ThermoFin C

Steve Minnich_1

In an above floor application with hardwood as the finished flooring, why not use ThermoFin C instead of ThermoFin U inverted.
Wouldn't it further decrease installation time by being able to install your plates first, walk your pex into place second, and then take care of your sleepers.
It would seem to me that the heating characteristics would not change.
Any thoughts?

Steve Minnich,
Radiant Comfort Systems

Dale Pickard

Sure

Sure Steve,

We have some people do this. If you do it this way, the tubing is there for the carpenters to trip over while the sleepers are being installed and the tubing doesn't get the protection provided by the extrusion. The open slots can fill with an amazing amount of jobsite grunge before the finish floor goes on. They should be vacuumed out but the little bit of protection is nice. The C Fin is a little heavier and a little more expensive than the UFin, (about $0.35 per foot).

We originally developed the UFin thinking that it would be applied channel facing up, which some folks, like Hot Rod, do. We later came to learn that it is more useful, (we think), to apply it the other way, channel down, as per the lengthy thread found elsewhere on the wall.

I'm trying to produce some shapes that designers and installers can find useful in different ways. Use your imagination.

Dale

Steve Minnich_1

Hey Dale

This is actually a job I'll be doing soon. If I install the pex immediately after installing the C Fin, the groove will stay clean. And I'll be installing the sleepers so I don't have to worry about someone else beating up my pex.

This just seems easier to me without compromising the job. Your point of protecting the tubing is well taken. But I'll limit the possibility of any damage by doing all of the pre-hardwood stuff myself.

I'll be calling you soon with my order.

More thoughts?

Steve Minnich
Radiant Comfort Systems

Dale Pickard

That's cool,

I admit that we have learned a lot of what we know about our product from our customers.

The pre cut plywood returns bends are very useful in helping create the layout and keep you an a clean 8" spacing. The female parts are 16" or 48" (3 sets of 16") and can be placed first to define the tube pattern and chalk lines snapped between them.

This is an application where the two shapes are more interchangable. There are applications though that each shape may be more uniquely useful. Obviously the CFin is the shape to use below floors, where you want to run the aluminum and the tubing independently of placing the extrusions, which are put up first.

One of the major hassles associated with the "omega" plates in below the floor applications is that the plate holds the tubing in place and the plate, the tubing, the staple gun, the silicone......etc. must be handled over your head simultaneously. Major hassle, lots of bending over and handling small pieces.

The UFin has been more uniquely suited to walls and ceilings and above floor applications where it can be applied with the channel facing the installer and the 8' extrusions the the tubing can be handled separately. In ceilings and walls I like to see a thermal break between the heating system and the framing. I show 1/2" foil faced isocyanurate board, (Thermax, Rmax) in the graphic below.

I have recently collaborated with Mark Eatherton on a design to melt snow on outdoor decks. I've attached a graphic that shows the UFin running lengthwise with the decking and cross wise to the joists. I show a styrofoam insulation block and a sheet metal cover.

This configuration would give the best coverage while still allowing the deck to drain. If the tubing runs could be kept short, < 150', then there would be no need for looping. We'd mount manifolds at either end of the decking with fitting at the tube spacing. If we placed two "sets" of manifolds at each end, we could run the deck in a kind of counterflow. I've considered producing a 5/8" version of the extrusions for these snowmelt applications.

I've attached some other graphics that illustrate some of these applications.

Dale

Steve Minnich_1

Deck snowmelt

What an idea! I could use that at my house-I have two large decks on the back of my house and I swear sometimes the heavy snow is going to bring them down someday.

Steve