Pro Tips for Heating Luxury Vinyl Tile

Well, thank you so much for joining us today. My name is Lynn, and I am a customer service representative here at WarmlyYours. Today, I am joined by one of our wonderful sales team members, Carrie Lynn. Can you say hi? Hello! Yes, I can. Awesome. Thank you for being here. We're going to be discussing some pro tips for heating luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). We will likely use these terms interchangeably. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. You can do that in the chat feature or the question and answer feature. We will definitely address them, and if we don't see them right away, we will get to them by the end of the presentation today.

To get started, we will first cover some basics of floor heating, specifically for LVT, including what that looks like and what it consists of. We will go over planning tips for beginning a project, installation tips for actually installing the heat beneath the vinyl, and lastly, we will discuss programming tips to ensure that your system works well for a long time to come. So, Carrie Lynn, can you explain the difference between radiant heat and forced air heating, and what the benefits of radiant heat are?

Sure! That's a great question to start off with. For those who may not be familiar, radiant heating is the effect you feel when warmth radiates from a source. It's invisible infrared waves that heat you directly. A common example is the warmth you feel from the sun. With floor heating, radiant heat comes from a system installed beneath your flooring. You essentially have two options: water-based (hydronic) or electric. Here at WarmlyYours, we offer all electric products.

Returning to your question about the benefits of radiant floor heating, it is an energy-efficient way to provide heat for many of the most used rooms in a home while keeping energy costs low. In contrast, forced air systems require heating throughout the entire house. Electric floor heating systems are commonly installed in bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, and they can also provide extra warmth in challenging areas, such as basements, where traditional air heating systems struggle. Radiant heat is easy to install and is compatible with various flooring types, including tile, nailed hardwood, floating laminate, and, of course, vinyl. We even have embedded in-slab heating options.

LVT has become increasingly popular over the last 10 to 15 years. It is a cost-effective flooring type that mimics the look of more expensive materials without the associated costs. Additionally, LVT is very durable and is often considered sustainable because it can last 20 to 25 years. It is scuff, stain, and scratch-resistant, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas, especially if you have kids or pets. When installing floor heating underneath LVT, you are essentially creating a heated subfloor, allowing the LVT to last for many years without damaging the heating system beneath.

When selecting products specifically for luxury vinyl, WarmlyYours offers different types of floor heating products. We recommend the TempZone floor heating system for LVT applications. This product requires embedding the heating cables in a self-leveler to achieve a flat surface for the luxury vinyl installation. The TempZone product ranges from 8 to 15 watts per square foot. It is important to note that you should not use the Environn product for this application, as it is designed for true floating floors, traditional laminate, and carpeting.

When choosing an LVT product, you want to ensure that it has minimal backing, such as foam or cork, with an R-value of less than one. This allows for proper heat transfer and system performance. It is essential to verify with the flooring manufacturer regarding compatibility with radiant floor heating. For instance, does the flooring manufacturer allow for any radiant heating? Knowing this is crucial to ensure that your investment pays off and that you don't inadvertently void any warranties. Additionally, you should find out the maximum temperature allowed for the flooring, as some manufacturers have specific limitations.

As you begin the planning process, accurately measure the space you intend to heat. Floor heating cannot be ordered based solely on square footage, as electric floor heating cables cannot be cut or adjusted on-site. To assist with this, we offer a SmartPlan service. To obtain a SmartPlan, you will need to provide a layout and measurements of the room, including dimensions for the entire perimeter and any obstructions, such as columns, plumbing, floor vents, and cabinets.

Floor plans are your friends, so if you have one, please send it to us. We can provide a SmartPlan within 24 to 48 hours, which will serve as a guide during your flooring and radiant heating installation. When you receive the SmartPlan, double-check the dimensions to ensure they match your expectations. If there are any changes, such as a different type of sink or vanity, make sure to note them. The installation plan number will help you keep track of any updates.

The SmartPlan will include information such as room name, type of flooring, product numbers, electrical specifications, and operating costs. Additionally, it will feature a legend indicating the start and end of the heating cable, the thermostat location, and the midway point of the cable. It's crucial to verify these measurements against the length of the cable you ordered, as this is a constant wattage product that cannot be shortened.

