How to Heat a Concrete Floor for a Dog Kennel

Heating a concrete kennel floor is essential for keeping dogs healthy. Concrete becomes cold very quickly and dogs walking around and sleeping on a frigid floor are likely to become sick. Do your best to consider floor heating before the kennel is built, as several essential considerations involve heating from below the surface of the floor.

Things You'll Need

  • Windows
  • Insulated glass
  • Water piping
  • Heating coil
  • Construction equipment
  • Sealer
  • Roller
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Instructions

    • 1

      Situate the kennel in an area that draws in lots of direct sunlight. Surround the kennel with insulated windows. Windows allow direct sunlight to penetrate through the glass. Glass magnifies sunlight and increases heat. Additionally, insulated windows keep cold temperatures at bay during fall and winter months. Sunlight is an essential natural remedy to heating concrete floors.

    • 2

      Position the kennel in a place that does not receive direct wind. The force of gusty winds --- particularly in cold climates where wind is a constant factor --- can penetrate kennel walls and chill concrete floors.

    • 3

      Install hot water piping or electric coils beneath concrete surfaces. Hot water piping and electric coils generate direct heat from beneath the concrete to warm the floor. Most natural heat rises before it touches the ground and heating from beneath the floor is a way to keep a kennel warm 24 hours a day.

    • 4

      Apply at least one thick coat of concrete sealer atop the entire kennel floor. A cracked concrete floor allows for air flow and water or ice collection, thus making concrete colder. Sealer keeps the floor insulated and prevents cracking and splitting due to water damage.