Joist Trak Labor

JimmyJam

I'm bidding a full radiant ranch style house. Joist trak plates for main level and embedded in basement. My question is how do you guys estimate installation time for plates and tubing? I believe that someone had estimated 2 minutes per plate a while back. We will have approximately 650 plates between TJI joists. (3) independant zones with manifolds for each. Thanks!

PS. In the past we have used 1/2" drywall screws individually as I cannot locate an automatic self feed drill that will drive 1/2" screws. Any suggestions?

hr

I've tried

using an auto feed screw gun but the feed mechanism would plug with the aluminum and wood chips when used overhead.

I use a coil roofing nail gun. A good stapler will work. Some guys get real fast with a cordless and zip screws.

The heavier gauge ThermoFins take a bit more push to drive a screw through. I like the drill point screws for that installation if you chose the cordless method.

I think Slant Fin offers pre-drilled heavy gauge fins. Be sure to check with them.

Watts Radiant also has a ThermoFin plate in their line up now. I installed a bunch for their new factory open house this week.

RTI and Wirsbo offer a lighter gauge transfer plate, although the ThermoFin has the tighest fit should you tube be a bit out of tolerance

As for time.. really depends on how much stuff is in the way. Both in the joist bays and on the floor.

I use a small scaffold on wheels to speed up the process.

hot rod

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tim smith

joist track

We just did appx 1100 plates and almost 6000 feet of tube on a replacement job that had entran and twin tube radiant. Used a heavy duty pneumatic brad nailer w. 3/4" staples. Normally used for trim and cabinet work. works great. I would think 3 minutes would be adequate in new construction. Would not touch this job, suspended framed ceiling below floor joist, uggh. Good luck. On this job, we could only get appx 120 plates up a day most the time. Crawl space 1/2 and 10 ft ceiling for other 1/2 with the double framing.

John Felciano

Scew it

We use a automatic screw gun made by Grabber.We put up about 1500 plates in the last two weeks. Had some minor problems with the gun but we have an older model and I believe they corrected the problems with the newer ones.

I'm on my way out the door and will post more details later.E-mail me if you have any questions.

John Abbott

Labor costs ......

will vary regionaly,but here in N.H. I use a budget figure of 1.50 per lineal foot for joist trac and tube screwed up with duro-dyne screws on new constrution with 9' or lower installation height.Labor only.

John