WE HEATED A VINYL FLOOR // TLF 37

In this video, we install radiant electric heating, called WarmStep by Thermosoft, under a Mannington AduraMAX vinyl plank floor. The flooring style is Dockside and the color is Sand.
🎥 Watch PART 2 - • WE FINISHED THE FLOOR ... 🎥
FLOORING CUTTER - handydad.tv/96va
EPOXY VAPOR BARRIER - www.dritac.com...
This video is sponsored by:
Mannington Floors - mannington.com
WarmStep by Thermosoft - www.warmstep.com
➤➤HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RUN RADIANT UNDERFLOOR HEATING? handydad.tv/co...
This is episode 37 of The Living Flip, a series where my daughter Julie and her husband Josh bought a foreclosure to fix up while they live there. Watch the whole series here: • The Living Flip
✔︎Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @HandyDadTV
#handydadtv #thelivingflip #mannington #warmstep #sponsored

[@matthewlewis5631]

Y’all need a hook and tapping block to persuade those boards to lock in place 🤣

[@chrisanderson4159]

Ya what he said

[@dhettinger80]

How does the flooring feel when you walk on it with it being installed directly on the slab? We are in Oregon and were planning on doing a raised underlayment and then adding a sub-floor which we would install our laminate flooring on top of. If we forgo the underlayment and sub-floor we could add the heating and cut the install time way down. Thanks for all your videos, its been a lot of fun to follow all the projects. All the best, happy holidays, stay safe. Cheer.

[@handydadtv]

It's hard to describe, but the heating mats give the floor a nicer feel than being on concrete alone. Not just because they are warmer, but they provide a little cushion that you don't get when it's installed directly on concrete. Thanks for asking this question. I'll try to cover this in the next video (Part 2). BTW, here is an example where I installed vinyl directly on concrete. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnXImaeYe6aWbpY -- I wish I knew about Thermosoft back then! I'll never put another floor on a slab without heat.

[@conniemazerolle9620]

Can you cut the mats

[@handydadtv]

You can’t cut the electric element, but you can cut the mesh to turn corners like in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp-thYisi9mqotU

[@stevenwoodard1886]

Hello. How are you finding the heat? Does it heat up just the floor or does it actually heat up the room also? I'm in the middle of planning out our cottage build that will be 4 season in Canada (Quebec) and been looking at different types of radiant in floor heating with LVP as a finished floor. I have heard from one in floor heating company indicate that LVP will absorb most of the heat and so just the floors will be warm but I have also heard that is not the case and the room will also heat up. Thanks

[@handydadtv]

It’s wonderful! The floor is always warm, but never hot. I don’t have a thermometer to measure the air temperature, but the basement is cozy and comfortable.

[@phoneboy5525]

Hi stevenwoodard1886. I also live in Quebec and I’m planning to install LVP over an electric heated floor in the basement. How did it work out for you? Is it comfortably warm in your cottage?

[@joannhall3521]

You stated in the beginning the flooring was Laminate then into the video you state, it's vinyl which is it?

[@handydadtv]

Officially it’s Luxury Vinyl Plank.

[@ashifadnan5642]

HI, my house in Canada has water based radiant heating system under the floor and that is the only heating system the house has. I don't have any prev exp on this type of floor heating. I would like to change the floor material. Could you pls tell me what type of floor material would be good for in floor heating and will not block the warm temp to go up? Tiles are relatively expensive and I am thinking of vinyl, but don't have any idea what type of vinyl wood not work as insulation and also will keep its shape over time due to heat and will not bend. Thanks

[@handydadtv]

Luxury vinyl plank is a perfect choice

[@hekios888s6]

Any idea on added electrical cost running a system like this?

[@handydadtv]

I made a blog post to answer this question. handydad.tv/cost-of-radiant-underfloor-heating

[@dianeparish8127]

Hello, I have a walkout basement which years ago applied vinyl flooring. I also have door about an inch rise, can't do any adjustment there, ceiling is 81". Would I be able to add this after I scrap out old vinyl?

[@handydadtv]

You could put WarmStep and another vinyl floor right over the existing one. You should be okay height wise.

[@jeanlanz2344]

You're a great team and work well together. The sealed floor looks good. It's appreciated that you demonstrated the WarmStep and the vinyl flooring. Thank you and God bless you.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks 😊

[@ralphcramden]

Did you consider laying a thin insulation below the heating mats?

