Comparing her process to an artist compiling an album, Kelli Fontana ensures that each unique space remains in conversation with the home as a whole. Featuring exquisite tile throughout, The Eden Project is a masterclass in home design. Read on to tour these picture-perfect spaces and discover the curated choices that brought the dream home to life.

All images: Design by West Bay Homes.

A Pantry Prepped for Perfection

Off the main kitchen (shown in the above photo), the pantry offers a private space that works as hard in the style department as it does for food prep. Continuing the warm, neutral palette of its culinary counterpart—notably the white-beige marble backsplash and blonde wood cabinets—the pantry features cream-colored shelving and Nuovo Riad Bianco and Nuovo Riad Creme wall tile in a freestyle checkerboard-inspired design.

While the tile arrangement feels delightfully spontaneous, this sense of ease required careful planning. The installer meticulously mapped out a 60/40 mix of Bianco (white) and Creme (beige), numbering each shade variation in the handmade-look tile to ensure a precise distribution of color. The thoughtful execution achieves tonal harmony within an ostensibly random layout.

This chic design extends past the upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling, amplifying the height of the hardworking space. The soft tones and glossy finish reflect natural light, filling the room with warmth. It’s almost a shame to hide such a stunning space behind its cleverly concealed pocket door!

Featuring: Nuovo Riad Bianco and Nuovo Riad Creme.

MORE TO EXPLORE: KITCHENS

Inspiring Kitchen Tile Ideas

Small Kitchen Floor Tile Ideas

Small Kitchen Backsplash Tile Ideas

Elegant & Enchanting: The Twin Stars Bath

On the upper level, the Jack-and-Jill bathroom connects the guest bedroom and playroom and is designed specifically for visiting nieces and nephews. Bursting with personality, this space makes it hard to pinpoint a single “star.” Is it the whimsical, woodsy wallpaper or the charming Kit-Kat Forest tile showcased on the sink backsplash? Perhaps, as they complement each other so wonderfully, they are twin stars—the Jack and Jill, if you will—of this delightful room, providing the perfect balance of playfulness and sophistication.

Through the glass-walled shower, we can see that the gorgeous, undulating green tones of the handmade-look mosaic tile are carried across the room. Creating a sense of organic movement, the tile’s rich shade variation evokes hand-drawn lines—reminiscent of a neatly colored page in a sketchbook, but with precision alignment that lends stylish finesse. A fine DURAL Plus Gold 24K pencil liner outlines the shower niche and the edge of the bench—a refined detail that elevates the space, while maintaining its playful nature.

On the floor, the USA-made Moonstone Off White tile, in 12″ x 24″ large format (main bathroom) and Picket (shower), grounds the space in muted off-white tones. This stone-look porcelain features subtle movement through delicate white veining, while the white grout highlights the shower mosaic’s elongated hex shape and provides essential traction.

Featuring: DURAL Plus Gold 24K, Moonstone Off White, Moonstone Off-White Picket and Home Kit-Kat Forest.

A Laundry Room Awash In Luxury

Lovely enough to make you look forward to laundry, the Alison Victoria Malibu Edit Matador tile (also available in Pointe Dume [blue] and Pescador [white]) transforms this utilitarian space into a standout design moment. The marble mosaic’s vibrant veining and vivid tones continue the upper level’s organic green-and-wood theme, though its distinct, rounded shape offers a beautiful contrast to the linear tiles showcased in the previous room.

When she originally fell in love with this tile in the showroom, Janelle saw it oriented with the wider portion at the bottom. While Kelli confirmed that the tile would look beautiful either way, they ultimately decided to install it wide-end-up to draw the eye toward the ceiling and create a sense of upward movement. The choice of a dark grout enhances the sense of drama and highlights the stone’s natural features (though, if you want to emphasise the unique shape, you could use a white grout).

Let this be a reminder not to overlook these “workhorse” spaces. Though they aren’t always guest-facing, bringing beauty into the rooms where you spend time on everyday tasks makes every day a little more joyful.

Featuring: Alison Victoria Malibu Edit Matador.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Charming & Cheery Laundry Room Tile Ideas

Only the Best for the Guests

It is a testament to Janelle’s hospitality that she chose her favorite tile for her guest bathroom. Showcasing our best-selling Coco Canvas glossy tile (also available in matte), this sumptuously tranquil space proves that you can create an exquisitely invigorating tableau with a limited neutral palette.

