Heated Kitchen Floors

The kitchen floor is one place which you should never ignore. It is used heavily, may receive guests and sets the tone for the rest of the house. Above everything else the kitchen is one area that will require you or your spouse to stand for long hours. It is possible to have kitchen floors that can make it fun to stand for long periods.

Soft cork flooring for the kitchen can work wonders for your tired feet. In cold areas heated kitchen floors can add that touch of affordable luxury that can set your kitchen apart. A soft kitchen floor with under floor radiant heat can let you enjoy the pleasure of walking bare feet on sun-kissed beaches right inside your home.

Why Under Floor Heating

Under floor heating is preferred for many reasons

• Super silent operation – Under floor heating has only a heating element. There are no moving parts. Thus an under floor heating system does not raise noise levels.
• Economical operation – Under-floor heating heats the feet first and not empty air. It is also possible to selectively heat areas used more frequently. As a result under-floor heating works out to be an economical option.
• Reduced exposure to allergens – Central heating system blow warm air under pressure. This may increase allergen load in the air.
• Easy installation – In floor radiant heat can be installed as a simple DIY project. Once the heating element is in place, the flooring can be installed over it.

Types of In Floor Heating

• Radiant heating mat – These are made of a thin heating element encased between layers of a polymer or mica. The heating elements are thin and are suited to home remodeling projects as they do not change the height of the floor significantly. The heating mat can be connected to a thermostat to keep the floor at a predetermined temperature.
• Radiant floor heating cables – Heating cables are thicker than heating elements and are more difficult to install. These can be programmed to switch on at predetermined times during the day or at a fixed temperature. With heating cables under your floor it is possible to wake up to a deliciously warm kitchen floor waiting to pamper your bare toes.
• Hydronic radiant heating – Is one of the oldest heating techniques in the world. This method consists of water carrying pipes embedded in the concrete floor. The water is heated by an oil furnace or electricity driven system. A pump circulates the heated water through the pipes. The heat is transferred from the water to the subfloor and from the subfloor to the floor.
• Tubing with hot liquid – This is a variant of the hydronic heating system. In this system the pipes carry a heat transferring liquid instead of water. The design, operation and installation of this system are essentially the same as the hydronic heat transfer system.

The last three heating systems are more suited to new construction or extensive remodeling projects. Whatever heating system you choose you will need to ensure that it is professionally installed and is in accordance with the warranty conditions of your flooring manufacturer. Whatever your choice – hardwood floors, ceramic tiles, cork flooring, vinyl tiles, stone, eco-friendly bamboo or any other flooring product, in-floor heating is sure to add an element of luxury to it – giving the spirit of a spa to your kitchen floor.

Visit our Los Angeles Flooring showrooms for more information about Flooring.