When market experts identify a double-digit increase in sales, it’s clear that a trend is underway. In the case of commercial buildings, three heating trends have made their way to the top recently. These trends cover the areas of in-floor electric heating and outdoor snow-melting projects, according to a recent industry report by WarmlyYours Radiant Heating.
Electric Floor Heating
Commercial floor heating orders rose 19 percent last year, according to the WarmlyYours report. Typically, professionals think of heated bathroom floors in a high-end hotel when they think about radiant floor heating. While hotels do make up a significant portion of the business, WarmlyYours noted a 1.7 percent increase in floor-heating projects for offices last year as well.
For existing office buildings without an adequate heating system, electric floor heating systems are an ideal option because they don’t take up any floor space, they’re quiet, and they can usually be installed on the building’s existing circuit. They do require that the floor be removed and replaced, however, which makes installation during a remodel or new construction the best option.
Uncoupling Membranes
In parallel with the rise in floor-heating system sales, more contractors are turning to uncoupling membranes when installing electric heating cable. The WarmlyYours report identified a 53 percent increase in sales of uncoupling membranes in 2017, compared to the prior year. The increase in these membranes is due to a number of factors.
These membranes typically consist of geometrically-shaped reliefs (usually square or octagonal) which lay the groundwork for proper installation of the heating cable. Specifically, the reliefs ensure the cable is properly spaced while allowing contractors to quickly and easily install the heating cable by pressing it in between the reliefs in a serpentine pattern. This also allows the installer to have some control over the heat output of the system by adjusting the spacing of the cable (this can typically range from 9 to 12 watts per square foot). The alternative to this method is adhering plastic fixing strips on each side of the room and weaving the cable back and forth, which is more labor intensive on the installer.
In addition to reducing the amount of time it takes the contractor to install the cable, these membranes enable contractors to complete installation of the heating cable and the floor on the same day. This is unique because, without the membrane, the professional would have to wait for the adhesive (thinset or self-leveling cement) to fully cure before installing the tile, which typically takes more than a day, depending on the size of the project.
The membrane also provides long-term benefits for the flooring above via its uncoupling features. First, it ensures the installation surface is flat and stable. Secondly, it prevents cracking in the tile above by providing a barrier between the subfloor and the flooring. Instead of the crack telegraphing upward through the tile, the membrane absorbs the energy and spreads it over a large area, thereby preventing damage.
The membrane also can be waterproofed with additional accessories.
Snow Melting
As electric radiant heating grew in popularity indoors last year, it also made a significant impact outdoors. Sales of 208-volt snow-melting cables increased 32 percent last year, according to WarmlyYours. For commercial applications, 208-volt cable is almost always the product of choice, whereas 120- and 240-volt cables are primarily for residential applications. These 208-volt cables deliver 50 watts per square foot to keep surfaces clear and dry in inclement weather.
Last year, business owners increasingly installed snow-melting systems for courtyards and accessibility ramps at their buildings. The WarmlyYours report noted a 4 percent increase in courtyard projects and a 2.6 percent increase in accessibility ramp projects. These projects allow business owners to eliminate snow plowing and salting for these areas. Plus, they increase safety, and therefore reduce liability, on the property by reducing the chance that a person could slip on snow or ice and injure themselves. These advantages are leading to a growing trend of snow-melting installations in commercial locations.
Whether it’s making a building comfortable, simplifying installation for contractors or increasing safety, it’s clear that radiant heating was hot last year. And according to WarmlyYours, U.S. economic growth in combination with higher national levels of snowfall will only strengthen these trends this year.
Photos and infographic courtesy of WarmlyYours Radiant Heating.