The handmade-look subway tile features lush shade variation, with undulating beige tones that infuse the walls with an exhilarating sense of movement. Installed in a vertical offset, the layout enhances the shower’s height and the tile’s tonal shifts. While Janelle and Kelli originally considered tiling the entire wall, they ultimately decided on a half-wall in the main area to add visual variety. This resulting horizontal line makes the space feel wider, while the solid cream-painted wall above provides a visual reprieve, allowing the tile to remain the true focal point.

White groutlines pull out the tile’s crispest tones and create a visual throughline to the tub and white countertop. To ground the room, neutral medium-brown wood cabinets and accessories echo the beige variations in the stone. Finally, gold fixtures introduce a warm metallic note that—much like the glossy tile—reflects the light to brighten the space. This mix of warm and cool neutrals results in a chic, contemporary design with timeless appeal.

On the floor, Arctic White Large Herringbone mosaic tile zigzags across the room. The creamy white marble features minimal shade variation, though its nuanced veining adds subtle movement. The small-format mosaic provides plenty of grout lines for essential traction, making it as safe as it is beautiful. While the main floor uses the larger herringbone, the shower floor utilizes the Arctic White Small Herringbone, creating a minute visual distinction between the two spaces. Installed with a complementary grout, the floor is elegantly unassuming, yet abundant in natural detail.

Featuring: Coco Canvas Glossy, Arctic White Large Herringbone and Arctic White Small Herringbone.

SHOP TILE BY TYPE

Perfectly imperfect handmade look

Marvelous marble

Beautifully intricate mosaic

The Primary Suite: Universal Design, Effortless Style

For her primary bath, Janelle wanted a peaceful retreat to start her mornings with intention and unwind after a long day. This bathroom is a masterclass in universal design—full of smart choices that ensure the space remains as functional as it is beautiful for years to come.

Large format, marble-look porcelain tile paves the walls and bathroom floor, offering a luxurious aesthetic that is easy to maintain. Minimal grout lines make the large space feel even more expansive. The polished Simona White wall tile offers a smooth, slightly reflective surface that brightens the shower, while the matte Livingstone Bianco floor tile provides necessary slip resistance. Inside the shower, the coordinating Livingstone Bianco mosaic (also matte) adds even more grip through a dense web of grout lines. The curbless, walk-in shower is wide enough to accommodate mobility aids if needed, and adjustable showerheads make the bathing experience effortless.

These clever features don’t sacrifice an ounce of style. The crisp white stone-look tiles, with their cool grey and warm taupe veining, create a pleasing, contemporary palette. Gold fixtures pop against the creamy white walls, and a band of Hampton Carrara Somerset trim punctuates the design, caping the half-wall and carrying through to the shower. Using trim is an excellent way to incorporate natural stone details, helping any space feel more finished and elevated.

Featuring: Livingstone Bianco, Livingstone Bianco Mosaic, Hampton Carrara Polished Somerset and Simona White.

MORE TO EXPLORE: BATHROOMS

Bold & Beautiful Bathroom Tile Ideas

Ideas to Equip Your Bathroom for Aging in Place

Ultra-Stylish Neutral Shower Tile Ideas

Powder Room Haute Couture

Fashion-forward and naturally appealing, the main-floor powder room is brimming with lush, natural details. The Kelli Fontana Chain Reaction Black on Black wall tile features interlocking pieces of polished marble against a matte marble background. These polished marble “chains” catch the overhead light, creating a sense of depth within the small space. Inspired by luxury fashion, the tile evokes high-end, tailored elegance. Installed vertically, the floor-to-ceiling tile pairs with an oversized arched mirror and vertical woodgrain to emphasize the home’s soaring ceilings.

The marble countertop adds another layer of visual texture, its dramatic veining offering a fluid contrast to the linear grain of the wood walls. Together, these elements create a unique twist on biophilic design—a style that celebrates the colors and forms of the natural world. Even without traditional botanicals, this space “blooms” through its masterful use of organic materials, textures and shapes.

Featuring: Kelli Fontana Chain Reaction Black on Black.

