I am considering converting an old enclosed sleeping porch into a usable room year round (in Ohio). Currently the floor is a big slope to allow for drainage when it was still open, obviously I want to level the floor but was considering installing electric radiant heat in the floor at the same time because there is no heat in this room yet.
What types of flooring materials work with electric radiant heat installed on a floor with wood joists (not a concrete pad)?
I know tile is the standard choice that works well, however I am concerned that there may be some movement in this floor because it is an old porch and I don't want the tile to crack.
PS – I ask because I am in the position to install it if it would work well. If it looks like it does not make sense on non-tile floors I may just install a small electric baseboard heater.
Best Answer
Radiant floor sellers will tell you that their systems work with any type of floor.
Contractors that do repairs will tell you stories of floors gone bad over radiant heat, like hardwood that warps or laminate that delaminates.
I will tell you that the performance of the system will be affected by the insulation value of the floor covering. Carpet will hold some of the heat out, wasting some energy. But exactly how much, and whether it will be enough to matter, are very specific to each situation, so I can't guess.