What does DIY radiant floor heat cost and would you do it?

14 years ago

We had to gut our bathroom to the floor joists to repair an leak/mold problem, which means new subfloor and tile. I'm considering adding radiant floor heat when we rebuild the floor. I don't know all that much about it, except that it sounds darn nice for cold winters here in Maine.

Here's my understanding and questions... can you folks confirm/answer?

1) Cost to DIY??? The floor area not occupied by shower and toilet will be about 40 sf. We are on an INCREDIBLY tight budget since this mold/leak forced the remodel a year before we had planned and we are broke.

2) Energy efficiency? The bathroom has forced hot water baseboard heat, which we're reconfiguring when we remodel. Electric radiant floor heat does not sound very green, but, no, we can't afford hydronic! We do NOT take showers at the same time every morning, so I imagine we'd have this on pretty much all the time as supplemental heat?? Is that just stupid and energy-wasteful?

3) Resale value-- I think is probably very good, no? A good way to justify the expense ;)

Thanks

Stacey

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Comments (2)

weedyacres
14 years ago
We've done DIY radiant heat in multiple rooms in our house and we love it. Warming Systems is the cheapest way to go. I think they charge around $5/sq ft now plus around $100 for a thermostat. It's very easy to install.

We keep the thermostat on around 80 degrees all day/night, and the thermostat keeps it regulated so it doesn't chew up your energy bill.

I'm hoping it helps resale when the time comes. It's a fabulous thing in the winter time.

We happen to have a leftover length from our last flooring project, and I believe it's enough for about 40 square feet. I'd be willing to give you a good deal on it if you're interested. You'd still have to buy the thermostat, but that would save you something. Let me know.

Here is a link that might be useful: Warming Systems
Stacey Collins
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks weedyacres!
I actually found the older thread on this exact topic and I'm now convinced that if there's any way we can afford it, we should do it. The problem is that we hadn't budgeted for this bathroom reno at all this year, but the leak & subsequent major mold problem necessitated ripping out the floor, vanity and shower, so now we're forced to renovate the bath now or live without it. It's a major bummer because I had wanted to really do this "right", since its the master bath. On top of that we have a 2/3 finished kitchen that we were in the middle of renovating and we wont be able to afford to finish that for a while either, because of this emergency!! Sheesh. At least I have appliances now. I can live without a backsplash for a while!

Anyway, please email me about your leftover materials. If I can convince DH on this, I'd be very interested in talking to you about cost and logistics. Thanks for the offer.
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