Above sub-floor radiant heat installations

Troy_3

We have installed raupanel on many projects over the last two years. I feel they are by far the easiest to install and provide the best performance. Some of the other dry systems just don't put out enough heat transfer for my area. We've used rau under tile, stone, carpet and hardwood. The biggest problem we have had is the unlevelness of some subfloors. Some of these builders don't leave you with a very level surface to attach to.

S. Shirkey

Above sub-floor radiant heat installations

I am researching materials / systems for a dry above the sub-floor radiant heat installation on new residential construction. I have read a lot of information on the different manufacturer’s systems; some use pre-grooved wood sleepers, some use extruded aluminum heat transfer plates and wood sleepers, some use foil tape in the spaces between wood sleepers with an over-layment of thin aluminum heat transfer plates. What has the trade’s experience been with these various systems, what are the pros and cons, how do they compare in material cost, how do they compare in installation ease and which system would you install in your own house? I am planning for hardwood flooring most places with tile over cement board in the bath and wet areas.

hr

As with any

radiant system the conductive transfer offered by direct contact transfer plates will be your best bet. From my experience

Certainly do a heat load calc first to see what type of output you will be needing.

I have done a few "build your own" versions with Thermofin transfer plates and plywood strips. Works great, but is time consuming.

I recently helped with a Watts Radiant Subray install. By far they have the best wood strips. A very dense baltic birch material that is smooth, straight and perhaps the only NOFMA approved hardwood nailer. It can be used with either 3/8 or 1/2" tube for nice long loop lengths.

I wish it had a better tube "connection" as the tube is merely floating and moving within that space.

Think I would consider PAP as a prefered tube, to minimise the squirreling around of the tube as the hot water hits. I'd also highly reccomend constant circ.

As warm weather has hit this area we did not get much run time to really watch it.

Watts did film it with an IR camera. It does do the job, but the output difference was obvious where the tube did bump against and contact the flooring.

I'd skip the thin foil tape in the space but for sure use the metal U channels to protect the tube and help along the heat transfer.

The panels from Rehau look "powerful" but I'm not sure how one would nail hardwood through the aluminum plates, and the wood strips are very narrow for nailing. I would guess it's output to be the best, with that much aluminum and tight tube fit.

ThermoFin or ThinFin are the products I use most often for underfloor dry systems. I am a big fan of low mass dry systems for my area. The quick response is a big plus in a climate where weather, and temperature extremes are common. This product is also available from a number of Radiant companies including Watts, SlantFin, Roth and maybe others.

Pretty much all the radiant companies have dry "above floor" systems on the market. Must be a dozen or more "systems' out there. The ones mentioned are the ones I have personally installed.

hot rod

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

S. Shirkey

Thanks, Hot Rod!

I really like the advertisement for the RauPanel. The amount of aluminum heat transfer plate is very appealing. I am not sure about the suitability of the nailer strip to secure the hardwood floor, although it would seem to be sufficient. I have read that since the air space is "above the floor", there is no need to create one below the floor, thereby allowing the insulation to be installed tighter to the sub-floor. I am curious if anyone has experience with this particular product and how well it works. I will implement continuous circulation to minimize the expansion / contraction noise issues and to provide better temperature control.

Unknown

I would consider Raupanel to be king of over-subfloor pre-fab methods, as far as performance is concerned.

Though if you don't have a subfloor yet, you might also want to consider warmboard.

And if your labor is cheap, you might want to consider something other than the pre-fab systems entirely, like the DIY thermofin work HR mentioned. You do pay for convenience.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

joel_19

viega

we've used the Stagler/Viega system since it came out. Nver anoise problem , never an output problem. While I'm intreaged by Rhehau I'm not convinced that it won't make noise and it looks much harder to put wood over. most all our installs are under wood.