electric radiant heat under tile?

[Bigbartguy]

hi folks

we're finishing our basement and would like tile around our bar area. We have heat/air and a fireplace in the basement as well, but as tile on concrete is REALLY cold for any length of time, we're considering Warm Tiles/electric radiant heating to warm up the tile floor.

I'm wondering if anyone here as used anything like this?

durability- once it's installed, have you had any issues?

anything else you can share?

we plan on just using it whenever folks are in the bar area....not full-time.

thanks for any input!

[pureinsanity]

I debated installing this on the kitchen. The price made me not do it. For 100 bucks you can buy the low voltage electric stuff but than the controller is like another 130$

if price isn't an issue id say just go for it as that is your best option.

[Biggerfish]

I put in about 200 sq ft in my bar area in the basement and love it. Put it in about 4 years ago and is working fine. My brother put some in about 5-6 years ago and is still working great.

Very easy to intall too.

[daylate]

It is very easy to install. Mark out the area you want heat. find the square footage(remember to keep 6" away from walls and cabinets) you can get a heat mat from Home depot/ or a custom kit from a tile store. Make sure the floor is clean and I recommend using a latex primer over the cement first. put the heat in the desired area. I always flash over the heat wires with thin set to get a nice flat substrate. let that dry over night. Install tiles/grout.

2 tips:

install an extra heat sensor for the thermostat(10$)

Do not turn the heat on for 45 days after you are finished.

Good luck!

[Biggerfish]

45 days?

Is that for the mortar to dry?

I didn't wait that log...hope its not screwed up.

I don't remember reading that.

[daylate]

45 days to achieve a full cure- most recommend 30 days, but most basements are cool and damp.

That is of course what they recommend. I'm sure in most cases if its turned on earlier it will be fine. If there was an issue you would know it after a few months as the mortar would let go from either the tile or the cement.

[BoxMN]

I don't have it but a buddy does, in his basement/walkout bar area and bathroom, and it works very very nice. Good luck.

[Stratosman]

NuHeat makes some nice mats, they are pre-sized as well as custom fit. Their low profile makes installing tile a breeze. Have done lots of that brand. I like it over the Sun touch or whatever because of the lower profile. Worth a look anyway. They are available online, I get mine through Kate-Lo.

It is expensive and they really get you on the thermostat, but you won't regret it on concrete.

[Bigbartguy]

thanks for all the help folks!

ps - install extra heat sensor?

is that in case the original sensor quits working? sounds like good idea to me