Insulation under Quick Trac ?

Joe B.

We have used Quik Trak on jobs where we were able to install the proper insullation below the subfloor, but what about existing slab on grade jobs. The Wirsbo manual talks about a possible vapor barrier if the water table is high, but there is no mention of insulation. Do we need to be concerned with downward energy loss.

Mark Eatherton1

Yes...

You do need to be concerned with downward losses.

R1 would be better than no R at all.

ME

Dave H_2

Floor Coverings

are also a concern.

The amount of insulation will also depend upon the finished floor covering to go on top of the quik trac.

For some projects, I have used a layer of plywood below to act as a thermal break and also something to attach the radiant system to.

ScottMP

How about

Insultarp

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Unknown

Above reply is usually adequate, depending on floor coverings. However, as big a Wirsbo fan as I am, the application you are talking about is one in which I tend to think quik trak was not well designed. Maybe RauPanel, which has the aluminum on top?
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Northeast Radiant Technology, LLC

Robert Brown, Co-Owner, RPA certified Radiant Designer

207.899.2328
NRT@maine.rr.com

Joel_3

heat

Is going down no matter where the aluminum is. Those neat plywood squares with the dimples on the back do give you insulation value i just can't remember how much. We used athin foam like what goes under Pergo and no problems

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Unknown

It'll give you about a .5 R or so. do it over a ply sub and you've got about 1.4 down and .9 up w/regular hardwood on top. Not ideal, but adequate in most cases. I'd prefer than to flipping it around at least if it's not possible to get insulation in.

Any links regarding that athin foam though? I'm not familiar with that and google isn't being very helpful.

_______________________________
Northeast Radiant Technology, LLC

Robert Brown, Co-Owner, RPA certified Radiant Designer

207.899.2328
NRT@maine.rr.com

Mark Eatherton1

S P A C E. . . .

I think Joel meant A THIN FOAM. He's like me, my mind can't keep up with my fingers, and my fingers RARELY talk to my mind...

M E

Michael_6

aluminum

Joel, before you say where the heat goes try a simple experiment. Put a couple of passes of Raupanel and a couple of passes of quik trak on 3/4" ply no insulation below and nail some hardwood over it. Use same tube lengths-same water temp and pump. let run for a bit and check surface temp of hardwood in a few different spots, surface temp of panels in a few different spots. Then check the temp under the plywood and let me know what you find. ( your temp gauge won't get an accurate reading from the aluminum unless you make it black)

Weezbo

first let me say Thanks .Space:)

the "plan" i have today is sorta like the Question you have. i intend to use 3/8ths pex ,with the foam that comes from the shipping package of overhead garage doors! this i will lay around the perimiter of the room .as it is about 2-0' wide .it hopefully ) will allow the heat to sink into the middle of the slab down to my existing insulation and vapor barrier.that i have no "Engineering data" on however.it just seems the panel will Radiate more near the walls as it will be Thinner,in the middle of the room the thermal mass should Sorta Saturate ......the thing though is that i intend to use a very thin 3/4 " pour of gypcrete with Moose milk...(acrilyic bonding agents) entrained.....if it dont work...well...its My Home i can always find some way to save a dollar:)

Mike Reavis_2

Try Roth Panels

They have styrofoam underneath, and aluminum on top to snap the pipe into. They work at my house.