Tiled Floors
If you are looking to install electric underfloor heating beneath a tiled floor finish, there are three systems you can consider:
- Loose cables (output varies depending on spacing)
- Heating mats (available in outputs 100w, 150w or 200w)
- In-screed
Whichever system you choose, the subfloor upon which you are installing your underfloor heating must be suitable and prepared well. Solid screed, concrete, or joisted wooden floors covered with 18mm water and boil proof (WBP) plywood are all viable. If you have floorboards, you can cover these first with our own tile backer boards fixed at 300mm intervals.
To maximise the efficiency of all our underfloor heating systems, we would recommend that adequate floor insulation is installed prior to laying your chosen heating solution. This will reduce any heat loss below the floor, and increase the effectiveness of your heating.
When ordering any of our heating products, it is a general rule to under-order for your requirements, as the cables you lay may not be cut at any point.
Supplied with a clear instruction booklet, our heating systems are easy to install and at Underfloor Heating Direct, we have a team of specialists who can help address any of your needs.
All our electric heating products can be delivered the next working day, as long as your order is received by 3pm (conditions apply) and, with a lifetime guarantee, you can rest assured your new heating system is made to last.
Loose cable system
Supplied as a continuous roll of heating worn on a drum, the loose cable system is a handy solution for installing underfloor heating in small or awkward spaces, such as bathrooms or kitchen areas. While installation can take longer than our pre-spaced heating mat system, the flexibility of the loose cable system gives the installer more options. Rated at 10w per linear meter, the cable spacing determines the heat output of your installation with:
- 6.0cm spacing = 165w/m²
- 6.5cm spacing = 150w/m²
- 7.5cm spacing = 130w/m²
Once the cables have been fixed in position, your tiled floor may be laid directly over the top using flexible adhesive, or you can cover the cables with a suitable levelling compound. You should refer to the guidelines of the manufacturer for advice on which compound to use.
It's best to slightly under order as the cable CAN NOT be cut at any point.
Heating mat system
Our most popular solution for underfloor heating requirements, our 2mm mat system uses the same cabling as supplied above, but it has been pre-spaced onto easy-to-lay matting for a faster installation.
Ideal for large spaces including dining rooms, living spaces and kitchens, our mats come in three different power ratings: 100w, 150w and 200w. Installation is a simple matter of rolling out the matting across the space, and removing any excess cable to shape around awkward areas.
Our mat system is suitable as a primary heating source as long as adequate installation has been laid, but it can also supplement other forms of heating to take the edge off the chill of tiles underfoot.
In the same way as our loose cable system, tiles can be laird directly onto the mats using flexible adhesive, or can be sealed using a levelling compound, though you should always check with the manufacturer guidelines before selecting a compound, to ensure compatibility with an electric underfloor heating system.
It's best to slightly under order as the cable CAN NOT be cut at any point.
In-screed heating
As with our loose cable system, the heat output can be varied depending on the spacing between the cables, affording the installer the option to choose their wattage.
Designed to heat a large screed base, the cables are much thicker than in our other systems and, at 6mm, they produce a heat output of 17w per linear meter. In-screed cables are installed on a reinforced bar, which should be laid into foil-facing insulation such as Celotex or Kingspan. The installation of in-screed heating is usually only used in conservatories or new build and extension floors.
Our in-screed heating system can be used beneath flagstone flooring or under thick tiles, as long as they are bedded with a base of approximately 20mm of cement and sand. If you are considering Amtico or wooden floors, in-screed can also be a useful option.
If you need any advice on which system is most suitable for you, you can speak to someone from our technical team or design specialists to help you choose.
It's best to slightly under order as the cable CAN NOT be cut at any point.