Installing Electric Underfloor Heating Mat

Step-by-Step Guide

Last updated 02/06/23

Step 1
Planning your Underfloor Heating Installation

While planning your electric underfloor heating mat install we recommend you start is by drawing a diagram of your room.

You can download our free floor planner here, this will help you planning out your floor area.

1. Mark out the areas that you don’t want to lay the electric heating mat on.
2. Calculate the heated area, so the main areas you will need to lay the electric underfloor heating mat.
3. Draw out where the cable will start, so the cold tail, connection box and floor sensor can be located.

You can install the electric underfloor matting under wall mounted units, for example toilets and hand basins.

Step 2
Testing your Underfloor Heating Mat

Testing your is cable is important, so we recommend each stage of the installation that you test your electric underfloor heating mat.

This ensures at each stage the cable is working correctly, significantly reducing the risk of a failed installation.

Testing Continuity

When testing the cable continuity use a multimeter to test for the the correct resistance.

• The tolerance reading of the cable should read between -5 and +10%.
• We recommend using a multimeter that reads the values 28-800 ohms.

Testing Cable Insulation

You will need to check that the earth screen insulation has not been damaged which could lead the the cables being shorted.

1. Test between the blue and the earthscreen
2. Test between the black cable and the earth screen

Both readings should show as infinity, this will ensure the cable is in full working condition.

Step 3
Preparing your Sub Floor

You will need to take the time to make sure your surface is correctly prepared, to be sure that you have an even surface with no sharp objects.

When installing on to existing floor boards we recommend using a suitable tile backer board, alternatively you can use 18mm marine grade plywood.

Underfloor heating thermostats are supplied with a flexible tubing which is for the floor sensor cable, so should it fail it makes for easy replacement.

The underfloor heating sensor should be installed between two cable loops 15-20cm, thus avoiding any contact with heat sources.

A channel across the floor may need to be made to accommodate the tubing depth, this can be achieved by routing the floor.

Step 4
Installing Electric Underfloor Heating Mat

1. Place the cold tale from the underfloor heating mat at the connection point for the room.
2. The underfloor heating mat has a self adhesive backing lay this directed towards the floor and roll out per your plan.
3. When reaching the end of the run, cut the mesh backing turn the mat and run it back the other way.
4. Make sure the gap between cable loops is at least 50mm.
5. After fitting measure the resistance level of the matting is correct.

If required you can remove the cable from the mesh, consequently make sure there is a minimum of 75mm gap.

Step 5
Install your Flooring

Tile & Stone

There are two ways you can install your underfloor heating mat, with levelling compound or without.

Installation with Levelling Compound

Pour levelling compound over your underfloor heating mat, so then tile over as normal.

Installation without Levelling Compound

Tile directly over the underfloor heating mat, provided that you are using a rubber backed adhesive trowel.

Carpet

You can install electric underfloor heating under carpet, therefore you will need a minimum of 5mm of levelling compound.

Check with the carpet manufacturer first, in order to know if electric underfloor heating is compatible.

Do not use foam or rubber backed carpet.

Timber

Fully submerge the electric underfloor heating mat cable with a minimum of 6-7mm of flexible levelling compound.

When heating wood flooring, ensure the thickness does no exceed a maximum of 20mm

When heating hard wood flooring, ensure the thickness does no exceed a maximum thickness of 30mm.

Vinyl

Fully submerge the electric underfloor heating mat cable, so you have a minimum of 10mm of flexible levelling compound.

This process should provide a minimum of 5mm coverage above the heating cable.

Step 6. The Finishing Process

After installation of the floor has been completed, usually the floor must be completely dry before connected.

The drying process usually takes 8-10 days.