Low Voltage Floor Heat for Bathrooms
doitall
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
Any recommendations on a tried and tested low voltage system that installs in the thinset below a ceramic floor?
The actual floor area in this bath is approximately 55-60sf.
Thanks for the help.
DIA
Replies
Low voltage means? 120-1-60?
I have two versions of electric tile warmers in my house. BTW, in a sufficiently insulated space and/or in less than extreme climates, these can provide all of the heat necessary for the space.
A version from Infloor. Comes with a spool of "heater" wire, sized for the sf of the space, comes with 8-10 leads, cannot be cut. This version is the least expensive, is installed to the subfloor with clips and must be covered/imbedded in at least a 1/4" layer of thinset/floor leveling compound. Adds 3/8" to floor height Thermostat is mechanical with an internal high floor temperature limit set point (adjustable) and controls on room air temperature. IF you use this version and are not a plasterer by trade, I highly recommend the floor leveling compound or your tile work will end up "lumpy".
Another version is NuHeat. This has thin wires in a fibrous mat that is pressed into a very thin layer of thinset and may add 1/8" to the floor height. Comes with an electronic, programmable thermostat and controls solely on floor temperature. This version costs more and is readily available at most full service flooring stores (not box or home improvement stores) like Century Tile, if you have those in your area.
Low voltage is for wet areas like showers:http://www.warmlyyours.com/products/floor-heating/shower-systems/
I use line voltage for my bathroom floors. I love them. Pour SLC before tile, much better instillation.
http://www.warmlyyours.com/products/floor-heating/tile-and-stone/
A tip for hot gluing wires and mats to the floor:
Get a silicone baking sheet, they are about 12"x18". Roll it up into a 2" or 3" tube. When you lay down the glue and set you wire or mat down on it, or drizzle the glue ove the mat and wires, use the silicone roll to press the wires and mat flat to the surface. Count to 30 to allow the glue to cool enough to remove the roll.
Everything will adhear flat to the surface, and any hot melt glue will peel right off the silicone baking sheet.
I was able to pour a 1/4" SLC bed over my matt after using this technique.
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.