What are electric mats for warm floors, types and installation rules

A growing number of people are turning to electric mats for warm floors as an effective and cozy way to heat their homes. These flexible, thin heating elements provide even warmth throughout the room and are simple to install under a variety of flooring types. Electric matting provide a practical and affordable alternative to heavy radiators and extensive plumbing work when installing underfloor heating in a bathroom, kitchen, or living room renovation.

Electric mats come in a variety of forms, each intended to satisfy unique requirements and tastes. While some matting are intended to be used under stone or tile floors, others can be used on carpeted, laminate, or wood floors. It is crucial to comprehend the distinctions among these kinds in order to choose the best product for your purpose. Your decision will also be influenced by other elements like your budget, the size of the area that needs to be heated, and the current floor plan.

Warm floor installation with electric matting can be a simple process, given the proper planning and direction. It’s crucial to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions, make sure the mats are installed correctly, and connect them to the electrical system. In addition to maximizing the heating system’s efficiency, proper installation guarantees longevity and safety. This post will discuss the various kinds of electric mats, their advantages, and provide detailed instructions on how to put them in your house properly.

Aspect	Details
Definition	Electric mats for warm floors are thin, flexible heating systems placed under flooring to provide radiant heat.
Types	Standard mats, self-adhesive mats, and mats with built-in sensors for temperature control.
Installation	Lay the mats on the floor, connect to the thermostat, and cover with flooring material.
Advantages	Easy to install, energy-efficient, and provide even heat distribution.
Considerations	Ensure compatibility with your flooring, follow manufacturer guidelines, and avoid cutting the mats.

Concept

This is the primary or supplementary heating produced by carbon heating mats or cable. There are other names for them, such as thermometers or electromics. Paul is heated by this rolled material, which remains the essence.

Different ranges of heat waves are released once it is connected to the electrical grid. We are discussing infrared waves in the context of carbon fiber, which heat all surrounding objects. When using cable mats, heat is first transferred to the floor and then to the air.

What is included?

Among the electric heated floors are:

1. heating mat;
2. thermostat;
3. temperature sensor.

The thermostat can be omitted by directly connecting the mats to the network. However, this has a significant impact on the caliber of their output and lifespan.

They produce the highest temperature while operating at maximum capacity. Mats quickly burn out as a result.

Requirements

Each of the three components—the floor covering, the base for installation, and the mats themselves—has unique qualities.

To the heating system

Specific power and operating temperature are the mats’ primary technical features. Depending on the kind, they change. For instance, the specific power of rod systems is 120 W/m2, and that of cable systems is 140–160 W/m2.

The temperature during heating varies from 50°C to 90°C. There’s a crucial detail about it. The mats that heat up more quickly are only laid in tile adhesive or screed. And the weaker ones can be placed right underneath the flooring.

To the base

Here, everything is very straightforward: the mats are put in either a concrete screed or the tile-laying adhesive. The work surface’s perfect flatness is crucial. One more crucial point: if there isn’t an insulating layer beneath the mats, heat will transfer to the inter-story floors.

What kind of finishing coating can there be?

Experts advise selecting a coating that will emit heat and heat up uniformly. In this context, the best ones are:

• porcelain tiles;
• ceramic tiles;
• natural stone.

However, residential buildings do not typically use these kinds of coatings. Customers frequently favor parquet, wood, and laminate flooring because they all have good heat conductivity.

The effectiveness of the mats depends on the type of flooring. For instance, 100–130 W/m2 of power is adequate if the tiles are porcelain or tile with a thickness of less than 7 mm. In the event that the coating is thicker than 7 mm, a device with a power output greater than 150 W/m2 is required.

Varieties

Carbon and single/double-core heating mats are available. Every one has unique qualities and subtleties.

Single-core

Within the cable, there is only one conductor made of brass or steel. Carbon compounds or nichrome can also be used to make it.

These kind of mats require both ends of the cable to be connected to the network in order to function fully. Should this not be the case, an additional extension of the cable to cover the entire circuit length will be required.