[@handydadtv]

No, we didn’t want to add any height because of the doors and toilet.

[@randallthomas5207]

I would like to know how many kW*hr this floor draws in cold weather. I think a large percentage of the heat generated will go down into the earth.

[@handydadtv]

handydad.tv/cost-of-radiant-underfloor-heating

[@drewn3745]

Did your vinyl floor planks have a little foam on the bottom or are they straight vinyl?

[@handydadtv]

Foam on the bottom

[@justinbarilar6615]

I talked with Thermosoft regarding compatible LVP flooring for Warmstep, and they said Adura Max would work. However, when I go to Mannington's installation instructions, I see this comment in regards to radiant heat on concrete subfloor/slab: "Mannington does not recommend heated floor mats for ADURA MAX". I'm curious as to your long term results if the manufacturer specifically says not to use heated radiant mats? It's impossible to find any other manufacturer that will commit to supporting electric radiant heat mats. They all talk about hydronic only with some layer between (i.e. concrete leveler on top of mats).

[@handydadtv]

They say that because some electric heat mats can get too hot and it may damage the floor or cause it to smell. We had no issue with WarmStep.

[@justinbarilar6615]

@@handydadtv What's the maximum temp that you keep it at? I'm assuming 80F correct?

[@handydadtv]

During setup of the thermostat, it asked me to pick the floor material. I picked laminate and left the default temperature at 82 degrees. Maybe you missed part 2? kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5vUfmCHoKx1ors

[@jakeblue0]

That’s not how you do that type or plank. Put it in the long side then it press snaps on the end, most pros just use a mallet to snap the end in.

[@handydadtv]

I’ve done LifeProof floors with a mallet, but this one didn’t work like that.

[@nathanstroup9451]

I only cared about how to instal the heated floor mat and wire them together and to the thermostat but nothing

[@handydadtv]

Watch PART 2 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5vUfmCHoKx1ors

[@MsFarmer567]

Why didn’t or can you use a rubber hammer to snap the planks together?

[@handydadtv]

That’s not how these are installed.

[@tacowolfalpha4859]

Guillotine (GEE-uh-teen). Also, nice work! I'm going to be using your method for my heated floors!

[@handydadtv]

Uh oh. Caught by the grammar police. 👮 Tell them I sent you. 👍🏻

[@jarule275]

In a galaxy far far away.

[@pixiegirlie09]

What does warm step recommend for a wood sub floor?

[@handydadtv]

I’m not sure if they recommend any specific brand.

[@ChillyDippers]

I'm doing something similar except I will be flooding the floor with self leveler over the heated cabling as I've found you can feel almost any imperfection in the floor when using vinyl. Curious as to your foot feel doing it this way.

[@handydadtv]

You can definitely tell it’s a floating floor. Your way is the best if you want a smooth feel.

[@cbformula]

I'm thinking of doing the same buy trying to avoid putting a layer of leveler or cement on it. Can you describe further what you mean by you definitely feel it when it's floating?

[@handydadtv]

It’s a flexible floor with felt underneath it. You can feel a tiny bit of give as you walk. After a week, you won’t notice anymore. But it’s not tight to the subfloor like traditional hardwood or tile.

[@asiwiak]

Can I ask what did you yse to seal the concrete?

[@handydadtv]

Link in description

[@lisacollins7416]

How long does it take to warm up?

[@handydadtv]

It’s very slow heat. I wasn’t there for the initial warmup, but I’m sure it took overnight to bring it to 82 degrees, which is the default “warm” temp. The setback temp is 74 degrees so it doesn’t allow the slab to get completely cold. That way it warms up pretty quickly in the morning.

[@goldbrick2563]

Why did you choose vinyl over hardwood?

[@handydadtv]

We did wood upstairs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHO4m3WIgMmag7c

[@VampireOnline]

I'd like to do this in my basement once I finish it, but the cost of it and the cost of running it make me not do it lol.

[@handydadtv]

I know it’s not cheap for big areas. But it’s just so nice. Indescribable.

[@monicaduby1362]

@@handydadtv do you have the cost per sq. Ft? It looks expensive but it all depends in the area you are trying to cover. I’m looking at 100 sq feet and I live in Colorado

[@handydadtv]

Follow the link in the description to their website. The costs are right there.

