Watts SubRay

ChrisL

Does anyone have any experience with the SubRay radiant floor panels? Seems like it is labor intensive, and I am a little suspicous of the heat transfer mechanism.

Thanks,

Chris

hr

My first exposure

this job was installed by the GC and his carpenter. I thank the Lord every time I walk into this job, as my labor bid to do the install would have missed the boat big time:)

It took better than a week to do this 2300 square foot job. HOWEVER it was a very challanging layout in an old building. First off the building is a trapizoid shape to fit the city intersection.

Plenty of angle walls were added and there weren't two parallel or square walls in the building! Probably a worse case application in all fairness. But I know I could have plated this job from below in two days and a lot less material cost.

I'm sure there are perfect applications for any of the dry "on top" products. Chose carefully, and watch your labor hours on the first install.

As for output is sure looks like a mini suspended tube system. There really is no conduction transfer and the pex really squirrels around as the hot water hits it. I hope it doesn't lead to noise issues. We ran this system a few days before the floor covering went down.

I've not seen any actual third party testing on the output, be nice to see a lab test all the various on top products for a equal basis comparison.

hot rod

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harvey

sub ray

We used sub-ray on a 5000 sqft all radiant home. It has worked well. We like the fact of using 1/2" tube and sub-ray gives you flexiblity in tube routing.I.E. two tubes in one track or tubes on 4" centers if you have to get back to the manifold. We did'nt use the foil tape but used a 4' wide foil roll. The job had 3/4 sub floor, 3/4 subray 1/4 plywood with a 5/8 engineered 8" wide floating floor on top.

hr

Nailing

down hardwood or cement backer board will be a challange with tube running at angles and two directions in one room. Seems they will have to make a drawing or map to be sure they miss the tube in all the "odd" spaces.

hot rod

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ChrisL

re:

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like there are some positives, and definitely negatives.

Chris

Weezbo

That looks like nothing buh a hassel.....

it looks more like carpentry than plumbing finish nailer might just ruin the whole Week for you.

Unknown

I'd like to see independant testing too, because frankly I don't see any good transfer there at all. I especially like the foil tape bottom which I gather is supposed to reflect heat upwards... from the tubing sitting in direct contact with the reflective surface. woo hoo!

I bet you'd be better off going under the floor even with lightweight aluminum plates than using this stuff.

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