The inexpensive cost of single-core mats is one of its benefits. Additionally, electromagnetic radiation is a drawback. Naturally, it isn’t powerful enough to hurt a person. Nevertheless, experts advise against placing these kinds of gadgets in rooms where people spend a lot of time. Loggias, restrooms, and hallways are the best options.

Two-core

These kinds of cable mats resemble single-core in terms of features. However, there are variations in style.

Among them are:

• metal conductive cores;
• insulation for cores;
• reinforcing braid;
• cable insulation as a whole.

As the name implies, there are two wires in two-wire devices. Additionally, they are connected to one another on one side. This eliminates the need for pulling the cable’s two ends to the connection point.

Carbon

Mats that have carbon rods or strips acting as heating components. Since their relatively recent appearance, they have earned the right to be well-known.

Among the benefits they offer, we can emphasize:

• suitable for rooms with high humidity;
• do not dry out the air;
• can be laid under any floor coverings.

Thermostats are always present in carbon heating mats. Even when one component fails, they still function properly.

How to choose a system?

To ensure that you make the best decision, you must take into account three crucial factors:

1. Type of heating element. As mentioned above, single-core devices are more suitable for balconies or, for example, bathrooms. Two-core – a good option for living rooms. The same applies to carbon.
2. Features of the premises. If humidity is increased in it, you should choose mats with reinforced protection against moisture, additional insulation of the wire and contacts. Usually, such information is in the instructions.
3. Mat power. Depends on the thickness of the floor covering, the purpose of the room, its thermal insulation. It also plays a role whether the warm floor will be the main heating or additional.

You should consider the device’s integrity before making a purchase. The cable or any other component shouldn’t have any creases or cracks in it. In case this is a specialty store, feel free to request a quality certificate.

TOP-5 manufacturers

Let’s think about the most well-liked.

Tropix MHH-160-1.0 Teplolux

Its construction includes a mechanical thermostat, temperature sensor, screen, grounding, two-core cable fastened to fiberglass mesh, and temperature sensor.

Features of the product:

• maximum power 600 W;
• heating area 4 m2;
• service life up to 50 years.

This mat has high efficiency and dependability as advantages. Cons: It’s not the cheapest option, and reviews claim that the control unit’s wiring is flimsy.

Devicomomfort 150T (DTIR-150)

This is one of the greatest products in this category, according to customers. There is one "but," though. It costs a lot more than other heating mats as well.

The design is based on a 3.5 mm diameter, two-core heating cable. It is attached to a self-stick film, features insulation free of lead contaminants, and a protective screen. These matting are typically placed beneath ceramic tiles, though they work well with other types of flooring as well.

It’s important to note that this company makes a variety of heated floor mat models. Their sizes and technical attributes vary. 8,000 rubles is the price.

Electrolux EEFM 2-150-2

Their carbon rod-based base heats up rapidly and disperses heat uniformly. Fit for installation in tile adhesive or a screed. This model has 375 Tue of power. It has a 2.5 m 2 effective heating capacity.

Strength, fire safety, and ease of installation are among the benefits. One of the drawbacks—or rather, an application feature—is the prohibition against placing furniture on top of a heated floor. This is something that needs to be considered even before any repairs are started. 6000 rubles was the price.

Teplocom MND-3.0-480 W

It possesses:

1. a thin two-core cable on a fiberglass mesh base;
2. a power cord 2 m long;
3. rated power 480 W.

There are two protective screens on the cable. The plastic shell is another benefit; it can withstand mechanical stress and high temperatures. The price is reasonable at 5,000 rubles, which is a nice bonus.

Energy Mat 165 W/m2 3.4 m2 560 W

A cable mat with a 50-centimeter pitch is based on a thin, resistive, two-core cable grid. intended to be placed beneath porcelain or tiled surfaces. Heats the floor evenly to a roughly 28 °C temperature. furnished with grounding and a screen. The thermostat is not included with the kit; you will need to purchase it separately. Ten thousand rubles was the price.

Calculation rules

You must accurately ascertain the area to be heated, the power needed for the mats, and the power consumption for the electric heated floor to operate as efficiently as possible.

