5 Best Underfloor Heating Mats for Apartments To Reclaim Your Wall Space
Ditch bulky radiators and reclaim your walls. Our guide reviews the top 5 underfloor heating mats for an efficient, space-saving warmth solution in apartments.
Ever tried to place a bookshelf or a sofa against a wall, only to be blocked by a clunky baseboard heater? That’s the reality in so many apartments, where every square inch of wall space is prime real estate. Electric underfloor heating mats offer a brilliant solution, tucking your heat source invisibly beneath your feet. This simple switch not only adds a touch of luxury but fundamentally changes how you can use your limited space.
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Reclaim Wall Space with In-Floor Heating
The biggest win with in-floor heating is getting your walls back. Those old electric baseboards or bulky wall-mounted radiators dictate your entire furniture layout. They create dead zones where you can’t place furniture, hang art, or install much-needed storage.
By moving the heat source under the floor, you liberate every single wall. Suddenly, that full-length bookshelf fits perfectly. The sofa can sit flush against the wall without becoming a fire hazard. It’s a game-changer for small-space design, giving you freedom and flexibility you didn’t have before.
Electric heating mats are the go-to for this kind of retrofit, especially in apartments. Unlike hydronic systems that require plumbing and a boiler, these mats are thin, relatively easy to install under new flooring, and operate on their own thermostat. They provide a gentle, even heat that rises from the floor, creating a more comfortable and efficient warmth throughout the room.
QuietWarmth Peel and Stick: Easiest DIY Install
If you’re looking for the most straightforward, DIY-friendly option, this is it. QuietWarmth’s system is essentially a large, heated sticker. You unroll the mat, peel off the backing, and stick it directly to the subfloor. It’s that simple.
This system is designed specifically for floating floors like laminate, engineered hardwood, and some types of luxury vinyl. Because it isn’t permanently bonded with mortar, it’s a fantastic choice for renters who want an upgrade without making irreversible changes. Just lay your new floor directly on top.
The trade-off for this simplicity is that it’s not suitable for tile floors. Tile requires a rigid base and needs to be set in mortar, which this peel-and-stick mat isn’t designed for. But for a bedroom or living room project with a floating floor, its ease of installation is unmatched.
SunTouch TapeMat: A Versatile and Reliable Option
Experience year-round comfort with the SunTouch TapeMat, an electric underfloor heating mat that installs easily beneath tile, stone, and laminate. Its thin, open-weave design and cuttable mesh ensure seamless integration and even heat distribution for any room size.
SunTouch is a workhorse in the in-floor heating world. Their TapeMat is a long-standing, reliable product that’s perfect for bathroom and kitchen renovations where you’re laying new tile. It consists of a heating wire woven into a fiberglass mesh, which you roll out over the subfloor.
The mesh design is a key feature. It ensures the heating wire is perfectly spaced for even heat distribution, taking the guesswork out of the installation. You simply embed the entire mat in a layer of thin-set mortar, then lay your tile directly on top. This makes it a permanent, integrated part of your floor assembly.
While it’s a more involved installation than a peel-and-stick mat, it’s the industry standard for a reason. It’s durable, effective, and compatible with almost any tile, from ceramic to natural stone. If you’re already planning to re-tile a floor, adding a SunTouch mat is a relatively small step for a massive comfort upgrade.
ThermoSoft ThermoFloor for Floating Wood Floors
Enjoy warm floors with this 15 sq. ft. ThermoFloor kit, featuring a 3-in-1 underlayment for heating, insulation, and noise reduction. It includes a 3x5 ft. heating mat and a simple manual thermostat for easy temperature control.
Think of ThermoFloor as an all-in-one upgrade for floating floors. It combines a heating element with a high-quality underlayment pad in a single product. This is a huge advantage in apartments, where sound transmission between units is a constant concern.
The integrated pad not only provides a thermal break to direct heat upwards but also offers significant sound dampening. It reduces both impact noise (like footsteps) and airborne sound, making your space quieter for you and your neighbors below. It’s an ideal solution if you’re replacing an old floating floor and want to add both warmth and acoustic insulation.
