The Benefits of Heated Tile Flooring: Is It Worth It

The biggest complaint homeowners have about tile is that it’s cold underfoot, yet the fix is simple: radiant heating. But is radiant heating worth it? After all, it’s an additional cost.

However, on the flip side, heated tile means that when the cold Canadian winters hit, your toes will stay cozy as you walk across the warm floor.

As experienced tile flooring installers in Toronto and the GTA, we get asked, “Is heated tile flooring worth the extra cost?” If you’ve ever debated the merits of radiant heating, then read on to find out if it’s right for you!

Can You Add Radiant Heating To Any Tile?

Radiant heating is suitable for any tile material, including porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone such as marble or slate. However, certain tiles are better conductors as they distribute heat more efficiently.

As experienced tile flooring installers in Toronto and the GTA, we recommend ceramic or porcelain as the most economical choice, as they also have high thermal conductivity. However, slate is also a good conductor, making it ideal for radiant flooring and a suitable option for homeowners who prefer stone.

What Is Heated Flooring?

Radiant heating is an underfloor system that distributes warmth from the ground up, transferring heat to you as you walk across the tile. It also helps add warmth to your space. There are two types of heated flooring:

• Electric Heating Cables: As the name suggests, this heated flooring utilizes electricity to warm the tile quickly. This is a more affordable radiant heating option.
• Hydronic Tubes: This type of radiant heating features hot water that travels through plastic tubing. This heated flooring has a higher upfront cost as it requires a pump and gas lines, but it can be applied throughout the house.

The Benefits Of Heated Tile

So why should you consider heated tile? Aside from the practical use of adding warmth to your space, there are many other advantages that can help you decide whether radiant heating is right for your room.

• Good For Your Health: As radiant heating is under the floor, it won’t circulate dirt, dust, or allergens the way forced air does. Heated floors can also provide comfort to those with joint or muscle pain.
• Quiet: Heated flooring is silent compared to the sound of forced air.
• Energy Efficient: Radiant flooring adds heat to the space, so you don’t have to crank the furnace up during the winter, saving you money.
• Increases Your Home Value: Having heated floors increases the value of your home, making it a great selling feature should you decide to sell your house. 
• Easy Maintenance: If you opt for an electric heated floor, it requires little maintenance, while a hydronic system requires annual servicing.
• Long Lifespan: Radiant heating has a long lifespan. Electric systems last 25-30 years, while hydronic systems last 30-50 years. Furthermore, reputable electric or hydronic systems come with a warranty that will protect your investment.

The Drawbacks of Heated Floors

With the good comes the bad, but in the case of radiant heating, there aren’t a lot of drawbacks! Here are a few reasons that may hold you back from hiring a tile installer in Toronto or the GTA to install radiant heating in your tile.

• Cost: The biggest drawback is the cost of heated flooring. First, you need to purchase the electric or hydronic system, and second, it needs to be professionally installed. So if you want radiant heating, be sure to budget for it.
• Electricity: If you choose the electric heating system, you will also incur the additional cost of electricity.

Should You Install Heated Tile Flooring?

Ultimately, if you’re planning to redo your tile flooring and have a tile installer coming from Toronto to do the work for you, and your budget is flexible, then you should consider radiant heating. Heating your tile floors is practical, as it adds value to your home and can help reduce your heating costs. However, it’s also nice to have, because who doesn’t like the option of warm tiles to combat Canada’s frigid winters?

If all this talk about radiant heating has generated questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Brothers Flooring for a complimentary consultation. With over 20 years of experience, we’re happy to help answer your questions about heated tile flooring.