Where To Install Heated Floors – DITRA HEAT Tiles Over Wood

Ceramic and stone tiles have long been favored as surface coverings for their beauty, durability, hygiene, and ease of maintenance. However, concerns about cracking and coldness to the touch have often accompanied the use of tile in homes. Fortunately, the DITRA-HEAT system offers a solution where to install heated floors that combines the benefits of tile with the added comfort of electric floor warming, bringing a touch of luxury to any room.

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Challenges with Traditional Tile Installations

What sets the DITRA-HEAT system apart is its incorporation of uncoupling technology, which ensures that tiles and grout are not prone to cracking. Unlike traditional tile installations, the DITRA-HEAT system utilizes a combination of loose heating cables and mat systems, allowing for flexibility and easy installation. These heating cables can be placed strategically to create customized zones for floor warming or distributed throughout the room to warm the entire floor.

The minimum required tile format for use with DITRA-HEAT is 2″ x 2″ (50 mm x 50 mm). Please call Schluter®-Systems (USA: 800-472-4588; Canada: 800-667-8746) to discuss your particular application if you have selected a smaller format tile.

Introducing the DITRA-HEAT System

One of the standout features of the DITRA-HEAT system is the quick and easy installation of the heating cables. They can be installed without the need for clips or fasteners and do not require self-leveling compounds to encapsulate them. This means that tiles can be installed immediately after the cables, significantly reducing installation time and effort. The DITRA-HEAT membrane also minimizes assembly thickness, making transitions to lower surface coverings a breeze.

DITRA-HEAT-DUO: Integrated Sound Control and Thermal Break

For those seeking additional benefits, the DITRA-HEAT-DUO variant offers integrated sound control and thermal break features. It reduces impact sound transmission through floor assemblies, making it ideal for multi-story constructions. The integrated thermal break also ensures faster floor warming response time over concrete substrates.

The DITRA-HEAT system is a comprehensive solution that includes uncoupling membranes, heating cables, thermostats, and power modules. The DITRA-HEAT and DITRA-HEAT-DUO membranes serve as universal substrates for tile coverings, providing the same four essential functions as the original DITRA uncoupling membrane.

Flexibility and Easy Installation with Heating Cables

The heating cables, known as DITRA-HEAT-E-HK, are designed specifically for integration into the DITRA-HEAT uncoupling membrane. They are available in different voltage versions and lengths to suit various installation requirements. These cables produce virtually zero electromagnetic fields and can be installed without the need to return to the thermostat.

120 Volts

Model #	Heating Cable Length	Area Covered per Cable Spacing		Total Power	Avg. Power per Unit Area per Cable Spacing		Current
		Regular 3 Stud	Alternating 3-2 Stud		Regular 3 Stud	Alternating 3-2 Stud
	(ft)	(ft2)	(ft2)	(W)	(Watts/ft2)	(Watts/ft2)	(Amps)
DHEHK12011	35.3	10.7	8.9	135	12.6	15.2	1.1
DHEHK12016	52.9	16.0	13.3	203	12.7	15.2	1.7
DHEHK12021	70.5	21.3	17.8	270	12.7	15.2	2.3
DHEHK12027	88.2	26.7	22.2	338	12.7	15.2	2.8
DHEHK12032	105.8	32.0	26.7	405	12.7	15.2	3.4
DHEHK12038	124.1	37.5	31.3	475	12.7	15.2	4.0
DHEHK12043	141.1	42.7	35.6	540	12.7	15.2	4.5
DHEHK12051	169.8	51.4	42.8	650	12.7	15.2	5.4
DHEHK12064	212.9	64.4	53.7	815	12.7	15.2	6.8
DHEHK12073	240.2	72.7	60.6	920	12.7	15.2	7.7
DHEHK12083	275.5	83.3	69.4	1055	12.7	15.2	8.8
DHEHK12092	303.0	91.7	76.4	1160	12.7	15.2	9.7
DHEHK120102	336.9	101.9	84.9	1290	12.7	15.2	10.7
DHEHK120113	372.2	112.6	93.8	1425	12.7	15.2	11.9
DHEHK120134	444.0	134.3	111.9	1700	12.7	15.2	14.2

240 Volts

Model#	Heating Cable Length	Area Covered per Cable Spacing		Total Power	Avg. Power per Unit Area per Cable Spacing		Current
		Regular 3 Stud	Alternating 3-2 Stud		Regular 3 Stud	Alternating 3-2 Stud
	(ft)	(ft2)	(ft2)	(W)	(Watts/ft2)	(Watts/ft2)	(Amps)
DHEHK24011	35.3	10.7	8.9	135	12.6	15.2	0.6
DHEHK24016	53.1	16.1	13.4	203	12.6	15.2	0.8
DHEHK24021	70.6	21.4	17.8	270	12.7	15.2	1.1
DHEHK24027	88.2	26.7	22.2	338	12.7	15.2	1.4
DHEHK24032	105.8	32.0	26.7	405	12.7	15.2	1.7
DHEHK24038	124.1	37.5	31.3	475	12.7	15.2	2.0
DHEHK24043	141.0	42.6	35.5	540	12.7	15.2	2.3
DHEHK24053	176.3	53.3	44.4	675	12.7	15.2	2.8
DHEHK24064	211.6	64.0	53.3	810	12.7	15.2	3.4
DHEHK24075	248.2	75.1	62.6	950	12.7	15.2	4.0
DHEHK24085	282.1	85.3	71.1	1080	12.7	15.2	4.5
DHEHK240103	339.4	102.7	85.6	1300	12.7	15.2	5.4
DHEHK240129	425.8	128.8	107.3	1630	12.7	15.2	6.8
DHEHK240145	480.5	145.3	121.1	1840	12.7	15.2	7.7
DHEHK240167	551.0	166.7	138.9	2110	12.7	15.2	8.8
DHEHK240183	605.9	183.3	152.7	2320	12.7	15.2	9.7
DHEHK240204	673.8	203.8	169.9	2580	12.7	15.2	10.7
DHEHK240225	744.4	225.2	187.7	2850	12.7	15.2	11.9

With the given large variety of available cable sizes above you may consider any room where to install heated floors in your home!

Thermostat Options for Heating Cable Control

To control the operation of the heating cables, the DITRA-HEAT system offers a range of thermostats considering where are you planning to install heated floors. The DITRA-HEAT-E thermostats feature digital controls, built-in ground fault circuit interrupters, and support for different cable voltage options. The DITRA-HEAT-E-RT thermostat offers programmable functionality with a touchscreen display and the ability to track and log power consumption. The DITRA-HEAT-E-WiFi thermostat adds the convenience of WiFi connectivity, allowing users to monitor and adjust the floor warming system via a web or mobile app. For simple on/off operation, the DITRA-HEAT-E-R thermostat is a non-programmable option.

In cases where the heating load exceeds the thermostat’s limit, the DITRA-HEAT-E-RR power module can be used to provide a single point of control in large floor applications. This ensures efficient and effective heating distribution throughout the space.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Tile Surfaces with the DITRA-HEAT System

For a hassle-free installation experience, the DITRA-HEAT-E-KIT offers an all-inclusive package that includes the DITRA-HEAT uncoupling membrane, heating cable, and a choice of programmable or WiFi thermostats. With these components working together, the DITRA-HEAT system creates a simple and effective solution to provide comfortable and durable tile.

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