Radiant Panel Options

J Matthers_2

Any users of Thermalboard out there? Pros - Cons. Doing an attic and loft over subfloor. Have Warmboard in the rest of the house and want low mass, low temp responsive product. Looking at Raupanel as well. Any other options?

Jim Erhardt

I can't say....

...as I have never been a big proponent of the above-the-subfloor-sandwich installation technique. As long as there are no reasons not to do so, I much prefer to use something like ThermoFin from *under* the subfloor for the easier access to tubing in the event of a problem (usual "worst case" scenario is just a matter of taking down some sheetrock). With the "sandwich" technique (regardless of whose product you use), it's usually far more costly to tear up a floor if Joe Handyman drives a nail or drills a hole for the TV cable/speaker wire/telephone wire/alarm system wire/etc. in the wrong spot.

Sorry for not answering your question directly, but I felt compelled to offer my 2-cents as this is an aspect of this installation technique that IMO is never fully considered.

"I didn't know there was a pipe there...."

J Matthers_2

That is certainly a "Con" however in both areas there is a finished ceiling below so no access.

With the Warmboard in the rest of the house, although the tubing is visible, the tube was nicked in one spot and repaired. Now after one heating season it would appear as if the tubing has chafed through on a nail and sprung another leak in another spot. (“Dad! We have a leak under the dining room, but there is no plumbing overhead, I can’t figure it out”). Glad it was on the first floor. I found the best way to find the area of the leak is to charge the loop with air and break out the stethoscope. Works quite well. Next step is to cut out the floorboard with a straight router bit.

Unknown

easy solution

make sure holes are drilled close to walls, as they should be anyway.

In sandwich applications, the tubing typically is out away from the walls several inches.
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Northeast Radiant Technology, LLC

Robert Brown, Co-Owner, RPA certified Radiant Designer

207.899.2328
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Dave_14

Have you ever considered Roth radiant panels?

I have just completed one room of a major retrofit of my home. The first room being the basement rec. room. I pulled the existing carpet and installed the Roth panels, Pex and laminate flooring in 4 days working alone on the job, well not quite alone I had help from the 5 year old son and 4 year old daughter.

You can see some of the photos of the project at: www.ve6ski.blogspot.com

J Matthers_2

Dave, does Roth have a website I can look at some specs on?

Dave_14

Yes, it is http://www.roth-usa.com/

They at one time had the complete brochure available in a pdf file, but the last time I was looking for it I was unable to find it.

harvey

how about sub-ray

WE used this product by Watts and thought it worked well. If this is your own home or have cheaper labor use the sub-ray idea and rip down 3/4" plywood. Check it out!

Andrew Lefin

Thermal Board above concrete slab

I would like to install a Thermal Board system above a carpeted concrete slab. I'm concerned that this system may end up with isolated hot spots and that the aluminum will not distribute the heat well. Any comments on thermal board above concrete or in a carpeted application?

Thanks,
Andy

Matt_21

Dave did you just

glue the roth panels to the slab or did you attach them some other way. If you did glue them, what did you use. I'm planning to do the same thing this winter in my basement. I looked at your blog. Very nice job

matt

Dave_14

I used PL300 foam board adhesive according to the directions. Worked very well, though somewhat time consuming, glueing, pressing into place, lifting, wait time of about 3 - 5 minutes, then final press into place. Eventually got to the point of doing a whole row at a time. Still didn't take too long, four days from pulling carpet to finished laminate flooring and about 350 sqft.