The real difference between different wattage per m - TilersForums.com

[Flintstone]

Thermonet say there 200w won’t get any hotter just heat up faster

 

[Time's Ran Out]

The heat is governed by the thermostat.
The mats usually have a 10 year plus guarantee and the thermostats 12 months. A failure in the thermostat will allow the mat to heat up above a safe level if a 200 mat is used over a wood substrate.

 

[Uheat - Jake]

There's different wattages for different floor finishes, bases and rooms.

100w/m2 mats are generally used only to give you a warm floor, these mats can be laid directly onto a timber base as they wouldn't cause it to warp. These can be used with any floor finish, however with a Wood or Carpet you'd need a 10mm Flexible SLC over the top.

160w/m2 mats are used for a primary heat source within a standard insulated room. (That's floor and wall insulation) These mats are the most popular as they offer a primary heating source without the need for any other heating source within the room. These are mainly used with tiles however can be used with Wood or Carpet restricting the floor temperature to 27 degrees.

200w/m2 mats are designed for high heat loss areas like a conservatory, these mats give off a higher output due to the cables being spaced closer onto the mesh. These mats will also heat up quicker as well due to the way they're spaced.

Generally all these mats will reach your desiered temperature however in different times but also the high wattages will maintain the heat for longer due to closer spacings on the mat. The reason the decoupling options can't be used at 200w/m2 is we only supply a 10w/m loose wire and the options on the membrane are to closely spaced for one spacing, this could cause the cables to burn out due to being to close. Our minimum distance between cables is 50mm.

 

[Flintstone]

Thanks Jake. Is the 200w suitable On a timber floor, overboarded with insulation board as per what John said is dangerous ?

 

[Uheat - Jake]

Thanks Jake. Is the 200w suitable On a timber floor, overboarded with insulation board as per what John said is dangerous ?

To use anything over 100w/m2 on a timber substrate you have to install a Backerboard. This is then fine to lay a 160w or 200w mat on top of with a tiled floor finish. Or a 160w mat with engineered wood or laminate with a 10mm SLC over the mat.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Thanks Jake. Is the 200w suitable On a timber floor, overboarded with insulation board as per what John said is dangerous ?

On a 6mm cement board the downward heat from a 200 mat is not recommended on a timber substrate.
I’d assume the insulation boards would be + 6mm thick and may be acceptable - but I would still only use a timber mat for a timber substrate.
And to repeat it’s the thermostat and floor sensor that control the heat - then you are leaving it to the householder to use it within the limits !!!!!

 

[Uheat - Jake]

On a 6mm cement board the downward heat from a 200 mat is not recommended on a timber substrate.
I’d assume the insulation boards would be + 6mm thick and may be acceptable - but I would still only use a timber mat for a timber substrate.
And to repeat it’s the thermostat and floor sensor that control the heat - then you are leaving it to the householder to use it within the limits !!!!!

A 160w or 200w mat can be used on a 6mm backerboard on top of timber. This is perfectly fine and has been done thousands of times without problems.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Excellent - and on which make of mat would you recommend?
I have 2 floors onto wood substrate in the next month - both geometric designs and 8mm thick solid body porcelain tiles - and both would require 10 sq mt mats.
Could you PM me a forum price - much appreciated.
John

 

[Uheat - Jake]

Excellent - and on which make of mat would you recommend?
I have 2 floors onto wood substrate in the next month - both geometric designs and 8mm thick solid body porcelain tiles - and both would require 10 sq mt mats.
Could you PM me a forum price - much appreciated.
John

Elektra is the brand we sell, will send you a PM later on.

 

[Flintstone]

There all suitable for timber floors John, there isn’t one that says not suitable for timber floors.
Jake will sort you out, I have had a quote last week for a set up, I’m doing the job in December using the elektra.