An enclosed porch can mean something different for many people. In this scenario, we’re specifically talking about a three-season room or a sunroom. Having an enclosed porch of this kind gives you the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of spring, summer, and fall on cooler days and nights in a unique way…from the comfort of your home!
Another important piece to mention is that this article assumes you are not able to connect your enclosed porch with an existing heating system in your home.
The first step to proper heating is good insulation and efficient windows. This is essential no matter what heating option you decide on. Be sure the room is “tight” to eliminate heat loss and drafts. We’re pretty lucky these days that window technology has come a long way and will help retain a lot of heat.
We’ll be up front. The most effective and efficient way to heat your enclosed porch is to install electric radiant heating under the floor! Even if you live in colder climates, a heated floor makes your porch enjoyable and usable long into fall.
Why? Radiant heat is an economical, safe, and clean alternative to other heating systems. Unlike forced air systems, where the thermostat triggers a blast of warmth throughout the entire home, the thermostat of a radiant heat system responds to the floor temperature of a particular room, providing even warmth throughout the room, wherever the cables or mats are placed.
Unfortunately, many people and businesses suggest alternatives that just don’t do the job. Here are a few suggestions you may have read or heard about and why we don’t recommend them:
- Electric Space Heater:
- Freestanding portable electric space heaters are notoriously inefficient and require extreme care to follow their many safety guidelines.
- Baseboard Heaters:
- Technically, baseboard heaters are an option, but they limit the placement of furniture, can be noisy, and many people find they are too hot when close and too cold when they move farther away.
- Electric Fireplaces:
- They may be nice to look at, but they are terribly inefficient at heating an entire room.
If You’re Building a New Room…
A concrete slab floor can be either a giant heat sink or a large radiant panel. Be certain to insulate under and on the edges of the new concrete slab, or under the floor in the joists if the foundation is raised. Adding an extra layer of insulation can make radiant floor heat even more economical to run. Pairing a radiant floor heating system with a programmable thermostat can add even more energy savings.
If you are in the planning stages of a new room, consider installing the heating cables within the new slab to give you the most flexibility.
If You Already Have a Finished Room…
When your sunroom has dated indoor/outdoor carpet, replacing the flooring is an easy decision. But if the flooring is nicer, it may seem like a lot to ask. One way to think about it is deciding whether you want your sunroom to be a place you store beer in the winter or a comfortable space that can be part of your life year-round.
Heating an existing slab with radiant floor heat is done just before installing the new flooring. A heated floor provides even, silent heat throughout the entire room. Plus, it’s comfortable in socks or barefoot!
Installing floor heating systems under your new flooring is an easy project, and we have a heating solution for virtually every flooring type. These systems will require a new electrical circuit (a single circuit can heat a 16’x20’ room).
In Either Case…
We can help you with a heat loss/load calculation to ensure our radiant floor systems can provide enough heat. If you would like to calculate heat loss/load, please download this document. When complete, please email [email protected] the completed document and we’ll take it from there!
Heat Loss Request PDF: WYF Heat Loss Load Form_Updated Feb 2020
Barbara says:
I would like to convert my existing enclosed 12 x 14′ screen room into a 3 season room with heated flooring underfoot. I am planning to replace the screens with windows but will not be insulating below where the wall is already finished with cedar. THe ceiling is a slight vault with a ceiling fan. The floor is original decking wood and I would like to know if I can install a heated floori system over this decking and below a new tiled floor i wish to install. Winters are typically 0 to -20 so I only plan to operate the heating when the room is usable possible from April to Nov only.
Any advise?
[email protected] says:
Hi Barbara,
You can install the heat system on the existing deck, just needs to be a clean and level surface.
Most products we sell work with tile floors.
If you want to send us a quote request, we can assist you with deciding what you’ll need.
You can send us a quote request here: https://www.warmyourfloor.com/quote-request
Heather Streu says:
i have an insulated 12 x 12 inside porch, walls, ceiling and floor, but it is above ground. We keep the door open to the house so it gets heat, but it is still chilly on cold winter nights. What can we use to help keep it around 70 degrees. On cold winter nights the temperature will drop to 60-65 depending on the cold
[email protected] says:
Hi Heather,
While we can’t guarantee these systems will heat the room, we have products designed to help make that possible.
The Schluter Ditra-Heat Duo system would be the best way to try to heat the room.
This works best under tile and stone floors since those conduct heat the best.
Alexandra P Chaplin says:
I am turning my porch into a four season room. I will be insulating between the joists with Roxul and a solid foam. The decking is plastic composite (which is not being removed). I’m wondering what type or even if I should put a layer of reflective material/subfloor on top of the decking prior to installing the electric floor mats and vinyl tiles.
Sandra Deegan says:
We have insulted our porch , new windows , insulation in walls, and have a fake fireplace , the problem is the floor, we put mats down with the carpet overtop, the issue is it’s an old cistern that use to be used to store water years ago, the cistern is 10 feet deep at least and goes into the basement. The house is 1878 the year it was built, what do u suggest so we can warm the floor? Sandy
[email protected] says:
Hi Sandra,
The products we sell are designed to be installeed beneath a finished floor.
If you’re re-doing your floor, we have a variety of products that would work for you.
If you are trying to heat the floor without tearing up the exisiting floor then you’ll need to have access to the joist bays below the floor.
We have a product you could install into the joist bays and heat the floor above.
You can see the two products for this here: https://kc.warmyourfloor.com/shop-by-brand/quietwarmth/retrofit-film.html and here: https://kc.warmyourfloor.com/shop-by-brand/suntouch-by-watts-radiant/underfloor-mats.html
Taylor Hansen says:
It’s good to know that a heated floor provides heat throughout the room and is comfortable barefoot. My wife and I are thinking about adding a heated floor to our patio since we’re having it replaced. I’ll be sure to find one that is energy-efficient and is comfortable.