For northern homeowners, a winter kitchen renovation often brings a beautiful but freezing reality: gorgeous tile that is simply too cold to stand on comfortably. When Steve Opseth upgraded his Duluth kitchen, he bypassed the shock of freezing morning floors entirely by integrating a hidden layer of radiant warmth. By installing an electric floor heating system directly beneath the new tile, the space was transformed from a cold zone into a cozy, high-efficiency environment.
Project Details
| Specification | Detail |
| Location | Duluth, Minnesota |
| Space Type | Kitchen |
| Flooring / Surface Type | Tile, Marble, or Stone |
| System Type | Radiant Floor Heating |
| Total Square Footage | 94 sq. ft. (89 sq. ft. heated area) |
| Technical Specs | 120V / 1,328W / 11A |
| Wattage per Sq. Ft. | 15 Watts per sq. ft. |
| Cable Spacing | 3 inches on center (mesh-secured) |
| Products Used | TempZone™ Flex Rolls, SmartStat™ Programmable Thermostat, Circuit Check™ |
| Operating Cost | ~$0.20 per hour |
| Professional Installer Name | DIY / Homeowner Installed |
Conquering the Cold in a Duluth Kitchen
The Problem
In Duluth, Minnesota, winter temperatures regularly plummet far below freezing, making home comfort a top priority. When homeowner Steve Opseth chose to renovate his 94-square-foot kitchen, he faced a classic northern dilemma. Stone and ceramic tiles are excellent, durable surfaces for high-traffic cooking zones, but they possess high thermal conductivity—meaning they pull heat away from bare feet instantly. Walking into the kitchen for morning coffee shouldn't require wearing heavy boots just to escape the freezing bite of the floor.
The Solution
To permanently fix the problem, an 89-square-foot radiant floor heating layout was specified using WarmlyYours TempZone™ Flex Rolls. Designed with ultra-thin heating cable pre-spaced onto a flexible mesh backing, these rolls allow for rapid layout across a wood subfloor. The system was embedded in a layer of modified thin-set mortar right before the new tile was set. To control the system efficiently, a SmartStat™ programmable thermostat was connected, allowing the homeowner to automatically ramp up the heat right before breakfast and scale it back down during sleeping hours.
The Outcome
The final result is a complete lifestyle upgrade. Instead of relying purely on noisy forced-air vents that blow dry air around the room, this in-floor heating system uses gentle, uniform radiant energy. It warms the tile, the solid objects, and the occupants from the ground up. The kitchen has reclaimed its title as the true heart of the home—offering predictable warmth, absolute safety, and luxurious comfort even during the height of a Minnesota blizzard.
Featured Products
- TempZone™ Flex Rolls: Our premiere solution for floor warming under tile, stone, and luxury vinyl. The pre-spaced mesh configuration guarantees optimal heat distribution across the surface, speeding up installation times while ensuring zero cold spots.
- SmartStat™ Programmable Thermostat (TH115-AF-GA-08): A highly precise controller featuring a dedicated floor sensor. It maximizes energy efficiency by adapting heat cycles to your family's daily routine, keeping utility costs low.
- Circuit Check™ Continuity Alarm: A critical safeguard during installation. This device monitors the internal heating element in real-time, sounding an immediate alarm if the cable is accidentally nicked by a trowel before the final flooring is laid.
