Infrared film, heating mat or heating cables – which to choose?

Our customers often wonder which type of electric heating will be the best solution for them. The answer is very simple. If the floor finish is to be a floating floor (laminate panels, vinyl panels, engineered board), the right solution is heating film. If, however, you opt for tiles, you should choose a heating mat, which is installed directly beneath the tiles in a thin layer of adhesive or, in the case of Termofol TF-KGJZ heating cables, in a cement or anhydrite screed. Heating cables offer a greater choice of flooring, as they can be used under porcelain tiles, stone, marble, engineered floorboard, laminate floor panels, vinyl floor panels or any other finishing layer suitable for underfloor heating.

Main differences between heating film and heating mat:

• a heating mat (including TF-KGJZ heating cables) is typically resistive heating, whereas heating film uses the phenomenon of infrared radiation,
• infrared heating film can be cut every 25 cm, whereas the length of a mat's heating cable cannot be changed,
• a heating mat can be laid along irregular surfaces, e.g. on curves,
• a heating mat does not require joints, as is the case with strips of heating film,
• thanks to its construction, heating film ensures an even temperature distribution across the entire surface,
• it is possible to choose the power and width of the heating film,
• the thickness of the film is about 0.3 mm, whereas the diameter of a mat's cable is 3.6 mm and that of Termofol TF-KGJZ heating cables is 4.8–5.6 mm,
• heating film can also be used for ceiling and wall heating, whereas a mat is used only for underfloor heating,
• the manufacturer's warranty on heating film is up to 25 years depending on the model, while on a heating mat it is 25 years.

Check: What is the energy consumption of heating films?