Tag Archives: Radiant heated floors

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The Ultimate Comfort

Why Warmzone Premier Radiant Heated Floors are the Best Choice for Your Home

Imagine stepping out of bed on a cold morning and feeling the warmth of a heated floor beneath your feet. No more freezing tiles in the bathroom or chilly hardwood in the living room; just consistent, comfortable warmth wherever you walk. Heated floors aren’t just a luxury; they’re one of the most efficient and effective ways to heat your home.

Warmzone offers top-tier radiant floor heating systems that provide comfort, energy efficiency, and health benefits while being completely maintenance-free. Whether you’re building a new home or upgrading your existing one, here’s why radiant heating is fast becoming the home heating choice for modern homeowners.

The Benefits of Heated Floors

1. The Most Efficient Heating Technology Available

Radiant floor heating is far more efficient than traditional forced-air systems. Instead of pushing hot air through ducts and vents, where much of the warmth is lost, heated floors transfer warmth directly to the objects and people in the room through infrared (radiant) heat. This process eliminates heat loss and ensures that every part of the room is evenly warmed from the ground up.

Because heat rises naturally, radiant heating works more effectively than baseboard heaters or forced-air systems, which tend to create temperature fluctuations. With a heated floor, you’ll enjoy a consistent and comfortable temperature while using less energy, which could ultimately lower your heating costs.

ComfortTile floor heating system installed under tile floor
Ceramic tiled floor heated with ComfortTile floor heating system

2. Works Under Any Type of Flooring

No matter what type of flooring you have, there’s a radiant heating solution for you. Warmzone offers a wide variety of heating elements designed to work seamlessly under tile, stone, laminate, vinyl, engineered wood, and even carpet. Whether you’re remodeling a bathroom, upgrading your kitchen, or adding warmth to your basement, Warmzone’s heating systems integrate perfectly with your flooring choice.

3. Maintenance-Free Convenience and Savings

Unlike furnaces and baseboard heaters that require regular maintenance, filter changes, and occasional repairs, radiant floor heating is virtually maintenance-free. Once installed, the system operates reliably for years without the need for servicing. This makes it a hassle-free investment that adds long-term value to your home.

4. No Blower Means No Dust or Allergens

Traditional heating systems rely on blowers to circulate warm air, which can also spread dust, allergens, and airborne contaminants throughout your home. This can be a major issue for people with allergies, asthma, or respiratory conditions.

Radiant heating eliminates this problem entirely. Because it doesn’t rely on air circulation, there’s no forced airflow kicking up dust or distributing allergens. This creates a cleaner, healthier indoor environment, which is especially important for families with young children or anyone sensitive to indoor air quality.

5. Precise Temperature Control in Every Room

One of the standout features of radiant floor heating is the ability to control the temperature in each room individually. Unlike central heating systems that heat the entire house to the same temperature, radiant heating allows each room to have its own thermostat.

This means you can keep your bedroom cozy without overheating unused rooms, or you can keep your bathroom toasty while maintaining a cooler temperature in the rest of the house. This level of control not only enhances comfort but also reduces energy waste, saving you money on heating bills.

Woman in sunlight on warm floor

6. A Variety of Heating Elements to Suit Your Needs

Every home is different, and Warmzone offers a wide selection of heating elements to accommodate various layouts and flooring materials. Whether you need a flexible heating cable for a custom installation, an ultra-thin mat for easy installation under tile, or a retrofit system for an existing home, Warmzone has a solution to meet your needs.

7. Works as a Primary or Supplemental Heating Source

Radiant floor heating isn’t just for supplemental warmth, it can serve as your home’s primary heating system. Many homeowners find that radiant heating provides sufficient warmth for their entire home, eliminating the need for traditional heating systems altogether.

However, if you live in an extremely cold climate or have an existing heating system you’d like to keep, radiant heating works seamlessly as a supplemental heat source. For example, you can install it in key areas like bathrooms, bedrooms, playrooms, or basements to enhance comfort without overhauling your entire heating system.

8. Ideal for Children’s Play Rooms

If you have young children, you know how much time they spend playing on the floor. With traditional heating systems, floors can be uncomfortably cold, making playtime less enjoyable. Radiant floor heating keeps surfaces warm and inviting, creating a cozy environment for kids to play safely and comfortably.

Additionally, since radiant heating eliminates the need for bulky radiators or vents, you don’t have to worry about hot surfaces or sharp edges that could pose a safety risk to little ones.

Upgrade Your Home with Warmzone Radiant Heating

Whether you’re looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency, reduce allergens, or simply enjoy a higher level of comfort, radiant floor heating is an unbeatable solution. With Warmzone’s industry-leading products, you can enjoy all the benefits of heated floors without the hassle of maintenance or inefficiency.

Investing in radiant heating is more than just a home upgrade, it’s a step toward better comfort, health, and energy savings. If you’re ready to experience the warmth and luxury of heated floors, explore Warmzone’s heating solutions today! Who knows, you might even want to retire your cute bunny slippers.

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Trusted Floor Heating Options

Warmzone’s Vast Offering of Proven Products is Unmatched

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.

Dog and cat on warm floor

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.

ComfortTile floor heating cable and mats

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.

Heated hardwood floor in living room.

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.

Floor heating systems chart
Different floor types and the recommended radiant floor heating systems.

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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.

Kids on a heated hardwood floor

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.

Heat hardwood floors with Warmzone's FilmHeat
Heated hardwood floor with cutaway showing FilmHeat floor heating element.

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.

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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.

Heated tile 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.

Installing floor heating cable mats

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.