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Radiant Heat Options for any Room in the House
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Trusted Floor Heating Options
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Radiant heat is becoming more popular each day, given its luxurious comfort and remarkable energy efficiency. The versatile heating technology can be used in many applications, whether you are heating your floors, heating a driveway, or melting snow and ice from your roof or gutters. Warmzone offers industry leading products and customer service that make adding radiant heat to any home or business a simple, pain-free process.
Radiant heat differs from traditional forced air heating systems as it heats objects as opposed to air. With radiant heat, the air comes into contact with the heated object, such as the floor, and produces warmth that needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated. The room warms evenly from the floor up, adding to the efficiency while creating a particularly comfortable environment for small children. Using radiant heat to warm your floors helps reduce heat loss and keeps the temperature steady throughout the heated area. Radiant heated floors also offer other benefits. Because there is no blowing air through ducts and dusty vents, the transmission of dust and allergens in the home is greatly reduced.
To achieve this clean, even and efficient heat, all radiant heat systems have three main components. The first component is a heating element. The heating elements can be electric or hydronic (water based), and provide heat to the object they are in contact with. To begin this heating process, the element is triggered by an activation device/thermostat that utilizes either an ambient temperature sensor or an in-floor (embedded) sensor. The thermostat sends power to the heating element to warm the floor.
There are two main types of radiant heat systems – electric and hydronic (water-based systems). Electric systems typically use a thin resistance electric heating cable (the heating element). This cable is typically installed in thinset directly under the flooring, such as tile, vinyl tile, or stone, etc. Hydronic systems use a boiler to heat a mixture of propylene glycol and water, which is then pumped through special PEX tubing. Because of the need for a boiler, manifold and pumps, hydronic systems require a dedicated “mechanical” room for the system, and installation is quite complex.
Warmzone offers a number of radiant heating systems that can be installed in almost any area and medium of flooring in the home. Both electric and hydronic systems are available for floor heating, but electric heating is preferred by most homeowners. Any surface in the home can be heated, but choosing a system that best fits the flooring in the area to be heated is crucial to an efficient and safe heating system. Here is a general outline of different systems that are best suited for specific types of flooring.
Warmzone’s ComfortTile floor heating system is perhaps the most popular and versatile option for heating floors in your home. The heating element is UL listed single-point connection, twin-conductor cable that is durable, and safety approved for wet locations. ComfortTile cable is flexible and is available on spools or pre-spaced mats. The ComfortTile floor heating system can be used with many mediums. From luxury vinyl tiles, to ceramic tile, marble, or stone, ComfortTile is an option that can be customized for any room, and will heat any flooring efficiently and evenly. If using ComfortTile in areas that may be susceptible to water, a membrane system such as Prodeso can be used to house the cable can be installed underneath the flooring to house the cable and protect the flooring and cable from water, as well as shifting and cracking that can come with tile, marble, or stone.
Beautiful wood floors, whether engineered or hardwood, are also great candidates for radiant heat. When choosing a system for wood floors, make sure to know whether the floor is floating or nailed, to ensure matching it with the right radiant heating system. For floating floors, FilmHeat is the most recommended option. (Low-voltage FloorHeat STEP and FoilHeat are also popular options, with the low-voltage system being particularly effective for heating hardwood floors.) These systems utilize three unique heating elements. The FilmHeat system features a near paper-thin “film” heating element that is laid out directly under flooring. FoilHeat features fluoropolymer insulated heating cables that are sandwiched between reinforced layers of aluminum foil.
Low-voltage FloorHeat STEP utilizes thin, flexible polymer heating panels. All of these systems are proven, and easy to install, and a great value for heating floors. For nailed floors, the FloorHeat STEP low-voltage system is an excellent choice because it requires no floor build-up, and the thin self-regulating polymer heating element can be nailed or stapled through.
