Installing Radiant Floor Heat - The Best 4 Installation Methods!

If you live in an really cold area, and want to delight the warmth of the stovetop close to you, you can try installing radiant floor heat in your home and even at your place of work. It's a fantastic experience and maintains the room at a very comfortable temperature throughout the day.

There are basically 3 types of radiant floor heating...They are air heated...Electric heated...And hydronic heated or also referred to as hot water heated.

Each of these 3 types of heating have its own good and bad points. Although air heated systems can be integrated with a solar power system, it's rather pricey. Therefore it's barely used for residential purposes.

But then, Electric in Floor Heating may be very cost effective, if they use a lot amount of thermal mass. All the same, the most favorite form of Radiant Floor Heat Systems is hydronic, as it's not only very effective, but as well you've got more control over setting the room temperature simply by regulating the flow of water.

There's several common ways for installing radiant floor heat. Let's take a look at the top 4 methods used. There's another good alternate if you only need some heat in certain spots in your home. Check out some Heated Floor Mats for having portable heat where you need it!

The first method of installing radiant floor heat is...Slab on grade. This method is the oldest and most proven method. With this method, radiant mats, or tubing is placed in the form work of the slab before placing the concrete. This method the most efficient way because it allows the slab heat to last for days. This method of installation is commonly used when building new homes. If you'd like to use this method, you'll need to fine some professional help.

The second method is installing radiant floor heat...Over the subfloor framing and under the finish floor. Both hydronic and electric systems can be utilized with this method. As the name indicates, this method is installed all over the top of the subfloor. In this method, contractors use pre-fabricated radiant heating system components like, hydronic or electric tubing which is sandwiched between the wood or concrete subflooring and the finish floor underlayment.

The third method of installing radiant floor heat is...Under the sub flooring. If you use this method, the radiant system is connected between floor joists. In essence, the space between the floor joists is used to create a heat chamber. You'll have to install suitable insulation under the heating system, so when the system is on it will send the heat  upward towards the surface of the above floor. This is a dry technique and especially helpful once you plan to do some renovations.

The fourth method is built right into subfloor...In this system, the heating components are designed in such a way that it creates heat in the subfloor cavity. This system is a.k.a. structural radiant heating. Using this system is relatively simpler for installation of either electric and hydronic heat. All the same, you must consult a qualified contractor for help.