Floor heating cables are essential in providing warmth to your home during the cold season. Heating cables are strong and flexible tubing directly installed on or into the subfloors, without using a mat backing. They are flexible, giving possibilities for different layout designs. You can fit them around fixed objects or any room features. Thus, they are the perfect solution for any room type and shape.
This article serves as a guide on floor heating cables. It talks about the types of heating cables, applications, floor covering, benefits, and many more.
Products
Icoheat produce floor heating cable cover tile floor heating, ceramic heating, insreed heating, in slab storage heating
Electric Floor Heating Cable Accessories
Benefits of Icoheat Electric Underfloor Heating Cable
Icoheat electric underfloor heating cable consists of a qualified thin heating cable rolling on paper drum for your installation. The heating cable is produced with inner fluoropolymer insulation, metal braid shield, and durable out sheath.
• Two conductor, Zero EMF
• Robust and strong Self-adhesive mesh
• Easy & quick to install
• DIY applicable
• Single-end connection cable, needless return to thermostat position.
• Long life-time
• 25 years manufacturer warranty
How Do Underfloor Heating Cables Work?
Underfloor heating essentially works by transforming the floor into a big, efficient source of heat. Heating cables are installed underneath the floor. When it heats up, it provides warmth from the ground up.
Underfloor heating uses much lower temperatures compared to radiators, making it more efficient. It also heats the room better, leaving no cold spots in the room.
Certificates For Icoheat Floor Heating Cables
Types of Heating Cables by Installation
Electric floor heating makes the whole room warm, presenting a new meaning of heat and comfort. Below are the different heating systems categorized by installation
In-slab heating cable
These heating systems work by laying down electric wires or mats or water pipes in a concrete slab. In-slab does not include in-floor heating systems, such as:
- Laying down heating mats over a slab
- Laying down heating mats over sheet flooring
In-slab heating is specifically designed for newly build concrete floors where floor height is not an issue. The concrete screed thickness of the concrete slab should be 2-6” thick. If the concrete subfloor is below 4”, you need insulation boards to ensure optimum heat-up time.
It is compatible with any flooring finish like vinyl, carpet, and wood. It is the perfect solution for rooms that are constantly used because of its slow heat-up and cool-down time.
Uncoupling membrane heating cable
As the name suggests, this heating system uses an uncoupling membrane adhered directly to the subfloor. The membrane heats the floor and also protects the flooring finish from any movement. Its adhesive layer contracts to eliminate gaps caused by seasonal changes.
There are two types of uncoupling membranes, each providing unique solutions.
- Peel-and-stick membrane
It has a self-adhesive backing that firmly attaches to the subfloor when you lay it. All you need to do is remove the backing from the membrane and place it into position. It provides a quick and hassle-free installation
- Fleece-backed membrane
It has a fleece backing that can be attached to any thin-set. It’s highly compatible with wood and concrete flooring.
Types of Heating Cables by Floor Covering
Underfloor heating is compatible with any floor type and covering. But the best flooring option is one with good thermal conductivity. That’s because it heats up faster, providing more heat output and efficiency. The only difference with the type of flooring you use is the thermal conductivity.
Laminate
Laminate is a practical flooring type and gives value to your cash. It suits all types of decor as well because of its extensive range of shades. It is also compatible with underfloor heating. But if you are looking for efficiency when using laminate flooring, go for a dense laminate. A higher density and thinner material heat up faster.
The foil heater is the most used radiant flooring system for laminate flooring. This type of warmup electrical heating consists of a very thin multi-strand with a fiber-reinforced foil around it, and a dual-core heating cable insulated with an advanced fluoropolymer. The foil provides heat within the flooring while spreading the heat away from the cable.
Wood
If you have or want to use wood flooring, engineered timber is the most compatible with the underfloor heating system. This type of wooden flooring responds well to the changes in floor temperature. You can use other types of wood, but choose something softer and less dense. Choosing a thicker and denser wood will act as an insulator and will block the heat. As a general rule, the wood flooring surface temperature must not go more than 82℉.
Like laminate flooring, the best choice for wood flooring is the foil heater. This heating system heats up faster. It also distributes heat consistently and efficiently.
Tile and stone
When it comes to thermal conductivity, tile and stone are the most compatible with the underfloor heating systems. One, it heats up quickly and two, it retains heat well which makes it very efficient. Tile and stone can heat up to 84℉ and give a heat output of 14W/sq ft.
Because tile and stone heat up faster and retain heat better, the best option is an underfloor heating system. If you have a regular-shaped room, heated floor mats and the heated decoupling system are the perfect choices. If you have an irregularly shaped room, go for a heating cable with fixing strips.
LVT / Vinyl
Vinyl or LVT flooring can heat up and cool down quickly. It’s also a suitable flooring material for underfloor heating. But you have to limit the top floor restriction to 80℃.
The best heating system for vinyl flooring depends on the type of vinyl you’re using. Heated floor mats, cable and membrane heating systems, and cable and fixing strips systems are the most compatible with vinyl.
Carpet
Carpet can be used with underfloor heating as long as the underlay or carpet material does not act as an insulator. If you want to receive enough heat from the underfloor heating, the total tog of all materials should not be more than 2.5 togs. All under and overlays are included in that equation.
A warmup foil heater is the most suitable heating system for carpets.
This flat aluminum fil is very thin and fully earthed, so it won’t be visible on the floor.
Benefits of Heating Cables
There are many benefits to installing underfloor heating cables in your home. From energy efficiency to luxury, here are some of the biggest advantages of heated floors:
Flexibility
Underfloor heating can be installed on any type of property. From renovations and extensions to new builds, there is a heating cable solution for all types of projects. You can install underfloor heating in one or multiple rooms, and even have one on the second floor.
Warmth
Underfloor heating gently warms the room from the ground up. Even it’s freezing outside, the floors feel warm even if you walk barefoot. It also eliminates draughts and cold spots.
Efficiency
It uses less flow temperature. It effectively heats the whole house but uses less energy. Because of this, underfloor heating is 25 percent more efficient than a radiator. It becomes 40 percent more efficient when paired with a heat pump.
Space-saving
Underfloor heating is installed underneath the floor, saving up valuable space. It is the best solution for small rooms or homes where every inch of space counts.
Safety and health
Underfloor heating has no exposed sharp or hot edges. It is the best option for families with small children. It is also the best solution for people with allergies. It provides warmth but has no dust or draught that might irritate certain conditions.
Environment-friendly
Because it uses less energy, underfloor heating reduces your carbon footprint.