Best Laminate Flooring For Radiant Heat

If you are looking for the best laminate flooring for radiant heat, here are some important factors to consider.

For the best laminate flooring for radiant heat, you should consider how large an area you need heated, along with the flooring material. We will investigate these points in more detail below.

Best Laminate Flooring for Radiant Heat

Laminate floors are a great choice for any room of the house, but they do need to be installed properly to ensure they will last. Installing them over radiant heating systems can be tricky, but DIYers can do it. Our experts can help guide you through the installation process. Feel free to call us anytime.

When you’re installing laminate flooring over your radiant heating system, it’s important to keep some things in mind.

Heating System

To pick the best laminate flooring for radiant heat, you need to start by choosing the best radiant heating system for your home. The three most popular systems are  WarmStep, ThermoFloor, and ThermoFilm. They all work by allowing you to install an electric mat that can be easily laid out and installed quickly. Now, which one is right for you?

If you’re serious about radiant heat, then these three systems are your best option. They have the power necessary to properly heat your wood or laminate flooring. While you can get away with a standard radiant heating system in warmer climates, if you live in a place where it gets cold for long periods of time, then these systems are the only way to go. Here’s what makes them special:

WarmStep: 

• WarmStep is an excellent solution if you want warm floors with the easiest, fastest installation (which is probably why it’s so popular!). Like ThermoFloor, WarmStep works with many kinds of subfloors—including concrete.  It even comes in pre-cut sizes that make installation quick and painless! These mats are especially thin—they won’t raise your floors and you’ll barely realize they’re there when they are turned off. You just lay them out and lay the floor right on top.

ThermoFloor:

• The ThermoFloor system is one of the most popular floor heating systems available today. It’s easy to install and has preattached underlayment already. This system will work with both laminate flooring and hardwood floors (as well as many other surface types). One drawback is that this isn’t quite as powerful as our other two featured systems—it’s designed for use in homes that have “average” winters. Also, the attached underlayment will raise your floor a bit.

ThermoFilm:

• The ThermoFilm system has two main benefits over other film heating options: 1) It generates more power than other similar products; 2) designed for floating floors specifically – you cannot nail through it or glue it down. If you’re thinking about installing this product under laminate or hardwood floors, then we’d recommend adding a layer of plywood between the film and your surface type (unless you’re using snap-together laminate planks). That will also have an impact on your floor height.

Voltage

Different systems are made for different square foot areas. For example, you can install 120-volt systems in spaces up to 200 square feet and 240-volt systems in spaces up to 400 square feet for WarmStep and ThermoFloor. So, if your home is from 1 to 200 square feet, you should probably use a 120-volt system. If it’s 201 – 400 square feet, then the 240-volt system would be your best bet. ThermoFilm and ThermoTile differ from this rule. Make sure to read the requirements in your product manual and call us if you have any questions.

Size of the Area

Knowing the square footage of the area to be heated is extremely important in determining what type of floor heating system to use. The mat systems are rated up to 400 square feet, a cable system can handle up to 1,000 square feet and a self-regulating cable system can handle up to 2,000 square feet. If you have an odd-shaped room with smaller areas that need floor heating or if you only want it in a small section of an existing room, we would recommend using the cable system as it is easier to lay around larger obstacles such as cabinetry and thicker floors like tile or natural stone. Although you can cut the mesh on cable mats and the fabric on WarmStep mats, it’s important to mention that you cannot cut the heating element itself (the cable). All systems need to be laid out prior to installation so make sure you get the proper layout before starting your project.

Flooring Material

When you’re shopping for flooring, you’ll have a hard time finding an industry expert who doesn’t recommend radiant heat. All the same, not all flooring materials are ideal for use with radiant heat. Heat is distributed and held well in tile. Generally speaking, the best flooring material choices for use with radiant heat are ceramic tile, stone, and other natural stone materials (such as slate and marble), vinyl, and laminate. Carpeting is generally not recommended because it creates an inefficient barrier between your feet and the warmth of the cables beneath it. When installing vinyl, make sure to check the installation requirements of the flooring manufacturer. Sometimes a barrier is required between the floor and the heating element (like fiberboard for example) which can also hinder the effectiveness of your heating system in some cases.

Conclusion

It’s possible to install the system yourself, but we advise hiring a licensed electrician to wire it.

In the end, both the cable and mat systems are effective at providing heat underneath a floor. You’ll have to decide whether you want the ease of installation that mats provide or if you’re willing to put in a little extra time to install cables for a more customized layout. Whatever you choose, make sure to read through all instructions before beginning your project.

Feel free to reach out to one of our experts at ThermoSoft to help you plan your project by calling (800)308-8057. You can also read about comparable systems in our article The Best Floor Heating Systems in 2022.

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

• 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.

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

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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.

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!