For laminate flooring there are many proven options. FilmHeat, FloorHeat, and FoilHeat are great choices for laminate, but RetroHeat is also available. RetroHeat’s thin heating element panels feature thin “film” elements like FilmHeat, but this system can be used to add heat to existing flooring. If you can access the floor joists from below, the heating element can be stapled up between the joists so you don’t have to tear out your existing floors. RetroHeat panels can be cut onsite to ensure proper length, and simply nailed or stapled to the underside of the subfloor. Batt insulation is then stapled up over the RetroHeat to direct all the heat upward to warm the floor.
Radiant heat can also be installed in concrete flooring. In-Slab heat cable from Warmzone is a heating cable especially designed for installation into concrete slabs. The cable is secured 1 to 2 inches below the surface. Hydronic heating systems can also be used in concrete, and are ideal for heating larger areas.
With all the options available to heat home flooring from Warmzone, finding the right system for your system is easy. Check out the guidelines below to find out which systems are recommended for your type of flooring.
Heat Your Hardwood Floors
One of the best ways to spruce up your home is to upgrade old dated floors. Hardwood is a beautiful, classic choice that will stand the test of time and bring new life into your home. And while you’re upgrading the floors in your home, why not consider upgrading your heating system as well?
While you’re upgrading your home with beautiful new hardwood, how about upgrading your home with luxurious radiant heat as well? Radiant heat is an excellent investment that will keep your home warm for years to come. The systems can be installed to serve as your primary heating source or to complement your existing system by adding comfortable warmth to the most popular areas of your home.
Radiant heated floors have many benefits. Floor heating systems provide cleaner, more efficient warmth than forced air systems. Because no blower is required, radiant heat systems operate quietly and no dust or other allergens are circulated throughout the home. Radiant heat is commonly used alongside traditional heating systems to add warmth to specific areas, such as a kitchen, bathroom, or playroom. The systems are easy to customize, not only to heat specific areas, but to accommodate your budget as well. Radiant heat systems are available to any homeowner, whether they are building a new home, remodeling, or adding heat to their current flooring.
When working with Warmzone, there are also options suitable for heating existing floors, including RetroHeat and STEP FloorHeat. These efficient systems require access to the floor joists from below. RetroHeat, the most popular option, features near paper-thin heating elements that are stapled up between the joists, followed by Batt insulation being stapled up over the heating element to drive all the heat upward to warm the floor.
STEP FloorHeat is a low-voltage system that is installed similarly, but utilizes thin, flexible polymer heating panels. Installers can staple through the heating element, simplifying and speeding up the installation process.
Given Warmzone’s large selection of floor heating systems, customers can be assured of being matched with the ideal system for their specific needs. In addition to heating hardwood floors, radiant floor heating systems can be installed under virtually any other type of floor, including tile, marble, engineered wood, laminates, carpet, slate, and more.
Most radiant heat systems are compatible with hardwood flooring, but some types of wood flooring are better suited to radiant heat. These include solid wood floors made from woods such as cherry, walnut, or mesquite, engineered wood flooring, floating floors, or even laminated or engineered floors. When choosing a wood floor for radiant heat, strip flooring can be a better choice than plank, as smaller wood boards contract less.
Most radiant heat systems are compatible with wood flooring, but some types of wood flooring are better suited to radiant heat. These include solid wood floors made from woods such as cherry, walnut, or mesquite, engineered wood flooring, floating floors, or even laminated or engineered floors. When choosing a wood floor for radiant heat, strip flooring can be a better choice than plank, as smaller wood boards contract less.
When considering pairing radiant heat with your new wood flooring, one of Warmzone’s most popular systems is the industry leading ComfortTile. This is one of the most versatile systems, as it is suitable for all standard sub-flooring materials. ComfortTile Radiant heat cable is also safety approved for wet areas, making it a perfect choice to put under your new hardwood kitchen floor. ComfortTile is available in two formats: pre-spaced cable in mats or floor heating cable off the spool. ComfortTile heat cable is top of the line UL/CSA approved twin conducting cable with ground fault protection, and carries a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. Cables are rated at 120 or 240 volts and have an 1/8- inch diameter. Cable comes on large spools, and is a great choice for custom projects, as any adjustments to spacing can be made during installation. After installation, cables are activated by a thermostat, allowing for quick (30-60 minutes) and efficient floor heating.
