Question on radiant floor heating for pole building shop

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is the edge insulation detail. One method is to have the metal supplied bend up some Z shaped flashing to cover the edge of that exposed insulation.

Also some pole builders tend to dig some huge footing holes for the post. Hard to tube up close to a 4- 6 foot square hole at every post location.

hot rod

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David_37

Radiant floor heating for pole building shop floor

Hi all,

Great forum. I am planning to build an insulated pole building which will have a 43'x50'x13'tall shop. I am leaning toward radiant heat in the floor versus IR overhead, in Iowa by the way (cold). I'd appreciate any suggestions. Heat source is one question - high efficiency elec. boiler vs gas boiler vs hot water heaters?

Also I have read that some folks suggest not insulating the center of the floor, but rather use the ground as a thermal mass ...? Is 2 inches sufficient insul. on perimeter of floor?

Thanks much
David

Ron Schroeder

David

Also I have read that some folks suggest not insulating the center of the floor, but rather use the ground as a thermal mass ...? Is 2 inches sufficient insul. on perimeter of floor?

Remember Heat goes to Cold so unless your building is going to be colder than the ground under it I would spend the money on insulation.

Unknown

where in the world

Where in the world would they read not to insulate the center portion of bldg? I've seen bldgs WITHOUT insulations underslab, and they are paying thru the nose to keep it comfortable... Their forced air buddies told them not to waste money on insulation because radiant floor heat always go up like forced air...WRONG! As other walllies say..INSULATED EVERYTHING!

Bryan_16

Where in Iowa

I can give you some names of contractors that will be glad to help with the job or simply provide advise. I know some of the Elec. Coops have rebates on electric boilers and controlled rates that are very good. With a slab, your mass will easily carry you through a 8-12 hour control period.

Unknown

*could* carry him through 8-12 hours. Depends on slab thickness and his heat load.

Unknown

and how much

And how much and how well the insulations installed!!

Randy_24

pole shed

I have a 30'x40'pole shed that I built 6 years ago and put the heat in the floor and I LOVE it. I heat it with a Central Boiler outdoor wood boiler also my house and my hot water in southeast Minnesota. I only have 1" of insalation around the outside and it isn't enough I would think 2" would be enough.

Unknown

randy,

What about under the slab? How much ?

Randy_24

Uder the slab

I only have 1" there to it probably should of been 2".

Mike Thomas_2

Pole Barn Problems

I live in Iowa and get calls all the time for radiant floors for pole barns. Couple of things to consider:

1) Are you going to use it all day, or just evenings or weekends? If it is just evenings or weekends, overhead radiant might be a better choice. It warms up quick, and you won't be heating a building for just a few hours use per day.

2) Biggest heat loss is not the floor, it is the infiltration. It is difficult to seal the floor to the wall. Sliding doors are almost impossible to seal, but seem to be the norm in Iowa. Get the best overhead door you can buy, with stiffner webs on each panel. The wind will act on the door and you will have a 2 inch gap at the top when it blows. Either wrap the building with wind barrier, installed as per manufacturer specs or insulate with foam, which will seal infiltration. Another alternative is wet cellulose, it will seal pretty good. Elimiate as many penetrations as possible by running water lines and electrical in conduit on the inside finished surface. Remember, they call it a BARN!

Unknown

Watch out for !!

Very true, Mike. And WATCH out for the exhaust fan! Had a tight pole barn and the mechinc ran the oversized exhaust fan. The fan bowed the garage door and damaged same. Now whenever the fan comes on, the inlet vent opens first...