Installing Warmzone Zmesh Radiant Floor Low Voltage Electric Heat

We recently installed a WarmZone Zmesh radiant floor heating system in an upstairs remodeling project. This was an area of our home which had never been finished. It is around 700 square feet, just about the upper limit that the manufacturer recommends for a Zmesh low voltage radiant floor heat installation.

This is a versatile low voltage radiant floor heating system which can be installed over wood sub floor or concrete. The key components of this system are the Zmesh,, the transformer, thermostat and transition plates. Transformer converts standard 220 volt AC to low voltage DC electric which the Zmesh bronze screen converts to radiant heat. The thermostat tells the transformer when to supply heat. The transition plates are the connecting points for the cold lead wire from the transformer and the Zmesh screen.

The electronic controller unit is pretty heavy and must be installed in an area where it will get some air circulation. A closet or similar area is not recommended. The first step at the beginning of the remodeling project was the installation of a rough in kit. This consists of the back plate, cold lead wire, transition plates. The back plate needs to be installed very securely as it is used to hang the low voltage transformer on, and the transformer is very heavy. It should also be in a central location respective to the Zmesh installation. Screws are supplied with the rough in kit. Wall joists make the best installation, and the holes on the back plate are positioned for sixteen inch center joists.

The transition plates is the junction point of the cold lead wire and the Zmesh. It must be installed before any wall covering is installed. There are two transition plates per set and they must be installed in close proximity to each other, no closer than two inches apart.

The cold lead wire should be installed next, leading from the back plates to the transition plates. This needs to be done before the walls are finished. The cold lead wire will need to be crimped securely to the fitting on the back of the transition plate. A standard crimp tool from a building supply company will do the job. The wire at the back plate is not installed at this time. Be sure to leave yourself plenty of wire before you cut it.

The installation is now as far as it can be taken until the walls are finished with either plasterboard or paneling. Once this is finished, the final phase of the installation.

The Zmesh needs to be put down before final floor covering is installed, and the floor needs to be clear of debris. After the carpenter finished the drywall work, the wood sub floor was thoroughly swept, then mopped with a bleach/water solution. This was allowed to dry for a few days before the Zmesh was installed.

The Zmesh comes in a roll. It is a bronze screen, very similar to window screen and the rolls are very heavy. The screen is twelve inches wide, the rolls included with our unit 300 feet long. You must first study and measure the area to be covered with the screen. The screen will lead out to the room/s from one transition plate and will return to the other. Carefully cut the fine bronze wire which holds the screen end to the coil and insert one end of the Zmesh into the slot of the transition plate. Do not solder yet, you will want to have the entire roll installed before doing this.

Roll out the screen, stapling approximately on 18 inch centers. To turn corners, simply fold the Zmesh and crease it with a short end of 2 X 2. Staple the corners well. After the screen is completely down, it is soldered to the transition plate. Use the solder supplied with the kit and a propane torch. An electric soldering iron will not supply enough heat to make the connection.

After the Zmesh screen is installed, it is time to hook up the low voltage transformer and thermostat. The manufacturer supplies detailed instructions for this step and it is not the scope of this article to describe that. Suffice it to say that the sales representative was very supportive by both phone and email to any questions. Questions he could not answer he referred to the designer of the system. The installation went with very few problems, though the final wiring in the transformer should be done by someone a bit conversant with residential wiring.

Zmesh can be installed on wood or concrete subfloor. Adhesive is used to glue the screen to concrete, staples to wood. Vinyl, carpet, tile flooring can all be installed over the screen. The screen, after it is installed, is a very gentle radiant heat. The screen is warm to the touch, it does not get hot and seems to be quite safe.

Installing a WarmZone Zmesh radiant low voltage floor heating system is a job for an EXPERIENCED do it yourselfer. The installation is fairly easy, but does require a knowledge of soldering and wiring. The product is well designed though the instructions are a bit hazy sometimes. But since the company has excellent customer service any installation questions are answered speedily and efficiently.