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Aluminum plate joist installation - attach both sides?

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SteamtoHotWater
SteamtoHotWater Member Posts: 121
edited September 2023 in Radiant Heating
I've got a few hundred extruded aluminum plates that I'm installing. I bought Uponor Joist Trak. Install seems simple enough, "Install the Joist Trak panels with either screws or nails into the pre- punched mounting holes."
However, a different brand of extruded aluminum plates, Watts, suggests, "Now attach one side of the plate with four 1⁄2" screws as shown and let the other side "hang". Do not install screws on both sides of the plates - this will allow the plate to expand."
Both brands of plates looks pretty similar, same size, same kind of channel for the pex. Should I be attaching these plates on both sides or just one side to allow for expansion?

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  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,016
    edited September 2023
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    We've always attached them to both sides for better contact and heat transfer. There will be some expansion noise; less if you have outdoor reset.
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    Mad Dog_2Derheatmeister
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,435
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    If they are the "good" aluminum plates attach both sides... If they are the thinner "beer can" plates then just one side. That is prob what the post you saw was.
    I do agree about the expansion noise.