During installation, testing your system is vital. You want to ensure that everything is functioning correctly before covering it with self-leveling concrete. We recommend testing the system before, during, and after each step of the installation process. Test it as soon as you receive it, and again on installation day. Avoid using an ohmmeter for testing at this stage. We also offer circuit checks, which are small alarms that can be hooked up to the mat or cable during installation to alert you if any damage occurs.

Before installation, ensure that your subfloor is well-prepared. Start by cleaning the floor and checking the luxury vinyl flooring for the type of subfloor it is designed for. If you're working with a wood subfloor, apply a primer to help the self-leveling cement bond with the surface. Address any holes or gaps to prevent self-leveling cement from seeping through. If you're working over a concrete slab, it's essential to use an insulating barrier, as concrete acts as a heat sink. We recommend using Cerazorb, which can be cut to size on-site and adhered to the slab with thin-set and a weighted roller.

When installing with loose cable, secure the cable between the fixing strips every two to three feet. This is crucial because loose cable is less self-leveling, and if it isn't secured, it may float to the top when you pour the self-leveler. Use masking tape or a spray adhesive to secure the cable to the subfloor. For flex rolls, install the mats with the cable side down and the WarmlyYours branded tape facing up. Secure the mesh to the subfloor using a staple gun, ensuring you only staple the mesh and not the cable itself.

At this stage, install your floor sensor, which is coiled up in the thermostat box. It should be positioned at least six to eight inches into an open loop, centered between two heating wires. Run the sensor in a separate conduit back to the thermostat. We also recommend adding a backup sensor, which is relatively inexpensive, to avoid future issues without needing to tear up the concrete.

Once the self-leveling cement is poured, it should be embedded in about a half-inch layer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for consistency, ensuring it flows evenly throughout the room. After the self-leveling has dried and meets the moisture level requirements from the flooring manufacturer, you can begin the flooring installation. Remember to follow all acclimation and installation requirements from the flooring manufacturer.

It's tempting to turn on the system immediately after installing the flooring, but it's crucial to wait until the self-leveling has fully cured. Each brand of self-leveling will have different cure times, so keep the packaging for reference. Trade professionals should remind homeowners about these curing times to avoid disappointment.

A licensed electrician should handle the wiring, as this is usually required by local code. Depending on the room size, you may have multiple mats or cables, which can be run back to a junction box with a secondary connection to the thermostat if needed.

When setting up your thermostat for an LVT floor, check with the manufacturer for the temperature limit. The default for our system is 82 degrees for laminate, but you can customize it as needed. Make sure to install the floor sensor as part of the thermostat setup. Temperature fluctuations throughout the year should also be discussed with the flooring manufacturer, as some may require gradual changes to avoid damage.

We offer a variety of thermostats, with the nSpire Touch being our most popular model. It features a full-color touchscreen, seven-day programming, and a Wi-Fi option for smart home integration. Depending on your needs, you may also consider the nTrust model, which is non-programmable and ideal for maintaining a consistent temperature.

We are now at the end of our presentation, and I don't see any questions yet. If you would like to ask anything, please feel free to do so in the chat. Our next webinar will be in January, as we are taking a short break for the holidays. In December, we will email a compilation of our best webinars from 2023, so keep an eye out for that.

We also offer daily training sessions on various topics related to radiant heating and luxury vinyl. These sessions are held at different times throughout the week and are designed to provide valuable insights and tips. You can register for these sessions on our website.

We received a question from David asking about the difference between regular tile and LVT. The key difference lies in the installation and the material properties. LVT is more flexible and less rigid than traditional tile, which can lead to different installation requirements. Manufacturers often recommend embedding heating systems for LVT to maintain the integrity of the flooring and prevent it from conforming to imperfections in the subfloor.

Lastly, we have a monthly promotion for November, offering 15% off our snow melting systems. Be sure to check our website for more information. We value your feedback and would love to hear your comments or suggestions for future webinars. After this session, we will send out an email asking about your experience, so feel free to share your thoughts.

Thank you for joining us today! If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you ensure your system works perfectly. Until next time, stay warm and be radiant!