blog-banner

Are you looking for a contractor?

Submit our quick form and get quotes now!

How to Choose the Ideal Floor Heating System

By RenoQuotes.com

Updated on November 7, 2023

Even with a cozy heating temperature, maintaining warm feet during chilly winter days can be challenging. For those of us who shiver as soon as winter veers its ugly nose, and long for warm summer days, there’s a way to spare the discomfort of frozen toes: getting a floor heating system installed.

Deciding on installing a heated floor system in the family home means choosing a comfortable and evenly heated household. 

When faced with making an informed decision to purchase such a system, you have to clearly understand the related benefits of each type of floor heating system as well as the costs involved. 

Electric or Hydronic: Which Floor Heating Is Best?

heated floor

Source: Canva

Floor heating is a heating system renowned for its efficiency, but also for the comfort it brings a household. While its installation is more costly compared to a radiator heating system, its equipment remains more modern and healthier for that of your family. 

There are two types of floor heating systems:

  • An electric floor heating system emits infrared rays that heat the floor and nearby walls.

  • The hydronic floor heating system channels a liquid through its piping; the liquid is preheated since it’s from a heat pump or boiler.

Hydronic Radiant Floor

To ensure that the radiant floor heating you chose specifically meets your needs, consider the information provided below. Generally speaking, a hydronic radiant floor is more efficient in areas with larger square footage compared to smaller-sized spaces. 

Since having access to a hot water source is imperative to carry out its installation, the costs related to purchasing a heat pump or a boiler can be rather steep if the floor heating system is intended for a small surface.  

Having hydronic floor heating means one can benefit from a system that may also have a cooling function, meaning homeowners can heat and cool their floors based on circumstantial needs. While this dual-function model is more expensive, it allows one to benefit from their hydronic floor year-round. 

Condensing boilers supply water for heated floors

An increasing number of people are opting for the installation of a condensing boiler, as it stands as one of the most efficient boiler models available on the market. The condensing boiler boasts several advantages, most notably the fact that energy losses (fumes, steam) are a result of recovered combustion, which is subsequently transformed into thermal energy.

Electric Underfloor Heating System

When it comes to electric underfloor heating, this system is well-suited for areas with smaller square footage. Note that this type of heating system offers excellent value for money. If you’re considering a D.I.Y. installation for your radiant floor system, note that it’s feasible. Also, not only is this type of underfloor heating system easy to install, but it also requires less tedious maintenance compared to a hydronic system.

However, opting for this type of floor entails another bit of decision-making: choosing between a loose cable or mesh mat system. The former involves a network of cables with predetermined lengths, making it impossible to extend or shorten. This installation requires pouring self-levelling cement to ensure the cables adhere properly to the ground.

As for the mesh mat system, the latter is sold in roll format. If you anticipate the need to trim the material in several places, this could potentially be more time- and labour-intensive. However, this system benefits from not requiring self-levelling cement during installation. In fact, the heating cable is already fitted to fibreglass meshes. 

Benefits of Radiant Floor Heating

heated floor

Source: Canva

In actuality, the surface area where the heating cables are installed works similarly to a really big radiator, heating from below. Needless to say, this little bit of luxury is especially appreciated during winter. Radiant floor heating offers a host of advantages, of which we can mention:

1- Comfort and well-being

One of the main advantages of a radiant floor is without a doubt the comfort it provides. This type of installation generates a gentle and evenly distributed heat to the overall surface under which it’s installed. Therefore, there’s no heat loss or sudden temperature spikes, as it maintains constant heat for continuous comfort. Its thermal comfort far exceeds that of all other common types of heating since the heat is evenly distributed in every room, both vertically and horizontally. 

2- Space gain

Radiant floor heating systems have the benefit of being installed beneath the flooring, rendering it completely concealed. The floor plan and the furniture positioning in rooms are thus not affected at all. Since there aren’t any baseboard heaters lined up against the bottom section of your walls, you have the entire floor plan at your disposal to position your furniture and window treatments, or any other decorative feature, wherever you see fit. 

