Heating Mats
Heating cable fixed to mesh, ready to roll out beneath tiles or stone.
Useful for: Regular floor areas where a roll mat fits neatly.
Electric system buying guide
Choose the Right Electric Underfloor Heating System
Start with your floor finish, then compare the system formats that suit your room.
Use this guide to narrow the options, check the practical details and follow the relevant floor-finish guide before ordering.
Start with Your Floor Finish
Your final floor covering narrows the choice first. Use the most relevant guide to confirm the complete build-up, temperature limits and installation method.
| Floor finish | Start with | Main thing to check |
|---|---|---|
| Tile or stone | MD mats, loose cable or HeatBase.Compare Tiled-Floor Systems | The heating, adhesive, levelling layer and tiles must work together. |
| Engineered wood or laminate | WoodTec for compatible floating floors.Read the Wood & Laminate Guide | Check the flooring and underlay limits, fitting method and floor-temperature control. |
| Vinyl or linoleum | FloorTec with the specified overlay.Read the Vinyl Guide | The surface must be smooth and stable, with the correct layers and temperature limits. |
| Carpet | FloorTec with the specified overlay.Read the Carpet Guide | Check the combined insulation value of the carpet and underlay against the system limits. |
| New screed or polished concrete | A designed in-screed heating cable system.Read the In-Screed Cable Guide | Allow for cable depth, floor joints, screed curing and gradual first heat-up. |
Compare the Electric Systems
Once you know which systems suit your floor, choose the format that fits the shape of the room and the way the floor will be built up.
Loose Heating Cable
Cable laid along a planned route, with flexible positioning around corners and obstacles.
Useful for: Small or irregular tiled areas where a mat is awkward to fit.
Cable & Membrane
Heating cable held in a shaped membrane that also provides a decoupling layer beneath tiles.
Useful for: Tiled floors needing a guided cable layout and decoupling together.
Foil Heating Systems
Foil-backed heating mats for compatible floors, with an overlay where the system requires one.
Useful for: WoodTec for laminate or engineered wood; FloorTec for carpet or vinyl.
Check These Four Details Before Ordering
A few details will help you choose the right size and avoid surprises during installation.
Measure the area you will heat
Exclude fixed floor-level units and other areas the manual prohibits. Draw the mat or cable route before choosing a size.
Allow for every floor layer
Include insulation, membrane, adhesive, levelling compound and the final finish when checking the available height.
Choose the output for the room
For tiled floors, 100W/m² is generally used for floor warming, 160W/m² suits many standard rooms and 200W/m² may suit higher heat-loss spaces such as conservatories. Always confirm heat loss and floor-finish limits.
Plan the controls and connection
Ask a qualified electrician to confirm the circuit, protection, thermostat load and floor sensor, including how any multiple mats will be connected.
Electric system questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about mats, loose cable, foil systems, installation and sizing.
Are heating mats only for bathrooms?
No. They can suit many tiled rooms where the output, layout, build-up and electrical design are appropriate.
Is loose cable better than a mat?
Not universally. Loose cable is flexible in awkward areas; a mat can be quicker to lay in a regular space. The right choice is the one that fits the drawn heated area and approved build-up.
Can foil heating go under any wood floor?
No. Both the foil system and exact flooring product must be approved for the proposed build-up and temperature. Follow the written instructions from both manufacturers.
Can I install electric underfloor heating myself?
Some preparatory laying work may be permitted by the product instructions, but electrical testing, circuit design and final connection require a suitably qualified electrician.
How do I choose the mat size?
Measure the free heated area, draw the route and choose a mat that fits without cutting or shortening the cable. Use the dedicated size guide for the full method.