Radiant heat for garage floor

Hammer

I'm in the process of planning construction of a new (detached) garage. From past experience working on vehicles on a cold garage floor, I've always wanted to install a radiant floor system to keep everything nice and comfy during the winter.

Here's the issue.....the garage will probably be 30'x32' and will be constructed as a "pole building"; no foundation, but treated, wolmanized posts every xx feet. I'll insulate the walls and there will be a poured concrete floor. Since there is no foundation, does anyone know of a reason why I can't (or shouldn't) consider a radiant floor system? What's the best web sites to find some construction details? Thanks.

Jared M. Dean

I can't think of any reason you couldn't do radiant in a pole building construction keping a few things in mind. You need to insulate under your tubing and around the perimeter of the slab - even if this meant coming in a foot or so so you weren't near any exposed sidewall of the slab. Insulation is the key to an efficient system. Tis could be done pretty easily with a water heater (unless you have a usable source of hot water in the house), a circ and some controls. Make sure you use a tubing with an oxygen barrier. Most importantly - be careful when getting installation info off of websites. Not always the best source of info. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

Jared

hr

Sure

I do pole barns all the time. Insulate under the entire floor and on the inside of the pressure treaded band board. This board is generally left in place, and as such becomes the concrete slab form, the finished outside nailer for the metal siding, and a place to fasten the foam to.

I like to see 1-1/2 or 2" foam used on the perimeter band insulation.

I think radiant floors really help prevent frost heaving,as there really is no frost protection on a pole barn slab that is footing and foundation-less

hot rod

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johnnyd

that's exactly what I am doing

Pole building with perimeter insulation...dug down on inside of the 2x8 "band board" 18" to 20", and placed 4" of rigid foam.

How does it work? Still installing the water heater but am just about ready to flush and fill the system.

Fred Harwood

garage radiant

The biggest problem is humidity from rain and snow melt off the vehicles. The warm floor greatly increases the evaporation rate and so greatly increases the humidity in the garage. The increased humidity in turn greatly increases mold growth on and in the walls, even promoting wood rot.
In short, warm, wet garage floors require ventilation and special precautions for preventing water vapor from migrating into the insulated spaces.
I am interested in knowing how others may have solved this problem.

Earthfire

water

We usually spec a box drain down the middle of the floor and have the concrete guys pitch from the side walls to the drain .We spec this wether the owners are smart enough to get radiant floor heat or not . Any time a garage is heated(even not heated) moisture, from rain, snow, washing will be a concern and must be dealth with or it will creat problems