Floor heat

[Avaire Archive]

Author: Jon
Date: 2/20/2009 8:30 pm EDT
I have been looking for a system that offers heat mats narrower than 3'wide, that dont need to be installed in mortar or thinset. I found a company, WarmlyYours, that says I can use one of their products, Enviro II, under floating floors. My understanding is that it is installed over a pad, no more than 3/8" thick. Will this be a problem if I use this pad under my tiles? Will it feel squishy or to much movement for the flexible grout?

[Avaire Archive]

Author: Journeyman
Date: 2/21/2009 5:12 pm EDT
Jon,

You should seek those guarantees from the WY people. I personally don't see how the grout would hold up under those circumstances. The Avaire grout is flexible only to a small degree. I would also be a little concerned about point-impacts to the tile over a soft pad such as the one you are suggesting. Point-loads from furniture legs may also be a concern under those circumstances.

[Avaire Archive]

Author: Jon
Date: 2/21/2009 6:37 pm EDT
I am not exactly sure, but is pad used under laminate flooring real thin, like 1/8"? They say it is used under laminate flooring as well as carpet.

[Avaire Archive]

Author: Journeyman
Date: 2/21/2009 8:21 pm EDT
Not totally familiar with what pads are available for laminate floors. I think 1/8" is typical. But, the 3/8" you mentioned would be pretty thick for hard tile I think. The plastic trays (Avaire) may be the saving-grace in that scenario, just don't know for sure.

[Avaire Archive]

Author: Jon
Date: 2/22/2009 7:51 pm EDT
Thank you Journeyman for your information, I think I will just install a wall heater for the added heat, and use rugs. I do not want to compromise the integrity of the tile.

[Avaire Archive]

Author: Jon
Date: 2/24/2009 11:06 pm EDT
Upon further research I have learned that the Environ II heat panels are acceptable to use with Quietwalk underlayment.

I assume then that, after installing underlayment under the Avaire tiles, the finished floor will be ok? It wont be to soft or unstable and will not affect the grout?