Heated flooring in the master bath was once considered an expensive luxury. However, the cost of these floors has come down in recent years, making them an affordable upgrade for many homeowners. These heating systems can be easily installed as part of a bathroom remodeling project that will include new floor tiles. Heated floors provide a welcomed measure of comfort on cold winter days and nights.
Benefits to the homeowner are obvious. Heated floors take the chill out of otherwise cold surfaces. When the feet are warm, the entire body feels more comfortable. Additionally, homeowners may be able to lower the thermostat in the house, without having the bathrooms feel too cold.
The most popular type of heated floor option is the electric radiant heating system. A template of the bathroom floor is sent to the manufacturer, who constructs an electric mat to those specific dimensions. The mat is installed by an electrician. Then the tile, stone, or marble flooring is laid over the mat. The temperature of the floor is controlled by a thermostat, and a timer can be set to heat the floor during times of the morning or evening when the bathroom will be in use. The homeowner has the flexibility to control the temperature as needed.
Another type of heated floors is a hydronic system, which uses heated water distributed through a tubing network. This system can be used in homes that already have a boiler heating system. This type of system is not popular in the South.
Costs for the electric radiant heating system can run from $5 to $8 per square foot, depending on whether labor is included. An investment of a few hundred dollars per bathroom can increase the resale value of the home. Buyers still perceive heated floors to be a luxury and are generally willing to pay more for them.