Installing Schluter DITRA-HEAT for Kitchen and Bathroom Floors

Installing Schluter DITRA-HEAT for Kitchen and Bathroom Floors

The kitchen and bathroom are two rooms in your home where you may spend the most time. While these spaces can be utilitarian, you can make them more comfortable, even luxurious, through renovations. One of the upgrades you can make to your existing kitchen or bath design is to have Schluter DITRA-HEAT installed for electric floor warming.



How Does DITRA-HEAT Work?

DITRA-HEAT consists of several different components. There is a mat system for an underlayment with small, flat studs laid out in a grid pattern. The actual heating element consists of loose electrical cables, and the studs in the mat are designed in such a way to facilitate easy installation of these cables.

Why Is Floor Warming in the Kitchen or Bathroom a Good Idea?

Most people do not have carpeting in either the kitchen or the bathroom. The floors in these areas are vulnerable to spills and excess water that can cause staining and contribute to mold growth. For this reason, most people prefer to have hard flooring materials in these areas, such as tiles. These hard materials do not retain heat very well. As a result, the floor in the areas of the house where you spend most of your time is often cold, making it uncomfortable for you to walk on it in bare feet. You may have to wear slippers or socks around the house and, depending on what they are made of, this could increase the risk of slipping and falling. Schluter DITRA-HEAT keeps the floors warm so that they are pleasant to walk on during all times of the year.

How Do You Control the Temperature of the Heated Floors?

DITRA-HEAT floors come with their own smart thermostats. Because these connect to Wi-Fi, you can control them from anywhere. This allows you to not only set the temperature but to turn the heated floors on and off. As long as you have a smart device and an internet connection, you can control your heated floors remotely. This means that you can turn them on at work so that they're ready for you when you get home. Conversely, if you forget to turn the heated floors off before leaving the house, turning them back off is as simple as a few taps on your phone.

Is the DITRA-HEAT System Customizable?

The system of loose cables and studded mats that form the DITRA-HEAT system are not only easy to install, they are also highly customizable. There is no need for self-leveling compounds because the studs of the mat system encapsulate the wires. This allows the cables to be installed exactly where you want without having to worry about keeping the floor level. Imagine that you have a combined kitchen and dining area. You would like to have DITRA-HEAT in the dining area where the floor gets very cold. However, the floor in the food preparation area does not get cold because of its proximity to the stove and other appliances. You can choose to have DITRA-HEAT installed in only the dining area, and the floor will be level throughout.

DITRA-HEAT also gives you options as to the material that you use for flooring. Engineered wood, laminate, vinyl, and tile are examples of the variety of materials with which it is compatible.

What Are Some Other Benefits of Schluter DITRA-HEAT?

DITRA-HEAT is designed for durability. One of its distinguishing characteristics is uncoupling. In other words, DITRA-HEAT separates the flooring material from the substrate. This avoids strain on the flooring that can cause the surface to delaminate or crack by allowing each to move independently of one another, expanding and contracting with changes in temperature. DITRA-HEAT is also waterproof, always important when dealing with electrical components, and vapor management allows any excess moisture to escape from under the flooring, helping to protect it.

Ceramic Tile Center is a distributor of Schluter Systems. Find out more about floor warming and other innovative Schluter products for your kitchen and bath.