in floor radiant questions

IZZY

Just had an addition built over my garage (just the shell), will be a bedroom and bathroom. I am planning to put in above the floor radiant, but I want to use panels, not mud, and have a few questions.

- The builder told me to put rosin paper between the layers of subfloor / underlayment.  I read somewhere a while back that the rosin paper can let off a smell when the floor is heated.  Any truth to that, do I need anything between layers?

- I'm planning to use heat transfer plates.  I see a lot of products' literature says you can lay carpet right over this, but I figure that I'll feel this thru the padding so I want to either smooth over the pex with some kind of mud or put a layer of maybe 1/4" plywood on top to smooth the floor out.  Any thoughts?

Izzy

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

Questions

- Don't use rosin paper.



- If you have an addition over the garage, you don't need plates and mud.  I'd use Uponor QuikTrak:



http://www.uponor-usa.com/Header/Service/For-Professionals/Products/QuickTrack-Floor-Panel-Installation.aspx



or Rehau Raupanel:



http://na.rehau.com/construction/heating...cooling/radiant.heating/raupanel.shtml



on top of your subfloor:

Gordy

Insulate

 The heck out of the floor paying particular attention to the rim joist area.



I would use an 1" or 2" of spray foam first to seal things up. Then finish with conventional insulation.



IF your garage will be a conditioned space also may not be as bad. I have owned homes with rooms over garages, and cantilever floors.  They are inherently colder areas no matter how well insulated.



 I'm not saying this is a bad idea just some tips to do it right from my experience with them.





 Gordy