I think of myself as an artist, and every home as an album—a new version of my design. —Kelli Fontana

Tonally In Tune: A Moody Basement Escape

Drenched in warm brown tones, the basement provides a cozy escape—perfect for unwinding after a long day or for a lively gathering with friends. The focal point of this chic space is the central fireplace, featuring fluted wood-look Violin Decor tile. The tile’s vertical grooves draw the eye upward, emphasizing the room’s height, while the wrap-around installation unifies the space, echoing the light brown tones of the sofa and built-in wooden bar. A sleek line of DURAL Black Matte metal pencil trim outlines the firebox–a subtle detail that adds a layer of elevated sophistication.

Though this space is considerably darker than the airy spaces on the upper floors, the rich neutral tones and natural textures keep it in conversation with the rest of the home. Chocolate brown walls envelop the room in comforting serenity, making the expansive space feel intimate. The honeyed wood and wood-look tile recall the organic details sprinkled throughout the home, while the cream-colored chairs, illuminated by a gorgeous glass chandelier, echo the ivory and cream tones of the bathrooms and pantry.

Featuring: Violin Decor and DURAL Black Matte.

DISCOVER TILE FOR EVERY STYLE

Biophilic Design

Quiet Luxury

Transitional Design

The Wellness Hall: A Restorative Final Note

Located off the basement lounge, you’ll find one of the most-used spaces in the house. The wellness hall was designed to accommodate a request from Janelle’s husband for an in-home sauna. Providing the couple a place to relax and reconnect after a long day, the sauna and adjoining changing area feature lavish details that both stimulate and soothe the senses.

Mimicking the look of cut agate, the Riyadh Jade wall tile* fills the space with dramatic movement in warm brown, cool grey, and ivory tones. On the floor, the Queen Beige Cobble marble mosaic tile enhances the spa-like experience with organic natural stone details in a smooth cobblestone design. The intricate web of grout lines provides essential traction, while in-floor heat installed beneath the tile keeps the room warm and toes toasty during frigid Minnesota winters.

*This tile is no longer available; achieve a similar look with Lafaenza Oro Oceano tile.

Rejuvenating and restorative, the in-home spa continues the warm neutrals and natural details that make this home feel cohesive, even as each space remains distinct. If this house is an album, this is the perfect note on which to end. We hope you have enjoyed our tour of The Eden Project and found inspiration to help envision your own dream space.

Featuring: Queen Biege Cobble. The Riyadh Jade wall tile is no longer available. Achieve a similar look with Lafaenza Oro Oceano or select from our expansive selection of marble look tile.

MORE TO EXPORE: HOME TOURS

West Bay Homes’ Sun Coast Estate

Julie Howard’s “Storybook” Estate

Nikki Chu’s Neutral-Luxe Total-Home Reno

Let’s Create a Space You’ll Love!

Every space deserves good design. Schedule a free in-person or virtual design consultation, and let our friendly experts help bring your vision to life.

The post A Step Inside: The Eden Project by West Bay Homes appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Modern Farmhouse

1. Reduce Noise With Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Affordable luxury vinyl flooring offers the timeless look of wood or stone with exceptional durability, making it a perfect choice for your barndominium. With wear layers up to 28 mil., luxury vinyl planks help absorb noise while providing comfort underfoot. Easy to install and maintain, this versatile flooring comes in a wide range of realistic wood and stone designs to match your style. Plus, because it’s a 100% waterproof material, it’s ideal for bathrooms and entryways. (Thinking about a DIY project? Read our complete guide on How to Install Vinyl Flooring to learn more.)

2. Choose Laminate Flooring for Easy Installation

Like luxury vinyl, laminate is a durable, easy-to-install, and low-maintenance flooring option that replicates the look of real wood. The key difference between the two is water resistance: laminate is not a waterproof material, so we recommend avoiding it in spaces like bathrooms, laundry rooms, outdoor spaces, or anywhere else where floors will experience exposure to high amounts of moisture. Available in a variety of wood-look designs—including herringbone patterns—laminate flooring offers both beauty and affordability.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Laminate Flooring Buying Guide

3. Showcase Your Personality With Patterned Tile

If wood isn’t your style—or if you want to distinguish a specific area of your barndo—patterned tile offers a stylish solution. From floral to geometric, these designs let you showcase your personality and unique aesthetic. In this charming barndo mudroom designed by @plmdesignsllc, Laura Ashley Mr Jones Charcoal tile adds character with its whimsical floral pattern, inspired by the iconic British brand’s textiles. Explore our wide selection of patterned tile to find the perfect look for your space.

