Radiant ON slab

kevin coppinger_16

insulation. you might want to this about panel rads or radiant baseboard...kpc

jareedo_2

Radiant ON slab

I have a customer that wants to install radiant in the lower level of her home on an existing slab with tile on top ,we want to keep the finished height under 1 1/4" thick. I was originally going to use 5/16" climate panels but when she got the estimate she almost fainted is there a more cost effective way of doing this? I was also thinking of pouring gypcrete is there any inexpensive ways to secure the tubing to the cement and will 1/2 inch material above the radiant whether it's gypcrete or concrete be enough or will it crack? suggestions please

Thanks

Glenn Sossin_2

Roth

You want to try and provide a thermal break between the old un-insulated slab, and the new radiant heat mass - what ever it is. If you don't, a significant portion of the heat energy piped to this room will go into the colder earth - not where you want it.

In addition, your response times will always lag way behind the mark in both directions. If the temperature outside was consistent, this would not be an issue. Reality is, you could have 40F night , you've finally got the slab up to temperature and the room is cozy. The next morning, a warm front moves in ... theres plenty of sun, and its 60F by 9:00 am. Now that room is now overheating.

If there is a thermal break between the existing slab and the new radiant floor, it can cool down or heat up faster, responding closer to the actual heat loss demands dictated by the changing temps outside.

Where an existing slab is involved, we try to use Roth panels. They are insulated, very lightweight, and can respond quickly to changing heat loads. While it will cost about the same as the climate panels, it will do a much better job of keeping your customer comfortable.

I've attached a few job photos. Hopefully your customer will make the right choice and be happy. Its not the kind of installation you can do over.

Good luck.