Useful area

It is obviously necessary to heat the entire space. However, when it comes to heating mats, it’s important to take furniture placement into account. It is advised to create a floor plan for the room using a computer program or on paper even before the equipment is bought. You can then begin to calculate.

First, the room’s total area is determined. This is accomplished by multiplying the length by the width. Next, you should "arrange" the furniture on the aforementioned plan and determine how much space it takes up. The plan remains the same.

Finding the space that the heated floor will take up is the next step. This is how the formula appears:

Experts say that 70–80% of the sex should be covered by heating mats. At least half, if that’s not feasible.

I’ll give you an example. Assume that the decision was made to install heated kitchen floors. It has a 12 m 2 area. The space occupied by furniture and appliances is 6 m 2. As it happens, the mats will lie on a floor area of 6 m³.

Necessary power

Everything in this situation depends on the heated floor’s function—that is, whether it serves as additional or primary heating.

In the first scenario, the heat loss capacity for a particular room must be determined in order to determine the installed capacity. Specialized literature contains this kind of information. At the very least, the capacity ought to be 30% higher than the heat loss. This is how the formula appears:

Using the kitchen mentioned above as an example, the heat loss is 1,000 W. It turns out that the installed capacity of the heated floor should be 1.3*1,000 = 1,300 W based on the formula.

The following formula is used to determine the specific capacity:

It is almost 217 W/m2 in our situation.

Let’s talk about some more heating now. It is implied here that heat losses are ignored because the central heating system will make up for them. Given that the precise power has already been ascertained and documented in the standards, you are able to compute the installed power. The range for the kitchen is 100–150 W/m2. Let’s take the minimal and enter it into the formula as follows:

It is 600 W in the example.

Electricity consumption

This formula can be used to determine how much electricity will be used on a warm floor:

Area heated in m^2; specific power in W/m^2; cost per kW^*0.5; on-state operating time^*30.

There are thirty days in a month. Furthermore, 0.5 is an empirically determined coefficient that accounts for the fact that the device only runs at maximum power when it is reaching the desired temperature.

An effective and user-friendly way to achieve comfortable and uniform heating in any space is with electric floor mats. These mats are adaptable to a variety of applications because they are available in a variety of types, such as those intended to be placed under carpet, laminate, or tile flooring. The mats are easy to install; all you have to do is lay them on the subfloor and hook them up to a thermostat. Modern underfloor heating systems frequently choose electric mats because of their consistent and controlled warmth and ease of installation.

Installation features

The procedure is not simple; there are multiple steps involved, such as setting up the structure and tying it into the network. The following equipment and supplies are needed:

• heating mats of a suitable model;
• thermostat;
• temperature sensor;
• wire;
• corrugated pipe;
• junction box;
• perforator;
• chisel;
• multimeter;
• spatulas;
• tape measure;
• pliers.

Additionally, a specialized perforator attachment is required in order to drill a hole for the junction box.

Laying diagram

Large furniture pieces and the walls should be at least 5 to 10 cm away. The location of the thermostat installation is where the mats must be laid. It is typically mounted close to the switch. To ensure that the cable stays intact, the mat must be rolled out and, once at the turn, the mesh cut. After that, you can lay it anywhere. You can release a portion of the cable if needed.

Surface preparation

The heated floor’s base needs to be spotless and level. It needs to have any cracks or other damage sealed with cement mortar. When dealing with a wooden base, it is crucial to ensure that all of its components are firmly fixed.

It’s also a good idea to make a tiny indent in the surface beforehand for the temperature sensor tube.

Installing the mats

There are two methods for lying:

1. The first – with the heating elements up. The mat is laid on the prepared base and secured using tile adhesive or cement screed. At this stage, you need to carefully ensure that there are no voids, otherwise there is an increased risk of overheating the cable and its failure.
2. The second method – with the heating elements down. In this case, the first layer is glue or cement mortar, then the mat, pre-cut into elements of the required size, and then another layer of glue / mortar.

Connection to the electrical circuit

After the mats are laid, electrical installation work can be done right away. You must first thoroughly inspect each cable for integrity. Next, bring the wires to the junction box and attach the thermostat’s terminals to their ends. Install the control panel on top of the box that is hidden in the wall.

Turn on the system for a few minutes to check it. You can move on to the next step if everything is connected correctly and the indicator lights up and you feel the heat.

Installation of flooring

As previously mentioned, any type of flooring can be installed with electric mats. You’ll need tile adhesive if it’s a tile, and cement mortar if it’s not. When it comes to tiles, the adhesive layer’s thickness and the total thickness of the tiles shouldn’t be greater than 2 cm. The screed has prerequisites as well. It should only be two to three centimeters.

First start-up

Everything in this situation is dependent upon how the flooring and mats are laid. In the event that the installation was done beneath a concrete screed, you must wait for it to fully dry. For the concrete to finally become stronger, about a month will pass. Waiting four to five days is worthwhile in the case of tiles. However, this time frame might change based on the tile adhesive brand. The packaging will indicate how long it will take to dry completely.

Lamination needs special consideration. Due to its semi-natural nature, this material can retain moisture and react to variations in temperature. As a result, you should turn on the floor with caution. It is best to carry out this task two to four days following the laminate installation. Furthermore, it is preferable to start with a low temperature—20 °C, for instance. After that, raise it a few degrees each day until the highest temperature that is allowed is reached.

Regarding the installation under the tiles in the video’s features:

Pros and cons

Since the benefits of heating mats for underfloor heating vary greatly depending on the type, it is challenging to state with certainty what those benefits are. However, a few advantages of the system as a whole are as follows:

1. The warm floor does not reduce the height of the room. For mats and a layer of screed or tile adhesive, only 2-3 cm is needed.
2. Considering the fact that the mats are not laid on the entire floor surface, we can talk about some savings.
3. The process of laying mats is quite simple. Although if we talk about the installation of a warm floor in general, we will have to deal with the features of its connection.

The inability to activate the system right away after laying is one of the drawbacks that stands out the most. Waiting until the glue or screed is fully dry is required.

The advantages of heating mats are complemented by testimonials from customers who have already invested in them for a warm floor. Mats are typically used to heat hallways and bathrooms.

Customers comment on the easy installation and quick turnaround time. They also mention the benefits of quick heating, safety, and the capacity to install mats in a variety of shaped rooms.

Reviews in full can be found here and here.

Average prices

The price of mats varies depending on their size. The cost per piece for the models mentioned above varies from 4,000 to 11,000 rubles. Here, it is also worthwhile to add the purchase of consumables like tile adhesive or cement, etc., and a thermostat, should one not be included in the kit.

Regarding installation costs, the kind of mats chosen is also crucial. For instance, single-core structure installation starts at 700 rubles per square meter, while two-core structure installation starts at 1,800 rubles. The installation of a screed, flooring, and a sensor all require additional payment.

An effective and practical way to heat your house is with electric floor mats. The purpose of these mats is to provide a uniform and comfortable heat source beneath different kinds of flooring. Standard, self-adhesive, and waterproof mats are among the varieties available, each of which is designed to meet particular requirements and installation conditions. The kind of flooring and the particular needs of the room will determine which kind of matting is best.

Although installing electric mats is a simple process, it needs to be carefully planned and carried out. Make sure the floor is dry, clean, and clear of debris before starting. As directed by the manufacturer, lay out the mat, cutting and fitting it to fit the desired area precisely without overlapping. Before finishing the installation with the flooring of your choice, fasten the mat firmly in its location, connect it to the thermostat, and operate the system. To guarantee a secure and efficient installation, always abide by local electrical codes and safety regulations.

Warm floor electric matting not only improves comfort but also helps save energy. They provide flexibility and control over the temperature in your house and can be used as the main source of heating or in addition to current heating systems. Electric mats are a sensible upgrade for any heating system because of their many options and simplicity of installation. Understanding the various varieties and adhering to installation guidelines will allow you to have a warm, comfortable floor all year round.

Video on the topic

Reliable warm floor with a LIFETIME warranty! Installation of a warm floor under tiles, testing in operation.

DIY installation of a warm floor based on a heating cable

Which electric warm floor is better: film, cable or rod?

Typical mistakes when installing a warm floor under tiles

Installation of a heating mat under tiles. Tips.