StickyMat and EcoFloor Heating Mats Guide UK
StickyMat & EcoFloor Heating Mats Guide UK
Heating mats are one of the most popular electric underfloor heating options for tile and stone floors, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, en-suites and other rooms where you want quick installation and even warmth underfoot. Because the cable is already attached to a mesh backing, systems such as Warmup StickyMat and Flexel EcoFloor are faster to position than loose wire in many regular-shaped rooms and give a tidy, predictable layout.
This guide explains how heating mat systems work, where they fit best, what build-up is normally required, which accessories buyers often need, and how Warmup StickyMat and Flexel EcoFloor compare with other electric underfloor heating systems. It is designed to help both homeowners and installers choose the right products and avoid common mistakes before tiling begins.
All electric underfloor heating systems must be connected to a circuit protected by a 30mA RCD. Final electrical connection and testing must always be completed by a qualified electrician in line with current wiring regulations.
Our Best Electric Underfloor Heating Systems UK Buyer Guide, Electric Underfloor Heating Systems Collection Guide and Electric Underfloor Heating Installation Guide UK will help you compare heating mats with foil heating, carbon film, loose wire, decoupling systems and in-screed cables. For full information on the best thermostats to use, refer to our Underfloor Heating Thermostats Guide.
Quick Links
- Shop Warmup StickyMat 150W/m²
- Shop StickyMat 220W/m²
- Shop EcoFloor 150W/m²
- Shop EcoFloor 200W/m²
- Heating Mats Running Costs Guide
- Underfloor Heating Thermostats Guide
- Electric Underfloor Heating Installation Guide
- Best Electric UFH Systems Buyer Guide
- Electric UFH Systems Collection Guide
- Shop Thermostats & Controls
- Shop Electric Underfloor Heating
- Shop Insulation Boards & Underlay
- Shop UFH Accessories
What Are Heating Mat Systems?
Heating mats are electric underfloor heating systems where the heating cable is already spaced and attached to a mesh mat. The installer rolls the mat out over the free floor area, cuts the mesh only when turning the layout, and then embeds the system in tile adhesive or levelling compound before the final floor finish goes down.
That pre-spaced layout is one of the main reasons buyers like it. Systems such as Warmup StickyMat and Flexel EcoFloor give the speed and simplicity of a mat system while still delivering the benefits people want from electric underfloor heating: warmer tiles, even heat distribution and a more comfortable room.
How Heating Mats Work
The floor should be level, stable, clean and suitable for the tiled build-up.
Insulation boards are usually recommended to reduce heat loss and improve warm-up times.
The mat rolls out quickly across the free floor area, with the mesh cut to turn where needed.
The heating is covered with adhesive or levelling compound before the final tiled floor is installed.
Where Heating Mats Work Best
Heating mats are especially well suited to:
- Bathrooms where warm tiles make a noticeable comfort difference
- Kitchens with tiled or stone floors
- En-suites and utility rooms where quick, neat installation matters
- Regular-shaped rooms where a mat is faster to install than loose cable
- Renovation projects where you want a practical electric underfloor heating system with low extra build-up
If the room has an awkward shape, lots of obstacles, curved layouts or many small cut-arounds, a loose wire system may sometimes be more flexible than a mat.
Warmup StickyMat vs Flexel EcoFloor
| System | Best For | Typical Outputs | Main Strength | Typical Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warmup StickyMat | Regular tiled rooms | 150W/m² and 220W/m² | Well-known quick-install mat system with strong thermostat options | Bathrooms, kitchens, en-suites, utility rooms |
| Flexel EcoFloor | Regular tiled rooms | 150W/m² and 200W/m² | Comparable mesh mat format with a wide range of room coverage sizes | Bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, tiled living spaces |
| Loose Wire | Awkward or irregular layouts | Varies by system | More freedom around fixtures and cut-arounds | Small bathrooms, complex kitchens, tricky layouts |
Heating Mat Product Options
A popular choice for tiled rooms where you want efficient electric underfloor heating and a fast installation process.
A higher output mat option often chosen where faster heat-up or a stronger electric heating response is wanted in tiled rooms.
A comparable lower-output heating mat for tiled rooms where efficient steady warmth is the priority.
A higher output EcoFloor option often used in tiled areas where a stronger response is needed.
Accessories and Controls Buyers Usually Need
Usually recommended beneath heating mats to reduce heat loss into the subfloor and improve warm-up speed.
A thermostat with a floor probe is one of the most important parts of a reliable heating mat installation.
Depending on the project, you may also need probes, conduit, primers, levelling materials or other finishing items.
See our Heating Mats Running Costs + Best Options Guide for output comparisons, running cost examples and buyer advice.
Typical Heating Mat Floor Build-Up
A typical tiled heating mat floor build-up is:
Subfloor → insulation boards (recommended) → heating mat system → flexible tile adhesive or levelling compound → tile or stone floor finish
The exact build-up can vary depending on whether the subfloor is timber or concrete, how much floor height is available, and the final floor finish being installed. If you are unsure about the right sequence, our Electric Underfloor Heating Installation Guide and Insulation Guide will help.
Heating Mat Installation Overview
- Make sure the subfloor is clean, dry, stable and suitable for tiling.
- Install insulation boards where appropriate to reduce heat loss.
- Measure the net heated area, excluding permanent fixtures, sanitaryware and fixed furniture.
- Plan the thermostat position and floor probe route before laying the mat.
- Roll out the mat across the free floor area.
- Cut the mesh only to turn the mat where needed. Never cut the heating cable.
