Why people want them here
Most Valley homes sit on a concrete slab, and tile laid on concrete takes on the temperature of the slab. From about late fall through early spring, that floor is cold under bare feet first thing in the morning. People who feel the cold more, including many older adults, notice it most.
A heated floor warms the tile itself. It is not meant to heat the room.
How it works
- A thin electric heating mat or cable is set under the tile, on top of the slab.
- A wall thermostat with a timer controls it, so it can warm up before you get up and shut off afterward.
- It needs electrical capacity. In older homes we check the panel and the bathroom circuit first, and new wiring means a permit, which we pull.
- It goes where you stand and walk. We do not run it under the vanity or the toilet.
When it is worth it and when it is not
| Worth it | Skip it |
|---|---|
| The floor is already being replaced | Your current floor is in good shape and staying |
| Cold tile bothers you or your spouse | You are away all winter |
| It is the primary bathroom you use every morning | It is a guest bathroom that is seldom used |
| You are building a higher-end bathroom and want it complete | The budget is tight and safety items come first |
If you have to choose, spend on the shower entry, grab bars and slip-resistant tile before the heated floor.
Cost with us
The heating has to go in before the tile, so we install it as part of a remodel, not on its own. A heated tile floor is included in the top package of our full bathroom remodel, which runs $18,500 to $60,000, and in the upper packages of our primary bathroom remodel, $32,000 to $95,000. It is an option on the top vanity and tile package, within $4,500 to $12,000. Your written price lists it as its own line so you can decide with the number in front of you.
Key facts
- Need or comfort?
- Comfort. Most useful late fall through early spring
- Best time to add
- When the floor is already being replaced
- Type
- Electric mat under tile with a timer thermostat
- Full bathroom remodel
- $18,500–$60,000
Related questions
Where we do this work
Services: Full Bathroom Remodel · Master Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom remodeling in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, and across the Valley.