[@broskies2598]

Fuk bro im about to move to miami and you moved

[@handydadtv]

Don’t need heated floors in Miami!

[@MrTnnr]

Great video with lots of good info! One question though- do you think you would benefit from some type of insulated vapor barrier underlayment instead on laying directly on the concrete? Im looking at buying something like the DMX 1-Step 100-sq ft Premium 4-mm Flooring Underlayment to hopefully increase the efficiency a little, plus it doubles as a vapor barrier

[@handydadtv]

Email this question to [e-mail]. He’s the expert. Tell him I sent you.

[@alejandroolvera3242]

Hi David, did you sort out your project? I'm thinking in doing the exact same thing. DMX 1-Step over my concrete basement floor, then potentially using this mat style floor heating system directly under Luxury Vinyl planks. Thanks!

[@MrTnnr]

@@alejandroolvera3242 Yes I did end up doing exactly that. Very happy with the DMX, was easy to lay and provided a great surface for the heat pads. Also works well as an insulator for the areas of the floor that I didnt put the heat in.

[@BMC_377]

@@MrTnnr Can you skip applying epoxy if doing it this way?

[@MrTnnr]

@@BMC_377 Yes i would think so as the DMX acts as a vapor barrier so the epoxy would not be needed

[@bryanscott293]

Well I learned nothing about the heated floor product.

[@handydadtv]

All the wiring and demonstration is in part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5vUfmCHoKx1ors

[@handydadtv]

If you still have questions after watching that, I can put you in touch directly with the sales rep at Thermosoft.

[@lolman7918]

Are you the guy who cut his finger ring?

[@handydadtv]

Yes that’s me

[@lolman7918]

@@handydadtv ok just asking

[@MsFarmer567]

I contacted the supplier to ask if I can use the Epoxy on woof base flooring cause I have a peering-beam house, they supposed to contact me back, I’m hoping I can use the product,c these floorings are very cold even with carpet down

[@handydadtv]

I don’t think you need a vapor barrier on a wood subfloor.

[@cam_mcneil]

Do you have any problems with the heat and vinyl? Should I put something between heat and flooring?

[@handydadtv]

No issue with the combination I used. Those heat mats don’t get too hot.

[@omarmoreno3271]

So I'm looking to put LVP over some floor heat, but a couple contractors are advising against it as they dont know if over time the LVP (given the heating and cooling) could worp. Do we need to worry about this?

[@handydadtv]

Some manufacturers will void the warranty if installed with heat. This combination of products was approved by Mannington.

[@randallthomas5207]

Hint: When laying flooring of consistent length, star with for or five rows of plank. A full then the next rows progressively shorter. And then use the cut off ends, which won’t have a tongue or groove to start the subsequent rows.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for the tip

[@AlexeiTetenov]

Notch out the vinyl plank instead of damaging your vapor barrier, or even better, notch out the concrete before laying down your liquid vapor barrier.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for the tip

[@razordu30]

This is great, but the idea of moving to NJ to affordably buy a house is absolutely bonkers to me. NJ has the 8th highest housing costs in America.

[@handydadtv]

No argument there. But NJ also has better opportunities for higher paying jobs. That’s how they could afford the home. Plus being close to family, especially one that doubles as free labor, is priceless.

[@jward9637]

Great job guys! I grew up in Montclair and graduated from HS there. What town are you guys living in?

[@handydadtv]

Freehold

[@judgelpf2488]

How is the flooring holding up? Is it warping at all due to the heat? Warmstep does say it's specifically designed for "wood floors". You used vinyl plank.

[@handydadtv]

I used this combination with clearance from Thermosoft and Mannington. Mannington’s only concern is that the heating elements can’t get too hot. WarmStep is designed for wood, not tile, so it heats up very slowly and evenly. But to answer your question, the floor looks exactly as it did the day we laid it. No warping. No discoloration. No smell. Just a gentle blanket of warmth. Highly recommend this combination.

[@KES-ym5km]

Awesome video! So I have heated tile floors in my living at the moment (old ugly tiles) I was thinking about disconnecting them, adding this over the tile and then putting vinyl flooring over it. Would that work 🤔

[@handydadtv]

If you already have working heated floors, I would just put vinyl over the tile. The heat will radiate up.

