How to install heated floors
Before we get into how to install heated floors, we first must understand what heated floors are, and why homeowners choose to install them. Why
TILE
Hardwood
Porcelain Tile
Ceramic Tile
Natural Stone
Radiant Floor Heating System for Tile & Glued Floors
Safe, Reliable Radiant Heat for your Home.
QuietWarmth Tile Features & Benefits
- For ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tile, or glue-down hardwood flooring. Also approved for other glue-down flooring provided it is 4mm or thicker.
- Cut to Fit- Easily customize the length of your mat to fit any layout
- Easy Installation- Installs directly below flooring without the need for self-leveler. Install flooring the same day!
- 120V or 240V Mats- Mats available in either 120V or 240V to suit your power supply. Connect up to 120sf of 120V mats, or 240sf of 240V mats per dedicated circuit
- Factory Attached Leads- Wiring is a breeze with factory attached 15’ leads.
- Energy Efficient- Consumes up to 50% less power than traditional wired systems. Costs only 50¢ per day! (based on 100 sf, 5 hrs of operation per day)
- Easy Operation- Control the heating mats with a QuietWarmth thermostat with built-in GFCI and included floor sensor.
- Wattage- 12 Watts per Square Foot
- Thickness- 0.03 inch
- Safe- Ultra low EMF & UL Recognized
Perfect for use in...
KITCHENS
BATHROOMS
BASEMENTS
BEDROOMS
RVs
TINY HOMES
Available Product Models
120 Volt Standard Mat
QuietWarmth Tile
120 Volt Standard Mat
1’5” x 5’ – QWT1.5X5F120
1.5” x 10’ – QWT1.5X10F120
3′ x 5’ – QWT3X5F120
3′ x 10’ – QWT3X10F120
240 Volt Standard Mat
1’5” x 5’ – QWT1.5X5F240
1’5” x 10’ – QWT1.5X10F240
3′ x 5’ – QWT3X5F240
3′ x 10’ – QWT3X10F240
Compatible flooring for QuietWarmth Tile
Ceramic Tile
Natural Stone Tile
Porcelain Tile
Engineered Hardwood
Solid Hardwood
INSTALLATION
Install quicker, enjoy sooner!
ACCESSORIES
Thermostats and Power Module
- Easily control your QuietWarmth radiant heat system with a QuietWarmth thermostat. Choose the model with features that suit your needs. Multiple mats can be connected to each thermostat (up to 120 sq ft of 120V mats, or 240 sq ft of 240V mats).
- For rooms larger than the thermostat coverage, incorporate Power Module(s), which act as a dummy relay for the thermostat. Each Power Module can be connected to up to 120 sq ft of 120V mats, or 240 sq ft of 240V mats.
- Each control device (thermostat or power module) should be installed on a dedicated 20A standard breaker.
NEED HELP?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of QuietWarmth mats do I need?
The type of mats you need is dependent on the type of flooring you are using.
QuietWarmth Joist– retrofit, install under the subfloor between the joists. Can be installed under existing floors including carpet, but you must have access from below. Note your joists must be spaced 16” on-center for
QuietWarmth Float– install under floating flooring, provided it is a minimum of 4mm thick
- Laminate
- Resilient Vinyl
- LVT/LVP (Luxury vinyl tile/plank)
- Rigid-Core
- Hybrid Resilient
- WPC (Wood-plastic composite)
- SPC (Stone-plastic composite)
- EVT/EVP (Enhanced vinyl tile/plank)
- Click-together or tongue/groove glued engineered wood (including bamboo and cork)
QuietWarmth Tile– designed for tile or glue-down flooring, provided it is a minimum of 4mm thick
- Traditional tile (installed with thinset/mortar)
- Ceramic Tile
- Porcelain Tile
- Natural Stone Tile (marble, slate, travertine, etc)
- Glue-down solid or engineered wood (including bamboo and cork)
- Can also be used under floating flooring types
Can I turn the QuietWarmth system on right away?
The QuietWarmth Float and QuietWarmth Joist systems can be powered on right away. The QuietWarmth Tile system should remain off for 28 days to allow the thinset to fully cure.
I forgot to install the QuietWarmth Floor Sensor, what do I do now?
The thermostat operates the system more efficiently with the floor sensor. For floating flooring, if you can take up some rows and install the floor sensor close to a mat, that is best. Another option is if you are able to access the subfloor from below, you can drill into the subfloor at an angle and secure the floor sensor from below close to where a heat mat is located, but you must be VERY careful not to penetrate all the way through the subfloor as you risk damaging a mat or potentially your flooring. If you have a tile floor and your grout lines are big enough, you could remove the grout and inlay the sensor in a grout line, then re-grout. If none of those are viable options, then the thermostat can be operated with the room temperature feature.
Can I install the thermostat on a circuit that already has a light switch of outlet on it? My amps will still be lower than circuit size.
No, the circuit used must be dedicated for the thermostat only. Having other lines on the same circuit will cause nuisance tripping.
Do I need QuietWarmth 120V or 240V mats?
For small areas (areas less than 120 square feet) we recommend using 120V mats. If you have larger areas, it would be more efficient to use 240V mats, as you would require fewer circuits and control devices. Consult with your electrician for further guidance in determining what is best suited for your areas.
Will QuietWarmth heat my whole room?
In some cases, QuietWarmth can be the primary heat source for a room. This is entirely dependent on the type of subfloor, how well insulated the room is, and percentage of the room that is covered by QuietWarmth mats. We are unable to accurately predict if QuietWarmth would be sufficient to heat your room. That would require a heat-loss calculation to be performed in your home by a qualified individual.
Can I use QuietWarmth in my bathroom?
