what thinset to use if you are doubling up ditra layers?

[jaxkewl]

if i decided not to get the custom made nuheat mat, how many can i chain together? kind of like a square, rectangle, square shape for my master bathroom.

also how do you connect from one mat to another to another? do i need a special connector/adapter?


and finally what if there are some parts that will not have any nuheat matting underneath. this spot would be lower than the spot with a mat. so then do i build up the thinset to be level with mat?

[jaxkewl]

anyone?

[bbcamp]

http://www.nuheat.com/support/documents.html

There's an installation manual that says only 3 mats can be wired together in one box. There's also a tech support number to call (1-800-788-9276).

I'm pretty sure that you cannot daisey-chain the mats together. Rather, the wiring for each mat must extend out of the floor to a common box, then to the thermostat. Total wattage must not exceed the rating of the 'stat.

[jaxkewl]

thanks, it wasnt clear to me that individual mats could be 'hooked' up together.

how about areas that have no nuheat mat. do people just build up the thinset or use SLC to make everything level with the areas that do have the mat?

[bbcamp]

Do people just build up the thinset or use SLC to make everything level with the areas that do have the mat?

Yes.

[Dave Taylor]

Here are some quotes from the Nuheat website Bob gave you earlier.

*****************
There are over 60 standard sizes of Nuheat electric floor heating system mats that can be arranged to fit almost any room.

*****************
Nuheat is the only radiant heat system that gives you the option to have custom mats made specifically for rooms with angles or curves.

So.... it kinda' looks like you measure the floor first.... then pick one of sixty Nuheat standard wiring formats that will fit, or have a wiring format custom made.

In either case..... there should be very little (if any) flooring area without Nuheat cabling.

Hope this helps.

[superchunk]

Hey Martin,

Before you get too far in planning, I just wanted to quickly add some things I learned in planning my bathroom floor (from the WarmlyYours folks).

In your layout, you should try to avoid having the wires go under fixtures and cabinets. I know it sounds obvious, but in doing the layout, it can sometimes seem unavoidable and then you end up wondering how much it matters. Apart from the fact that the heat isn't doing you much good under there, the heat can, over time, slowly damage heat sensitive matierals (e.g. laminate cabinet). The wires themselves and ceramic/porcelain (e.g. toilet) will be fine. Also, you should try to keep the wires several inches from the toilet's wax ring - Don't want that softening too much.

[jaxkewl]

excellent, thanks.

[jaxkewl]

typical ditra installation from bottom up would be sublfloor + modified + ditra + unmodified + tiles

how about if I add an extra layer of ditra to bring up the floor height

subfloor + modified + ditra + ?? + ditra + unmodified + ditra.

[bbcamp]

Un-modified is fine.

[ceramictec]

Ditra is only an 1/8" thick...how much do you need to build your floor up ?

[DC_INC]

That is one expensive way to thicken a sub-floor ! You are probably going to run into waves after the install. Be very careful when matting the second layers fleece into the thinset - make sure to use stepping boards on top of the second layer when installing tile.

[ddmoit]

A bunch of us learned back in September that a thicker version of Ditra is in the works.

[ceramictec]

beside the cost you can do it. but if your building up more then a 1/4" I would use either a SLC or 1/4" Hardi and then the Ditra.

like Dan said the Ditra XL will be out soon.

[jaxkewl]

1/8" is all i need in a few spots. i have left over ditra from a previous installation i can use.