52 2017 | TECH ment is 1/4” in 10’; for stone or large- format tile the requirement is 1/8” in 10’. You’ll also want to make sure that your substrate meets the L/360 rating or for stone you’ll need to be at L/720. In our climate, a large amount of our residential work involves tim- ber-framed construction. With the weather and elements, as well as a weak labor pool of skilled pro- fessionals, the majority of plywood subfloors do not meet industry stan- dards. Going to a larger trowel size and building up with additional thin- set is not the answer here. This is not an approved method and can com- promise the strength and integrity of the installation. Also, thinset built up too much will dry and shrink and cause lippage. To achieve the flatness required for a substrate, self- leveling products are often the best choice. In our region, ARDEX Liquid Backer Board has been a game changer, as you can apply the product directly to a primed plywood subfloor with no lath. Once cured, it gives you a nice flat finished surface ready to tile over. Another important feature to ARDEX Liquid Backer Board is its low tensile strength. As the liquid backer board cures it won’t pull and warp the sub- strate. As with all products, be sure to read the instructions and mix for the stated length of time with the stated amount of water. Also make note of any limitations to make sure your substrate conditions meet the requirements outlined in the product data sheet. For any SLU application, your first stop should be substrate conditions. I have removed large amounts of unbonded products due to lack of proper substrate preparation. Once you’ve determined that your sub- strate is suitable, next comes your prep-work and install. Always make sure to give your space 1/4” expan- sion at all changes of plane. It’s still a common practice for installers to mix and pour SLU out of the bucket, casu- ally trowel and wait for the “magical self level” to do its thing; this very rarely, if ever, works. It’s important to have the appropriate tools and knowledge for using SLUs. At min- imum you will want an adequate size mixing barrel, a gauge rake, a smoother, a spiked roller and cleats. As with most products always be sure to read the Material Safety Data sheets as well as any training videos. Videos on the specific product you are using are best. If you have any questions or hesitations reach out to the manufacturer representatives. They are trained in the use of their companies’ products and are eager to assist you in making a successful project. Substrates Floor Warming Kurt Neuswanger , Region Manager North America OJ Electronics, Inc. www.ojelectronics.com The connected home market con- tinues to rapidly expand as homeown- ers install devices that allow them to remotely control and monitor a wide variety of products through- out their dwelling. Environmental controls top the list, allowing users to more efficiently control the heat- ing of their homes and their heat- ed floors. Intuitive, easy-to-set-up controls are key to customer con- venience and awareness of costs of operation. Modern electric floor heating controls contain energy- monitoring feedback to display cost of operation with options to remote- ly control via smart phone apps and web-based portals. Electric floor warming systems have advanced rapidly over recent years. Once dominated by hydronic, water- filled tubes, the category now features wires, thinner cables and elements. The result is systems that are easier and faster to install while providing better performance. As a matter of fact, the new wave of electric radiant floor heating is more economical than hydronic and is gaining in popularity due to the improved technology as more home- owners become aware of the radiant option. It’s also easy to install for homeowners who want to heat only one or two rooms, such as a bedroom and adjoining bath. With radiant systems, a thin electric panel, like an electric blanket, is installed under the floor. These panels contain heat-resistant wire coiled within a supporting material and controlled with a thermostat and timer. This type of radiant flooring is economical to install and oper- ate, as the energy efficient thermostats and controls can be controlled remotely by smart phones/computers, and generate heat only when needed. You can learn more about the latest in floor warming prod- ucts in the product information following the comments. — Louis Iannaco