Like QuietWarmth, ThermoFloor is designed for floating installations of laminate and engineered wood. You simply roll it out, tape the seams, and lay your flooring on top. It’s a clean, efficient system that solves multiple problems at once.
Schluter DITRA-HEAT: The Premium Tiled Floor Kit
Effortlessly control your Schluter DITRA-HEAT-E floor heating with this programmable touchscreen thermostat. It features energy tracking to optimize consumption and a built-in GFCI for enhanced safety.
For those who believe in doing a job once and doing it right, DITRA-HEAT is the gold standard. This isn’t just a heating mat; it’s a complete floor preparation system. It’s the most robust—and most expensive—option on this list, but for good reason.
The system starts with the DITRA-HEAT membrane, a polypropylene sheet with a grid of studs. This membrane serves as an "uncoupling" layer, which means it allows the tile and the subfloor to move independently, preventing cracks in your tile and grout. You then snap the loose heating cable into the studs wherever you want heat, giving you total customization.
This approach offers unparalleled protection for your tile investment and lets you place heat exactly where it’s needed—like in front of the vanity or shower—while saving energy by not heating under a toilet or cabinet. It’s more complex to install, but the result is a bulletproof, long-lasting heated floor that adds significant value and comfort.
MP Global Film: Ultra-Thin for LVP Flooring
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) has become incredibly popular, but its thin profile presents a challenge for many heating systems. That’s where heating film shines. This technology uses a conductive ink printed on a polyester film, creating a heating element that is paper-thin.
This ultra-low profile is its biggest advantage. When you can’t afford to add any extra height to your floor—perhaps due to door clearances or transitions to other rooms—this is your best bet. It adds virtually zero height to the floor assembly.
MP Global’s film is specifically designed to be installed under floating floors like LVP, laminate, and engineered wood. The installation is quick and clean, as you just roll out the film and connect the wires. It’s a modern solution perfectly matched to the demands of modern flooring materials.
What to Check Before You Buy Your Heating Mat
Jumping into an in-floor heating project without a plan is a recipe for frustration. Before you click "buy," run through this checklist to make sure you’re getting the right system for your apartment.
- Flooring Compatibility: This is non-negotiable. Is your chosen mat designed for tile, laminate, LVP, or something else? Using the wrong mat under your flooring can void warranties and lead to system failure.
- Power Requirements: Most of these systems require a dedicated circuit run from your breaker panel. You must confirm you have an available slot or budget for an electrician to add one. This isn’t a place to cut corners.
- Subfloor Condition: The mat won’t fix a bad subfloor. Ensure your subfloor is clean, level, and free of any screws or nails that could damage the heating elements.
- Total Floor Height: Measure your existing floor height, especially at doorways and transitions. Calculate the added thickness of the heating mat, underlayment, and new flooring to ensure you won’t create a tripping hazard or a door that won’t close.
Installation Tips for Renters and DIYers
For DIYers, the physical installation of most mats is manageable. You can roll out the mat, secure it, and even lay the flooring. However, the final electrical hookup to the thermostat and breaker panel must be done by a licensed electrician. It’s a matter of safety and is often required by law and your building’s code.
Renters should focus exclusively on "floating" systems that don’t permanently alter the subfloor, like QuietWarmth or ThermoFloor. These can theoretically be removed when you move out. Always get written permission from your landlord before starting any project that involves flooring or electrical work. A simple conversation can prevent major headaches down the road.
One pro tip for anyone installing a system: before you cover it with flooring, take detailed photos and measurements of the mat’s layout. Mark the location of the wires on a diagram. This will be invaluable if you ever need to drill into the floor to install something later, preventing a costly and difficult repair.
Switching to underfloor heating is more than just a comfort upgrade; it’s a strategic design choice for small living. By moving your heat source out of sight, you reclaim your most valuable asset—your walls—and gain the freedom to design a space that truly works for you. It’s a manageable project that delivers a more functional, comfortable, and spacious-feeling home.
