Heated Shower Wall (How to do it) ?

Tim Potter

I need to rebuild the shower & replace the tub in our master bath. Since I can't get under the floor to put radiant floor in, I was wondering about radiant walls. I've searched the forum, & come up with various descriptions.

How would you go about doing it?

How high up the wall in the tub area & full height in shower area???

Radiant plates? some kind of floor panel application mounted on wall?

Pictures are always appreciated.


Thank You,

Tim

SWEI

Heat loss calculation comes first. Short answer: most bathrooms need more area than you think. Cover everything practical with plates or panels and tubing.

Tim Potter

Thanks SWEI, I'll pack as much radiant into the limited area as I can.
Suggestions on who's plates or panels?
Hardy Backer over ?
what waterproofing to use?

I saw some mention of running plates Vert vs Horiz

Thank you

hot_rod

Is this going to be the only source of heat for the room? What are the room dimensions?

You may be able to get enough heat output with radiant shower and tub surround walls. And maybe add a towel warmer, either hydronic or electric.

I used an electric Myson towel radiator in my one bath so I can run it year around without firing the boiler system for a low load.

I run a heat transfer plate on both sides of every stud, from floor to ceiling for radiant walls.
Warm towels are like heated seats in your truck, once you try them...

Gordy

Don't forget the ceilings as radiant space also. Nothing better in a bath than fully enveloping yourself in radiant warmth.

SWEI

Heated seats in bath/shower areas (that shelf area at the back of the tub or shower) are the bomb. Oh, and heated mirrors don't fog.

Are you installing from the front or the rear of the wall? C plates can be installed from the rear to save existing tile or stone work. U plates (good ones, not the beer can type) work better from the front. Insulate behind everything as best you can, and watch your dewpoint.

ChicagoCooperator

I remember looking at an apartment with radiant heat (from the 50's) and the bathroom had radiant walls, which was quite nice, however, it didn't work out for a number of reasons. It would be wonderful to have warm walls. One of my showers effectively has radiant heat from the convector chase behind it - it also warms to the bottom of the tub.