Adding Under Tile Heating To Your Bathrooms

Having heated bathroom floors are not only a great investment, they’re also really nice to wake up to on those cold winter mornings. There are two basic types to choose from – electric radiant and hydronic heating. Whilst each has a range of pros and cons, both are ultimately ideal for warming your floors. For the purposes of this article, we have focused on electric under tile heating, which is a fantastic choice for bathrooms.

Installation

To install electric radiant heating in your home, you will require the assistance of an electrician and a tiler. They will work together to lay the cables, which are interlaced with mesh mats. Your choice of ceramic, porcelain or natural stone tiles is then laid directly over the top. The cables are so thin that the height difference between these floors and those without the system are indiscernible.

Temperature Control

The system is connected to an electronic control, which includes a thermostat that you can use to control the temperature of your floors. The specific controls will vary from brand to brand, but some of the features that you might enjoy include a programmable timer (which enables you to warm the floors up before you get up in the morning) and separate zones.

Safety

Many people are hesitant to install under tile heating in their bathrooms, as they are worried about safety. Most of these systems have been fitted with a 20-amp GFCI protected circuit that is designed to protect them against accidental water exposure. Every system has also been fitted with features that prevent them from overheating, so you won’t inadvertently burn yourself.

Cost

There are two costs that you will need to consider – the initial price of the system and your electricity bills. Fortunately, you will find that electric radiant heating is fairly cost effective on both fronts. As you are only fitting out your bathrooms, you will also find that the initial costs of purchasing and installing the system is considerably lower than that of the whole house.

On top of this, remember that you won’t be blasting your entire house with heat in order to warm just the bathroom floor. By limiting the heat to just a single room or two, you’ll be saving on your electricity bills. You will also be able to have the thermostat set relatively low and on only in the morning, which will again help to lower your electricity bills.

Resale Value

You might also find that the addition of under floor heating also adds to the resale value of your home. Whilst it certainly won’t sell your house on its own, it will be very appealing to potential buyers. If you have combined your system with heated towel rails, you will find that interest in your luxurious bathrooms increases even further.

Before making the decision to add under tile heating to your bathrooms, it is important that you consider a number of factors to determine whether this is the right choice for your home. Keep in mind that it will involve tearing up your floors in an existing home (not a problem for one under construction) and that older homes may require extensive electrical work. Also keep in mind that, if a repair is needed down the track, sections of tile will need to be ripped up.

This article is written by Stiebel Eltron an Australia’s leading suppliers.

Tom Smith has been working as a freelance writer for interior design and decoration, equipments hire and scrap metal recycling.