How We Design Your Custom Floor Heating Installation Plan

Every successful radiant floor heating system starts with a smart, well-informed plan—and that begins the moment a homeowner or trade professional sends us a floor plan.

At WarmlyYours, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Each SmartPlan™ is custom-engineered by our in-house team based on your room’s layout, subfloor type, flooring material, power availability, and heating goals. Designing an effective system isn’t just about placing cables or mats—it’s about doing it strategically, so the end result is easy to install, energy efficient, and built for long-term performance.

Whether it’s a bathroom remodel or a full-home upgrade, we tailor every layout to deliver real comfort in the spaces where it matters most.

Here’s how we determine the ideal coverage area and engineer a radiant floor heating system that’s ready for the job site.

Identify Critical Coverage Areas

Standing areas—like in front of sinks, toilets, vanities, or kitchen counters—are prioritized in every layout. These are the spots where warmth matters most, and we make sure they’re always covered—but not the fixtures themselves. Radiant heating is never installed beneath permanent fixtures like toilets, bathtubs, or built-in vanities, both for safety and installation efficiency.

The key is to look at the actual footprint of the room—where you’ll be walking or standing most often. We adjust coverage to focus on these high-use zones and reduce or eliminate heating in less critical areas, like the perimeter of the room or under cabinetry.

Strategic floor heating layout prioritizes high-use areas like sinks, vanities, and toilets—delivering warmth exactly where you stand most.

As silly as it might sound, one of the best ways to plan this is to walk the room. Step out of your tub or shower and take note of where your feet naturally land. Stand at your vanity and notice where your toes rest. These are the areas that should absolutely receive heating coverage. We encourage you to mark these spots on your floor plan before submitting it to our team—this helps us design the most comfortable and efficient system for your space

Use the Minimum Number of Cables or Mats

Fewer components mean faster installation and fewer electrical connections. We aim to cover your space using the fewest possible cables or mats—without compromising coverage—saving time, cost, and effort.

Why? Because each element includes a pre-attached cold lead (that connects to the thermostat), and each cold lead needs to be routed through the wall or floor to the control location. The fewer elements, the fewer leads—and the simpler the install.

By minimizing the number of mats or cables, we help:

  • Speed up installation

  • Reduce wall cavity clutter

  • Lower labor and material costs

  • Simplify your electrician’s job

It’s one of the smartest ways we streamline your floor heating project.

Stay Under 15 Amps Wherever Possible

Most floor heating thermostats are designed to handle up to 15 amps, so we try to keep your system within that limit whenever possible.

This helps:

  • Avoid the need for extra breakers or relays

  • Keep the system controlled by a single thermostat

  • Ensure easy compatibility with most residential circuit

It’s a balance between performance and practicality—and one more way we make installation smoother for your contractor or electrician.

Fewer Cuts and Turns

We design every layout to reduce the number of cuts and directional changes required during installation. Why? Because smooth, continuous heating paths are easier to install, more mechanically stable, and longer-lasting.

This principle is especially important when using heating mats, which feature a fixed serpentine cable pre-attached to fiberglass mesh. These mats are designed to be cut and turned by cutting the mesh—not the cable—to adapt to your room’s shape.

By minimizing tight turns and unnecessary handling, we:

  • Simplify installation, especially in bathrooms and kitchens

  • Reduce the risk of damaging cables

  • Improve mechanical longevity

  • Deliver a cleaner, more professional install

The result? A system that’s easier to install and built to perform for years.

Radiant Floor Heating Installation Plan Checklist

To ensure your SmartPlan™ is as accurate, efficient, and installer-ready as possible, we need a few key details up front. The more we know about your space, your goals, and your job site conditions, the better we can tailor your floor heating layout for real-world success.

This checklist outlines exactly what to provide when submitting your project to WarmlyYours. It helps our engineers design a system that:

  • Matches your flooring material and heating goals

  • Works seamlessly with your electrical setup

  • Avoids last-minute surprises during installation

By taking a few extra minutes to gather this information now, you’ll help us create a heating plan that saves time, reduces waste, and installs exactly as expected when it’s time for your flooring contractor to begin the job.

Before submitting your floor plan, make sure to include the following:

Catagory

Details to Provide
Floor Plan or Layout Drawing
  • Scaled drawing (PDF, JPG, PNG, or CAD format preferred)
  • Room dimensions clearly labeled (including nooks, closets, alcoves)
  • Location and dimensions of permanent fixtures (toilets, vanities, tubs, cabinets, appliances, etc.)
Flooring Type
  • Specify finished floor material (e.g., tile, stone, laminate, hardwood, etc.)
  • Note if underlayment or insulation will be used
Heating Goals
  • Primary heat source or supplemental (comfort) heating
  • Preferred cable spacing (if known): 3", 4", or 5"
Power Requirements
  • Voltage available (120V or 240V)
  • Amperage limits (if applicable)
  • Thermostat location (planned wall placement)
Project Constraints
  • Any areas that must not be heated (e.g., under furniture or fixtures)
  • Any preferred start point for the heating element (typically near thermostat)
  • Any installation timing constraints (e.g., must be completed in one day)
Contact Info
  • Homeowner or contractor name
  • Email and phone number for follow-up
  • Preferred method of communication

What You’ll Receive in Return

Once you submit your project details and floor plan, our team of engineers will create a custom SmartPlan™ installation package designed for both precision and practicality. Here’s what you’ll get:

Professionally Designed Installation Plan

A detailed floor heating layout tailored to your room’s dimensions, flooring type, and heating goals—perfect for your flooring installer to follow on-site.

Example of a detailed installation plan using TempZone™ Cable, showing precise cable spacing, coverage area, and starting point—engineered for efficient heat distribution and easy installation.


Electrical Plan for Your Electrician

A dedicated wiring diagram with voltage, amperage, breaker size, and thermostat location—making it easy for your electrician to prep and install safely and efficiently.

If you’re using different trades for electrical and flooring, this two-part plan ensures clear communication and coordination between everyone involved.

Itemized Product List and Pricing

A comprehensive list of recommended materials—including heating elements, thermostats, and accessories—along with pricing for easy budgeting and ordering.

Avoid the Most Common Installation Mistakes

One of the best ways to ensure a successful floor heating installation is to plan ahead—because many of the issues our tech support team sees could have been avoided with a well-designed layout.

Here are some of the most frequent mistakes made during installations:

  • Skipping insulation: Without proper insulation, especially over concrete slabs, much of the heat can be lost downward instead of warming your floor.

  • Uneven cable spacing: Inconsistent spacing can lead to uncomfortable hot or cold zones on the finished floor.

  • Overlapping cables or mats: This can cause dangerous overheating and system failure.

  • Poor electrical planning: Not accounting for available amperage or circuit layout can result in overloads or costly delays.

Every WarmlyYours SmartPlan™ is designed to proactively prevent these issues. From precise cable spacing and clear thermostat placement to electrical load calculations and insulation recommendations, our plans help ensure your installation is safe, efficient, and done right the first time.

Take the First Step Toward a Flawless Floor Heating Installation

You’ve put thought into your flooring project—now let us bring the same level of care to your floor heating system. With every SmartPlan™, you get more than a layout; you get the confidence that your system has been designed with real-world installation in mind.

Whether you’re a homeowner, a contractor, or part of a design-build team, our goal is to eliminate guesswork and streamline coordination between trades.

Have a project in the works?

Send us your floor plan today and let our team of experts craft a heating solution that fits your space, your schedule, and your goals.

Start Your Project Now