For larger areas and quicker installation, ComfortTile heat cable is also available in convenient mats. These mats include the durable radiant heat cable pre-spaced and attached to a fiberglass mesh with adhesive backing. Mats are available in different lengths, and heat an area 24 inches wide. ComfortTile radiant heating mats are also UL listed and come with a 25-year limited warranty. The thin cable results in low profile (3/16-inch) mats that are easy to install when putting in new flooring. Simply roll out the mats, cut the mesh backing as necessary to make turns (avoid cutting the cable itself), and use the adhesive backing to secure the mats to the subfloor. ComfortTile is easy to install, effective, and energy efficient, making it one of the most trusted systems on the market.
Another trusted option for heating your new hardwood floor is FilmHeat. Warmzone’s FilmHeat heating element is one of the thinnest available and is installed quickly and easily without any floor buildup. FilmHeat is simply cut to fit the appropriate area and attached to the subfloor. This system is also UL approved, and comes with a 10-year warranty. It is available in 24, 36, or 48- inch widths, and 120 or 240 voltage, and only measure .016 inch thick. Warmzone’s FilmHeat system also has no moving parts, making it virtually maintenance free after installation. FilmHeat is one of the most cost-efficient systems, with 99 percent of its energy converted directly into heat. FilmHeat also has lower installation and operation costs, making it a great option for those who may be on a budget when installing new floors.
When installing wood flooring, Warmzone’s assortment of top of the line products assures there is an option for any application. Warmzone also offers customer service that can’t be beat. From the beginning until the end of your project, professionals are available to assist you. Trusted professional designers and engineers work closely with you to pick and design the perfect system, and continue to be available as you get it installed and running. Warmzone has product information, as well as installation tips and guides available online, and may even be able to recommend an experienced radiant heat installer and electrician in your area. Making an investment in new heated floors has never been so easy! For more information, check out information on our floor heating systems , or contact a customer service professional at 888-488-9276.
July Newsletter – Efficiently Warming Your Home
Radiant Floor Heating
Nowadays consumers are not only concerned with saving money, but about doing their part to minimize their carbon footprint and help protect the environment. Perhaps it is these factors that have contributed to the steady growth of radiant heat – in addition to the luxurious warmth that it offers.
Radiant heat systems provide the most efficient way to heat homes and businesses. Unlike forced air systems, radiant heated floors have virtually no heat loss, so there’s no wasted energy. And the systems operate on renewable energy. (Hydronic floor heating systems are also available. These systems utilize a boiler to heat the specially treated water that is pumped through a series of PEX tubing.)
Traditional home heating systems use a series of vents and a blower. While standing over a vent in the winter time can be a nice way to warm up, unfortunately that comfort doesn’t spread evenly across the whole room or last very long. Most of the room can warm quickly, but it cools equally fast. The heated air blown from the vents rises to the ceiling and dissipates, abandoning the floors and lower levels of the home. This is known as stratification – a situation where the top levels of a room are warm and the lower levels are colder, oftentimes by as much as 10 degrees. The cooler temperatures at “knee level” are especially uncomfortable for children who spend a lot of time playing on the floor.
Most forced air heating systems use natural gas to produce a flame that heats air. The warm air is then distributed throughout the house through a series of conduits. Some ducts may run through cold basements, causing heat loss in the air being blown from the furnace. In addition to the air cooling slightly as it travels through the house, warm air can also escape wherever there are small openings in the ducts and closed vents. When combined with stratification the inefficiency of forced air heating systems becomes glaringly apparent. Simply put, transferring heat through the air is not an energy efficient solution.
Recognizing the lack of sustained warmth and cooler temperatures at lower levels in the rooms, most parents frequently bump up the thermostat to blow more warm air from the vents. This eventually raises the temperature, but significantly raises the monthly heating bill as well. There’s no escaping the fact that a great deal of heat loss occurs with traditional blower systems. And though vents in some rooms can be closed in an effort to drive more heat to occupied rooms, hot air continues to escape, whistling from the closed vents. When the thermostat is cranked high enough the environment can be warmed, but forced air systems are notorious for heat loss and wasted energy.