QuietWarmth can be used below your bathroom flooring. QuietWarmth cannot be installed on the floor of your shower, in a sauna (wet or dry), steam room, below a bathtub, etc. When installing QuietWarmth Float in a bathroom, please ensure your flooring is well sealed using a silicon caulk around the shower, bathtub, toilet flange, pedestal sink, etc. It would be best to seal the entire perimeter of the room if possible.
My Kapton discs are missing/ruined - what do I do?
You can use a high quality insulating electrical tape in place of the Kapton discs.
I accidently damaged a mat. Can I repair/still use it?
We do not recommend using a damaged mat as this could cause a safety hazard.
I think I bought the wrong QuietWarmth mats, can I still use them?
QuietWarmth Float cannot be installed under tile or glue-down floors. QuietWarmth Tile can be installed under floating floors.
My wired QuietWarmth mat is not getting warm. Is that a problem?
If you have not installed your flooring yet, it is unlikely that the mat will feel warm to the touch. The mats themselves do not have enough thermal mass to build heat. If your resistance readings are in the proper range, then the mats are working properly and you should proceed with installing your flooring.
My Ohm's reading is different than the sticker on the QuietWarmth mat, is this a problem?
Right out of the box, take an Ohm’s reading and compare it to the chart in the installation manual for the size and voltage of your mat. It should be between the low and high range. If you cut the mat, take another reading and compare the reading to what the chart says it should be for the NEW size of the mat. When the mats are cut, the resistance WILL go up.
Will QuietWarmth get too hot for my flooring?
QuietWarmth mats will not heat above 85°F, making it a safe option for many types of flooring. If your flooring is approved for any type of radiant heat, it is safe to install over QuietWarmth. Care needs to be taken to ensure the heat is not trapped by flat bottom furniture, area rugs, “pouf” style ottomans, mattresses, etc as this may cause damage to the mats or flooring and is not covered under warranty. Proper airflow on the top of the flooring surface is essential to ensuring excessive heat does not build.
Can I use area rugs over the heated sections of my floor?
We do not recommend using area rugs directly over the QuietWarmth mat locations, as this could lead to excessive build-up of heat and potential damage. If you are concerned about safety when stepping out of a shower or bath, we recommend using wooden slat bath mats or picking up the bath rug after your feet are dry.
Can I install QuietWarmth mats outdoors?
No, these mats are not rated for outdoor use.
Can I install QuietWarmth mats under walls, cabinets or furniture?
No, the QuietWarmth heat mats should not be installed underneath walls, cabinets, bathtubs, vanities or any flat-bottomed furniture. You can install the mats below furniture that has “feet” and allows for airflow between the floor surface and the bottom of the furniture.
Do I need to install a GFCI or a standard (none-GFCI) breaker?
Yes. You can connect up to 120 sf of 120V mats, or up to 240 sf of 240V mats to each thermostat or power module on their own dedicated 20A circuit.
Where do i install the QuietWarmth floor sensor?
The best place to install the floor sensor (included with the QuietWarmth Thermostats) is parallel to the long side of one of the mats, within 1” of the side of the mat. If you cannot reach the long side, then position it as close to the end of the mat as possible. The floor sensor wire should not run under or over any of the mats.
Do I need to use a thermostat to operate the QuietWarmth mats?
Yes, you need to connect the mats to a thermostat. For best efficiency, the thermostat should have an in-floor temperature sensor. Mats should not be direct-wired to the power source.
Is there an "up or down" to the QuietWarmth mats?
QuietWarmth Float– No, there is no top or bottom to the mats.
QuietWarmth Tile– Yes. The bottom of the mat has an adhesive to bond the mats to the subfloor, covered by a clear film. The bottom of the mat will look shiny because of this release film. Do not remove the film until you have the mats positioned exactly where you want them; the adhesive is very aggressive!
QuietWarmth Joist- Yes, the pale yellow side of the mat is facing the installer as you look up at the ceiling. The black bars are facing the under side of the subfloor.
Can I extend the QuietWarmth lead wires?
No. If the thermostat or power module is not reachable by the 15’ lead wires, install a junction box in the wall where the leads can reach. Connect leads in junction box & use 12/2 Romex between junction box and the control device.
How long are the QuietWarmth lead wires?
The factory-attached lead wires (wires that supply power from the thermostat to the mat) are 15 feet long.
Can I connect multiple QuietWarmth mats to one thermostat?
Yes. You can connect up to 120 sf of 120V mats, or up to 240 sf of 240V mats to each thermostat or power module on their own dedicated 20A circuit.
Can I cut the QuietWarmth mats?
Yes, QuietWarmth Float and QuietWarmth Tile mats can be cut between the black bars to length. They cannot be made narrower. Follow procedures outlined in the install manual to notch back the silver bus bars and insulate the ends. QuietWarmth Joist mats must be cut at the panel indicators every 12″- they cannot be cut to any length.
QuietWarmth Float 2-in-1 mats have lead wires attached to both ends so they can be cut and both sections used. For the standard QuietWarmth mats, the cut off portions of the mat cannot be used and should be discarded.
Do I have to put anything below the QuietWarmth mats?
If your subfloor is concrete, a vapor barrier is required.
QuietWarmth Float– Over any type of subfloor an underlayment is recommended, but not required. If you are using an underlayment that has an attached vapor barrier over a concrete subfloor, you need to use an additional vapor barrier below that because you have to cut into the underlayment to recess the lead wires/connections.
QuietWarmth Tile– If you are installing tile, ensure your subfloor meets standards established by the TCNA and your tile manufacturer. Over a wood subfloor, you may need to install a tile backer prior to installation of the QuietWarmth mats. Over a concrete subfloor with any type of flooring, you need to install a liquid applied vapor barrier anti-fracture membrane.
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