DIY: How to Install a Heated Tile Floor

Ceramic tile floors look beautiful in a kitchen or bathroom, but during the winter months tile floors can be cold and uncomfortable, even when the rooms are heated. A good way to combat this problem is to install a heated tile floor which, as well as reducing your heating bill, will make your tile floor feel warm and comfortable even during the coldest months of the year. My husband, an accomplished DIY handyman, installed a heated tile floor in our kitchen this year for around $700, and as the temperatures drop in New England I find myself spending more and more time in the Kitchen. This DIY guide will show you that even the complete DIY novice can install a heated tile floor.

How to Install a Heated Tile Floor: Materials and Tools

The first thing we are going to do is look at the materials and tools we are going to use to install our heated tile floor. Many of the tools you are going to use are standard for any DIY enthusiast and others are just plain household equipment. However, to properly install a heated tile floor, you may need to buy a few things. Let's start with a few DIY tools: floor scrapers, floor roller, utility knife, heavy-duty drill with paddle bit, safety glasses, mixing buckets, large straight-edge trowel, large notched trowel, glue gun and glue, 4ft level, wet saw, tile spacers, large grout float and large sponges. In addition to the tools, to install your heated tile floor you will need to purchase; a crack-suppression membrane, heavy-duty adhesive, thinset mortar mix, a radiant-heat system (cables, grids and controls), floor tiles, grout mix, grout sealant. All these tools and supplies can be found at your local DIY warehouse, but if you prefer shopping online you can check out the following websites:

Home Depot

Lowes

How to Install a Heated Tile Floor: Preparation

It is important with any DIY tile project to thoroughly prepare the surface to be tiled. In the case of a heated tile floor, the old flooring needs to be removed so the sub flooring is exposed. Using your floor scraper, scrape away any detritus that is left behind until the sub floor is smooth and clean. Once the floor is exposed it needs to be sealed and this is where the crack-suppression membrane comes into play (this is a good DIY solution for a complicated process). Using the manufacturer's instructions spread the heavy duty adhesive (you might want to use a glue gun for this) in sections and lay the membrane on top. Make sure you leave no air bubbles in the membrane as these will make the next steps harder. The crack-suppression membrane will make your sub floor flat and ready to accept the radiant heat system.

The next part of installing your DIY heated tile floor will involve a registered and licensed electrician as it involves connecting the radiant-heat system controls to the wiring system of your house. To minimize the time you need to pay for the electrician you should lay the radiant-heat system before the electrician arrives (make sure you know where the controls will be located). Following the manufacturer's instructions lay the radiant-heat system and grids in one continuous line from the furthest point to the point where the controls will be installed. It is critical that you don't cross the elements and that you follow the manufacturer's guidelines to the letter. After the electrician has connected the controls to the mains and tested the radiant-heat system you can move on to the next step.

The next step on your DIY project is to apply an even layer of mortar to cover the radian-heat system. To do this mix the thinset mortar mix in a bucket using a trowel. To avoid lumps in the mixture use the power drill and paddle bit to vibrate and thoroughly mix the mortar. Only make enough mixture to use in 15 minutes as this mix will harden fast. Spread the mortar evenly with your trowel and use the large straight edge trowel to level and smooth the mortar. Continue mixing and spreading the mortar until the whole floor is flat and smooth and none of the radiant-heat system is exposed. Now it's time to take a break from your DIY project and congratulate yourself on the great work done so far as you allow the mortar to set for 24 hours.

Once your mortar is dry it is time to lay your tiles. The best way to lay floor tiles is to dry fit a horizontal and vertical row of tiles of the floor leaving a small gap between each tile for grout. The lines should be at least a half tile away from the walls to allow for easy cutting. Once you are happy with the layout, spread the tile mortar with the notched trowel and lay the tiles. Use the tile spacers to make sure the gaps between the tiles are even and the 4ft level to make sure the tiles are level. Continue laying the tiles using the wet saw to cut tiles near the border of your room. Wipe away all excess mortar as you work and before the mortar dries. Once the floor is complete you will need to leave the mortar to dry overnight before moving on to the next step of your DIY project.

Now the tile mortar is dry it is time to grout the tiles and finish your DIY project. Remove all the tile spacers that are sticking up and using the large flat trowel spread the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions. Generally it is best to start in one corner and apply the grout in a diagonal manner. Allow the grout to set a little and remove the excess with a wet sponge. Allow the grout to set completely before applying the grout sealer (usually around 6 hours). When the grout is completely dry, apply the grout sealer and you are done with your latest DIY project.

How to Install a Heated Tile Floor: Important Information

Once you have finished installing your heated tile floor it is important to leave it for 4 weeks so the mortar can cure correctly. During this time it is best not to use the radiant-heat system at all. Always use a licensed electrician to connect your radiant-heat system to the mains and connect using a dedicated fuse if possible.

Sources

personal experience

http://www.diynetwork.com