Radiant heated floors in bathroom

I assume you mean electric radiant heat, as hot water radiant floor heating is probably both practically impossible (unless you have your own boiler) and not going to be allowed by your board. Electric radiant floor heating needs a dedicated circuit. If you have enough power, room for more circuits (a 5x5 room can use 120v), etc., the cost of getting electricity to the right place is going to be the major expense. The electric mat and control is probably in the range of $500, and if you are redoing the whole bathroom putting the heating mat under the tiles is not going to materially affect the renovation cost.

No! Save your money. I have electric radiant flooring installed in 2 bathrooms, and I've never ever turned it on. Unless you have extraordinarily sensitive feet or your bathroom is cavernous and is significantly cooler than the rest of your apt.

I did it as part of a bigger reno, so it's hard to break out the cost. Materials are in the hundreds, and it's not a huge amount of labor as it's right under tiles. Our whole place was rewired, so electricity was not an issue.

I agree with nyc10023; unless you have a skylight or some enormous window, radiant flooring is a complete waste of money. You know what's really nice though? a lovely towel warmer instead of a standard heater. It will keep your bathroom really warm, and your towels will be like a fluffy pastries straight out of the oven.

I agree. I have radiant flooring in my bathroom (not in NYC) and have never used it.

Agree on the waste of radiant heated floors in the bathroom. Of course, I have a steam riser in my bathroom, so it's actually the toastiest room in the apartment in the winter.

I also used to think the heated towel rack was a silly extravagance until I stayed one frosty winter weekend at a friend's house on Cape Cod (LOVE the Cape in the winter!). It's like someone handing you a fresh-from-the-dryer towel each time you step out of the shower!

>It's like someone handing you a fresh-from-the-dryer towel each time you step out of the shower!

NYCMatt reminds me of the Geico Gecko in this commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iNri5504vk

"You want an English muffin? They literally hand you a toasted muffin with butter and jam!"

I think now I have a complete image of NYCMatt.

If you want to eliminate a radiator during the renovation try a toe kick heater under your new vanity.Easy to plumb and wire, two speed fan and just about invisible. Same effect as radiant but serviceable/replaceable if there's ever a problem. Just have an access panel cut in the bottom of the vanity. Cost around $150 online.

We just stayed in a hotel that has heated bathroom floors and even though the weather was warm, we loved, loved, loved having the toasty warmth on our tootsies, especially during the night. That said, NYC apt buildings tend to be over-warm so maybe that's why no one turns it on.

It's a nice feature but as other pointed out the real costs are in your electrical wiring and if you have enough juice. Then there's always you ConEd bill! I installed electric heat in my old apartment and never used it! It was however a selling point that my broker used significantly!