Unlike transferring heat through the air, radiant heat warms a surface directly by expanding out from the heat source. This is the most efficient form of energy transfer. Heat radiates through objects via infrared radiation, warming objects and people in the room.
Radiant heat systems offer a significantly more efficient means for heating homes and businesses. In addition to being at least 30 percent more efficient, the floor heating systems provide an even, continuous level of warmth. And since radiant heat originates at the floor, you’ll enjoy the natural benefits of heat rising, minimizing heat loss due to dissipation.
Both electric and hydronic floor heating systems are available. Most electric radiant floor heating systems utilize a network of resistance heating cable that is installed under the floor surface. Because there are no moving parts with electric heated floors, the systems are maintenance free. Warmzone offers a wide variety of electric floor heating systems, including ComfortTile heat cable, Prodeso® floor heating systems, FloorHeat STEP low-voltage systems, In-Slab heating, FoilHeat, and FilmHeat/RetroHeat, which is used for both new construction applications and retrofitting existing floors with radiant heat. Visit our Floor Heating Systems Overview webpage.
Hydronic floor heating systems with RAUPANELs utilize an efficient boiler to heat specially treated water that is then circulated through a closed loop of PEX tubing by a series of pumps. Hydronic systems require a special ‘mechanical room’ for the equipment. Because hydronic radiant heat systems can operate on natural gas or other fuel, the operational costs may be lower than those of its electric counterpart. But both electric and hydronic systems offer the luxurious and energy efficient benefits of radiant heat.
Heated Floors – Radiant Heat for any Surface
Considering an electric radiant heated floor system for your home? Let Warmzone be your “go to” for solid solutions to your heating needs. Warmzone offers a wide variety of heating systems that are flexible enough to be installed under just about any type of surface.
Basically there are two types of radiant heat—hydronic and electric, and certainly Warmzone can handle the installation of both. Electric radiant heat systems feature rapid response times, easy installation at a cost most homeowners are comfortable with. And it just so happens that Warmzone carries a full line of products perfect for a variety of electric radiant heated floor applications and a variety of surfaces:
ComfortTile cable is less than ¼ of an inch in thickness and is installed in thinset so there is no floor buildup. With a durable, stainless steel braid covering, the cable is perfect right off the spool for custom shaped flooring projects involving tile, marble and slate surfaces, among others. The cable also comes pre-configured in mats that are low-profile for ease of installation.
FilmHeat floor heating panels provide one of the best values for installing radiant heat under laminate and floating floors. The near paper-thin heating element is laid out directly under the floating floor without any need for adhesives, making it quick, easy, and affordable to install.
Warmzone FloorHeat is a low-voltage, self-regulating heating element that operates efficiently and enjoys a long life by design. The flexible heating element is thin, requires no floor buildup and can be easily secured to the subfloor with adhesive, staples or pegs. Panels can be cut to length on site and installed under most floor coverings, including tile, stone, resilient, laminate, hardwood and carpet, making for easy installation under a variety of surfaces.
And for those concerned about the invasive nature of radiant floor heat, there’s RetroHeat radiant heat elements that can be retrofitted to existing floors with minimal effort between floor joists to efficiently heat your floors. Heat panels are available for joists with 12, 16 and 24-inch spacing and can be cut on site, so they’re easy to work with for a contractor or do-it-yourselfer.
With so many choices there’s bound to be a solution from Warmzone to fit your budget and project requirements. Give them a call today to find out how Warmzone can help you find the perfect radiant heated flooring solution for you at 888.488.9276.
ClearZone Radiant Snow Melting Systems: The Perfect Fit for Your Driveway
Warmzone offers several high quality heated driveway and radiant snow melting systems available for both commercial and residential applications. Among their most popular products you’ll find ClearZone cable, a trusted, popular snow and ice melting solution among homeowners and professional builders alike, and a great solution for snow removal during the cold winter months.
