Cold floors are the quickest way to make a room feel uncomfortable, especially through long Toronto winters. Radiant floor heating solves this by warming surfaces first, so you feel cozy at lower thermostat settings. Whether you’re renovating a compact bathroom, finishing a basement, or planning a main‑floor refresh, this guide explains the two main systems (electric and hydronic), where each shines, how to build the floor correctly, and the details that separate a luxury upgrade from an everyday frustration.

Radiant 101: How It Heats (and Why It Feels So Good)

Radiant floors warm the mass of the floor, which then gently radiates heat to your body and the room. This reduces drafts and eliminates cold‑spot complaints from forced air alone. In older semis and basements with chilly slabs, radiant is one of the most comfort‑per‑dollar upgrades you can make.

Electric vs. Hydronic: The Fast Comparison

Electric (cables or mats)

• Best for: Bathrooms, small kitchens, entries, individual rooms under ~150–200 sq ft.
• Pros: Quick to install, thin build‑up, precise thermostats, great for renovations.
• Consider: Runs on electricity; plan circuit capacity and GFCI protection.

Hydronic (water in PEX tubing)

• Best for: Larger areas, whole‑level heating, basements and additions, or when tying into a boiler or heat pump.
• Pros: Efficient across big zones, flexible energy source (boiler, air‑to‑water heat pump, combi system).
• Consider: Higher upfront complexity (manifolds, pumps, mixing valves), thicker assemblies, and careful design.

Where Radiant Makes the Biggest Difference

• Bathrooms & en-suites: Electric mats shine – fast warm‑up, easy zoning, perfect under porcelain tile. Pair with our Bathroom Waterproofing & Tile Guide.
• Basements: Hydronic or electric over a floating subfloor panel to cut slab chill; great for media rooms and offices. Consider dehumidification if the space is closed tight – see our Basement Waterproofing Guide.
• Main‑floor additions & kitchens: Hydronic loops can handle larger zones and open concepts without noisy floor registers.
• Entries & mudrooms: Electric strips under porcelain help dry salt and slush – pair with our Mudroom & Entryway Guide.

Build the Floor Right: Layers & Thermal Breaks

Radiant floors are only as good as the assembly below them.

• Thermal break over slab: On basements or ground floors, include rigid foam or an insulated panel system before heating layers. This pushes heat upward into the room instead of the ground.
• Uncoupling membranes: For tile, set cables into an uncoupling membrane to reduce cracking and make layout clean.
• Self‑leveling underlayment (SLU): For LVP or engineered hardwood installs, bury cables/PEX in SLU to create a flat, protected surface.
• Moisture & air control: Seal penetrations, and for basements, ensure a poly-vapour barrier under the slab or above the subfloor per design. Pair with a quiet bath fan in adjacent spaces.

Floor Coverings: What Plays Nicely with Radiant

• Best: Porcelain/ceramic tile and stone – high conductivity, excellent warmth.
• Great: LVP and many engineered hardwoods rated for radiant (mind manufacturer temp limits, typically 27–29°C surface max).
• Use with caution: Thick solid hardwood, high‑R carpets and pads; they insulate the heat. If using area rugs, choose low-pile and keep sizes modest.

Controls, Zoning, and Smart Integration

• Dedicated stats: Use programmable thermostats with floor sensors; keep floors comfortable and protect finishes.
• Zoning: Bathrooms on their own schedule; basements as one or two zones; large hydronic systems split by room function.
• Smart home: Tie stats into your scenes (e.g., Morning, Away) – see our Smart Home & Prewiring Guide.
• Safety: Ground‑fault protection for electric, mixing valves, and maximum temperature limits for hydronic to protect floors.

Electrical & Mechanical Planning

• Electric systems: Confirm breaker capacity and GFCI requirements. Multiple small rooms often share a subpanel space
• Hydronic systems: Plan manifold location, circulator pumps, and mix temps (often 35–45°C supply). If you’re heat‑pump curious, an air‑to‑water heat pump can feed low‑temperature radiant efficiently.

Retrofit vs. New Build

• Retrofit bathrooms: Electric mats or cables add ~3–10 mm build‑up plus thinset, easy under tile.
• Whole‑level hydronic: Best planned alongside new subfloors or slab work (underpinning or additions).

Operating Costs & Comfort Tips (High‑Level)

• Radiant works best as a steady background heat: avoid frequent on/off swings.
• Use setbacks wisely. Short, shallow setbacks in electric small rooms; minimal setbacks for hydronic mass floors.
• Upgrade the envelope (air sealing, attic insulation, windows) for maximum benefit – see our Attic Insulation Guide and Windows Guide.

Common Mistakes We Prevent

• Skipping insulation under the heated layer – Heat disappears into the slab.
• No floor sensor – Leads to overheated tile or wood.
• Poor layout around toilets and vanities (cold toes where you stand).
• Incompatible flooring (high‑R pad) or exceeding the manufacturer’s temperature limit.
• Hydronic loops are spaced too wide, causing striping and uneven warmth.

Budget Tiers to Plan Around

Good
Electric radiant in a bathroom: cable or mat set in thinset/uncoupling membrane, programmable thermostat with floor sensor, and clean tile install.

Better
Electric radiant in multiple rooms or a large ensuite: SLU pour for flatter floors, Wi‑Fi thermostats, and integration with lighting scenes.

Best
Hydronic radiant for a basement or main‑floor zone: insulated panel system, manifold with mixing and zoning, smart controls, and finished with tile/LVP/engineered hardwood.

Our Process at JG Contracting

1. Assessment: Measure heat loss factors, floor heights, and finish choices.
2. Design: Choose electric vs. hydronic, set zones, and coordinate electrical/mechanical.
3. Build: Prep, insulation, heating layer, SLU or thinset, and finish flooring; documented with photos.
4. Commissioning: Sensor checks, thermostat programming, and homeowner training.

Related reading on our blog

• Bathroom Waterproofing & Tile 2025
• Basement Underpinning & Lowering 2025
• Attic Insulation & Air Sealing 2025
• Windows That Work in Toronto 2025

Ready for Warm Floors (and Happier Mornings)?

From single‑room comforts to whole‑level upgrades, we’ll design a radiant solution that fits your home and budget.

Ready to transform your home? Contact us today to book a consultation.

📞 Call us at: 437-259-9632

✉️ Email us at: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com

🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com