There’s nothing worse on a bitterly cold winter morning than that first moment when your toes encounter cold, hard surface flooring. Yes, you can combat the chill with fuzzy socks and fluffy slippers, but what if you didn’t have to? If this thought appeals to you, you may want to consider finding out more about in-floor radiant floor heating systems.
The Benefits of Installing Radiant Floor Heating
There’s something quite luxurious about heated floors. While heated flooring may seem like just another trend for homeowners who want the ultimate in creature comforts, it’s actually a very practical way to heat your home, and has quite a few benefits:
- Better heat distribution. Unlike traditional heating systems, which force heated air into rooms through vents in the floor or ceiling, heated floors warm slowly and subtly from the floor up. This results in a much better distribution of heat, especially in rooms that are large or have tall ceilings, because radiant floor heating warms the occupied lower half of the room more than the unoccupied upper half, which is basically empty air.
- Radiant floor heating systems are durable and dependable. With the right care, a high-quality system can last as long as 35 years – far exceeding the lifespan of a standard furnace.
- Added warmth. For most people, when their feet are warm and toasty, their whole body feels warmer. This means that homeowners who use radiant flooring in conjunction with a furnace can turn the thermostat down several degrees without feeling a noticeable difference, which will help them save energy and money. These systems work especially well in areas with tile flooring, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways, due to the excellent heat-radiating capabilities of tile. Heated flooring is also very compatible with hardwood floors, but not so much with carpet.
Drawbacks to Consider
- Installation costs. The biggest issue most people have with radiant heat flooring is the cost. Installation of an electric coil heating system is more expensive than replacing a furnace, and a hydronic (water-based) system costs even more. Because the coils and pipes go under the floor, existing flooring will have to be removed for installation, which further adds to the cost. For this reason, heated flooring should ideally be added either when building a new house or at the time of your remodeling.
- Repair expenses. Have you ever wondered would happen if an electric coil was to go out or one of the pipes that carries the heated water was to start leaking? As you might have guessed, no matter which type of system you may have, repairs can be expensive because it usually requires removing portions of the floor to find and fix the issue.
- Slow warm-up. Due to the nature of radiant heating, the rate at which the house heats up can be slow. This is particularly true with the hydronic system, which sometimes requires several hours to disperse enough hot water through its network of pipes to start heating the room.
Questions? Talk to Our Remodeling Experts
If you think remodeling may be on your to-do list this fall, Callen has the experience to help you get the look and features you want. Call Callen today at 414-765-2585 and we’ll help get your project started!