Installing a LuxHeat Floor Heating Mat is great way to add comfort and warmth to your home. Floor heating mats make it quick and easy to install heated floors and are designed to provide even, luxurious heat for any indoor area.
LuxHeat Floor Heating Mats feature a thin profile and are easy to retrofit on existing floors as well as in new-build applications. Heated floor mats can be installed under tile, stone, laminate, vinyl tile, engineered hardwood and more.
It's important to note that this guide is intended to give an general overview of how to install floor heating mats, and we recommend a thorough study of the provided Installation Manual during and before proceeding with your installation.
1. Measure your Heated Area:
Mark out and measure the area for your heated floor mat installation. The heated floor mat CANNOT be cut or shortened so it is very important to measure the area correctly. Mark out where any permanent fixtures will go and exclude these areas from your calculation. The heating mat should not be installed under any fixtures unless there is an air-gap of at least 4 inches underneath. Once any fixtures have been marked measure the remaining area accounting for the following perimeter setbacks as follows:
- 3” from any walls or fixtures
- 6” from the center of a toilet bowl
- 8” from H-Vac registers or other sources of heat
N.B – It is recommended that you measure your heated area correctly prior to ensure you order the correct size, however if you did not, please re-measure before opening the LuxHeat heating mat to ensure it will fit as the mat cannot be cut or shortened.
2. Plan the Thermostat Position and your Mat Layout:
Position the Thermostat somewhere that is open and accessible and away from any shower openings. Plan to start the mat at the edge of the room, and so that the mat cold lead can reach to the Thermostat. Plan the mat runs and where you will need to make any flips and turns, keeping in mind the fixtures and any other obstacles. In odd-shaped areas where the mat will not fit, you can remove sections of mesh and loose lay the cable to cover the area.
3. Test the Floor Heating Mat:
Check that the rated voltage for the floor heating mat is the same as your supply voltage (120V or 240V). Test the resistance and continuity of the mat using a multimeter as per the instructions in the provided Installation Manual and log the test results in the test log. These tests MUST be performed and logged at all the following stages of the installation:
- Prior to installing the floor heating mat.
- After installing the floor heating mat, prior to installing the flooring.
- After installing the flooring.
- Prior to the connecting up the Thermostat.
4. Test the Floor Sensor:
It is also important to test the floor temperature sensor prior to installation following the instructions in the Installation Manual. If the heating mat or floor sensor fail any tests, please reach out to us and do not proceed with the floor heating mat installation.
5. Prepare the Floor Area:
Before installing radiant floor heating, it is important to ensure that the subfloor is clean, dry, and free of any debris. If necessary, level the subfloor to create a smooth, flat surface. LuxHeat Mats are suitable for installation on plywood or concrete subfloors. When installing on a concrete subfloor an insulating underlayment can reduce downward heat loss.
If you are installing the floor heating mat with a self-levelling underlay, any cracks or holes in the subfloor should be filled and sealed before proceeding with the installation.
6. Connect the Installation Monitor:
Run the mat cold lead up the wall to the Thermostat junction box, then connect the included LuxHeat installation monitor alarm to the leads. The alarm will measure the continuity of the mat and warn you if any damage occurs to the heating cable during installation. Reconnect the installation alarm to the mat after each test.
7. Install the Floor Heating Mat:
Roll out the heating mat, cable side down, according to your planned layout.
The mat features self-adhesive mesh on the cable side to adhere it to the subfloor. To make a turn, cut the mesh backing of the mat, however, do NOT cut the heating cable. The mat can be flipped onto the reverse side and stuck to the subfloor using the double-sided tape.
In confined areas, remove sections mesh from the heating cable and loose-lay the cable, spacing the wires 3” apart and securing them with 1” duct tape.
Always ensure that no heating cable wires overlap, cross, or come closer than 2” apart, whether on the mat or loose-laid.
8. 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 wires. Run the sensor wire up the wall conduit to the Thermostat box. The sensor wire should not touch or cross any heating wires.
9. Cover the Floor Heating Mat:
Complete another test and then prepare to cover the heating mat. All of the heating wires must be completely covered in thinset or a self-levelling underlayment.
When installing with a self-levelling underlay, simply pour the underlayment over the mat until the entire mat is covered.
When installing with thinset, spread the thinset evenly, ensuring that all of the heating cables are covered. Take care not to damage any cables.
10. Install the Flooring:
Allow the thinset or self-levelling underlay to properly harden and then prepare to install your floor covering once you have re-tested the heating system. When installing tiles, take extreme care not to dislodge or damage any heating wires while tiling.
11. Install your Thermostat:
Once you have completed the flooring installation, perform a final test and then connect the heating mat and the floor sensor to the thermostat following the instructions in the installation manual. Allow the floor sufficient time to properly cure before energizing the system.
N.B. - All electrical connections must be made by a qualified electrician, according to applicable building or electrical codes in your area.
12. Set the Thermostat:
Once everything is installed and the floor has properly cured, set the thermostat to your desired temperature and enjoy your cozy, heated floors!
Any questions? Fill out the form below with your query and contact information and we'd be glad to assist you with support for your floor heating installation.