- Install the floor probe centrally between adjacent cable runs.
- Test resistance before, during and after installation.
- Embed the heating mat in suitable tile adhesive or levelling compound.
- Tile over the system using materials suitable for underfloor heating.
- The final electrical connection must be completed by a qualified electrician.
Heating mats should be installed only in the free floor area. Avoid laying them beneath baths, shower trays, fitted kitchen units or large fixed furniture unless the manufacturer’s guidance specifically allows it.
You may also want to read: Electric Underfloor Heating Installation Guide
Heating Mats vs Other Electric Underfloor Heating Systems
| System | Best Floor Finish | Installation Style | Main Advantage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warmup StickyMat / Flexel EcoFloor | Tiles / stone | Wet install | Fast, tidy, pre-spaced layout | Regular-shaped bathrooms and kitchens |
| Loose Wire | Tiles / stone | Wet install | More layout flexibility | Awkward or irregular rooms |
| Foil Heating | Laminate / engineered wood / some vinyl builds | Dry install | Low build-up under floating floors | Living rooms and bedrooms |
| Carbon Film | Laminate / engineered wood | Dry install | Wide coverage beneath floating floors | Larger dry areas |
| Decoupling System | Tiles / stone | Wet install | Heating plus tile decoupling | Projects where movement protection matters |
| In-Screed | New build / screeded floors | Buried in screed | Permanent build-up with thermal mass | New builds and major renovations |
Read our Best Electric UFH Systems Buyer Guide and Electric UFH Systems Collection Guide for a fuller side-by-side view.
When Heating Mats Are the Best Choice
- You are fitting tiles or stone
- The room shape is fairly regular
- You want quicker installation than loose cable
- You want predictable cable spacing
- You are renovating a bathroom, kitchen or utility room
When Another System May Be Better
- Choose loose wire for awkward or heavily cut-around rooms
- Choose foil heating for laminate, engineered wood and selected floating-floor vinyl or carpet builds
- Choose carbon film for some floating laminate or engineered wood projects
- Choose decoupling systems where tile movement protection is an important part of the build-up
Thermostats for Heating Mats
A good thermostat makes a huge difference to how electric underfloor heating feels in day-to-day use. With heating mats, a thermostat helps manage heat-up times, comfort, floor protection and running efficiency. Smart models also make scheduling easier, so the room warms up when you need it instead of running longer than necessary.
A premium smart control option for buyers who want advanced connectivity, scheduling and polished day-to-day control.
A strong all-round thermostat choice for electric floor heating with app control and smart scheduling features.
A cleaner, simpler smart thermostat option for buyers who want app-based control without unnecessary complication.
For a fuller thermostat comparison, including Flexel controls, probes and multi-zone options, see the Underfloor Heating Thermostats Guide.
Common Buyer Questions About Heating Mats
Are heating mats suitable for bathrooms?
Yes. Heating mats are among the most popular electric underfloor heating options for bathrooms because they work very well beneath tiled floors and are relatively quick to install in regular-shaped spaces.
Do I need insulation boards under heating mats?
In most cases, yes. Insulation boards help reduce heat loss into the subfloor and usually improve warm-up times and efficiency.
Can I cut a heating mat to fit my room?
You can cut the mesh backing to turn and reposition the mat, but you must never cut the heating cable.
Can heating mats be used under laminate or engineered wood?
Not usually as the standard choice. Heating mats are mainly designed for tile and stone floors. Laminate and engineered wood are more commonly paired with foil heating or carbon film systems.
Are Warmup StickyMat and Flexel EcoFloor basically the same type of system?
Yes. Both are heating mat systems for tiled floors. The main differences usually come down to output options, room coverage sizes, brand preference and control choices.
Are heating mats better than loose wire?
It depends on the room. Heating mats are usually quicker in regular-shaped rooms, while loose wire gives more flexibility in awkward layouts.
Can I install a heating mat myself?
You can often handle floor preparation and mat layout yourself, but the final electrical connection and commissioning must always be completed by a qualified electrician.
How long should I wait before turning on heating mats?
Do not switch the system on until the tile adhesive, levelling compound and flooring materials have fully cured in line with the manufacturer’s installation guidance.
What thermostat is best for heating mats?
A thermostat with a floor probe is the key requirement. Popular options include the Warmup 7iE, 6iE and Element, depending on the level of smart control you want.
Heating Mats Running Costs + Best Options Guide
Loose Wire Guide
Foil Underfloor Heating Guide
Foil Running Costs Guide
Carbon Film Guide
Carbon Film Running Costs Guide
DCM-PRO Guide
In-Screed Guide
Helpful Internal Links for Buyers
- Electric Underfloor Heating Installation Guide
- Underfloor Heating Thermostats Guide
- Best Electric Underfloor Heating Systems UK Buyer Guide
- Electric Underfloor Heating Systems Collection Guide
- Heating Mats Running Costs Guide
- Warmup StickyMat 150W/m² Product Page
- StickyMat 220W/m² Product Page
- EcoFloor 150W/m² Product Page
- EcoFloor 200W/m² Product Page
- Thermostats Collection
Related Guides
Electric Underfloor Heating Guide
Electric Underfloor Heating Installation Guide
Best Electric UFH Systems Buyer Guide
Electric UFH Systems Collection Guide
Underfloor Heating Insulation Guide
Underfloor Heating Thermostats Guide
Loose Wire Guide
DCM-PRO Guide
Ready to Buy Heating Mats?
Ready to buy? Start with the heating mat system, then add suitable insulation, controls and accessories so the whole tiled floor build-up works together properly.