A new system solves one of the most common problems builders face when installing a floor-warming system on concrete.
Although popular with homeowners, radiant floor heating systems installed over concrete can be slow to respond because of the mass of cool concrete immediately below the heating cables. Schluter’s new DITRA-HEAT-TB electric floor warming system has an integrated thermal break to overcome this challenge. The thin thermal break on the underside of the membrane allows the system to warm tiled floors up to 70% faster over concrete substrates, by directing heat to the tile, not to the subfloor, says the firm. The all-in-one system means faster and simpler installation as the membrane, heating cables, and thermal break are all combined in a single layer.
To achieve this assembly would normally require the installation of three separate layers – a thermal break, a floor warming system and an uncoupling system. DITRA-HEAT is the only system that provides all three a single layer, according to the company. The heating cables are easily snapped into place on top of the 5/16-inch-thick uncoupling mat with no clips or fasteners.
The installer has complete flexibility on where the cables are placed so every installation is customized to suit the exact requirements of the owner. Because they are held securely within the DITRA-HEAT-TB mat, there is no need to use self-leveling compounds to encapsulate the heating cables. Instead of waiting for a leveling compound to set, tile installation can begin immediately, resulting in a much faster installation.
The product is available in rolls and sheets, for 120V or 240V circuits.
