Underfloor Heating

Installation Options

Installations for radiant heated floor systems are classified into two categories – wet installations and dry installations. In wet installations, professionals place a thermal concrete slab over the subfloor.  In  dry installations, professionals either place radiant tubing in an air space between 2 layers of plywood, or attach the tubing underneath the subfloor. The terms wet and dry refer to the nature of the subflooring. Since dry installations place the cables and tubing in an air space between the subflooring, the term “dry” was coined, resulting in the opposite style of installation being called “wet”. Dry floors have been gaining increased popularity, due to the fact they are easier to build than “wet floors”.

The radiant heat flooring installation process generally involves laying thermally conducive plates or slabs in the subflooring of a structure. The slabs used are concrete or lightweight gypsum, while the plates used are usually special aluminum heat transferring plates. Copper tubing is used to transport the heat from the boiler which is installed either externally or in a special room of the structure. The goal of the installation is to properly assess the accessibility of the flooring, consider any possible obstructions, and bring an even amount of heating to the entire structure.

Hydronic Radiant Heat Flooring Installation

The process of installing hydronic radiant heat flooring involves running copper pipe underneath the subflooring of the dwelling. The copper pipes are closely surrounded by specially designed thermally conducive aluminum fins, which are covered in an aesthetically pleasing sheet metal layer with vented holes located in the top and bottom. The purpose of the installation is to conduct heat through the copper tubes, into the aluminum dispersing it into the surrounding air through the holes in the sheet metal covering.

Electrical Radiant Heat Flooring Installation

Installing electrical radiant heat flooring involves running electrical cables under the subflooring of a structure. These cables are placed under a thermally conducive mat which transfers the heat from the cables into the surface of the heated dwelling. This process is usually completed with a dry installation, with the cables being directly attached underneath the subfloor. An electrician will usually need to be consulted or on staff during an installation of this nature.

Air-Heated Radiant Heat Flooring

The installation of air-heated radiant heating systems is usually a wet installation, in which the air tubes are ran underneath the floor of the building, providing hot air to the entire length of the structure. Although this kind of radiant heating is rarely used, the installation process is just as complex as the two previously mentioned installations. The goal of the installation is to provide a stable subflooring environment in which the hot air carrying tubes are safe from puncture. Since this kind of radiant heating is usually less cost effective, the installation may involve attaching solar panels to the heating system to minimize cost as much as possible. In fact, some people even decide to use multiple power source for their radiant heating system, which may complicate the installation process even further.

The specific steps of each installations will depend upon the individual circumstances at hand. Each installation is different, as most structures are exactly the same. Professional use a variety of skills to asses each situation before beginning the installation, and failure to consider even the smallest details can result in a disastrous mishap. For this reason, individuals should never attempt a radiant heat flooring installation without first receiving proper training.