When remodeling a living room, most homeowners focus on the walls or furniture, but the most impactful change often happens underfoot. If you are considering floor heating for engineered wood, understanding the costs upfront is essential. In this project breakdown, we’ll look at the real-world expenses for a 135 sq. ft. living room installation.
Solid hardwood floors are universally recognized as a quality, premium flooring choice, but they're also known for being expensive. A less expensive alternative to solid hardwood is engineered hardwood. Engineered wood floors feature a top veneer of real hardwood, but they're enhanced with several layers of plywood underneath for stability, explains Armstrong World Industries Inc., a designer and manufacturer of flooring and ceiling systems, on its website. The top layer of real hardwood offers the same luxurious look as solid hardwood, but the supporting layers make the flooring more resistant to changes in temperature and humidity. As a result, engineered hardwood is often the preferred choice for kitchens, bathrooms, basements and such, according to a Realtor.com article.
Engineered hardwood can also be installed in a floating wood format, which means that no glue, nails or staples are necessary because the flooring simply "floats" above the subfloor unattached. This is a great option for do-it-yourselfers, because the floating wood floors feature a tongue-and-groove format, which makes them fast and easy to install.
This "floating" format along with the floors' resistance to temperature and humidity make them particularly well-suited for installation over in-floor heating systems, notes the Realtor.com article.
Engineered Hardwood in a Living Room
In this instance, the homeowners decided to replace their outdated flooring with new engineered hardwood floors. And since they were removing the flooring anyway, it was the perfect time to add electric heated floors to the room.
The engineered floating wood floors called for WarmlyYours' Environ™ floor-heating system, which consists of a reinforced, laminated aluminum foil roll with cable embedded 2 inches apart. To install the floor-heating system, the roll is simply laid out between the subfloor and the floating wood floors. It's as easy as installing the click-and-lock flooring!
In this particular floor plan, only one 1.5- by 90-foot Environ™ Flex Roll was needed to fill 135 square feet of floor space. The roll was cut and turned to fill the entire room, and it radiates 12 watts per square foot to provide warmth whenever it's needed.
The Cost of Floor Heating
In total, the floor-heating system cost $1,568.00. The 240-volt Environ™ Flex Roll cost $1,299.00, and a SmartStat™ programmable thermostat cost $269.00. That's less than the cost of most leather sectional sofas!
SmartStat 7-Day Programmable Thermostat
In terms of square footage, the cost equates to just $8 per square foot (not including the price of the thermostat).
To operate the system, it costs C$2.27/day, on average, according to the WarmlyYours Energy Use Calculator.
By combining the affordability of engineered hardwood floors with the affordability of electric floor heating, this living room was transformed into a functional, luxurious space that can be enjoyed year round for many years to come.
See It In Action: Living Room Showcase
Want to see how other homeowners are transforming their living spaces? Check out our Cozy Comfort for a Large New York Living Room showcase to see a real-world installation, complete with photos and project details.
Get a Quote
To get an idea of how much it would cost to install electric floor heating in your home, check out the WarmlyYours Instant Quote tool. This tool walks you through the process to determine which product is right for you and how much it will cost. You can also use our Heat Loss Calculator to see if radiant heat can be your primary heat source.
You can also submit a floor plan of your room in order to receive a custom installation plan from a WarmlyYours account representative. This installation plan shows how your floor heating system should be installed for optimal functionality.
Once you're ready to start the installation, don't forget that WarmlyYours technical support experts are available 24/7 to answer any of your questions. Feel free to call them at 800-875-5285 at any time.
For more information, please visit www.warmlyyours.com.
Common Questions About Living Room Floor Heating
Does installing radiant floor heating increase home resale value?
Yes, radiant floor heating is a premium feature that increases home value and marketability. Studies show homeowners can see a 50-80% return on installation costs at resale. Beyond ROI, it helps homes sell faster by appealing to buyers looking for modern comfort and energy-efficient upgrades.
Will the flooring manufacturer still warrant with electric floor heating underneath?
Always check with the flooring manufacturer to see what they will cover when it comes to floor heating. In most cases there will be a floor temperature limit - this can be programmed into a programmable or smart thermostat. Check for installation instructions and requirements before adding floor heating.
How will electric floor heating affect my wood floor?
WarmlyYours nSpiration controls are equipped with an in-floor sensor to precisely control the floor's temperature to comply with the wood manufacturer's temperature recommendation.
What wood species work best with floor heating?
Engineered wood is the most structurally stable option for floor heating. For solid hardwood, dimensionally stable species like Mesquite, Teak, and American Cherry work best. We recommend using quartersawn or riftsawn narrow planks and maintaining consistent indoor humidity to ensure the longevity of your wood floors.
What is the warranty for the Environ™ floor heating system?
Environ™ Floor Heating Systems are backed by WarmlyYours 5 and 10 year “No Nonsense™ Warranty* and WarmlyYours highly recognized lifetime 24/7 technical support. Due to the fact that we will also cover not only the cost of labor, but also the cost of the floor itself, our warranty is renowned for being an industry best. Our “No Nonsense™ Warranty” for Environ covers 5 years for under carpet applications and 10 years for under laminate or floating wood floors.
Sources:
www.armstrong.com/flooring/floating-hardwood-floor.html
www.realtor.com/advice/choose-your-flooring-solid-wood-vs-engineered-wood/
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