Using Radiant In Existing Home Renovations
Installation Service for Nanaimo B.C. and area
Where can I install radiant in my home that I want to renovate?
If your floor joists are accessible from below,
If you are replacing flooring,
you can install in floor radiant to your home
Renovations we can do it. Some methods are the same as new construction some differences are noted.
The first 3 methods are the most common
1. Sleepers over existing Concrete. - 1x3 or 1x4 or 2x3 or 2x4 or 1" plywood strips Glued on Concrete or Tapcon. First around perimeter, then spacing as per plan could be 6" 8" 12” with proper direction for hardwood, can have sub floor over this or not. Depending on flooring. Reflective insulation will benefit but not as effective as rigid foam
Notes: Can use 1 x 4 or several different manufactured floor system are available for above concrete installations.
2. Sleepers over framed floor
- 1x3 or 1x4 or 2x3 or 2x4 or 1" plywood strips first around perimeter, then spacing as per plan could be 6" 8" 12" with proper direction for hardwood, can have sub floor over this or not, depending on flooring. Reflective Batt insulation with air gap in joist space or reflective under tubing will help. Several manufactured systems are also available for above sub floor installations.
Notes if replacing flooring, and joist space is not accessible this is way to go.
3. Joist space
- if accessible this is the way to go for suspended floors. Can use talon clips, pex staples, hangers, or aluminium plates. Reflective insulation with air gap to pex. And also batt insulation. R12 is recommended with heated area below and R20 if over unheated area.
Although labour intensive, material cost are lower than other systems and the sub floor is not affected.
Notes: Radiant tubes in an air void (such as in a joist space ) emit invisible energy called infrared rays travelling at the speed of light These rays travel freely in air in all directions from the heat source and transmit there energy to a colder surface when they reach it, for example a wood sub floor. This energy then conducts through the sub floor and finished flooring. Reflective insulation with an air gap below the tubing to direct this energy towards the floor is very effective. R12 is still required as a minimum.
Staple up Questions and answers
Staple up Here? Plates Here? These nails are a minefield.
How to install pex here?
a grind away nails then use plates
b install pex under 1" wood sleepers
c nail tube to side of joists 1 inch down
d use hanging devices
e drill 1" Holes in joists 2" down 8" on center and go crossways
f. all the above will work select the best method for your application (Local authorities may require certain methods).
4. In Concrete Slab over existing slab. If you have enough ceiling height you may consider this method. You could insulate (optional insulation typically perimeter 2' vertical insulation, 2"insulation under slab), 6"square mesh. Then attach pex to mesh,1 1/2" concrete overpour.
5. Concrete Over pours over framed floor determine if floorjoist can handle load.
6. Radiant wall and ceiling panels foil insulation 1x2 or 2x2 framing, tubing installed then wainscotting to cover. effective where floors are not available for heating also effective for adding additional heat, if floors cannot provide enough heat.
