The heating mat is a heating element mounted onto a fiberglass mesh that holds the heating cable together to simplify installation. This is the easiest system to install.

Although underfloor heating cable requires more time to install than mats, it can provide the installer with extra layout flexibility, especially in smaller areas with obstacles, such as en-suites, shower rooms and bathrooms.

Cable systems are labour intensive and this problem increases with the size of the floor area, which can result in installation mistakes.

Cable systems will generally require a cover of levelling compound prior to tiling because of the tendency for the cable to move during the tiling operation if it is not secured to the floor properly.

However, it is easier to control the movement of the heating element in smaller areas. Also, when metal fixing banding is used as a means of fixing the cable to the floor, the element cable can be made much more secure by this method compared to fixing tape.

– Updated: January 2020