When people are planning a new bathroom, underfloor heating is often high on their wish list. The feeling of a warm tiled floor on a cold winter morning is hard to beat. At the same time, many are discovering that underfloor heating is not just about comfort. Installation, material costs and extensive interventions in the floor construction mean that the solution is not always as obvious as it first seems.
This is one of the reasons why more and more people are starting to look at infrared heating as an alternative. With the right dimensioned infrared heating, it is possible to create a warm and comfortable bathroom without having to tear up floors, affect waterproofing or carry out an extensive renovation.
The same challenges exist in more rooms than just the bathroom
The bathroom is the room most often associated with underfloor heating, but the same need also exists in toilets, guest toilets, laundry rooms, dressing rooms and other spaces with tiled floors. These rooms often have colder floors than other parts of the house, while the humidity is higher.
This means that comfort is affected more than in, for example, a living room or bedroom. A cold tiled floor can make the entire room feel cooler, even when the air temperature is actually high enough. Therefore, the choice of heating system is often especially important in these spaces.
Heated floors are really about comfort
Most people don't choose underfloor heating for the technology. What they're looking for is the feeling of a warm and comfortable room. A bathroom should feel welcoming when you step in in the morning and comfortable when you get out of the shower.
This is also why infrared heating has become such an interesting alternative. Unlike traditional heating systems that primarily heat the air, infrared heating heats people, floors, walls and other surfaces directly. The principle is the same as when the sun warms a cold spring day. The air may still be cool, but the surfaces and the body still experience the heat.
When floors, walls and furnishings become warmer, the entire experience of the room changes. Comfort increases and the temperature is perceived as more even.
Therefore, many experience the same comfort as with underfloor heating.
A common misconception is that you have to choose between infrared heating and heated floors. In practice, it doesn't really work that way.
When the infrared waves hit tiles and other surfaces, the energy is absorbed by the material. The floor then becomes an active part of the heating and radiates heat back into the room. In a correctly dimensioned system, floors, walls and other surfaces often reach a temperature that is very close to the temperature set on the thermostat.
Many people therefore describe the comfort as surprisingly similar to that of traditional underfloor heating. The big difference is that the heat is supplied from above instead of below. You still get a comfortable floor, but without having to build the heating system into the floor structure.
Even temperature throughout the bathroom
One of the biggest advantages of infrared heating is how the heat is distributed throughout the room. Traditional heating systems often heat the air first, causing the warmest air to collect at the ceiling while the floor and walls remain cooler.
With infrared heating, the room's surfaces are heated directly. Floors, walls, ceilings, towels and furnishings become part of the heating system. The result is a bathroom where the temperature is perceived as more even from floor to ceiling and where cold zones are reduced.
Electric underfloor heating is not always the easiest solution
Electric underfloor heating is a well-proven solution that provides high comfort and is appreciated by many homeowners. At the same time, the installation often means that heating cables or heating mats must be built into the floor.
In new construction, this is rarely a problem. In existing bathrooms, however, it can mean that the floor, waterproofing and construction are affected. This makes the project both more extensive and more costly than many initially expected.
For those who want to improve comfort without carrying out a major bathroom renovation, infrared heating can therefore be a very interesting alternative.
Water-based underfloor heating is best suited for new construction
Water-based underfloor heating is energy efficient and is often used in newly built houses. When the house is being built from scratch, it is relatively easy to integrate the pipe system into the construction.
In existing bathrooms, the situation is different. Here, extensive work is often required to install the system, which makes the investment significantly larger. Therefore, many homeowners choose to look at solutions that can be installed without affecting the floor.
The overall economy makes infrared heating an interesting alternative
When comparing different heating systems, it's easy to get caught up in energy consumption. To get a fair picture, you also need to take into account installation, material costs, possible renovation, maintenance and lifespan.
In many bathrooms, toilets and laundry rooms it becomes clear that the total investment plays at least as big a role as the energy consumption itself. This is where infrared heating often shows its strength. The system is easy to install, requires no intervention in the floor and at the same time provides a very high level of comfort.
Perfect for bathrooms, toilets and laundry rooms
Infracenter's infrared heating panels are designed to work in environments where comfort and reliability are particularly important. The slim design means that the panels blend naturally into modern bathrooms while freeing up wall space for furniture and decor.
The high IP rating makes them suitable for bathrooms, toilets, laundry rooms, spa facilities, changing rooms and other moisture-exposed environments where traditional heating solutions are not always optimal.
What characterizes a quality infrared panel?
Not all infrared panels are designed the same. For bathrooms and other humid environments, it is important to choose products that are designed for permanent heating and that can withstand the demands of long-term operation.
Important features
| Property | Advantage |
|---|---|
| High IP rating | Adapted for humid environments |
| Ceiling mounting | Free up wall space |
| Even heat distribution | Higher comfort |
| Slim design | Discreet installation |
| Up to 10 years factory warranty | Extra security |
| Lifespan up to 70,000 hours | Long usage time |
That's why many people choose Infracenter
Since 2014, Infracenter has specialized in infrared heating and developed its own infrared heating panels for permanent heating. The products are used today in everything from bathrooms and laundry rooms to hotels, spas and commercial properties where high comfort and long service life are crucial.
By focusing entirely on infrared heating, Infracenter has built up one of the Nordic countries' largest specialist knowledge in the field. Experience from thousands of installations forms the basis for the products that are used today in both private and professional environments.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about infrared heating in bathrooms
Does infrared heating provide warm floors?
Yes. When the infrared waves hit the tile floor, the heat is absorbed by the material, which then emits heat back into the room.
Can infrared panels be used in laundry rooms?
Yes. Laundry rooms are often very suitable for infrared heating because they combine cold floors with high humidity.
Is infrared heating suitable for toilets and bathrooms?
Yes. Smaller rooms with tiled floors are often particularly suitable for infrared heating panels.
Do you have to renovate the bathroom to install infrared heating?
No. In most cases, the installation can be done without affecting the floor or waterproofing.
Summary
Underfloor heating is a popular solution that provides high levels of comfort in many bathrooms. However, it is not always the most practical or economical option, especially in existing bathrooms where the installation can be extensive.
For many bathrooms, WCs, toilets and laundry rooms, infrared heating is a very interesting alternative. You get warmer surfaces, even temperature and high comfort without having to carry out a major renovation. With the right dimensioning, infrared heating can create the pleasant feeling that many people associate with underfloor heating while making the installation both easier and more flexible.