As energy prices skyrocket, radiant heating has gained popularity with homeowners in cold parts of the country, becoming a common way to heat specific rooms, additions, and even entire homes. The systems are used for both new and remodeled construction in both residential and commercial projects.
Barrier Corp. has long recognized this continued growth and offers a variety of quality products and technical expertise about the toppings poured over radiant-heating applications to ensure an efficient and attractive system.
Click here to view more pictures showing installation of radiant heat floors.
Benefits
There are a number of advantages to radiant heating. These include:
- Even, consistent heating for more comfort.
- More efficient energy use.
- Zone heating for individual spaces.
Applications
Uses for radiant heating include:
- New construction.
- Rehab/remodeling of existing spaces.
- Additions that expand space.
- Secondary heating to supplement existing sources.
- Exterior use for melting ice and snow.
Installation Options
Radiant heating can be installed as either an electric or hot-water system. Many manufacturers can supply the needed equipment, using various installation procedures. The piping can be mounted under the sub-floor between joists or on top of the sub-floor.
The most common approach is to install cabling or tubing over the sub-floor with stapling or clamping fasteners and then to pour a concrete topping or underlayment over the system. This creates thermal-absorption mass that provides even heating throughout the space.
Some applications use a heat-reflective material or insulating foam board to direct heat upwards. This approach requires different methods of mounting the cabling or tubing.
An alternative installation method uses a pregrooved underlayment with tubing inserted, with plywood or cement board installed over the system, creating a surface for the finishing products. But this approach creates a disadvantage, because the plywood serves as an insulator rather than the thermal-absorbing mass required for even heating.
Exterior Applications
Concrete makes an ideal material for creating heavy-wear exterior surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, garage floors, and even basement slab floors.
Concrete topping also can be used on above-grade decking, including wood, precast or cast-in-place concrete, and metal. Typically, these include a pea-gravel concrete mix.
The advantage derived from a concrete topping is that it may be more economical than underlayments. It can be used as a structural layer if needed, and it can be left exposed to show its natural color, or it readily takes to staining or coloring.
The drawback to concrete toppings can be its tendency to crack. Its weight (145 pcf) and its difficulty in placing and finishing it also make other options more appealing in certain situations.
Self-Leveling Underlayments
Self-leveling underlayments can be used on interior decks and slab surfaces.
The advantages to these underlayments are that they experience less cracking, provide excellent bonding and light weight (120 pcf), and create a smooth and level finish.
The drawback is that underlayment does not provide structural support and must have a finish-floor product applied over it, adding time and cost.
Underlayment Recommendation
USG LevelRock RH underlayment by USG Corp is highly recommended by Barrier Corp. for its superior finish and bonding capabilities to sub-floors. Among its benefits are:
- Available in both residential and commercial grades.
- Reduces sound transfer.
- No cracking due to shrinkage.
- Stiffens wood sub-floor systems reducing floor bounce.
USG LevelRock References:
- RH Submittal Sheet
- RH Technical Bulletin #2
- RH Architectural Specification (Div. 3)
- RH MSDS
- SE-100 Surface Enhancer
- Finish Floor Preparation
- Warranty