Joist Trak vs. Quik Trak with baseboards???

Unknown

Joist trak outperforms Quik Trak in all applications. And, it's generally cheaper. More labor to install typically, unless you have nice open, regular joists and clean workspace down there, and it sounds like you might (and you won't even need a rolling scaffold!).

I know it's counterintuitive, but Joist Trak *does* outperform the above-the-floor quik trak. This is a testament to how poorly designed quik trak is, IMO.

Also, Radiant Engineering's ThinFin "C" is a superior plate to Joist Trak. Joist Trak works, but ThinFin grips a lot better. Price should be comparable.

If you want to save money by not doing all radiant floor, consider radiant ceiling or wall in the bedrooms if there is demo to be done anyway. It's cheap, powerful, comfortable, and low temp.

Charlie_11

Joist Trak vs. Quik Trak with baseboards???

Roughly need 30 Btu/hr/ft2 w/Wirsbo Joist Trak plates. Now my question is: would using the “Quik Trak” system be more/less efficient and with cost in mind? And from my limited knowledge, how hard is it to mix radiant floors ½ house with baseboards/radiators ½ house -water temperature differences and all. Thanks

Tony_23

well...

First, it's not hard to have a 2 temp system. Is this an addition to a house with an existing bbd system ? If not, you could design the half with bbd for lower temp water and maybe keep it one temp. I have designed systems around 130 deg water and they work nicely, especially with a condensing boiler.

Next, Joistrak is installed under the subfloor, Quiktrack above the subfloor. What your finish flooring is going to be will make a difference in output comparisons.

A bit more info is needed for a definitive answer, and I'm sure more of us will chime in soon.

Charlie_11

More info . . .

Hardwoods in the living areas with either "Quik Trak" or "Joist Trak" - but the bedrooms/etc with baseboards and carpet. I guess I’m just trying to save a little money from an entire retrofit home with radiant floors. – Unless you all talk me into it. Both the Wirsbo products will work pretty easily in this application by the way. Albeit “Quik trak” easier to install but more changes to trim/doors/etc. We do have a nice 4-5' crawlspace.

hr

Personally...

I hate to see carpet and pad over radiant floors! Use baseboard in the carpeted bedrooms. Faster response, easier to setback a few degrees, doesn't encourage growth of undesireables in the carpet fibers, etc.

Check the Wirsbo output tables for actual BTU output with your flooring choices and at various supply temperatures, with both the methods you mentioned.

hot rod

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Andrew Hagen (ALH)

I agree

Carpet and radiant floors do not agree. Combination systems work well, and with the forcasted fuel price increases I'd recommend some "oversized" panel radiators and a modulating boiler with constant circulation. Baseboard is on its way out IMO.

As long as you have access below, it's easier carpentry-wise to install an extruded plate below the subfloor. Newer installation methods (stapling or nailing the plates) for the extruded plates have greatly decreased the labor required for installation.

-Andrew

Unknown

Carpets are nasty with or without radiant. The temps aren't so very different whether they are heated or whether it's summer; use a slab foam rubber pad and thin, synthetic fiber carpets (preferably that don't offgas) and carpet isn't so bad over radiant, depending on loads.

And radiant ceiling is even better over carpet than baseboard