the industry, Warmzone has an electrical expert on hand to guide your installer through the system wiring process. Coupled with a staff of knowledgeable experts who genuinely pride themselves on customer service, it’s easy to see why Warmzone has earned its reputation as one of the most trusted providers of radiant heat solutions.
For more information about radiant heating systems, call a radiant heat expert at 888.488.9276.
(Go back to Part I of Make Your House a Dream Home with Radiant Heat).
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