Akron Heated Floors

About Radiant Floor Heating Systems

So, what’s the big deal with radiant heat? Sure, some Akron residents rave how wonderful radiant heat is, but what is the real difference between a radiant floor heating system and a traditional forced-air system?

ComfortTile floor heating mats One of the most notable differences has to do with efficiency. Forced-air systems tend to have a lot of innate inefficiencies. The air is first warmed by the furnace (usually around 150°F to 160°F) before being blown through the series of ducts. Naturally, some heat loss results as it is blown through the ducts. When the hot air exits through vents in a room, it quickly rises, effectively heating the top half of the room, but not the lower levels. This can leave the bottom half of the room cool, and to compensate, the thermostat is cranked up. In addition to the warm air blowing from the vents, dust and allergens are also blown throughout the house. Needless to say, this can be a nuisance for those with allergies or respiratory problems. And even when vents are closed in some rooms, heat often whistles and escapes from the vents, adding to the inefficiency of the system.

Electric radiant heat systems operate silently, cleanly and with almost 100 percent efficiency. There is virtually no heat loss. The warmth must be experienced to be appreciated, but radiant heat provides warmth where you need it the most. Heat rises from the floor and radiates to warm objects in the room. Installing a heated bathroom or kitchen floor can make a world of difference in the comfort of that room. A room with a radiant heated floor is especially nice for children who spend so much time playing on the floor or close to it. While Warmzone offers electric and hydronic heated floors, electric systems operate discreetly and are maintenance free.

Warmzone carries a wide range of the industry’s most proven and trusted systems, including:

ComfortTile: This thin heat resistance cable is barely 1/8-inch in diameter, and is available on spools or pre-spaced in mats for easy installation. The mats have an adhesive backing and can be rolled out and secured to the subfloor quickly and easily. The CT floor heating system is very versatile, and is the most popular floor heating solution. It is especially effective for heating tile, marble and slate, but is also commonly used to heat laminates and other floor types. The twin-conductor floor heating cable is pre-terminated for use and carries a 25-year manufacturer warranty.

FilmHeat: The FilmHeat system uses a paper-thin heating element (available in different widths). It can be cut on site and is easy to install under laminate floors. The UL approved system features a 10-year warranty. Another version of FilmHeat is used to heat existing floors. Warmzone’s RetroHeat systems feature the same thin heating element (only 0.16-inch thick), intended to be stapled up between the floor joists. Batt insulation is installed over the heating element to direct the heat up to the floor. This is an affordable alternative to tearing up and heating existing floors. But to use RetroHeat, you must be able to access the joists from a basement or crawlspace below.

In-Slab: The In-Slab heat cable is the largest and most rugged of the floor heating cables. This affordable floor heating option is a common solution for heating basement and ground level floors where concrete slabs have been used.

In-Slab heat cable In-Slab cable is secured to the re-mesh and then the concrete is poured. Mesh-Up plastic “chairs” are used to support the remesh so that the heat cable remains within an inch or two from the surface of the finished concrete. The concrete slab efficiently stores and conducts the heat, making this a very efficient floor heating system. It is easy to install and features a 10-year manufacturer warranty.

FoilHeat floor heating element FoilHeat: This floor heating system also features thin heat cable, but the cable is sandwiched between two layers of specially reinforced aluminum foil, which acts as an efficient heat conductor that ensures even heat distribution. The mats can be cut and shaped on site, and is typically used to heat laminate floors.

The power-supply cable connecting the heating element exits from a corner of the laminate mat, and the power lead is a flat, thin two-core flexible cord, consisting of two insulated conductors with a metal sheath and an outer sheath. FoilHeat is a versatile system that offers an excellent value for heating under several different floor types.

FloorHeat STEP: The low-voltage FloorHeat STEP is a recommended system for heating hardwood floors. Some hardwoods can be sensitive to excessive heat, but the FloorHeat STEP system’s heating element is self-regulating, so the heating element adjusts its heat output accordingly. When the ambient temperature rises the electrical resistance increases and the consumption of electricity decreases, preventing the element from overheating and ensuring energy-efficient operation.

This heating element is a flexible, thin polymer panel that can be nailed or stapled through. It is so durable that the system is also one of the most popular roof deicing solutions. The heating element is installed discreetly under the roof shingles or metal roof. To heat floors, the system is laid out and secured to the subfloor, wired, and then thinset can be applied directly over the heating element.

Insulation and Membrane Systems: Prodeso® floor heating membranes and HeatShield insulation panels can also be combined with ComfortTile heat cable to provide optimized or specialized floor heating systems.

Prodeso floor heating membrane and cable Prodeso is an uncoupling, crack isolation and waterproofing membrane for heating floors and other surfaces without movement or expansion joints in the screed. The flexible membrane is laid out over the subfloor and then heat cable is routed through the existing channels, assuring quick installation and accurate spacing. This system results in a slight floor buildup of ¼-inch and can be used under a variety of floor types.

HeatShield panels consist of ½-inch thick lightweight, polystyrene insulation panels covered with thin, specially profiled aluminum. The panels enhance efficiency by maximizing ground insulation and upward heat distribution to reduce energy consumption. Once again, ComfortTile heat cable can be routed through the pre-designated channels in the panel. (The panels conveniently clip together to ensure proper installation.)

Each room or "zone" of an electric floor heating system is controlled by its own thermostat, giving you precise control over which rooms you want to heat. In addition to Warmzone's large product offering, we also carry a variety of the most advanced programmable and non-programmable thermostats in the industry.

Radiant heat can be used as the primary heating system for homes, but many homeowners opt to install radiant heat as a supplement to their existing heating system. It’s an ideal way to turn your house into a dream home. Warmzone offers one of the best selections of the most trusted radiant floor heating systems in the industry. For more information about the available options, call a floor heating expert today at 888.488.9276. Warmzone carries both electric and hydronic floor heating systems.