4. Add Distinction With Natural Stone

While synthetic materials deliver style, durability and affordability, natural stone brings a one-of-a-kind character to your space—perfect for adding distinction to a prefab barndominium. In this @saramoltumyr-designed space, the natural beauty of Andoni Black slate tile creates a striking focal point. Like man-made tile, stone is a hard material, so it won’t absorb noise as effectively as vinyl or engineered hardwood. However, when used in an entryway, it sets a sophisticated, welcoming tone.

5. Protect Your Floors With Wood-Look Tile

Waterproof and scratch-resistant, wood-look porcelain or ceramic tile delivers both style and durability. Ideal for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms or entryways, it’s even suitable for showers and wet rooms—allowing you to bring the warmth of wood into spaces where real wood isn’t practical. However, because tile is a hard material, it won’t absorb noise as effectively as luxury vinyl or hardwood, making it a better choice for secondary rooms rather than main living spaces.

6. Extend the Floor With Versatile Cement-Look Tile

Cement is a popular flooring choice for barndominiums, but if you’d prefer to avoid the upkeep of regular sealing, cement-look tile (like the Softcement Graphite tile shown here) provides a stylish, durable and low-maintenance alternative. It’s also more versatile than cement, giving you the option to extend the look onto walls—or even a half-wall, as seen in this chic industrial-style bathroom designed by West Bay Homes.

7. Add Natural Beauty With Engineered Hardwood

Sustainable, durable and easy to install and maintain, engineered hardwood delivers natural beauty in a modern format. Consisting of a real wood veneer and a composite eucalyptus core (up to 15 mm thick), it also helps absorb sound, reducing echo in your open-plan barndominium. This makes it an excellent flooring solution for your great room, especially if you want to bring a natural element into your home.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Engineered Hardwood vs. Solid Hardwood: How They’re Different

8. Keep Comfortable With In-Floor Heat

Luxury vinyl, laminate, tile, stone and engineered hardwood all share one key advantage: compatibility with in-floor heat. A barndominium’s large, open footprint can make heating more challenging, but heated floors provide added warmth and comfort from the ground up—keeping your space cozy even during the coldest months.

Finding the perfect flooring for your barndominium is easier than you think! Shop our wide assortment of engineered wood, luxury vinyl and tile for every budget and style. Need more assistance? Visit your local Tile Shop showroom, where you’ll find the flooring, tools and expert advice you need to get started.

The post 8 Barndominium Flooring Ideas that Combine Comfort & Style appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Porcelain and Ceramic

Porcelain and ceramic tile have excellent heat transfer properties and are generally thin, which will make your floor heat faster. Porcelain tile is less porous than ceramic, making it more water resistant. For areas prone to wetness, such as bathrooms, entryways and mudrooms, porcelain tile is a perfect choice.

Natural Stone

Natural stone, like travertine and marble, is a great option for a heated tile floor. Natural stone tiles tend to be slightly thicker than porcelain and ceramic, so it might take them longer to heat up. The upside is, that they will retain the heat longer than man-made tiles.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Luxury vinyl tile works well with in-floor heat, and it’s easy to install, making this the perfect choice for a DIY project. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to wood or stone, luxury vinyl tile is a great option.

Have a question about installing an in-floor heating system? We’ve put together some in-floor heat FAQs and a comprehensive guide to in-floor heating systems.

Ready to get your feet toasty with in-floor heat? Set up a free design consultation to get advice from our tile experts.

The post The Best Tiles for Heated Floors appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Are you considering installing in-floor heat in your home? We’re here with answers to your FAQs about installing a SunTouch in-floor heating system.

For more detailed information, check out this comprehensive guide to in-floor heat. Or visit your local store and speak to a friendly tile expert about the best under tile floor heating option for you.

What makes the floor warm?

The heat comes from a cable installed under your flooring. The WarmWire cable warms up and transfers heat to the floor, which then transfers heat to the rest of the room.

What’s the best room for in-floor heat?

You can heat virtually any room, but bathrooms are most common followed by kitchens, entryways and mudrooms. You can even install it in a great room or basement.

What type of flooring works best for in-floor heat?

Tile and stone are great options, as they naturally conduct heat. Additionally, our entire selection of luxury vinyl flooring is compatible with in-floor heat. Carpet, rubber and cork floors will not heat as well as other materials.

Will in-floor heat save me money on my electricity bill?

