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| Mats vs. Cables | | Print | |
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The only difference between a mat and a cable warming system is the pre-spaced layout of the heating elements within the mat. Therefore a mat should take less installation time and for a room several hundred square feet a mat you will save multiple hours, but does a mat always equate to less labor? Consider a 30 square foot bathroom with a shower stall tucked in the corner and the tub sits upon a curved marble slab. You’ll spend extra effort to work a mat around the curves or run flush to non right angles. It involves multiple cuts with a steady hand and several attempts to work the sewn heating elements free. Why bother when a cable is a coiled spool of loose heating wire? Not only would you save time, there is zero risk for an accidental slip of the knife and damage to the heating element. Avoid the headaches and stick with cable for tight corners and unusually shaped rooms. For 120 volt hook-ups mats and cables are available as single systems up to 50 square feet for areas greater then 50 square feet an additional system is run in parallel. When installation requires a 240 volt for 120 volt power supply and up to 100 square feet for 240 volt power supply. For areas greater t The final consideration is cost. Cable ranges from 20%-30% less in price for the same size mat. The percentage is relative to the volume of mat material. The larger the room the more you save on the purchase price with cable. There is the trade off for labor. It's infinitely easier to roll out a mat for a 20'x12' basement rec. room then to string along 224 square feet of loose cable. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, who doesn't mind one Saturday on the hands knees to save $200 (about the difference between 200 sq ft of cable vs. mat) then choose cable. However, if you’re a general Contractor who needs the crew in, out, and on to the next hot project sooner rather than later then figure on mats when the layout is all right angles. Finally if you’re an independent tradesman a lot depends on a judgment call. How price conscious is the home owner? How much time can you afford on the job and still make money? It’s not a perfect science, but as with any trade, the more experience you gain the better your estimates will become. |