Radiant in compacted gravel?

[Deleted User]

I have a customer that wants to do radiant heating in a horse barn by running the PEX under 10" of compacted traffic bond (sifted gravel) with 2" foam insulation under that. Has anyone ever heard of doing something like this or know of a good way to heat a horse barn?

Constantin

Sounds like a very slow response time...

... 10" of gravel will insulate that tubing quite well. You would probably be better off with concrete and a solid rubber top layer. I would consider heating the horsies via the box walls, if such construction works under the circumstances. That places the emitters closer to the horses and with less in between. Depending on the construction of the booths, ceiling radiant would also work and would benefit from the trouble it would take to mess it up...