The short answer: a Termofol electric underfloor heating kit for floating floors contains the far infrared heating film, connection clips, electric wire, joining tape, butyl tape, a vapour membrane, a step-by-step installation manual and a warranty card. If you choose a thermostat option, you also get the thermostat with floor and room sensors and a protective tube for the sensor. However, two things are not in the box: floor insulation and a crimping tool. You need both for the installation, so plan for them before your delivery arrives.
This guide goes through each part of the kit, explains what it is for, lists what you need to order separately and shows how to pick the kit size and thermostat.
Which floors is the underfloor heating kit for?
We designed our underfloor heating film kits for suitable floating floors, such as laminate, vinyl and engineered wood. The film lies on insulation under the floor, so you do not bond it into anything. Before you order, check that the floor manufacturer approves electric underfloor heating for your floor. Our guide Which flooring is compatible with infrared heating film? covers each floor finish. If you plan to tile the room, you need a heating mat instead. There is a short section on that further down.
What comes in an underfloor heating kit
All four of our film kits, 80, 140, 180 and 220 W/m², contain the same components, so the only difference is the heat output of the film.
| Part | What it is for | In the kit? |
|---|---|---|
| Far infrared heating film | The heating element, 0.33 mm thick and 1 m wide (0.5 m wide on request) | Yes |
| Connection clips | Connect the power wire to the copper strip on the edge of the film | Yes |
| Electric wire | Carries power to the clips on each strip of film | Yes |
| Butyl tape | Seals and protects the electrical connections | Yes |
| Joining tape | Self adhesive tape for sealing and joining during installation | Yes |
| Vapour membrane | A protective cover laid over the heating film | Yes |
| Installation manual and warranty card | Step-by-step instructions for the installation | Yes |
| Thermostat with floor and room sensors, plus a protective tube for the sensor | Controls the heating and limits the floor temperature | Only with a thermostat option |
| Floor insulation | Reduces heat loss into the subfloor; must cover the whole heated area | No, order separately |
| Crimping tool | Presses the clips firmly onto the film | No, order separately |
Each part in a little more detail
The heating film
The film is a thin, flat heating element supplied on a roll, just 0.33 mm thick, so it adds very little height to the floor. It comes in four outputs: 80, 140, 180 and 220 W/m². The 80 W/m² film gives very gentle warmth, with a maximum film temperature of 32°C, while the 180 W/m² film reaches up to 50°C and the 220 W/m² film up to 55°C. Which output suits your room therefore depends on its heat loss, the usable floor area and the floor construction. Our guide How to choose the right infrared heating film output explains the choice in detail.
Connection clips and electric wire
Each strip of film has a copper strip along its edge. You fit the clips to that copper strip. Then you connect the electric wire to the clips. Finally, you press the clips into place with a crimping tool. That is why the tool matters, even though it is not part of the kit.
Butyl tape and joining tape
The two tapes do different jobs. The black butyl tape seals the electrical connections once you have fitted the clips. As a result, it protects them from moisture, dust and accidental contact. The joining tape is a self adhesive tape for sealing and joining during the installation, for example to secure the vapour membrane.
Vapour membrane
You lay the membrane over the heating film as a protective cover between the heating layer and the floor finish, and you secure it with tape.
Thermostat, sensors and protective tube
You can order each kit without a thermostat, or with one of three: the TF-H5 standard thermostat, the TF-H1 touch sensitive thermostat or the TF Wi-Fi thermostat, which you control from a phone or tablet. In addition, with a thermostat option you get floor and room sensors and a protective tube for the floor sensor. The room sensor looks after comfort, while the floor sensor lets the thermostat limit the floor temperature. If you already have a suitable underfloor heating thermostat with a floor sensor, choose the kit without one. All our controls are in smart thermostats and controls.
What you need to order separately
- Floor insulation. Insulation must cover the whole heated area and is not part of the kit. For laminate and wood, choose an underlay such as the 5 mm insulation underlay; for floating vinyl, choose the Supertherm insulation board, which suits exactly that job. See all insulation materials.
- A crimping tool. If you do not have one, use our ratchet crimping tool, which suits fitting the clips to heating film.
- A qualified electrician. A qualified electrician, for example a Safe Electric registered contractor, must make the connection to the mains. We recommend that you book your fitter or electrician only after your delivery has arrived.
If you run short of a part during a larger job, we also sell the clips, wire, tapes and vapour membrane on their own.
Choosing the underfloor heating kit size and the number of thermostats
Kits come in sizes from 1 m² to 30 m² in steps of 1 m², so order the kit that matches the floor area you plan to heat, leaving out areas under fixed furniture and units such as kitchen cabinets, wardrobes or a bath.
One thermostat switches up to 16 A, so the area a single thermostat can control depends on the output of the film. For example, one 16 A thermostat can control up to 38 m² of 80 W/m² film, or up to 17.5 m² of 180 W/m² film. Larger areas need more than one thermostat, and each kit’s product page includes a table showing how many thermostats you need for a given area. Finally, your electrician will plan the circuits and thermostat positions.
Looking for an underfloor heating kit for a tiled floor?
However, you do not lay heating film in tile adhesive. For tiles or stone, choose one of our electric underfloor heating mats. We sell a mat on its own or with a thermostat, and every thermostat option includes a floor sensor. If you are still deciding between the two systems, read heating mat or heating film: which suits your floor?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the underfloor heating kit, or is film on its own enough?
The kit includes the connectors, tapes and membrane needed for installation. Choose heating film on its own only if you already have these accessories and a thermostat.
Is there any difference between the 80, 140, 180 and 220 W/m² kits apart from the film?
No. All four kits contain the same components; only the heat output of the film differs. The number of thermostats you need can change with the output, so check the table on the product page.
Can I get narrower film for a small or awkward space?
Yes. We supply the kits with 1 m wide film as standard, although 0.5 m wide film is available on request. Contact us before you order.
How quickly will the kit arrive?
Delivery is free to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland by courier, usually within 1 to 3 working days.
Order your underfloor heating kit
Start with the 80 W/m² film kit or the 140 W/m² film kit, or compare all four outputs in our underfloor heating film kits. If you are not sure which size or output fits your room, contact Termofol Ireland with your room measurements and we will help you choose.