A heated bathroom floor sounds like a luxury until you've stepped onto one on a February morning in Ottawa. Then it becomes something you won't want to live without. We install electric radiant floor heating systems under tile in bathrooms across Orleans and the surrounding area — primarily using Schluter DITRA-HEAT, which combines an uncoupling membrane with a cable heating system in a single installation.
How In-Floor Heating Works Under Tile
Electric radiant heating uses a thin heating cable installed in the thinset layer beneath your tile. A programmable thermostat controls temperature and schedule. The tile heats from below — radiant heat that warms the floor surface and the room from the ground up, not just the air.
The result is a bathroom that feels warm the moment you walk in, with floors that are comfortable underfoot year-round and genuinely essential through a Canadian winter.
Why We Use DITRA-HEAT
- Combines uncoupling membrane and heating cable in one system — DITRA protects the tile assembly from subfloor movement while the cable provides heat
- Cables sit in preformed channels in the membrane, ensuring uniform spacing and consistent heat distribution across the floor
- Compatible with porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone tile
- Works over concrete slab and wood subfloor construction
- Manufacturer warranty on the heating cable
- Thinner profile than mat-based systems — minimal floor height impact
The Installation Process
Here is exactly what happens when we install a heated floor:
- Subfloor is assessed and prepared — flatness corrected where needed
- DITRA-HEAT membrane is installed in thinset across the floor area
- Heating cable is laid into the membrane channels at the specified spacing for your room size
- Cable is tested with an ohm meter before any tile goes down — we confirm it's intact
- Tile is set over the assembly using appropriate large-format-rated thinset
- Thermostat wiring is connected at the wall (electrical rough-in done by your electrician prior to our work)
- Final ohm test confirms cable survived the installation — no surprises after grouting
What You Need Before We Arrive
Heated floor systems require a dedicated electrical circuit. Your licensed electrician needs to run the circuit and rough in the thermostat location before we install. We coordinate timing so the electrical is ready when we are — no delays, no overlap. We can advise on thermostat placement if you're not sure where it should go.
Adding Heated Floors to an Existing Bathroom
Heated floors can only be added when tile is being replaced — the system goes beneath the tile, so there's no way to retrofit it without removing the existing floor. If you're already replacing tile, the cost to add DITRA-HEAT is a fraction of what it would cost to do it as a separate project later. We recommend clients consider it at the quote stage for any bathroom tile replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are heated floors expensive to run in Ottawa?
A typical bathroom-sized system (50 sq ft) running 2 hours per morning costs roughly $0.50–$1.00 per day depending on your electricity rate. Most homeowners use programmable thermostats to run them on a morning schedule only. The cost is low enough that most people consider it a non-issue once they experience the result.
What tile works best with heated floors?
Porcelain and ceramic tile conduct heat efficiently and are the best choices. Natural stone works but has lower thermal conductivity — thicker stone tiles take longer to heat up. We'll advise on tile selection as part of the heated floor consultation.
How long does heated floor installation add to a project?
DITRA-HEAT adds roughly half a day to a standard bathroom floor installation. It's a straightforward system once the electrical is in place — the added time is well worth the result.