Due to it s density and low conductivity concrete retains heat very well.
How to heat a existing concrete floor.
In a retrofit this can raise the floor a couple of inches creating problems with appliances and doors.
There are several manufacturers of electric radiant floor heating systems that can be placed directly on top of an existing concrete slab.
While hot water and air based radiant.
The heat from the radiant heated floor rises to heat all surfaces in a room or home.
Having existing concrete floors polished can cost from as little as 5 per square foot but this will rise substantially if you are undertaking a new concrete flooring pour.
How does radiant heat work.
This system does not move the air with blowers and thereby reduces dust and.
Cerazorb is a 3 16 inch 5 mm thin synthetic cork underlayment that is highly recommended when installing a floor heating system over an existing concrete slab or under tile and stone.
Radiant floor heating concrete slab insulation.
The most cost effective system for medium to larger homes is hydronic since the amount of power it would take to heat a whole home with electric would be substantial.
You can step onto a warm and inviting floor even one built on a concrete slab by adding in floor heating.
How to add floor heating over existing concrete.
Some look like wire fencing that you roll out over the floor.
In an existing home installation is usually below the floor as long as the area beneath the floor is accessible.
With concrete floor radiant heat your home will no longer have hot or cold spots just even quite draft free heat.
Installing a floor heating system as part of this process would cost from approximately 12 per square foot for an electric system plus the cost of accompanying insulation.
Unlike heat from a forced air system which quickly rises to the ceiling the heat from a radiant floor is distributed evenly throughout the room and is concentrated at floor level where people are.
For example a bathroom on a slab would feature a layer of cork or synthetic cork underlayment on top of the concrete subfloor followed by the electric heating element and topped with the flooring substrate.
Cerazorb acts as a moisture resistant barrier that does not absorb water or swell under the effects of heat.
Ideally it s placed above the subfloor so the heat source is actually heating up the flooring and not the subfloor.