Uncovering Mapeheat

When MAPEI allied with nVent NUHEAT to launch the unique Mapeheat heated flooring solution last year, we were excited by the broad possibilities we knew it could bring, since it wasn’t limited to the traditional application under tile and stone floors.

Surprised? Don’t be. We all know wood doesn’t conduct heat as efficiently as stone or tile, but that didn’t stop us from coming up with a solution that was equally impressive for many other popular flooring options. That’s because combined with nVent’s NUHEAT technology, MAPEI’s Mapeheat systems provide the perfect solution for radiant heat-transfer to work with all these floor types: ceramic tile, porcelain tile, granite, marble, natural stone, laminate/engineered wood floors, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP).

Mapeheat systems provide the perfect solution for radiant-heat transfer to work with many flooring types.

Mapeheat systems provide the perfect solution for radiant-heat transfer to work with many flooring types.

Key to this successful alliance was the fact the NUHEAT technology underwent vigorous testing within all these flooring types to obtain UL certification, and to eliminate the worry of flammability or damage to the substrate or floor coverings.

“The three Mapeheat thermostat options each feature a built-in setting for laminate, engineered wood, or luxury vinyl flooring to prevent the in-floor temperature from exceeding 28°C or 82°F,” explains nVent’s Wally Lo, Product Manager, Floor Heating North America. “Mapeheat Thermo Touch provides 7-day programmability through a touchscreen control. Mapeheat Thermo Connect is WiFi-enabled and designed for today’s “smart home”. It works with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and IFTTT, and comes with a mobile app (iOS or Android) for remote programmability. Meanwhile, Mapeheat Thermo Basic, as its name implies, is the non-programmable option for customers wanting manual on-off-up-down control.”

The three Mapeheat thermostat options each feature a built-in setting to prevent the in-floor temperature from exceeding 28°C or 82°F.

The three Mapeheat thermostat options each feature a built-in setting to prevent the in-floor temperature from exceeding 28°C or 82°F.

What to do to install with Mapeheat

From an installer’s perspective, applying Mapeheat is not that much different from what a contractor would do normally in laying down flooring. Whether using the pre-wired, pre-built Mat or the Membrane and Cable solution, the installation is relatively quick and easy, and doesn’t require any electrician on site before applying the final floor covering. Of course, there are a few key considerations to take before getting started. We need to know:

Which voltage solution is required: 120V or 240V?
What type of thermostat does the client want to use?
What needs to be done for surface preparation?
Which Mapeheat solution (Mat or the Membrane and Cable) best meets the needs of the job, and which specific complementary products are required?

Regardless of which Mapeheat thermostat the customer opts for, we begin by making sure surface preparation needs are met, and that an electrician has confirmed which voltage (120V or 240V) is required. Along with the right MAPEI Keraflex™ mortar, a self-leveling compound may need to be applied, such as Novoplan® or Ultraplan® (MAPEI technical services can help you choose the right products for the job, as well as best-practices guidance).

Now, let’s dig into that last question. Which Mapeheat solution should you choose?

Mapeheat Membrane and Mapeheat Cable solution is suitable for many flooring applications. Mapeheat Mat is pre-built and pre-wired for hassle-free applications.

Flexible Membrane and Cable Solution

If the precise area for coverage may change by the date of install, then you’ll want to go with the Membrane and Cable solution. The lightweight uncoupling crack-isolation and waterproofing Membrane is the highest performing of its kind on the market, even providing vapor management and load support. The radiant floor-heating Cable itself is thin and easy to install within the membrane's patented rounded-square reliefs, without compromising any of the membrane's waterproofing capabilities, so it’s even good for steam showers or wet rooms. The cable is available in 33 lengths to accommodate areas both large and small.

There is also a thermal probe to install, that similarly snaps in low-profile within the membrane. At this stage, we recommend using our Mapeheat Fault Sensor, which simultaneously monitors the hot, neutral and ground wires during installation to warn you of damage.

Hassle-Free Mat Solution

If you’re seeking a more hassle-free application, the pre-built and pre-wired Mat solution makes your installation that much easier. While it is available in 70 sizes, it can also be customized to provide the desired coverage for any area regardless of shape or size, such as areas with curves, angles or obstructions. This can be done in three steps:

Provide an accurate drawing of the area including the full on-site perimeter dimensions, voltage, and desired thermostat location with all obstructions identified (vanities, toilets, vents, etc.).
Submit the drawing to the Mapeheat Customer Care Team at [email protected]. A quote will be provided, including freight and an AutoCAD drawing to confirm the submitted dimensions, within 24 to 48 hours.
Once dimensions are accepted by the customer and payment is confirmed, the Mapeheat Mat will be manufactured in British Columbia within three business days and shipped to the customer.

1 - Trowel mortar. 2 - Roll Mapeheat Mat onto fresh mortar. 3 - Secure the floor sensor probe. 4 – Install tile/stone flooring.

No waiting to apply the final floor coverings, either way

In either application, the wires’ cold leads are left to be connected by a certified electrician once the floor covering is finished, meaning you can go ahead and continue with the next steps of your floor installation right away. For tile and stone floors, a polymer-modified tile mortar option such as Keraflex RS may be immediately applied. This rapid-setting mortar is nonslump for floors, allowing tiles to be grouted in as little as 3 to 4 hours after installation.

For tile and stone floors, a polymer-modified tile mortar option may be immediately applied.

For other floor coverings, a self-leveler such as Novoplan® or Ultraplan® followed by an adhesive is required. For engineered wood flooring, MAPEI offers specially-formulated adhesives such as Ultrabond ECO® 975, Ultrabond ECO 980, or Ultrabond ECO 985, providing the added benefit of sound-reduction. For laminate, luxury vinyl tile, or luxury vinyl plank flooring, check with our Technical Services team for the right Ultrabond ECO solution to use as adhesive.

For engineered wood and and LVT floor coverings, a self-leveler followed by an adhesive is required.

No matter the desired level of technology, size and shape of the room, or type of flooring amongst tile, stone, laminate, engineered wood and luxury vinyl tile/plank floors, MAPEI Mapeheat systems truly can treat your feet in more ways than you may have thought possible. Installers looking for crack-isolation and waterproofing flexibility - or a hassle-free quick installation - face no delays waiting for electricians to certify mid-job before applying the final coverings. And together with technology from nVent NUHEAT, we are able to offer the peace of mind that the Mapeheat Cable comes with our industry-leading customer service and a 25-year limited warranty or lifetime system warranty when used with a complete MAPEI system solution.

ABOUT MAPEI

Established in 1937, MAPEI Group is globally headquartered in Italy with 83 plants in 36 countries. MAPEI is the world-leading manufacturer of mortars, grouts, adhesives and complementary products for installing all types of flooring and wall coverings. The company specializes in developing chemical products for every aspect of construction, from waterproofing and structural strengthening to concrete repairs and tunnel building.

MAPEI Inc.’s Canadian head office is located in Laval, Québec, which also houses an R&D Center of Excellence in Concrete Restorative Systems. Other manufacturing plants are located in Delta, BC, Brampton, ON, and Maskinongé, QC, with a distribution center in Calgary, AB.

MAPEI facilities have been certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. An environmentally conscious manufacturer that reinvests 5% of its revenue into R&D, MAPEI offers training for architects, contractors, installers and distributors through the MAPEI Technical Institute. For more about MAPEI, visit www.mapei.ca or call 1-800-42-MAPEI (1-800-426-2734).