10 Reasons Why You Should Install a Heated Floor
Heated floors are an excellent addition to any home, providing a comfortable and luxurious feel underfoot. Whether you're building a new home or renovating your existing space, installing underfloor heating is a smart investment that adds value to your property. Among the many heating systems available, DITRA-HEAT stands out as a popular choice for its innovative technology and customizable design, allowing homeowners to create their dream living space with ease.
What is a heated floor and how do they work?
A heated floor is a type of flooring that includes a heating mechanism installed under the surface of the floor. The heating system can be either electric or hydronic, and it works by providing radiant heat directly to the floor. This means that instead of just heating the air, as traditional heating methods do, a heated floor warms the surface of the floor, making it more comfortable to walk on.
What are your options for a heated floor?
There are two main types of heated flooring systems: electric and hydronic. Electric heated floors use electric cables to provide radiant floor heat, while hydronic heated floors use hot water pipes. Electric heated floors are easier to install and ideal for most applications.
What Are the Top 10 Benefits of DITRA-HEAT?
Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s dive in. Here are the top ten reasons why you should consider installing a heated floor in your home, including the benefits of using DITRA-HEAT.
1. Maintenance-free
Once DITRA-HEAT is installed and tiled over, it requires zero maintenance to function properly. The cables and membranes are designed to be durable and long-lasting, so there is no need to regularly check or maintain the physical components of the system.
2. Waterproofing
Contrary to popular belief, tile and grout are not waterproof, and moisture can penetrate a tiled floor assembly. DITRA-HEAT membranes feature a polypropylene waterproofing layer that helps to protect the subfloor from any moisture that may be present in the tile assembly. This is especially important for bathroom applications. What’s more, the heating cables can help any moisture sitting atop the tile assembly evaporate and dry faster than a non-heated floor.
3. Uncoupling
The DITRA-HEAT membrane has uncoupling properties that help prevent cracks in the tile assembly caused by subfloor movement. This is particularly important in areas with high foot traffic, heavy furniture, or changes in temperature and humidity. The membrane also allows for movement of substrate independently from the tile field above, which helps to minimize stress and avoid cracks in the tiles.
4. Easy to Install
DITRA-HEAT is easy to install. The system is comprised of the uncoupling membrane and the heating cables, simplifying the installation by eliminating the need for multiple components. The heating cables are inserted directly into the membrane, which creates a low-profile installation that doesn’t significantly increase the height of the floor. The DITRA-HEAT family also includes a peel & stick option, which eliminates the need for thin-set mortar between the subfloor and the membrane, resulting in a quicker installation.
5. Customizable
With some other floor heating systems, the heating cables are integrated into the membrane, giving you little wiggle room to place the heat where it’s needed. The separate membrane and cables in Schluter’s DITRA-HEAT system make it easy to customize where you want your heat, and cables are available in different lengths to accommodate various room sizes. Cables are available in 120V, 208V, and 240V to suit any application.
6. Noise reduction
Some heated floors can also help reduce sound. The DITRA-HEAT-DUO system features a fleece backing that is designed to reduce impact sound transmission in floor-ceiling installations in multi-story constructions. The fleece backing helps absorb sound waves and vibrations, reducing the amount of impact sound that travels through the floor.
This noise reduction is especially beneficial in buildings where sound transmission can be an issue, such as apartments or condos, where noise from neighboring units can be a problem. By reducing impact sound transmission, the DITRA-HEAT-DUO system helps create a more peaceful living environment.
7. Energy-efficient
Radiant floor heating is energy efficient because it heats objects in the room directly, rather than heating the air. Traditional heating methods, such as forced air heating, heat the air in a room which rises and escapes through cracks and openings, causing energy waste. Additionally, radiant floor heating uses a lower temperature than traditional heating methods, which can further reduce energy consumption. This is because it is designed to provide heat to the floor surface, which in turn warms the rest of the room.
8. Comfort
The DITRA-HEAT system can make your home more comfortable in several ways. Firstly, it provides even heat distribution throughout the space with no cold or hot spots. This can reduce drafts and make your home feel warmer, even at lower temperatures. Also, who doesn’t like a warm floor – especially in the winter months? The system allows you to control the heat level depending on your need, so you can turn it up in the winter and turn it down when the weather warms up.
9. Programmable & Smart
The DITRA-HEAT system is programmable, allowing you to set the temperature to your desired level. Easily controlled by a thermostat, you can adjust the temperature and set a schedule according to your preferences. This means you can have the system automatically turn on and off at specific times of the day, ensuring your floors are warm and comfortable when you need them to be. The new Smart Thermostat for DITRA-HEAT has third party integration for smart home voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home making floor warming easier than ever.
The programmable feature of the system can also help you save energy and reduce heating costs, as you can set the system to turn off when you’re not at home or when you’re asleep, adding to the convenience and efficiency of the system.
10. Luxury
When installing any tiled floor, it’s in your best interest to install an uncoupling membrane underneath to protect the tile – so why not install an uncoupling membrane that can support heating? While seemingly a luxury, heated floors are a practical and affordable way to add warmth and comfort to your home.
As already mentioned above, DITRA-HEAT’s membranes are also waterproof. This helps to protect the subfloor and any structural elements from moisture damage, making it a great investment for any homeowner.
There are many benefits to installing a heated floor, and the DITRA-HEAT system offers some of the best options available. Not only does it provide a comfortable and energy-efficient heating solution, but it is also easy to install and maintain, customizable, and offers noise reduction and waterproofing properties. The ability to program and adjust the temperature, as well as the luxurious feel of a heated floor, make it a great investment for any homeowner looking to improve the comfort and value of their home. With DITRA-HEAT, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of a heated floor for years to come.