Basement Floor Heating Toronto
- Cost Efficient Option!
- Practical Approach!
- Improve Air Quality!
- Environmentally Friendly Solution!
BASEMENT FLOOR HEATING IN TORONTO
One of the most neglected rooms in most homes is the basement. Basements have a lot more potential than just storage spaces or utility rooms. You can convert the space into a cozy entertainment area for your family or even a study room. An amazing addition would be basement floor heating system for your Toronto home. If you intend to convert this space into a living area, radiant floors will take the comfort and serenity to a whole new level. With a floor-heated basement, you’ll no longer dread walking into the room in those cold winter months when the floors are unbearably chilly. You’ll get to enjoy a fully functional space that’s just as comfortable as the rest of your home.
In older houses the option to increase overall living space is to convert unused low ceiling basement into beautiful and enjoyable spot where you can spend time watching movies, having over friends at the basement bar or just relaxing.
If you have been considering bringing your basement back to life and thinking if basement floor heating is a good option. The short answer is that you could never go wrong with heated basement floors. Not only does flooring heating make your basement more comfortable, it also reduces excess humidity. Excess humidity contributes to the growth of mold and fungus which in turn lead to allergies.
BASEMENT FLOOR HEATING COST
Expect to pay anywhere between $6 and $16 per square foot to have a hydronic radiant floor system installed in Toronto. Electric radiant flooring costs slightly less. Expect to pay between $5 and $12 per square foot should you choose to go with this kind of heated flooring. Keep in mind that electric radiant floors can be expensive to run so choose an efficient system with a high-energy rating.
Getting the numbers right before your renovation project is always important. It will help you to budget accordingly for the new project and invest in a system that’s valuable in the long run. We’ll go over some of the costs involved when installing an under floor heating system to help you figure out a reasonable budget if you’d like to take on this project. If you need to have a floor removed in order to install the heating system, it’s likely to cost you more. The labour cost can be negotiated with your installer so try this to bring the overall cost down.
Some areas will cost you more during the installation than others because they require more supplies in order to get the work done. Additionally, there are cases where you’ll have more temperature zones or the project is a lot more complex than usual. Your installer will advise on how to minimize the overall cost of installation but still get value for your money.
TYPES OF HEATED FLOORS IN BASEMENT
Heating your basement floors is a clever way to save on energy in colder regions like Toronto. The heat from your basement will eventually get transferred to other areas of your home, and before you know it, you will be paying less utility bills for your heating needs. Heated floors are a value-add that will come in handy should you decide to sell the house. You will be able to fetch a higher price for your house if it comes with heated basement floors. When it comes to deciding which option you go for, it all depends on what works best for you, your house and your budget.
Your choice of basement floor heating system in Toronto will be influenced by a number of things. The choice will mostly be influenced by your long-term goals, energy, and installation costs, your knowledge of heating products, preparation required for waterproofing as well as foundation repairs and recommendations by a professional installer. The main factor that will influence your choice is whether you are installing it in a new construction or an existing home. Understanding the different types of basement floor radiant heating systems available can help decide on the best system to use.
BENEFITS OF A HEATED BASEMENT FLOOR
To begin with, floor heaters are a cost effecting and energy-efficient heating solution. Unlike traditional heating and cooling systems, the floor heaters are designed to provide optimal heat output with low energy usage. You’ll be able to make your home warmer and more comfortable without dealing with a high cost of heating.
Secondly, radiant floor heaters are very practical to incorporate in a room like a basement. They don’t occupy the much-needed space since they are installed underneath the floors. It means you still enjoy the freedom to design your basement however you like. There won’t be any unsightly radiators or piping to steal the design concept of your dream basement.
Another good reason to consider having a heated basement floor is that they help to improve air quality in the room by minimizing dust circulation. Most basements have very small or few windows, which make them dusty and damp for the most part. Traditional radiators sometimes only make the basement feel stuffier than it usually is. Radiant floor heating is designed to work from the ground up and doesn’t mess the air quality of the room. The system will gently warm up the room to your preferred temperature.
The best part is that radiant floor heating is such a practical solution that you can easily incorporate in your home. There are so many systems that are easy to install and use. They offer you great flexibility in terms of cost and ease of maintenance so you can make a great decision when renovating your basement. Get in touch with a qualified installer if you are retrofitting a new heating system in your existing basement and need help.
Above-Floor Heating Systems
Below-Floor Heating Systems
Dual-Function Panel Systems
Electric Radiant Floor Heating
Hydronic Concrete Slab Systems
ABOVE-FLOOR SYSTEMS
TJust like the phrase depicts, these are basement floor radiant heating systems that are installed above concrete slab subfloor and below finished floors. These systems use grooved wood panels that are installed under finished floor. A PEX tubing is usually placed inside the panel grooves, setting flush with panel surface. The width and panel area will vary depending on the manufacturer. The panels can work under a wide range of floor coverings: wood, vinyl, marble, tile and carpeting.
