DIY Underfloor Heating
Related Articles: radiant heat
DIY underfloor heating is a popular project, because many people hate walking across cold floors. There is often nothing more comfortable than soothing heat generated by a diy underfloor heating system.
Some diy underfloor heating systems are easy to install, while others require the touch and skill of a professional. The electric diy floor heating mats are very popular, because you simply unroll them, connect them to the electrical system and then cover them with the flooring material. Ceramic tile, granite flooring and any other natural stone product work very well with these electrical diy underfloor heating mats. The reason for this is simple: the underfloor heating mats are very thin.
The hot-water diy heating systems are more of a challenge. To produce enough heat, the diy underfloor heating water systems must have a pipe size with an inner diameter of nearly one-half inch or larger. These larger pipes can't be easily covered with flooring materials, so they often are installed within the concrete slab on under a wood subflooring system.
It is possible to do a diy underfloor heating system on top of a wood subfloor, but the pipes often must be covered with a liquid compound that looks like pudding but sets up and hardens like concrete. This is a very difficult multi-step process and many do-it-yourselfers are not equipped with the tools and skills necessary for a professional installation.
The hot water systems also require boilers or water heaters to generate the heat transferred by the heating pipes under the flooring. It takes great skill to size, install and connect these heating plants to the piping systems.
The biggest mistake a do-it-yourselfer can make while installing radiant heating in a floor is undersizing the system. It is very important to make sure the correct amount of heating is being installed to offset the cold or heat loss. Not all houses need the same amount of heating elements. A floor space that gets colder in the winter will require more Btus than a house in a mild climate. Pay attention to the sizing guides produced by the heating product manufacturers.
Electrical-wiring methods are very important when it comes to diy underfloor heating systems. Many do-it-yourselfers are not qualified electricians, and they can overload circuits if not careful. This grave mistake can cause deadly electrical fires.
An electrical underfloor heating system can draw significant electrical current, and you must make sure the mat is on its own circuit if the instructions or electrical code require it. Adding new electrical circuits is not a hard diy project, but it can be very intimidating.
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mauro tatini 25 Nov 2008, 17:04
I just bought a fixer-upper upstate NY, and the weather here is no joke in
the winter time. The place has an old, broken furnace, half-destroyed
ducts, and electric baseboard heating (operating) - of course it's
expensive and never quite enough heat. I'm thinking about doing radiating
heating throughout the house - I've tried calling professionals to come do
the work, but after the 5th no-show in a year, I decided I need to do it
myself (people just don't want to work up here, it's crazy!) - anyway,
pexsupplies (or something like that) can size up your house and
professionally design your system, then sell it to you so you can do it
yourself. What are you thoughts on that? (I'm a fast learner and very good
with tools, have a huge library of books, and read extensively before
engaging into any project - they usually come out great - I've done two
bathrooms and lots of other things)
thanks!
DON 21 Nov 2009, 07:38
CAN THIS PRODUCT BE INSTALLED UNDER THE SUB FLOOR BETWEEN FLOOR JOISTS?
TILE FLOOR ALREADY INSTALLED OVER WONDER BOARD AND 1" PLYWOOD DECK. I WOULD
ATTACH THIS PRODUCT TO BOTTOM OF PLYWOOD BETWEEN FLOOR JOISTS THEN COVER
WITH INSTULATION BATTS...WOULD THIS WORK???
Scott 27 Nov 2009, 21:55
You can install between joists. You'll need to drill the joists so you can
run a loop in each joist cavity. I pinned the pex tubing to the sides of
the joists, then from below put in a layer of reflective blanket insulation
to reflect the heat up, then some insulation batts and closed it up.
Doesn't take long to warm up, stays toasty.
keith mcbride 28 Dec 2009, 12:49
can i join two under floor heating mats together using just one
thermostat,if so how many can you join up, many thanks Keith
Kurt 11 May 2010, 22:55
Hey guys. Lots of good information available on underfloor heating @
warmyourfloor.com. They've got multiple brands of product, which is
unusual. Most of these sites are just offering their own brand and that's
it, so they can be biased for sure. I've also heard these guys are really
helpful when it comes to DIY projects. Here's a link to their site:
http://bit.ly/warmyourfloor
mark craft 15 Oct 2010, 11:01
can the electrical heating mats for underfloor heating systems be placed on
a wood sub floor? The floor will then be covered with rock travertine
tiles
Lygia 03 Feb 2011, 04:42
Hello, can the underfloor heating systems be placed on a gabbro flooring?
timber flooring in melbourne 22 Nov 2011, 03:50
Electrical heating mats for under floor heating systems can be placed on a
wood sub floor. I have seen this many times before.
<a href="http://www.tectonicfloors.com.au/tectonic-flooring-systems.php">ti mber flooring in melbourne</a> View all comments |


