Can You Install Heated Floors On Concrete
Floor height may be an issue for older exiting homes.
Can you install heated floors on concrete. The installer should pour 4 to 6 inches of concrete to bury the heating element leaving it 2 to 3 inches beneath the finished concrete surface. The most economical fall back is to install electric baseboard heating or possibly hydronic heating using the existing electric boiler which was installed to pump heated water through the radiant tubing in the concrete floor. Vinyl plank flooring is a great option for on top of radiant heating especially if you need a flooring that is waterproof.
Heres how to go about installing it. The major requirement is being able to add another layer to the top of the floor without interfering. This protects the wood from the vapor that will arise from using a heated floor.
There are several manufacturers of this type of radiant floor heating. Screw down a track with precut grooves for plastic tubing to the plywood subfloor. Now that the heating element and sensor are installed the concrete installer can finish pouring the slab.
Run the floors heating system for at least 4 days at 64-72 degrees Acclimate flooring in the room it will be installed in for at least 48 hours Once installation is finished do not change radiant heat for at least another 48 hours. The science behind radiant floor heating is quite simple. Secure a plywood subfloor to the concrete slab.
Insert flexible plastic tubing into the track. Overall if youre considering bathroom floor heating or just want to add supplemental heat to small areas of your home an in-floor heating system is right for you. If your wanting polished concrete floors either of these systems will be suitable.
Yes You Can. Tubes that circulate hot water or electrical heating elements are installed in the concrete slab when its poured turning the thermal mass of the concrete into an inconspicuous radiator of warm even heat. You dont want the heat too high as you could compromise the integrity of the flooring.