ClearZone electric snowmelt cable is incredibly energy efficient, fully automated, maintenance free and easy to install. Plus, it’s readily customizable to meet the needs of just about any project, including retrofitting existing driveways. That’s because ClearZone snow heat cable can be purchased on the spool in a form that’s durable, versatile and easily configured for use in a variety of applications. This trusted, popular snow melting solution allows for greater flexibility so it’s good for custom layouts, or for use in large snow melting jobs and unconventionally shaped areas.
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer or contractor with limited experience in radiant heat installation, it may be more beneficial to choose ClearZone Radiant Snow Melting Mats. They’re basically ClearZone heat cable pre-spaced in mats to create a convenient, versatile design. The heat cable is pre-spaced and attached to a durable backing for proper cable spacing and easy “roll-out” installation. The backing can be cut on site so mats can be installed around corners and odd layouts.
ClearZone cable is also designed for installation under a variety of applications, from new concrete pours to paver stones. Whether pre-configured or right off the spool, it can easily withstand the hot temperatures of new asphalt construction jobs and installation is easy. Asphalt is spread directly over the rugged ClearZone heat cable and then compacted. Embedded, fully automated ClearZone radiant heat snow melting provides a discreet, reliable snowmelt solution for your driveway or sidewalks.
For heated stone or brick paver driveways and sidewalks, the cable is laid out in the bedding material of the driveway or sidewalk to be heated before a bed of sand is applied. The pavers can then be directly placed over the new heat cable.
If you’re current plans don’t involve a new driveway, Warmzone has the expertise to retrofit a system for you inexpensively. ClearZone radiant heat cable can be easily laid over existing asphalt and secured using clips and nails, followed by a few shovels of new asphalt. The good news–the cable only requires a ½ inch of asphalt, a minimal amount (when you consider the cost of an entirely new driveway) to operate properly and provide quick, efficient, effective snow removal.
A ClearZone snow melting system can also be installed in existing driveways using saw-cut technology. Grooves are cut into the existing concrete or asphalt to allow for a proper retrofit. The cable is laid into the grooves and then sealed with an epoxy topcoat (for asphalt, an additional layer of asphalt is added).
To learn more about ClearZone snow melting cable, contact Warmzone at 888.488.9276 or go to www.warmzone.com.
Radiant Floor Heating Systems take New York by Storm
Many New York City area homeowners have turned to radiant heated floors for use as their primary home heating source or to supplement their existing home heating system. In addition to providing luxurious warmth, the energy efficiency and silent, maintenance-free operation of radiant heat has attracted homeowners throughout the tri-state area. As owners of radiant floor heating systems have attested, nothing is finer than walking on warm floors during a cold winter day.
Warmzone offers a variety of electric radiant floor heating systems, as well as hydronic heated floors for homeowners and businesses alike. And because Warmzone manufactures and carries the industry’s most trusted floor heating systems, consultants can evaluate the customers’ needs and determine the best system for heating each specific floor type. Warmzone’s selection helps to ensure that customers receive the most effective floor heating system for the unique layout and type of flooring in their home.
While there are some standout radiant floor heating systems, it is important to know that no single floor heating system is ideal for every type of flooring. So avoid any radiant heat provider that makes such a claim. It’s critical to speak with an unbiased radiant heating expert who can offer you a wide selection of reputable floor heating options to choose from – without bias towards one system. Don’t be talked into purchasing a floor heating system simply because it’s the only system that the provider offers. Deal with an industry leader that can show you a wide selection of radiant floor heating solutions and explain the benefits and traits of each one.
Radiant heated floors are commonly installed in bathrooms and rooms where small children spend a majority of their time on the floor. Heating homes from the floor up results in greater efficiency and comfort. As such, homeowners in New York City and throughout the tri-state area are turning to radiant heat to optimize their home heating options.
Heating Tile Floors
The most proven system for heating tile floors is the ComfortTile floor heating system. ComfortTile features thin 1/8 to 3/16-inch diameter heat cable that is available on spools or pre-spaced on flexible fiberglass mesh backing with adhesive so it can be rolled out and then secured to the subfloor for easy installation. (See the photo below.) ComfortTile heat cable is also one of the most versatile floor heating systems.
