I would suggest not to cheap out and get ditra heat mats. You can get different thermostat, not fancy, in the end all you need with tile to start and stop and you can do manual set up. Problem with tile it breaks and then you can not replace just one tile because doing damage to the cable is almost guaranteed. So entire floor needs to go or live with broken tile.

You can rent infrared? camera then and try to avoid cable etc but it is a PITA. So invest in quality porcelain tile and really good subfloor and instal.

Yeah and get 2 sensors.

It is not difficult to create your own heated floor system if you understand installation process.

I am looking to invest into Thermosoft Warm step mats under vinyl LVP and laminate. Yes it is a bit pricey set up but it has distinct advantage for me as I plan to do several rooms space. They offer humidity monitoring for floors as well.

In 2006 we DIYed electric floor heat in our master bath. Thermostat is by 'Warm Your Floor', so that's likely who I bought the parts from. Hardware for DIY is the same as professional install, no difference there. We laid the heating cable in our own floor pattern, just tack down the end clips and wind the heating wire with the proper separation. Installed the temp sensor out in the field, and poured self-leveling compound over it all (levelling compound removes the potential for wire breakage during tile install). Then had a contractor tile the floor (short on time, had to meet a closing deadline). 120v system, works great, the only issue is that after the first winter in the house my wife decided she liked cooler feet better!

Only concerns I have apply both to DIY and professional install: repeated floor deflections causing breakage in the heating wire or sensor. The heating wire did have a a small clearance within its sheath so it had some built-in ability to accept movement, but a bit of overkill on the subfloor structure, IMO, would go a long way to prevent this type of failure. Our subfloor is short span 12" I-joists with 3/4" Advantech glued and screwed. Plenty solid.

I used heat mat products from Warmly Yours under the tile in my basement bathroom floor, and it works well. However, it is still relatively expensive. You can send them a floor plan online and they will send back a design, parts list and pricing.

We put down cork on top of the cement floor, then the heat grid, and then the ceramic tile. There is a temp sensor in the floor and I usually leave the thermostat set to about 75 degrees. IIRC, the max temp they recommended was about 84 degrees under a tile floor.

Bruce

We will be doing our master bathroom in a few months and will be laying down heated floor. I created grid plan of where and how wires will be placed and calculated linear feet I need. Our bathroom is above garage and gets very cold in winter, so we'll be placing wires closer to each other, about 2.5". I already got Ditra heat mats, Nutone thermostat (it looks so much nicer than Ditra's), still need to get cable 240v. I understand any heated floor wire can be used, not necessary Ditra, so it will depend on best deal I find :-). And off course, 2 sensors.

We installed a packaged system in one of our bathrooms over a year ago and have loved it. I'm looking for someone who has pieced together their own system. I'm confident I can do it, I was just hoping to talk to someone else who has, too.

The 'piece together' system was one of the original formats for electric in floor heat. It takes a lot of work to get it in, get it covered in cement/mortar and then to install a floor over top. The electrician costs are a snick more this way as well.

The evolution of the heating coils IS the mat system...like Ditra and Warmly yours. You can pick your poison:

1. Pay 1/2 price for cost of materials but DOUBLE the cost of install;

OR,

2. Pay full price for materials and save BIG TIME on cost of install.

If you pay a pro to install you will find the expensive SYSTEM is cheaper once all the bills are paid. I've seen it. The issue that comes with the wire system = it can be compromised by the install...it is quite common for the wires to get nicked by the trowel blade, etc. There are more *possible problems with the DIY wire system then the mats from Ditra or Schluter or Warmly Yours.

Since you've already had a system installed and LOVE it...you will be in the best position to tell us which way you prefer...once everything is done AND it is working.