Installing In-Floor Electric Heating Mats

Looking for an easy to install floor heating system for your tile or stone flooring? ThermoTile® electric in-floor heating mats are perfect for installation under ceramic tile and natural stone. They are also compatible with a variety of other flooring types such as hardwood, engineered wood, vinyl, and carpet.

ThermoTile mats are securely embedded in concrete so it’s important to get the job done right the first time. In this article, we go over the materials, tools and basic instructions to ensure your ThermoTile floor heating system is installed correctly. Let’s start by first taking a look at the materials and components required for this installation.

Add Value To Your Home with Thermosoft heating products. | Tips on how to add value to your home.

Floor Heating Thermostat

You will need a floor heating thermostat to adjust the level of heat produced by your mats. Each thermostat includes an in-floor heat sensor that communicates the floor temperature to the thermostat. The majority of our thermostats also come with built in GFCI protection which provides protection from electrical shocks.  If you are looking for a programmable thermostat, we would recommend the OJ Touch Screen (UDG4-4999). If you would like to control your floor heat remotely, the OJ Wi-Fi Enabled Touch Screen (UWG4-4999) would be the thermostat for you.

Power Module

If you plan to use a single thermostat to control multiple mats with a combined amp draw of over 15 amps, you will need an OJ Power Module which provides additional power.  The power module works with any OJ touchscreen thermostat and is compatible with both 120V and 240V systems.

Electric Box and Conduit

A 1-gang (2 inch wide) or 2-gang (4 inch wide) electrical box and mud ring are needed to mount your thermostat. We recommend a 4-inch box because it provides additional room to connect multiple leads. Install ½” minimum conduit from the bottom plate up to the electrical box. Install ¾” conduit if necessary to make room for more lead wires when using multiple ThermoTile® heating mats.

Thin-Set & Self-Leveling Cement

Since ThermoTile mats are embedded in concrete, the system is always protected from being damaged after installation. The mats can either be embedded in a thin-set mortar, or a self-leveling cement. The choice of which to use depends on type of subfloor and flooring material being installed. Self-leveling mortar is the most appropriate for flooring types that require a perfectly level subfloor such as vinyl, laminate, or carpet floor which is susceptible to showing unevenness. If installing floor heat under tile or stone flooring, we would recommend using thin-set also known as modified Portland cement mortar.

What Tools are Needed to Installation?

Scissors: Use to cut and shape the mesh on ThermoTile Mats.

Digital Multimeter: Needed to verify the resistance of each ThermoTile mat throughout the installation process.

InstAlarm: Monitors for faults during the installation process.

Hot Glue Gun, Tape or Staple Gun: Needed to fasten mats to the sub-floor.

Plastic Trowel: Needed to spread mortar over the mats.

Install Preparation

Measure the area you wish to heat and calculate the total square feet. Exclude areas where permanent fixtures like toilets, sinks, and bathtubs will be located. Contact one of our floor heating specialists to help select the right combination of mats for your area. Once you have your ThermoTile mats, tools, and all other required materials you can begin your installation.

Electrical Rough-In

Each mat comes with 10-foot leads and each floor sensor has a 15-foot lead.  When installing your electrical box, make sure that your lead wires and floor sensor will be in reach of the box. Run your conduit from your electrical box to your bottom plate. You will need one conduit to run your lead wires and another to run your floor sensor.

Mat Installation

Begin laying your mats making sure to stay 4-6 inches away from the ring of a toilet and approximately 3 inches away from the side of any walls. The mat’s mesh can be cut and turned to fit any room shape. When cutting the mesh, it’s critically important to avoid cutting the heating cables. The cable can be positioned loosely (separate from the mat) if necessary to go around permanent fixtures. Once in place, fasten the mats to the subfloor.

Place floor sensor equally between the mat’s heating cables. Embed the mats in either a thin-set or self-leveling cement. Once your cement has fully hardened, you can install your floor covering of choice. The above steps provide a basic installation overview, please refer to the full Installation Guidelines or contact us to go over a more detailed installation plan. You can also schedule a live one-on-one video call with us from your smartphone for assistance.

Final Thoughts

ThermoTile mats are compatible with a wide variety of flooring materials and are easy to install. To learn more about alternative tile heating systems such as ThermoTile Cable, read the article entitled “Learn what ThermoTile® Floor Heating Can Add to Your Home” found in our Resources Center. Speak to a knowledgeable member of our U.S. based support team to start planning your installation today!

Website: ThermoTile Mats

Website: Thermostats

Website: Accessories

Why ThermoSoft’s Floor Heating Systems are the Answer For You

With these benefits in mind, where can you add comfort and value at the same time?

Look no further than ThermoSoft floor heating systems! We have the fastest warm-up time in the industry, and installation is simple and DIY-friendly.

Benefits of ThermoSoft Floor Heating

  • Available for All Types of Flooring: Tile, Laminate, Solid and Engineered Wood, Vinyl, Cement Slab, and Carpet
  • Exceptional Comfort: Warms rooms and not ceilings, Uniform, ideal heat pattern, Say goodbye to drafty rooms, Invisible and silent, Individual room control
  • Cleaner, Healthier, Maintenance-Free: No dirty vents or ducts, No more drying out your air
ThermoSoft floor heating adds value and luxury to your home
  • Energy-Saving: 100% Efficiency, More comfort, less energy, Use less energy by needing less heat
  • Easy to Install: Designed with installation in mind, Tools already in your toolbox, Simple hookup, We’re here to support you

ThemoSoft never compromises on your comfort or safety, so why would you?

Start enjoying each space more than ever with ThermoSoft floor heating systems. Visit us online or contact Thermosoft today.

Add value to your home with radiant heat flooring. Tell us about your project and let our experts help you. Our team of Radiant Experts is ready to help!
Need help with a project?

Tell us about your project and let our experts help you. Our team of Radiant Experts is ready to help! We can help find the right radiant heat product for any project from indoors to the outdoors. Just tell us a little about yourself and your project to get started.

Contact an Expert 1-800-308-8057

Floor heating Guide e-book. Learn all the facts about radiant heat and heated floors with our Floor Heat Heating Guide by ThermoSoft.

GET FREE GUIDE >>

Don’t Trust Just Any Floor Heating Systems – Insist on ThermoSoft Products

ThermoSoft offers the best-performing and most reliable radiant electric heat solutions on the market. Our systems are safe and can be installed quickly during a room remodel or a new home build.

ThermoSoft products are made in America and are backed by our best-in-class customer service. We design and manufacture our systems here in Vernon Hills, Illinois with the highest quality control. We have an in-house team of qualified professionals to offer guidance and advice every step of the process – from selection to installation and beyond for years to come.

Discover all the possibilities to bring warmth & joy into your life!

Certified, Tested & Approved

COMPLETE YOUR BATHROOM UPGRADE WITH THERMOTILE
ThermoTub for bathrooms pair well with ThermoTile cable mats for floor heating. Made in the USA.

ThermoTile floor heating mats for tile and stone will take your bathroom to the next level! Add floor heat to enhance your space and make your bathroom feel like a luxurious spa.

Call us or click here to transform your entire bathroom!