• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

Floor Warmers Can Help You Close that Tile Sale

By Joe Grady
January 7, 2002
An easy add-on with floor tile, installers need only apply thinset mortar directly over the floor-warming system before setting ceramic or natural stone tiles. Photos and diagrams courtesy of Watts Heatway.


Floor-warming systems are becoming increasingly popular. On one hand, they provide retailers with an effective response to the consumer who refuses to consider buying floor tiles because they are “too cold for bare feet.” But that’s just one explanation of their popularity. In fact, the number of floor warmer installations are up nationwide -- even in hot, dry regions of the country such as California, Nevada and Arizona.

A variety of factors have contributed to this growth. Unlike in-slab systems, the latest generation of floor-warming devices can be installed in small areas such as bathrooms (a bare-feet zone), kitchens, entryways, and sunrooms. They can be installed anywhere, as a matter of fact.

Another characteristic that’s added to the growth of these systems is the fact that they can be easily installed under all types of floor coverings. Essentially, floor-warming systems are designed to be loose laid atop the substrate. So, if the job calls for installation of ceramic or dimensional stone, your installer can apply thinset mortar directly over the system. The cost factor is relatively low -- approximately $12 to $15 per square foot.

Most commonly, such systems are placed beneath tile or dimensional stone. However, if your customer’s wish is laminate flooring, vinyl or floating wood, you may float a covering of self-leveling cement over the system before installing.

Typically, the systems make use of thermostat-controlled mats composed of heating elements woven or imbedded in a matrix. The systems need only operate for four to six hours per day, depending upon the end user’s demand. Heat-up time can vary from 20 to 35 minutes. In fact, the end user can set the thermostat to heat up the installed area before he or she wakes up every morning.

Components of a typical floor-warming system.
Warranties. You will find, on average, that a warranty on a floor-warming system may be 10 years. I am aware of at least one firm that offers a 25-year prorated warranty that’s similar to those offered on tires.

Installation. Generally speaking, floor covering, electrical or building contractors may install these systems. Mechanically inclined individuals may also be capable of installing them. Floor-warming system configurations are easy to design. Usually, distributors and/or dealers will prepare a quote and proposed design. If you or the seller wish, the manufacturer will prepare a design from your plans at no charge. This will aid the dealer in preparing a quote.

Cost to operate. Operating expense depends upon current electricity cost, how much mat is installed, and how long the end user operates the system. Hypothetically, let’s say the power cost is 10 cents per kilowatt hour, and the client operates a 40-square-foot area of mat approximately four to six hours a day. Under this scenario, the total cost to operate the floor-warming system would be about 14 to 18 cents daily.

What are the advantages of these types of floor-heating systems? The systems are extremely easy to install and, compared to forced-air heating with circulating air that stirs up dust, germs and pollen, they tend to minimize indoor allergens -- or at least leave them undisturbed.

Forced-air heating systems direct heated air at specific locations; generally, the areas near the ceiling are warmed but floor areas remain cold. Radiant floor-heating systems transmit heat upward to warm not only the occupant, but the flooring and furniture as well. And, no cold air pockets are created.

Service requirements. As a rule of thumb, each 100 square feet of mat requires 13 amps of electricity at 120 volts. There is no minimum floor area that needs to be covered to make the systems effective. The end user can install as little as 10 square feet. It’s his or her choice. It can be installed in one room or more. Certainly, it is not necessary to do the entire floor area to reap significant floor-warming benefits.

Another thing to point out to clients is the fact that an in-floor heating system adds to the value of the home and makes it more attractive to a prospective buyer. So, the benefits of installing such a system are varied indeed. And, you don’t have to let your customers’ objections to chilly floors derail a floor covering sale.

Ahh! It’s great to have warm feet.

Sources for Floor-Warming Systems include:

Suntouch...(888) 432-8932

Warmly Yours...(877) 927-6599

Delta Warm...(800) 526-7887

Flextherm...(800) 353-9843

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Joe Grady, author of Ceramic & Stone Close-Up, is internationally respected for his floor covering expertise — particularly in the areas of adhesives, installation and moisture-related problems. During a career that spans more than 30 years, Joe has worked for the W.W. Henry Co. and A.Z. Bogert Co., and served on numerous industry committees. He currently works with Advanced Testing Services in Fullerton, CA, as an expert on flooring problems.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Flooring Installation Products
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Commercial Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

More Videos

Popular Stories

Ken Ballin manning the Tools 4 Flooring booth in Tool Alley at TISE 2025

10 Tool Innovations Every Flooring Contractor Should Have on Their Wish List

Schluter waterproofing system

Waterproofing Wet Areas: Three Essential Methods to Protect Your Bathroom and Shower Installation

Starnet 2025 Carlsbad CA

Future-Proofing Success: How Starnet Members Are Building Resilient Flooring Businesses


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

June 9, 2025

NeoCon 2025

A trade show for the commercial interior design industry.

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • That Fungus Among Us: Mold and Floor Coverings

    See More
  • What You Need To Know: Defining Misunderstood Tile Installation Concepts

    See More
  • Ceramic & Stone Close-up: Clean 'em up and lay 'em out -- Then what? A look at Dimensional Stones

    See More
×

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP