Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is one of the most popular flooring options and for good reason. It’s a beautiful alternative to many traditional flooring solutions, is often more durable than hardwood, stone, or tile, and can keep its appearance for much longer.
Install LVT Underfloor Heating
- Contact the manufacturer to ensure that radiant heat is approved for the tile you have selected.
- Make sure that the luxury vinyl tile (LVT) allows heat to transfer through all layers of the product.
- Bear in mind that some luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) have a rubber backing which is an insulator and doesn’t allow heat to transfer through properly.
Prepare the Subfloor
- Begin with a clean subfloor by removing any nails, debris, or other obstructions.
- Some luxury vinyl tile (LVT) requires acclimation before installation, which means allowing the tiles to become unified in temperature and humidity identical to the room conditions.
- Acclimation ensures that the tiles will be uniformly conditioned and the locking system will not be compromised.
Install the STEP HEAT Heating System
- Staple or tape the STEP HEAT’s ultra-thin (3/64th of an inch) heating element directly to the subfloor.
- Subfloor routing may be required to connect the low-voltage cables to the heating element.
- If your luxury vinyl tile (LVT) requires an adhesive, cover the STEP HEAT heating elements with a self-levelling cement, lauan, or another approved product to prevent the glue from contacting the heating element.
- Test the STEP HEAT system before covering it with any surface to ensure it’s operating as designed.
Install the Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
- Install the luxury vinyl tile (LVT) to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- After installing the finished floor, test the STEP HEAT system again to ensure it’s operating properly and to validate the manufacturer’s warranty.
Once properly installed, you can enjoy the advantages of radiant heat for many years to come.