[@mattbmxforsyth]

Did you lose any thermal properties with the wood compared to the just concrete? Typically in our homes with concrete floors and walls and south facing windows, we retain all the heat due to the thermal mass. It stays 65 year round with no hvac.

[@handydadtv]

Email [e-mail]

[@TheSchwiz]

I’ve been told installing a radiant floor in a basement is pointless because the slab will sink the heat away nearly constantly from The heating. Do you feel like it keeps the room At a comfortable temperature?

[@handydadtv]

No doubt a cold slab pulls heat out of the room. And out of you! Underfloor heating keeps the slab from getting cold, so you feel warmer. The floor doesn’t get hot. It just needs to take off the chill.

[@TheYzeman]

I like the product. Might work for my situation. I gave a thumbs up to the video because of the Star Wars opening crawl text. Nice.

[@handydadtv]

Can’t say enough about the comfort of a heated floor. Winter was actually enjoyable in the basement.

[@mistereearly1141]

I would have ran all the heated flooring first to ensure it works

[@handydadtv]

I tested the resistance of the mats before and after installation. No need to heat them.

[@TC-dk6do]

Gave up after the 6 AD..

[@alnaalna4797]

Hey where do I buy the DriTac? Can’t seem to find it online. Thanks!

[@handydadtv]

Email [e-mail] and ask where to buy near you.

[@chrisfarley9213]

Pretty cool, do you think I can router a channel into the subfloor to install heating elements that don’t come on a mat?

[@handydadtv]

Yes that’s a good solution if you have a wood subfloor.

[@tiktoktiktok9308]

Great video...can this product be used in a washroom?

[@handydadtv]

Yes indeed it can

[@ironmyno]

Why didn't you choose to insulate the slab 1st.

[@handydadtv]

No need. The underfloor heating keeps the slab warm.

[@Alex.smiffy]

Are you still happy with the heating system and the vinyl floor after 7 months?

[@handydadtv]

Yes definitely. No regrets.

[@annstacy1097]

I have a rental apartment I was thinking of using a different system and tile, but like the idea of vinyl flooring because of the cost and look. I have some MDF flooring type, this was before the luxury vinyl and it's chipping up. At least LVF will have some give. Thank you for posting this and also congrats on your all you and your wife have accomplished.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks 😊

[@bonniemiller4106]

You guys did a great job on the floor, demonstration and narrative. Your wife reminded me of myself when she got her boo boo on both little fingers. Been there, done that 🥴

[@handydadtv]

Thanks so much. That was my daughter, Julie. I’ve been helping Julie and her husband, Josh, renovate this house since 2019. You should binge watch the series from episode one. We’ve done so much.

[@volpswagen_marco]

@handydadtv what is your opinion on laying wood laminate flooring with a heated pad like yours, but over ceramic in a basement. The ceramic is in great condition and directly on cement. Would you recommend an underlayment of some type also? No dry core type, just a thin underlayment. I don’t want to spend the time tearing up the old ceramic.

[@handydadtv]

You can absolutely layer on top of the tile if it’s in good shape.

[@kevinfenlon1418]

Hi Chris, I am prepping to install vinyl over concrete basement floor. I was thinking of under laying Dricore insul armor. Its a bit thicker than I would like at 1". Do you think I should treat or seal the concrete prior to any install? Kev

[@handydadtv]

Hey Kev. A lot of vinyl products are moisture barriers by themselves. Check the installation instructions to see if it needs something between it and the concrete. The only reason I used that liquid stuff was for the radiant heating.

[@LubaLuba1]

Looks good but what the price per square feet??

[@handydadtv]

Around $10-12 sf

[@cherylmartin4050]

I used a shim to wedge it to connect the long side

[@handydadtv]

Good tip 👍🏻

[@roberto3262]

Nice job. But, why didn't you use the mallet and the tapping block to push the planks all together tightly?

[@handydadtv]

Other vinyl floors need a tapping block (see kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnXImaeYe6aWbpY), but not Mannington AduraMAX.

[@roberto3262]

@@handydadtv I see. It just looked like you were working kinda hard on some of them lol

[@brianreip411]

where can you get the proxy from?

[@handydadtv]

The epoxy? I got it from the company but you should be able to Google it.

