Particle Board RFH Sleepers

johnnyd

After much research (alot of it accomplished by lurking here), a room-by-room heat loss calc, and having wet my feet (not literally, though) doing in-slab PEX in a garage/work shop, I'm ready to start a DIY Al plate sandwich RFH system on my 1600 sq ft house. I've decided on a sub-floor/sleeper/plate/finished floor stack, and plywood prices have influenced a decision to go with particle board sleepers (underlayment rated) in non-moisture areas like bedrooms, sun room, and carpeted living room. Before I start ripping 12" strips, I would appreciate some opinions on whether or not I'll get higher than normal formeldahyde off-gassing with this particle board running 110 - 120 degree water.

hr

I'd still

like to see you ue plywood for the sleepers. Aside from the moisture and off gassing, particleboard sometimes chips when hardwood nails are driven into it at an angle.

Baltic Birch plywood is even nicer for nail base.

hot rod

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johnnyd

The partical board is not for fasteners

> like to see you ue plywood for the sleepers.

> Aside from the moisture and off gassing,

> particleboard sometimes chips when hardwood nails

> are driven into it at an angle.

>

> Baltic Birch

> plywood is even nicer for nail base.

>

> hot rod

> _A

> HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=

> 144&Step=30"_To Learn More About This

> Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in

> "Find A Professional"_/A_

johnnyd

not worried about fasteners

Thanks for your response.

The particle board sleepers will be screwed to the plywood or Advantech subfloor, and over that will go 3/4" oak veneer plywood 2' X 2' squares, also screwed though to the subfloor...or, in the living room, pad and carpet. I will be using plywood sleepers under the hardwood or tiled rooms.

So I'm primarily concerned with off-gassing and would love to hear from an installer who has used PB underlayment as sleepers in a low mass, low temp system.

Using particle board instead of plywood in there rooms will save about $450.

kevin coppinger_4

if you are putting....

carpet over the top of this I'd be suprised if you only need 120F temps...more like 140+....unless its just for floor warming...then off gassing would be of a concern.kpc

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Dan Peel

Two suggestions

Use plywood or at worst MDF board. Chip, flake. particle nor any of the other sawdust products is up to the task in my opinion.

Use closer spacing than 12". Metal plating will help some but moving the heat 6" laterally before overcoming the resistance to flow upward through your floor covering is a little extreme with most control setups.

Enjoy.....Dan .

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