The heat from your in-floor heating unit will warm people and objects directly without over-heating the air, so you can set your thermostat lower and still be warm.

Can I install in-floor heat in my shower?

Yes! SunTouch Warmwire works great in showers!

How do I control my in-floor heat?

Install your SunTouch heat cable with a SunStat programmable control. Controllers allow you to adjust the heat to your liking, and some even allow 7-day scheduling.

How much does a heated tile floor cost?

The cost will depend on the the square footage of your room and the type of controller you choose. View our full assortment of SunTouch products to decide what will work best for you.

Ready to get your feet toasty with in-floor heat? Set up a free design consultation to get advice from our tile experts.

We love seeing your spaces! Share your next project by tagging us @thetileshop on Instagram or uploading it directly to our Customer Room Gallery (you can find even more design inspo there, too)!

The post In-Floor Heat: Your Questions Answered appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

In-floor radiant heat is the perfect way to create a luxurious, spa-like feel in your home that will provide years of comfort in all climates. Our premium selection of SunTouch products offers everything you need to warm up your space without significantly increasing your monthly bill. You can effortlessly run the system through a programmable thermostat ensuring you get the benefit of in-floor heat when you’re home while being able to save money when you’re not. Learn the basics about in-floor heat and what installation method might be right for you!

Why Heated Floors?

• Tile holds ambient temperatures; it is a great conductor for heat, giving the area a warmer feel
• It eliminates the need for rugs or slippers
• It increases the investment value of a home as a premium add-on that provides years of luxury
• It creates a cozier home environment that “softens” tile as a flooring surface

What To Consider

What do you want your in-floor heat to do for you?

The spacing of the heat cable determines the way your in-heat works and feels. Tighter spacing of the heat cable warms the floor up quickly and creates more radiant heat, while wider spacing offers a gentle warmth that can be enjoyed even with the air conditioner running at the height of summer.

What will it be installed over?

Before installing in-floor heat, it is important to understand what type of surface you will be installing it over. This can tell you how much of an affect the temperature will have on the floor and also how long it will take to warm up. In general, more insulated floors allow for a greater increase in floor temperature than floors that are less insulated.

The base can also help you decide the best wire spacing. For example, a concrete slab will hold the cold temperature and because it is so dense, will take a much longer time to heat up. In this case, you might want to lay the wires closer to help shorten the time it takes to heat up.

In above-ground applications, where there is insulated air space on wood floor sheeting, the heat will easily radiate upward. On concrete or steel, it takes a lot of energy just to warm the substrate, so installing special insulating paneling underneath the wire will prevent wasted energy heating the substrate. Thinking about the efficiency of your in-floor heat during the install dramatically increases the enjoyment—and value—of the final result.

Requirements of Installation

Know how much space you want to heat. To figure out the amount of heat wire needed, follow these simple steps:

1. Start by figuring out the square footage of the entire room.
(ie.: 8′ x 12′ = 96 sq. ft.)

2. Subtract unheated areas from the total square footage. Any areas where there is furniture (ie.: vanity) or that are unoccupied should not be heated. (ie.: If the total square footage that will be occupied by furniture is 22 sq. ft, then 96 sq. ft. – 22 sq. ft. = 74 sq. ft.)

3. Multiply the total square footage by 90%.
(ie.: 74 sq. ft. x 0.9 = 66.6 sq. ft.)

4. Round to the nearest heat cable size because you cannot cut the wire.
(ie.: 66.6 sq. ft. = 70 sq. ft.)

Choose the best way to secure the wire. Here are two of the most common methods:

Embed the wire in a membrane:
This works as both a method to secure the wire as well as acting as an uncoupling underlayment that allows you to tile immediately. It can be layered directly over the entire subfloor, making it possible to install electric heating even on tricky substrates like wood and level concrete with hairline cracks present. Once this underlayment and heating wire are in place, you’re all set to start installing your tile on top of it.

Embed the wire in self-leveling underlayment:
The heated wire is strung between and secured by straps running the length of the room. This method does not provide an underlayment for the project. This means that prior to tiling, you must cover it with at least 3/8″ of self-leveling underlayment to embed the wire and ensure that it is not damaged during the tiling process.

A thermostat to control the system.

Depending on your desired point and the capabilities you would like, there are different thermostat options. Programmable and non-programmable options are available to fit any of your needs.

Electrical considerations.

