Thanks for the replies. Yes, I should have been more specific! That's what comes of posting right before bedtime.... I would use them for starting tropical bulbs like caladiums, plus mostly annual flower seeds. I'm just recently wanting to get back into growing from seed; I last did it about 20-odd years ago BK (before kids). I had a heat mat back them, but it got lost in the interim. The initial interest was for the bulbs, then I thought, what the heck.... At least initially I won't be doing much. Though everything I start in gardening tends to mushroom very quickly (I was going to say "snowballs" but thought "mushrooms" was more appropriate). I thought of the cables since the heat mat only fits under one flat, and my caladiums alone cover more than that. As far as the seedlings are concerned, I'd use small individual pots or cell packs. Though, rhizo, you have me thinking about those germination flats.....are you using the kind of flat, 8" x 8" or so, that fits into a larger tray? ZM, can that kind of thermostat be used with any heat mat? I wonder if you can plug more than one mat into the same thermostat. I saw someone else was using Christmas lights. (Don't laugh at me for asking! I'm an artist and get into re-purposing a lot. ) They didn't specify what kind, but I'm guessing "rope lights," the kind in the tube. It got my attention because I have a lot of those already that came with my post-Christmas display model Christmas tree. I already used two sets to make above-bookshelf indirect lighting, and noticed they produce a soft warmth. I should put a thermometer on top and see how much.

Another one that has been at the top for a month+ Mike

At Home Depot, Custom's Levelquik is a good Self leveling compound. Especially being that this is going over woodframe, don't forget the primer. As for thinset, They have one called Versabond that's also pretty good.

Actually, I have saved considerably on my heating bills since I started using Speedheat's Rug Buddy. I started with one in the living room and then put them in all of my bedrooms, too. I used to keep my house a toasty 74 - not very green, I know, but I've always ran cold... but now, I only heat the rooms I'm using and keep it at about 68... it's a much different heat than blowing ones... it's like it heats you all the way to your bones or something... It takes about an hour to get the room up about 20 degrees or so if you cover about 50% or so of the room... about half an hour in the rooms that are 85% covered. Of course, your feet are warm within about 5 minutes, so that's helpful. I use the plug-in stat they have now in the baby room because I care more about the control, but the others, I just put them on a timer. They have an electrical cost calculator on their site. Just remember that you will use it less than other heaters because of the comfort level difference... and of course, you don't have to heat rooms you aren't using if you don't want to, which saves, too. - I think there are some that were on the market before that were more expensive to run - and I know hydronic is REALLY expensive. My uncle has it in NY, and it takes a pretty penny... I told him to just do this, but I haven't convinced him yet. lol Here is a link that might be useful: Speedheat's Running Cost Calculator