Installing a floor heating cable with fixing strips is an unparalleled way to add luxury and comfort to any room in your home. Floor heating cables provide a versatile floor heating solution, ensuring economical, clean warmth for your family.
LuxHeat Floor Heating Cables can easily be retrofitted or installed in new build applications and offer greater design flexibility and customization than a heating mat system. Floor warming cables are suitable for installation under a variety of floor coverings including, but not limited to, tile, stone, laminate, vinyl tile, engineered hardwood and more.
We also provide in-depth video guides on the following:
- How to install a floor Heating mat system
- How to measure for heating floors
- How to install floor heating cables with uncoupling membrane
- How to install uncoupling membranes
Please note that this is a basic overview of how to install floor heating cables, and we recommend that you thoroughly read and familiarize yourself with our provided Installation Manual before proceeding with your installation.
1. Measure your Heated Area:
Begin by measuring your room carefully and marking the area for the installation of your heated floor cable. Remember, the cable CANNOT be cut or shortened, so accuracy is paramount. Make sure to identify and mark the placement of any permanent fixtures and exclude these areas from your calculations. Do not install the heating cable under fixtures unless there's a minimum 4-inch air gap beneath them. After marking fixtures, measure the remaining area, considering the following perimeter setbacks:
- Maintain a distance of 3 inches from any walls or fixtures.
- Maintain a 6-inch distance from the center of a toilet bowl.
- Maintain an 8-inch distance from H-VAC registers or other heat sources.
NB: It's highly recommended to measure your heated area accurately before ordering to ensure you select the correct size LuxHeat heating cable. However, if you haven't done so, it's crucial to re-measure before opening the cable, as it cannot be cut or shortened if it is too big for your area.
2. Plan Thermostat Positioning and Cable Layout:
Choose a location for the thermostat that is easily accessible and away from any shower openings. Plan to begin laying the cable at the room's edge, ensuring the cold lead can reach to the thermostat. Map out the cable runs and placement of fixing strips, considering for fixtures and other obstacles. Aim to install the cable mounting strips in a way that requires as little lacing as possible.
3. Test the Floor Heating Cable:
Verify that the rated voltage for the floor heating cable matches your supply voltage (120V or 240V). Test the resistance and continuity of the cable using a multimeter following the instructions provided in the Installation Manual. Record the test results in the test log. These tests are essential and must be conducted and logged at each of the following stages of the installation:
- Before installing the floor heating cable.
- After installing the floor heating cable but before the floor installation.
- After the floor installation.
- Before connecting the thermostat.
4. Test the Floor Sensor:
Before installation, it's crucial to test the floor temperature sensor according to the instructions provided in the Installation Manual. If either the heating cable or floor sensor fails any tests, please contact us immediately and refrain from proceeding with the floor heating cable installation.
5. Prepare the Floor Area:
Before proceeding with the radiant floor heating installation, it's essential to guarantee that the subfloor is clean, dry, and devoid of any debris. If required, level the subfloor to achieve a smooth, even surface. LuxHeat Cables are compatible with both plywood and concrete subfloors. When installing on a concrete subfloor, consider using an insulating underlayment to minimize heat loss downwards.
If you're installing the floor heating cable with a self-leveling underlay, ensure that any cracks or holes in the subfloor are filled and sealed before continuing with the installation.
6. Connect the Installation Monitor:
Route the cable's cold lead up the wall conduit to the thermostat junction box, then attach the provided LuxHeat installation monitor alarm to the leads. This alarm will monitor the continuity of the heating cable and alert you if any damage occurs to the wires during installation. After each test, reattach the installation alarm to the cable.
7. Install the Fixing Strips:
Install sections of fixing strip on two opposite sides of the room in preparation for lacing the heating cable. Position the fixing strip rows 3 inches away from the wall. Where the edge strips are more than 4ft apart a center strip is required to maintain even cable spacing. Attach the fixing strips to your subfloor using nails, screws, hot glue or double-sided tape.
8. Install the Floor Heating Cable:
Beginning from the cold lead splice, run the heating cable into the first tab on a row of fixing strip. Maintain a light tension on the cable while seating it securely under the tab. Lace the cable back and forth, securing it at 3 inch spacings. Maintain a light tension on the cable to keep the runs straight and taut, but do not pull too tight. The cable runs should NEVER touch, cross, or be closer than 2” apart.
9. Install the Floor Sensor:
The probe of the floor sensor should be installed at least one to two feet into the heated area, and directly between two heating cable runs. Run the sensor wire up the wall conduit to the Thermostat box. The sensor wire should not touch or cross any heating wires.
10. Cover the Floor Heating Cable:
Complete another test and then get ready to cover the heating cable. Ensure all the heating wires are entirely submerged in either thinset or a self-leveling underlayment.
If using a self-leveling underlayment, pour it over the cable until the entire surface is covered.
If opting for thinset, spread it evenly, making sure all the heating cables are covered. Be careful not to harm any cables during the process.
11. Install the Flooring:
Complete another cable test and then let the thinset or self-leveling underlayment properly harden before proceeding to lay your floor covering. When laying tiles, do this with utmost care to avoid disturbing or damaging any heating wires.
12. Install your Thermostat:
After finishing the flooring installation, conduct a final test to ensure the heating cable is undamaged. Then link the heating cable and floor sensor to the thermostat as per the instruction manual. Give the floor sufficient time to cure before energizing the system.
NB - Only a qualified electrician should handle electrical connections, in accordance with relevant building or electrical regulations in your area.
13. Set the Thermostat:
After completing everything is complete and the floor has adequately cured, adjust the thermostat to your preferred temperature, and relish the comfort of your luxurious heated floors!