When running the heat wire, you can assume that the wire will draw 1 Amp for every 10 square feet.  So, for 120-volt circuits only up to 150 square feet is recommended to be installed per circuit. For spaces from 150-300 square feet, a single 240-volt circuit can be used, but anything larger than 300 square feet will require multiple circuits. Also, it is recommended to have a dedicated circuit for your in-floor heat due to the amount of power that it will draw. This ensures that there is no need to sacrifice warm floors for being able to use a hair dryer! As always, we recommend referring to a licensed electrician for specific questions or concerns.

Installation

Disclaimer: This is not a step-by-step guide to install in-floor heat. For specific installation recommendations, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or consult with a professional before installing. The following is what you can expect during installation.

Measure and Plan

The spacing for the heat wire will depend on many factors including the subfloor, location, and installation method. General guidance is provided assuming there is a 3″ spacing. Areas with exterior walls or those with a greater desire for warmth may be spaced 2.5″ – 3″. Areas such as hallways, entryways, and areas with low heat loss may be spaced 3″ – 3.5″.

Always plan out the wire to ensure than there is no crossover of the wires and that there is enough wire for your project without cutting. Remember, you should never cut a wire as it will result in a system failure. Also, ensure that you mark where built-in furniture, cabinets, fixtures, or baseboards will be so you plan to install around those items.

Prepare the Area

Prepare the floor by sweeping and vacuuming to remove all dust or debris while ensuring that the subfloor meets TCNA requirements. Always test the heat wire with an Ohms Meter prior to installation to ensure that it is working properly.

Lay the Wire

When installing the wire, use a float to press it in to place, keeping it tight but not forcibly stretching it.

If using the membrane method, apply thinset with 1/4″ square trowel to apply the underlayment to the floor and place the wire in the grooves of the cups in the membrane.

If using the self-leveling underlayment method, secure strapping every 2′ – 3′ to the subfloor with adhesive, staples, or nails and place wiring in strapping.

Using the layout that was created during the initial planning, lay the wire to specifications. Be sure to not cut, shorten, or cross the wire. During placement, always use a current metering device. It emits an audible alarm if the wire is damaged during the installation process, and ensures a worry-free installation.

Install the Sensor

Install the included floor sensor at least 11″ from the wall. This must be centered in the cable loop between two heating wires.

It is recommended to install a second back-up sensor, leaving the wires where they can be easily swapped with the first sensor. Though sensors rarely fail, placing a sensor in an alternative location can help overcome environmental factors that might go unnoticed until after installation, like where the sun comes through the window at certain times of the year or a dryer vent that creates heat near where the sensor is placed.

Install the Tile

If using the membrane method, after you place the wire and the sensor, place a layer of thinset as you install tile directly on top of the wire. No self-leveler is needed.

If using the self-leveling underlayment method, after placing the wire, pour at least 3/8″ of self-leveling underlayment to embed the wire. Allow the self-leveling underlayment to fully cure before proceeding with the tile installation. This ensures that the wire will not be damaged when the tile is installed.

Next, connect the power supply and thermostat. Be aware that state or local codes may require electrical components be installed and/or connected by an electrician.

After connecting, conduct a final resistance test to ensure that all electrical components were installed correctly.

Turning on Your In-Floor Heat

You should wait at least 30 days after installing before turning on the in-floor heat. This allows the thinset, grout, or self-leveler to properly cure.

Explore our full collection of SunTouch radiant heated flooring products here.

Things to Remember

Securing the wire:

Once the wire is placed, use a high quality polymer-modified thinset when installing Pro-heat products. Make sure the thinset fully covers the wire when laying the tile.

The wire must be spaced properly and mechanically secured before installing tile; either in an underlayment designed for heat wire or a fully cured self-leveling underlayment bed.

Installing the wire:

The wire cannot be cut shorter to fit any area. It is better to have a smaller amount of heating wire and adjust as needed rather than having it run long. Do not cross or overlap the wire. Any modification or misuse of the heating cable will lead to system failure and ruin the investment in the heating system.

Resistance testing:

If resistance readings do not measure within guidelines at any time, do not proceed with the installation. Contact the manufacturer of your heating cables for help.

For more information on in-floor heat, your local store representative can help you every step of the way. As always, refer to the TCNA requirements and consult with a professional before installing.

The post A Beginner’s Guide to In-Floor Heat appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.