3- Quick-drying floor

When installed in humidity-prone areas, like a bathroom or kitchen, radiant floor heating prevents flooring from remaining wet for extended periods. Consequently, there's less risk of humidity-caused damage. The same concept applies when mopping the floors around the house with water. While most heating systems will help dry the flooring after one or maybe two hours, with radiant underfloor heating, the drying time is cut down to minutes.

4- Noiseless

Heated floors are completely inaudible since they don’t function with a motor or fan, which is the primary cause of the wind tunnel effect. This precious commodity is especially appreciated by those who are triggered by, or sensitive to, noise, but also by individuals who suffer from different dust-related health problems or allergies. This type of heating system functions through radiation, therefore it doesn’t emit dust, unlike traditional heaters. This is a significant advantage for individuals suffering from respiratory-related illnesses. 

5- Energy saving

Although its initial installation entails a significant investment, the benefits of a heated floor can lead to substantial long-term savings. Nonetheless, determining the exact amount saved can be challenging to pinpoint since it really depends on the specifics of the house in which it’s installed, especially insulation-wise.

What type of flooring should be installed over heated floors?

heated floor

Source: Canva

Choosing flooring that’s compatible with the heat generated by the underfloor heating system is crucial. However, the heating pipes and cables can be installed beneath several layers of flooring. But, you’ll still have to choose materials that can retain and store the heat generated for as long as possible, and among these heat-conductive materials, there are concrete, natural stores, and ceramic tiles.

On the other hand, steer clear of flexible flooring, the latter will act as insulation. For that reason alone, carpeting is advised against, as carpet is a material that’ll create a complex transmission barrier between the floor surface and the space above it. Similarly, both linoleum and vinyl sheet flooring shouldn’t be paired with underfloor heating, just as wood is ill-fitted due to its susceptibility to temperature changes.

Check out this video shot by Julia, our video content creator, at one of our contractors’ construction sites:

And, to learn more about radiant floor heating systems, we met with Christopher Igreja of Schluter Systems

Cover image: Flickr Jason Lander

Get 3 quotes for your floor heating installation project

RenoQuotes.com can help you get quotes for your floor heating project. By submitting your project, we’ll put you in contact with top-rated contractors. Fill in the form on the homepage (it only takes a few minutes) and get estimates from trusted professionals.

Dial 1-844 828-1588 to speak with one of our customer service representatives.

Get 3 free quotes for your project!

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes!

Looking for something else?

Table of contents

6 min read

Get 3 free quotes for your project!

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes!

Are you a contractor?

Join our network and receive real leads!

Download the price guide for renovations

We’ll be emailing you the latest market price guide for renovations.



Related articles

The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.

4 min read

Christime Simard • 07 Nov 2023

Pantry: Tips for Choosing and Arranging It

A veritable Alibaba cave for all the foodies and apprentice cooks of this world, the pantry should be as practical as it is aesthetic. Between simplicity and modernity, its layout deserves thought and organization to make your kitchen experience as pleasant as possible.

5 min read

Karine Dutemple • 07 Nov 2023

All About Crystal Varnish

Although Crystal varnish is not as popular as it was at a time when it accounted for almost all sales, it’s still a choice some homeowners are making when comes the time to renovate their floor. But what should you know about this unloved floor varnish product?

4 min read

RenoQuotes.com • 09 May 2024

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Window?

Windows are the link between the inside and outside, the home’s access to fresh air and natural light. Not only do our windows allow air to enter and circulate around the home, but they also keep rooms insulated, cosy and warm. Windows are a very important feature of the house, so every now and again they’ll need to be updated to suit modern needs. But, how much does a window installation cost exactly?

Price guide
14 min read

RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023

The New and Improved Latex Paint

This type of paint is often still linked to large-scale projects. However, nowadays, painting the whole inside of a house is nothing compared to what it was back in the day. 

4 min read

RenoQuotes.com • 17 Apr 2024

All about the heat recovery ventilator

As technology continues to advance, there are more advanced and environmentally-friendly ways to heat your home during those chilly months. From the wood burning stove to electric and gas heating methods, nothing is perfect. It’s a familiar struggle in winter to want to trap the heat in your home while keeping utility costs down. But, does a heating system exist that is efficient enough to keep fresh air in the home while maintaining a comforting heat level? Enter the heat recovery ventilator!

Interior renovations

Looking for a contractor?

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes now!