Tile Floor, Kitchen Cabinets, and Nu-Heat

tjbingha

Hello! I have recently gotten a quote from our electrical supply guy and are going to buy some nu-heat electric mats to go under our tile.

A few logistical things: In my previous home, I tiled the floor and then put cabinets, dishwasher, etc in. Perhaps I did this wrong. This time around, the Nu-Heat guys said that they do not heat under cabinets or islands, which makes perfect sense.

So, for my purposes, I want to 1) install my cabinets and island 2) then lay the nu-heat mats 3) tile on top of that. I just want to make sure I have the right process before completing this. Any help would be appreciated...Also please feel free to move if you feel I have in the wrong sections!

Thanks Guys.

Tom

oh'mike

You are making your job tougher than needed--

Install the Nu-Heat and tile before the cabinets and island---tile under the dishwasher---

This method is faster---more accurate( Ever tiled around an island before?)--and leaves the cabinets out of harms way ---and all cabinets are the correct height for appliances.

No grout covered toe kicks---

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Frattman

Trace the layout of the cabinets and island on your subfloor, then subtract a couple of inches all around - this is the dimension of the nu-heat mat that you need. You can either get one custom made, or get multiple pre-sized ones that are available in a little pamphlet or online and piece them together on the floor. The custom one would definitely be easier to install, but perhaps a little more expensive. Install the mat(s) on a subfloor suitable for tile, tile the floor on top of the nu-heat (wall to wall, underneath cabinets), and then install cabinets and appliances.

The Nu-heat mats are easy to install, just remember to position the lead wires close to the box on the wall where the thermostat with be, and make sure there is enough play to snake it up the wall as well. Also be sure to tuck the thermostat wire underneath the mat in an area that doesn't get direct sun, ect . . . it's in the directions. Get yourself a continuity tester that gives an audible alarm if the wire is compromised and hook it up before you even start installation.