BELOW-FLOOR SYSTEMS
These are heating systems that get installed under the subfloor. The system requires the attaching of PEX tubing to the bottom of a subfloor or getting it suspended from the subfloor. The system is ideal for retrofits and it is cheaper than above-floor systems as well as the hydronic systems. The main drawback with below-floor systems is that they require a higher temperature source to achieve the same heat load as above-floor systems.
DUAL-FUNCTION PANEL SYSTEMS
This system combines the structural requirements of the subfloor framework and the radiant floor heating system. The panel is constructed using engineered comply tongue-and-groove. The top surface is made to comply panel with the modular groove pattern on the center. This panel is designed for use with PEX tubing. It has an alloy aluminum sheet that is conformed to the groove pattern as well as permanently bonded to the surface.
HYDRONIC CONCRETE SLAB SYSTEMS
f you are a DIY enthusiast looking to keep your floors heated, this is perhaps the best option for you. Electric radiant heating is easy to install, and you’ll only need a licensed electrician for the final electrical hook-up. This type of heating is installed directly under most types of floors and the only reconnaissance needed is to ensure your home can withstand the electrical responsibilities that come with it. Most manufactures recommend a dedicated 15-amp or 20-amp circuit.
HYDRONIC CONCRETE SLAB SYSTEMS
This type of heating makes use of hot water that is circulated using plastic pipes installed in the concrete of the basement flooring. The homeowner is able to control the flow of water to different areas of the basement floor using a single thermostat. While this type of heating is expensive to install, it tends to save up to 40 percent of the cost of operations in the household once installed. It also works well in both new floors and those that have been in use for a while. While you might be tempted to do it yourself, hydronic radiant heating is best installed by a licensed installer.
While still popular among homeowners, this is not the most practical nor the most economical type of basement floor radiant heating system for an existing basement. This is unless you are ready to replace the concrete slab. This system is a perfect choice for new constructions. Most new home builders are opting for this option because it works more efficiently than all the aforementioned systems when installed properly.
Due to the fact that the cost of basement floor slab has already been calculated, the addition of basement floor radiant heating system only helps you recuperate long-term energy saving costs. You can use the system on its own or in combination with HVAC. The best thing about radiant floor heating systems is that they are very quiet. There are no constant noises associated with fans, blowers or creaking pipes. Our job at Heavenly Heat Inc. is to provide you with premium quality basement floor radiant heating systems to meet your needs. With more than 10 years of experience in radiant heating in Toronto, we are the most sought after manufacturer and distributor of premium radiant heating systems. Contact us today for a quote.
Choosing the Right Heating System For Your Floor Covering Types
We’ve come across basements that have been designed with all kinds of floor coverings. The most commonly used finishes in basement floors are vinyl and carpet.
Your choice of basement floor radiant heating system will be influenced by a number of things. The choice will mostly be influenced by your long-term goals, energy, and installation costs, your knowledge of heating products, preparation required for waterproofing as well as foundation repairs and recommendations by a professional installer. The main factor that will influence your choice is whether you are installing it in a new construction or an existing home. Understanding the different types of basement floor radiant heating systems available can help decide on the best system to use.
VINYL
Vinyl flooring is one of the best options for basements because it is waterproof. A vinyl floor can be exposed to wet conditions for days without getting damaged. If flooding in your basement is a concern, this is the type of floor finish you want. If you have a floating vinyl floor, installing the floor heating system will be quick and easy. You can use a heated floor mat system that’s designed with thin heating wires and comes with a self-adhesive for quick installation.
TILED FLOOR FINISHES
You may also install under floor heating in a tiled floor finish in your basement. In this case, we recommend a system that comes with an uncoupling membrane. Tiled floors are likely to expand and contract as the temperature of the building changes. When this happens, it results in cracked tiles and delamination. Under floor heating systems that have an uncoupling layer help to prevent this by neutralizing the stress between the tiled surface and the subfloor. These systems can be installed simply without the need for a professional.
CARPET & LAMINATE FLOORING
Under floor heating systems in carpet flooring may take longer to heat up compared to other finishes. The dry installation heating system that’s made of aluminum foil sheets would work best for these kinds of floor finish. If you have a carpet finish in your basement, ensure that the underlayment is not too thick to soak up all the heat and hinder the distribution of heat in the room.
CONCRETE FLOORS
Under floor heating can also be installed in concrete floors, which is especially ideal in new construction projects. In this case, a cable heating system can be used if the concrete screed thickness is between 2-6”. These heating cables are installed directly into the concrete and the main advantage is that they generate a consistent and even heat output.
Heating your basement floors is a clever way to save on energy. The heat from your basement will eventually get transferred to other areas of your home, and before you know it, you will be paying less utility bills for your heating needs. Heated floors are a value-add that will come in handy should you decide to sell the house. You will be able to fetch a higher price for your house if it comes with heated basement floors. When it comes to deciding which option you go for, it all depends on what works best for you, your house and your budget.
