Radiant and in-floor heating
In-floor heating warms a room from the floor up rather than blowing air across it. It's quiet, there are no vents or radiators, the heat is even, and on a tiled bathroom floor in February it's the single most appreciated upgrade in the house.
The catch is retrofitting. In new construction or a full renovation it's straightforward. Into an existing finished floor, it's a bigger job than most people expect.
The two types
Hydronic (water). Warm water circulated through tubing in or under the floor, fed by a boiler. Efficient for whole-home heating, the right choice for large areas, and works well with a heat pump because it runs at lower temperatures. Higher install cost.
Electric. Heating mats or cable under the floor covering. Much simpler to install and the usual choice for a single bathroom or kitchen. Running cost makes it impractical for whole-home heating at BC electricity rates, but for one room it's excellent.
Retrofitting — the honest version
Into a renovation where the floor is coming up anyway, it's straightforward and comparatively cheap. Add it to the scope.
Into an existing finished floor, you're either lifting the floor or working from below through a crawlspace or unfinished basement ceiling. Working from below is possible for hydronic and adds height-neutral warmth, but it's less responsive.
Adding it on top of an existing floor raises the floor height, which affects door clearances, transitions and skirting. Sometimes fine, sometimes a cascade of other work.
We'll tell you which of those you're facing before you plan around it.
Floor coverings
Tile and stone are ideal — they conduct well and hold heat. Engineered wood works with temperature limits. Solid hardwood is risky (movement) and needs specific product and careful control. Thick carpet and heavy underlay insulate against the heat you're paying for, which somewhat defeats the purpose.