ComfortTile heat cable can also be used in conjunction with the Prodeso floor heating membrane. The Prodeso membrane system is an innovative uncoupling and waterproofing system for heating floors and other surfaces without movement or expansion joints in the screed. ComfortTile heating cable is inserted into the channels of the membrane.
Heating Hardwood and Laminate Floors
Many homes in New York feature hardwood or laminate flooring. Warmzone offers several choices for heating hardwood and laminate, but the most popular solution is the low-voltage FloorHeat STEP system.
This unique floor heating system features a self-regulating, semi-conductive polyethylene heating element. Because the flexible heating element is so thin, it won’t affect the floor buildup, weight loads, or your choice of flooring. (Learn more about heating hardwood floors. or read our tips for Installing Heated Floors.)
(The unique attributes of FloorHeat STEP make this versatile polymer heating element a popular choice for heating roofs as well. RoofHeat STEP is one of the most trusted roof heating systems available.)
Heating Concrete Underfloor Slabs
The In-Slab radiant floor heating cable is designed for installation in new concrete slab applications. The heat cable is embedded at least ½-inch below the floor’s surface. In-Slab cable uses the concrete slab to efficiently store and distribute heat evenly throughout the intended area. The cable is affordable and can be installed to warm any type of flooring, including hardwood, carpet, tile, and more.
Heating Existing Floors
Warmzone also carries RetroHeat, a thin “film” heating element that can be stapled up between floor joists to heat existing floors. The paper-thin heating element can be cut on site and is then stapled up between the floor joists and common Batt insulation is then installed over the heating panel. This directs all the heat upwards to warm the existing floor.
These are just some of the choices New York residents have to heat their floors. Whether you’re looking to heat carpet, tile, marble, hardwood or any other type of floor, you won’t go wrong dealing with Warmzone.
In addition to Warmzone’s industry leading products, Warmzone provides unparalleled customer services, which include professional system design, free installation training, and personal, expert installation support. Call a radiant heat professional today at 888.488.9276 to discuss your floor heating options.
Radiant Heated Floors: A Solid Home Improvement Investment
If you’re looking to increase the overall appeal as well as the resale value of your home, retrofitting a bathroom or recreational room with radiant floor heat can help. Add to that the benefit of reducing your dependency on fossil fuels associated with forced air systems, and you’ve hit one out of the park in terms of savings.
Radiant heat is a very efficient way to heat your home. Why? Warmth generated by electric radiant heat radiates up through the floor and transfers heat through objects for more consistent, even heat distribution. With traditional forced air systems that kick on and off in an effort to maintain the desired temperature, the heat quickly rises, and you’re subject to the unpleasant effects of drafts throughout your home.
How much can you save in heating costs, just by keeping it warm and cozy right down to the floor boards? Radiant heated floors can save you up to 50 percent in costs compared to a traditional forced air system, and can outlast a forced air system by as much as 15 years. Unlike forced air systems, the standard thermostat controls can be programmed to control different zones of your home, so you can time heating, room by room, to respond to the way you live your life.
With no moving parts, electric heated floors are virtually maintenance free. There are no vents to clean or filters to replace. Unlike forced air systems, there’s no noise, dust, or allergens blowing through your home – just quiet, comfortable warmth.
If you are ambitious, you can install much of the radiant heated floor system yourself. (But it is important that a qualified electrician perform all the wiring.) Depending on the pre-existing construction and the system you choose, installation can be relatively easy. Warmzone offers a variety of safe, proven radiant heat flooring solutions for your home, along with the service and support you’ll need to complete the installation yourself, including personal, expert installation support and resources such as system diagrams, installation manuals and more.
You may or may not be surprised to know that radiant heat is affordable. Radiant heat is a relative newcomer to the home heating arena. And that makes it more of an “exotic” home improvement project that will attract a lot of interest from neighbors and perspective home buyers alike. But by no means is it costly. For a few hundred bucks, you can upgrade a bathroom or foyer, and significantly downgrade your heat bill.
