The Value & The Costs of
Radiant Flooring
The Value
Radiant flooring, also known as heated flooring, is a flooring system in which either electrical wiring or hot water pipes are placed beneath the flooring material to warm the floor and space of a given room.
Radiant floors are valuable as they can offset the price of needing an additional heater in a room. Believe it or not, when paired with good insulation and air-tightness, heated floors can provide enough warmth to heat an entire home.
Although there is a daily energy cost that comes with radiant flooring, the utility price of using radiant flooring as a heating mechanism in certain rooms can save your family money, longterm. Heated floors warm rooms at a steady temperature, and are noiseless. The generated heat naturally rises, warming the air from your toes, upwards. Plus, it is rare that radiant floors break or need repairs, and have an average lifespan of over thirty years.
The Costs
Radiant flooring can be expensive when situated throughout the entirety of a home. However, selecting certain rooms to contain heated flooring is a cost effective way to enjoy the benefits of the flooring without breaking the budget. In our modern homes with a mid-range budget, we typically recommend radiant floors in only bathrooms. This way, you'll never step out of the shower onto cold tile!
When installing heated flooring, two options are presented – electric and hydraulic. Hydraulic, although more expensive to buy per square foot, is the more cost effective option long term, as heated water retains heat longer than electrical cables. Depending on your energy source, radiant systems can be sourced from solar, geothermal, or propane. Each of these systems require different mechanisms to properly install, and costs will vary.
Our team of architects and designers are well equipped to design integrated systems that take into account all of these items, while still considering your budget.