RADIANT FLOOR HEATING	RADIANT HEATED FLOORS
	BENEFITS OF RADIANT HEAT	HEATING HARDWOOD FLOORS
	RADIANT HEATED DRIVEWAYS	ELECTRIC RADIANT HEATING SYSTEMS

Radiant Floor Heating

The Basics of Radiant Floor Heating Systems 

There are two types of radiant floor heating systems available: hydronic and electric. Hydronic floor heating was the first form of radiant floor heating. Today, these systems utilize specially treated liquid (a mixture of water and propylene glycol) that is pumped through a network of PEX tubing underneath the floor. Like electric radiant heating systems, hydronic radiant heat can also be used for outdoor snow melting applications such as heated driveways.

Electric radiant floor heating systems are becoming more and more popular throughout Northern America. While there is a wide range of electric floor heating products, the general benefits of electric systems are universal. Electric radiant heat systems feature rapid response times and are fairly easy to install.

The heating element most commonly used in electric floor heating systems is heat cable. The cable varies in size, ranging from ⅛-inch to ¼-inch in diameter. In-Slab heat cable is designed to be installed within the concrete slab while industry leading cable such as ComfortTile heat cable can be installed in thinset under tile or other surfaces.

There are also some floor heating systems that feature unique heating elements, such as FloorHeat. This low-voltage radiant heat system utilizes a thin, flexible polymer heating element that can even be stapled or nailed through. Its performance is comparable to systems using heat cable, and offers consumers another option for heating their floors. It can also be installed under floor joists to heat existing floors. (Learn more about low-voltage FloorHeat radiant heating systems.)

RetroHeat is another paper-thin heating element that is designed to be installed under existing floors to provide radiant heat. The thin heating element is stapled up between the floor joists under the existing floor and then common batt insulation is installed over the heating element. The insulation enhances the energy efficiency by minimizing heat loss and directing the warmth upwards through the floor. RetroHeat floor heating systems provide homeowners with an affordable means to heating existing floors.

Perhaps the most important thing for you to know is that a radiant heating system is only as good as the installation. So, in addition to working with a reputable installer, be sure to deal only with a provider that includes radiant heat system design, engineering and support in addition to the physical product(s). Warmzone includes all these services, so you won't be left "high and dry" after the purchase or run into any "surprises" during the installation process. A detailed drawing of the floor heating system will be provided well before any heat cable is installed.

What are the Best Floor Heating Systems for Your Type of Floor?

ComfortTile Mats Uses: Tile, Marble, Laminates	ComfortTile Cable Uses: Tile, Marble, Laminates
In-Slab (SlabHeat) Uses: Tile, Hardwood, Carpet	HeatShield Uses: Wood Laminate, Carpet, Parquet
FloorHeat Uses: Hardwood, Carpet, Wood Laminate, Parquet Flooring	RetroHeat Uses: Heat Existing Floors (Hardwood, Tile, Laminate)