Tile, wood, laminate, and stone floors are beautiful, functional, and attractive. Their one downfall is how cold they usually are on bare feet, especially during the winter. Unless in front of a warm fire, few would venture to sit or lay on the cold floor for these same reasons. In the past, the only way to keep the chill off the feet is to lay down rugs or always wear socks or slippers when moving about the house. Now, however, under floor heating systems are becoming increasingly popular to relieve the cold and make them feel more comfortable.
Two types of floor heating systems are electric and hydronic systems. The hydronic system is composed of a network of pipes through which heated fluid flows. Typically a mixture of water and an anti-freeze, the fluid circulates in a closed system through the pipes and a boiler. Electric underfloor heating systems often use mats that are very thin and are able to be laid just under the floor material. They are then connected to an electrical system to control their output. The amount of energy needed to combat the cold and lost heat need to be taken into consideration when determining what type of system to use.
Electrical warming systems are easy to install, and many homeowners are choosing to install the mats themselves. Tile, granite, and other stone floors conduct this heat well, making it a popular choice. Due to the diameter of the pipe, hydronic systems are more commonly mounted under concrete floors, and occasionally under floors with a wood substructure. The network of pipes are laid first, then the wet concrete is pour over and around the pipes, causing them to be embedded in the floor itself. These systems are much more difficult to install and require an experienced professional to complete the job.