[@LubaLuba1]

Hi great job is that black cloth the heated floor element?? If not what does it look like do I need to use leveler??

[@handydadtv]

Yes, the black mats are the underfloor radiant heating. Be sure to watch Part 1. Link in description.

[@handydadtv]

As for leveler, it’s not needed unless your floors are uneven. But a vapor barrier is recommended over concrete. Again, watch Part 1.

[@nwags357]

Do you operate the heated flooring in the summer months when the A/c is on to take the chill out of the flooring. Or does that radiant into the atmosphere of the basement and conflict with trying to A/C? also, I am probably going to install this when I finish my basement. I was planning on running a couple small electric baseboard heaters for winter months. With this heating system do you feel the heated matts also add heat to the entire area where I may not need the added baseboard heaters. Thank you

[@handydadtv]

You can use underfloor heating as the primary heat source. No need for baseboards. And no need to use it in the summer.

[@nwags357]

@@handydadtv thank you for getting back to me. Did you notice a significant increase in electric bill ? I’m hoping the charges are minimal to not be concerned.

[@handydadtv]

Depends on how much you use it. See handydad.tv/cost-of-radiant-underfloor-heating

[@000blackapple000]

How much? what’s the capital for the project?

[@handydadtv]

Depends on the size of your room.

[@handydadtv]

Watch part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5vUfmCHoKx1ors

[@WPS-se9dq]

Yeah throw’er down hope for the best! I love the video and the series. I miss your yard vids but I know you will be back with some content.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks. This has been one heckuva project!

[@jaandel1]

Do you actually warm the room with those flooring-heating mats ( no heater need it) or its just the luxury feeling to have a heating flooring to walk on barefoot.. great video

[@handydadtv]

Both! The rooms are extremely comfortable with the floors heated just a little.

[@ann-mariewalsh4955]

Hi - I installed heated floor mats under my vinyl plank floor in my outdoor office shed. (I have spray foam insulation between the floor joists.) The WHOLE shed is toasty this winter, there is not one dead cold spot anywhere and not only is the floor warm, all the surfaces are too . . . and I have leaky single pane windows - required due to historic guidelines and I am STILL W-A-R-M!!!

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@skippercaship]

Rubbish dont do it its a con

[@handydadtv]

What exactly is a con? Having a warm basement?

[@jaydog7024]

Great video. Will this work on top of a wood subfloor?

[@handydadtv]

Yes it will.

[@vinnypinatelli221]

Cool video looks like some great products

[@handydadtv]

Thanks

[@thudang3039]

Great work! Thanks for sharing!

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure

[@pixiegirlie09]

Looks awesome!

[@handydadtv]

And feels even better!!

[@grayrider8846]

nice video, your giving me some ideas

[@handydadtv]

A must for cold climates.

[@Mike-hq7mn]

Coming along nice

[@handydadtv]

Thanks. That room is going to be their favorite in the house.

[@LubaLuba1]

I am confused when you say vapor lining and you talking about the built in pad on the planks??

[@handydadtv]

No, my vapor barrier was the liquid epoxy coating that I applied first.

[@LubaLuba1]

@@handydadtvthe plank firing has rubber backing too. How thick is heating wire kinda think it will make planks sit a little uneven?

[@handydadtv]

The wire is only around 1/16”. The flooring has a padded rubber bottom so you really can’t feel the wires.

[@LubaLuba1]

@@handydadtv ok and does it heat up enough?

[@handydadtv]

Absolutely. The rooms are actually too warm if set at the default 82 degrees F. They’ve been lowering them slowly to find the best mix of comfort and economy.

[@ronniecardy]

Looking nice 👌

[@handydadtv]

Thanks. That room is going to be awesome!

[@fatmongo]

Love that Estwing.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks. That was my dad’s.

[@G4IvL30V3R]

Could you let us know how much of increase in the electric bill? This looks like a great idea, love heated floors!

[@handydadtv]

Just wrote this for you... handydad.tv/cost-of-radiant-underfloor-heating

[@heavyflippingrandmasboifir669]

Great video, my question is if it was done on a wooden subfloor would you just lay tile or carpet over the elements?

[@handydadtv]

You’d need to call the company to see if this can be used under carpet. For tile, it’s a different kind of mat like we used in their bathroom: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp-thYisi9mqotU