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Underfloor heating comes in two primary varieties: hydronic underfloor heating, sometimes referred to as a wet system, and electric underfloor heating, also called a dry system.

Electric underfloor heating has the benefit of being simple to install, which is why smaller spaces or do-it-yourself projects frequently employ it. Compared to wet underfloor heating, electric underfloor heating may appear like a more affordable alternative at first, but it will probably wind up costing you more in the long term.

A high-quality warm floor heating cable will last a long time and provide dependable, efficient, and affordable operation. For further information, view our guide on underfloor heating costs.

 Electric underfloor heating provides good heat production and a fast heating reaction time, but it’s important to make sure the heating output is correctly managed to prevent overheating and maybe damaging the flooring.

Unsecured Wire

The cable for this kind of electric heated flooring is packaged on a spool, much like conventional wires. The least expensive method of floor heating that is also equally efficient as the other technologies is loose cable. Installing loose cable requires arranging it in a serpentine pattern, securing it with plenty of hot glue or staples, and then “embedding” it. This is the disadvantage of a loose cable.

The end channels in most loose cable systems serve as guides for spacing. If you want the floor to heat up more quickly and attain a greater temperature, you may arrange the wires closer together to use less cable, or farther away. Different cable lengths are available from cartridge heater supplier and manufacturers to accommodate different floor areas.

Thin-Set Method

Two approaches exist for embedding cable: Installing the cable over the tile backer board may be covering it with a “thin-set,” which is the mortar glue useful to install ceramic tile. You might need to apply a second coat after the first hardens to even it out because the thin-set shrinks as it cures. It’s challenging to get a flawlessly smooth and level surface using a thin set, though. It’s not smooth enough for vinyl flooring, but you can make it smooth enough for ceramic tile or a floating floor.

Mesh Mats

The cable is already wrapped into a net made of plastic. Installing the prepositioned cable takes less than half the time compared to loose cable. All you have to do is hot glue or staple the mesh to the ground. The wire and mesh are then embedded, just like with loose cable. 

There are many distinct dimensions formats. To cover your floor or fit around corners, you may cut the mesh into portions. But the cable itself cannot cut or splice. Certain manufacturers advise applying thin-set straight onto the mesh and laying tile in one go.

Sturdy Mats

Solid mats are often the most costly electric system, but they also need the least amount of installation work. Metal foil, plastic sheeting, or synthetic fabric entirely encloses the wire. The main benefit is that it doesn’t require embedding, unlike mesh matting or loose wire.