If going green is your goal, you also score major points with radiant heat. Not only can you improve the air quality of your home while reducing your dependence on fossil fuels, you can also sync a radiant floor heating system with solar or wind power to help you make your move off the grid.
If you’re contemplating an equity building home improvement project, you may want to consider adding radiant heat to your list of options. To learn more about a viable radiant heat system for your home, call Warmzone at 888.488.9276 or visit www.warmzone.com.
Beat Next Year’s Snowfall Now with a Radiant Heat Snow Melting Solution
Spring has sprung, and you’re undoubtedly ready to leave the ice and snow behind. You can leave it behind permanently by installing an electric snow melting solution for your driveway and walkways. And right now couldn’t be a better time. The spring and summer months are a great time to take advantage of better prices and install a radiant heated driveway before the winter rush.
What’s really great about radiant heat systems is their cost relative to other home improvement projects. Heating your walkways and driveways doesn’t have to involve a completely new pour or tear up of these areas. Retrofits are particularly adaptable to asphalt driveway heating. Choose Warmzone and you’ll also have a seasoned team of radiant heat professionals in your corner that can take your requirements and budget, and turn both into a system that exceeds your expectations.
When all is said and done, the initial cost of installing radiant heat in your walkway or driveway could more than pay for itself in the money you’ll stand to save. Taking on the added expense of a typical snow removal service can cost you. In most cases, you’re paying for a specific period of time, or package. Depending on the amount of snowfall, there’s a good chance you’ll never even benefit from the services you’ve paid for. Add to that the hassle of waiting for your service to show up. In a particularly heavy snow storm, the wait could be quite long.
Whether this is your first time or you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer, if you’re willing to take on the project, you’ll find Warmzone has many tested and true options for snow removal that won’t have you scratching your head at installation time. From ClearZone radiant snow melting mats to heating cable off the spool, Warmzone can match your skill level and ambition. In addition to a wide variety of products, Warmzone also offers personal installation support as well as installation manuals. Detailed system design layouts are also provided to ensure that all the power and installation issues are addressed prior to any installation taking place.
What’s really cool—you’ll have a snow removal system that does the work for you. All Warmzone snow melting systems are fully automated. They feature a high-tech snow sensor that can detect the slightest changes in temperature and precipitation in anticipation of a snow event, so the system is working just as the first snowflake hits the ground. The best part—you can sit inside enjoying that morning cup of joe to the sound of your neighbor’s snow blowers and shovels because your radiant heated driveway is already clear and dry.
Of course the other benefit of installing radiant heat now is the mild conditions spring and summer provide. And the timing is perfect if your plans include a concrete or asphalt pour. So why not beat the inclement weather with a radiant heated snow melting solution? Call Warmzone at 888.488.9276 or visit them at www.warmzone.com for more in-depth information and professional consulting, all free of charge, of course!
Are Radiant Heated Floors All or Nothing?
Small Spaces Shine with Radiant Floor Heat
When you tackle a home improvement project you want it to be perfect. You want to get the biggest bang for your buck, the most sophisticated designs, and obviously incredibly efficient output. That is a natural feeling as you protect one of the largest investments you’ll make; your home. Piecing little projects together here and there can be frustrating and cost a bundle in the long run.
Radiant floor heating may sound like an intimidating home improvement on the surface, as many people worry that they have to do all the floors in their home or nothing at all. Electric radiant heated floors actually shine in small rooms and spaces. These efficient systems are designed to add extra warmth to tiled entry ways, colder bathrooms, or eternally cool basements.
Radiant floor heating is a great way to primarily heat your home as well and can easily be done in every room of your home, but underfloor heat is definitely not an all-or-nothing type of home heating. Small spaces benefit greatly from underfloor heat simply because radiant heat can produce much more efficient heat than traditional methods of heating. Using it to heat your entire home is a smart choice as well. Radiant heat technology is more sophisticated than ever and allows the heat to penetrate each surface of your room, from the ground to the ceiling. Radiant heat allows heat to rise naturally, rather than be forced through ducts in the ceiling. Considering radiant heated floors is a big deal, but doesn’t have to be an all or nothing deal. Pick and choose the system that is right for you and enjoy heated floors in part, or in your entire home for added warmth and efficiency.
