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Heated Floors: the Upgrade You Need in Your Kitchen Remodel

A kitchen renovation is one of the most significant home improvement projects that you can take on. Kitchen remodels will increase the value of your home and will make it more appealing to any potential seller, so the time and resources you commit to the project will be worthwhile.

As you consider the type of countertops you want for your kitchen and the finish for your new cabinets, you should also consider adding heated floors. A remodel is the perfect time to enhance your kitchen with this innovative and sustainable feature.

 
 

Key Notes

  • Underfloor heating uses electricity to heat coils installed beneath the floorboards, making it an efficient and eco-friendly solution for the kitchen.
  • Heated kitchen floors provide comfort, improve air quality, are affordable, flexible, and efficient, and can increase the value of your home.
  • Wood, tile, and composite flooring materials work well with underfloor heating, and installation is best done during the renovation with the help of an experienced contractor.

What is Underfloor Heating?

what is underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is a heating solution that professionals can install underneath the floorboards in your home. Traditionally, underfloor heating has been considered a luxurious upgrade that makes rooms, such as bathrooms, more comfortable and enjoyable. However, today’s innovative underfloor heating systems can be used as a primary source of heat, allowing you to maximise your comfort and increase the sustainability of your home. As a result, many homeowners find radiant flooring a worthwhile upgrade in their home’s most commonly used rooms, including the kitchen. 

While some radiant flooring systems rely on water to heat the coils installed beneath the floor boards, the most efficient and reliable solutions utilise electricity. Low-voltage electric floor heating solutions are not only safe and effective, but they also are the most eco-friendly and efficient option for your home.

The Benefits of Heated Kitchen Floors

heated kitchen floors

For most people, the primary reason for choosing heated kitchen floors is to increase their comfort in the busiest room in their house. Typically, kitchens have hard, cold flooring materials, such as tile or wood, and heated floors add warmth and comfort to the room. However, this innovative heating solution offers more than just a unique way to keep your toes feeling toasty. 

These are a few of the additional benefits that you will enjoy when you invest in radiant floor heating for your kitchen: 

  • This type of heating system will improve the air quality in your kitchen. Unlike an HVAC system that recirculates air throughout the room and allows dust, dirt and dander to travel freely, an underfloor heating solution generates heat using electricity. Investing in radiant floor heating makes your kitchen a cleaner, healthier space. 
  • Underfloor heating in your kitchen is more affordable than you might expect. The idea of heating your floors probably sounds very luxurious — and like it would be a significant financial investment — but its cost might surprise you. The exact price will vary based on the size of your kitchen and the scope of your project, but your underfloor heating solution could cost as little as $5 per square foot.
  • This is one of the most flexible heating solutions available to consumers today. Depending on the number of exterior walls in your kitchen, this heating solution is an ideal supplemental heat source. It also can be used as a primary heat source, minimising your reliance on a traditional heat source, such as a furnace or radiator.
  • Radiant floor heating is more efficient than traditional heating solutions, such as a forced air system. By relying on low-voltage electricity, radiant floor heating will quickly heat your room to its desired temperature and retain it for longer. The cost of operating underfloor heating is much less than running a furnace to heat your entire home.

Heated floors are a valuable investment that you can make in your kitchen. Not only will underfloor heating allow you to enjoy a higher quality of life in your own home, but it also will make your property more marketable. Prospective buyers will be impressed with your heated floors if you list your home on the market. You will likely enjoy a significant return on the investment you made when renovating your kitchen.

Choosing Materials for Your Kitchen Floor Remodel

materials for kitchen underfloor heating

Once you have added underfloor heating to your kitchen renovation project, the next step is determining which flooring materials will work best for your space. Fortunately, you have a lot of flexibility when choosing flooring materials for your heated kitchen floors, and you will not have to compromise on style, colour or price. 

These are the best materials to consider for your heated kitchen floors:

Wood

Natural flooring materials like wood are often the perfect choice for heated kitchen floors. Wood floors will complement the style and design of your renovated kitchen, heat up quickly, and retain the heat. Remember that some natural woods are affected by humidity and can warp if exposed to too much moisture. For the most part, this isn’t an issue in kitchens, but it may be something to consider depending on the location and size of your home.

Tile

Tile is another attractive choice considering underfloor heating in your kitchen. With so many styles and colour combinations, tile is often a preferred design option — but it also has the highest thermal conductivity rating. This flooring material will continually heat up the quickest and retain the heat the longest, and beyond that, the heat makes the tile floors much more comfortable to step on.

Composite Flooring

Composite flooring can be viable for heated floors, but you want to involve your radiant floor contractor. Some hybrid flooring options may have a maximum surface temperature. You will want to verify that these floors will work well with the underfloor heating system you are considering.

Working closely with your heated floor contractor when deciding on your flooring materials is essential. Your contractor can help you determine the best flooring types for your particular kitchen.

Kitchen Floor Heating Installation

kitchen floor heating installation

While it is possible for radiant floor heating to be retrofitted to your existing floors, the best time to install this solution is during renovation. Radiant floor heating installation is surprisingly quick and easy, mainly when you work with an experienced and trusted contractor, such as Green Wave Distribution.

Here are a few things that you need to know about the installation process: 

  • Before installing, you should review the underfloor heating plan with your contractor. Be sure that the room has been measured and that the contractor has verified the specs for the system. It is best to address any issues with the plan before beginning the installation process.
  • Know that the installation typically takes one business day— sometimes less. The contractors will work to clean the subfloor of your kitchen, roll out the heating elements for the radiant floor and install the thermostat that will control the temperature of the feet. 
  • Your radiant floor heating contractor is not going to install your flooring materials. However, your contractor will test the radiant floor heating system before installing flooring materials. This allows you to rest easy, knowing that your new heating solution will work properly once your kitchen floors are complete.
  • Remember that the installation process could vary based on your chosen flooring materials. For example, different techniques are used for tile and stone flooring versus wood flooring. Your contractor can provide detailed information about your specific project’s installation process.

When you work with the right contractor, your heated floor installation will move smoothly and without issue. A qualified contractor will install everything properly while respecting your space and ensuring no damage is done to your property.

The Cost of Heated Kitchen Floors

It is difficult to estimate the average cost of heated kitchen floors, mainly because many variables determine the final price of this innovative heating solution.

These are just a few factors that will impact the total cost of your heated kitchen floors:

  • The size of your kitchen — It will cost more to design and install an underfloor heating solution for a larger kitchen than a smaller one.
  • The heating elements you select — As you work with your contractor, you will find various heating elements for your radiant flooring. For instance, you may pay more if you choose a custom heating mat rather than a standard one.
  • The components that control the radiant floor heating system — Your contractor must factor the cost of required parts and optional accessories into your final price. You may need to pay for a thermostat and other accessories that help control and maintain your radiant floors. 
  • The cost of installation — Some people opt to install their radiant floors, which can reduce the overall cost. However, when you invest in professional installation, you can be confident knowing that your system will operate safely and effectively for many years.

Rest assured, regardless of the final cost of your heated kitchen floors, and this upgrade will be a valuable investment in your home. This is an efficient and sustainable heating solution, and the operating costs are often much lower than those associated with a forced air system.

Partnering with the Best Contractor for

At Green Wave Distribution, we specialise in underfloor heating solutions for our clients. Our innovative STEP Heat system is the best in its class, offering our clients an effective heating solution and an opportunity to live more sustainably. Using automated carbon polymer heating technology, our STEP HEAT radiant flooring solution is safe, efficient, durable and sustainable. 

Contact us today for more information about how Green Wave Distribution can help improve your kitchen renovation with underfloor heating solutions.