A unique ‘thermal sandwich’ is created by placing
proprietary TPO plastic base modules on sub-floor or
slab, then routing PEX tubing through base and heat
reflectors, and covering with ‘heatstone’ thermal mass.
Easiest, most flexible installation method
Lower weight than wet methods
Most efficient – best thermal mass
Radiant energy focused on thermal mass
Quick recovery time
Contractor or do-it-yourself installation
Durable
Quiet
Requires planning for additional thickness of the
thermal sandwich
WET METHODS
On Floor Concrete Slab
Radiant tubing is placed on sub-floor or building slab.
Concrete layer is poured over tubing.
Requires planning for additional thickness of floor
Weight– requires sub-floor re-enforcing
Shrinking & cracking
Messy, wet installation
Long set time – site unavailableWon’t flow under drywall
Requires high water temp
Slow recovery/cycle time
Not do-it-yourself
Difficult to repair
Requires sealer & crack isolation membrane
Gypsum/Concrete Underlayment
Lighter weight concrete by adding gypsum and other
additives
Reduces cracking and shrinkage
Better thermal mass
Better acoustic sound reduction
Less weight than concrete
Durable
Requires planning for additional thickness of floor
Messy, wet installation
Long set time – site unavailable
Subject to damage during construction
Difficult to fasten tubing to
sub-floor or slab>
Slow recovery/cycle time
Difficult to repair
High installation/product costs
Requires high water temp
Professional installation only
DRY METHODS
Under-Floor ‘Staple Up’
Thermal tubing is ‘stapled up’ to bottom of sub-floor.
A reflective heat distribution cover is placed over
tubing.
Low cost initial cost
Contractor or do-it-yourself installation
Requires exposed sub-floor – does not work in restricted
areas
High operating costs – wood sub-floor is very poor
thermal mass
Can be difficult installation
Requires high water temp
Weakened joists from heat
Not applicable to slab floors
Grooved Wood on Subfloor
½” thick plywood sheet with grooves routered through the
sheet for the placement of radiant tubing. Some
manufacturers have aluminum plate under the
plywood.
Placed on top of subfloor
Easy installation in large spaces
Limited flexibility – difficult to work in tight spaces
No thermal mass – poor efficiency
Requires high water temp
Requires special tools and routers to install
Unknown durability
Can be noisy when heating tubes expand/contract
Expensive
Grooved Wood Subfloor
1 1/8” x 4’ x 8’ tongue and groove plywood subfloor cut
with grooves to accommodate PEX tubing. Aluminum plate
bonded to surface for heat transfer.
Single installation of subfloor and radiant delivery system
Structural
Does not require accommodation for height of radiant delivery
system
Can be nailed and cut with conventional carpentry tools
Difficult to change. Commits building layout at
subfloor construction time.
No thermal mass
Subject to the wear and tear and mess during construction
Requires special tools and routers to install
Slippery when wet
Not applicable for most remodel jobs
No DYI installation
Electric Heat Mats
Heating wire secured to a fiberglass net – covered with
thin cement
Useful for supplemental heat in small rooms
Easy install in open spaces
Quiet
Extremely high product costs
High operating costs – not generally suitable as primary heat
source
No thermal mass
Difficult to install in irregular spaces
Durability?
Base Board ‘Hot Water’ Heating
Baseboard unit equipped with copper tubing with ‘fins’
that radiate heat into room
Can work in conjunction with other radiant methods