Transform Your House into a Dream Home
Warmzone Radiant Floor Heating Systems Provide Luxurious Warmth
In today’s economy people are thinking less about buying their “dream home” than they are about converting their existing house into their “dream home”. Homeowners are updating their kitchens, renovating their bathrooms, replacing old linoleum floors with lavish hardwood or elegant tile and transforming their once modest dwelling into the home of their dreams.
One of the most common – and luxurious – yet, practical upgrades is the addition of radiant heated floors. In this unprecedented era of energy awareness, radiant floor heating systems have proven to be extremely efficient; and therefore, increasingly popular. But it’s not just the efficiency of these systems that have homeowners abuzz. Heated floors provide luxurious, comfortable warmth that truly needs to be experienced to be appreciated.
Many homeowners have been pleasantly surprised to discover that they can install radiant floor heat without tearing out the existing floor. Two popular floor heating systems (RetroHeat film heating panels and low-voltage FloorHeat) can be installed by accessing the floor joists from below. Both of these systems rank among the best when it comes to performance and ease of installation.
Adding radiant floor heat is also a smart investment for those who are remodeling or adding tile, hardwood or new laminate floors. Warmzone ComfortTile is an exceptional floor heating system that is highly recommended for heating tile floors. The heating cable is available on spools or pre-spaced in mats. ComfortTile mats feature heat cable that is attached to an adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh and can be rolled out like a sleeping bag and secured to the floor, making the cable installation quick and easy. The mats are compatible with all standard sub-flooring materials and have a low 3/16-inch (3 mm) profile, making this an excellent system for renovations.
The ComfortTile system features a shielded dual-conductor cable with single-point connection. This means that rather than having to run the cable across the floor and then return back to the starting point, the single lead is simply run to the thermostat and connected. The finish floor is then installed directly over the system. (Most of the cable and floor installation labor can be performed by the homeowner; however, the wiring of the system should be completed by a qualified electrician.)
ComfortTile heat cable on the spool allows more flexibility in terms of heating odd, custom-shaped rooms. The cable is routed across the floor and attached to the subfloor with the use of thin, malleable steel strapping (supplied with the system). The straps have tabs that fold down over the cable to ensure accurate spacing of the heating element.
For heating hardwood or laminate floors, FloorHeat STEP and FilmHeat floor heating systems are both excellent choices. FloorHeat is a low-voltage system that features a unique, thin, flexible polymer heating element while the FilmHeat system consists of a lightweight, near paper-thin heating element (0.16-inch thick), which has quickly become a favorite among homeowners and installers. The easy-to-install panels are ideal for heating floating floors, require no floor build up and can be cut on site. The heating panels provide a remarkably efficient floor heating system that significantly reduces energy consumption.
The FilmHeat system is also easy to install. The panels are placed on the subfloor and require no mortar or adhesives, making the system quick, easy, and affordable to install.
For new construction applications, homeowners also have the option of installing heat cable directly in the concrete slab of the floors. The rugged In-Slab heat cable is engineered to withstand the stress of heavy concrete pours and will efficiently heat the slab to warm your floors.
There are a variety of choices when it comes to heating floors, but beware of “bargain shopping”. A radiant heating system is only as good as its installation, so it is vital to work with an experienced installer and a reputable system provider that offers complete system design services and installation support as well as quality products.
Warmzone is an established, reputable radiant heat provider that combines competitive pricing and top product offerings with complete radiant heat design and engineering services. Unlike most other providers in the industry, Warmzone has an expert staff on hand to offer personal installation support. It’s no secret why Warmzone has earned its reputation as one of the most trusted providers of radiant heat solutions. For more information, call a radiant heat expert today at 888.488.9276.