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There are a few common under-floor
installation methods: staple-up with heat transfer plates, staple-up without
heat transfer plates, and hanging tubing in the joist space. This is how they
differ.
Staple-Up With Heat Transfer Plates
These systems use thin aluminum heat transfer plates that are stapled up with
radiant heat tubing under your subfloor. The plates are highly conductive and
provide a large surface area that will absorb heat more quickly and keep it warm
much longer. Using heat transfer plates will disburse heat more evenly
throughout the floor than the other under-floor methods.
Most manufactures will make heat transfer plates to accept different sizes of
tubing. So you need to match the width of your heat transfer plates to the size
of your tubing. Heat transfer plates also range anywhere from 5 to 12 inches
wide depending on the brand you choose.
You will want to get the best plate coverage possible. If using narrow plates,
you should run two rows between each floor joist. By separating the tubing runs
by around 8" you will obtain a much more even heating pattern in the floor
above.
Check each heat transfer plate before you insert them into the tubing. Be aware
of any sharp edges on the transfer plates as they might cut or damage the
tubing. Installation is easy, simply snap the plate around the tubing and fasten
it to the underside of the sub-floor.
If you are installing 12" wide plate, you will usually find pre-made grooves for
two tubes. Simply make certain that each heat transfer plate is stapled up in
the center of the floor joists. When you staple up the plates, staples towards
the outside edges of the plate as well as one row of staples down the middle.
By placing the staples on the outside edges of the plates you allow the tubing
to be away from the sub floor and will help prevent any noises caused by
expansion and contraction of the tubing.
Staple Up Without Transfer Plates
When you forgo the heat transfer place, make sure that the proper staples are
used to hold the tubing in place. You do not want the tubing to directly contact
the sub floor, otherwise, the tubing will make noise as it expands and contracts
and rubs against the sub-floor.
Depending on what your design calls for, each tubing run should be placed around
8" away from each other, This will ensure that you obtain a much more even
heating pattern in the floor above.
Hanging in Joists Space
This system suspends the tubing several inches beneath the subfloor in the joist
space. When using this method you will purchase joist heating hangers that are
designed to be flexible in length, making them easy to install between the floor
joists.
These hangers usually come in a couple of different lengths to accommodate
joists that are 16" or 24" on center. Install your hangers about 2" below the
sub floor and space them out about every 3 feet. This will give you plenty of
room to lay the tubing in place. You will just place the tubing on top of the
Joist Heating Hangers and allow it to float on the braces.
Copyright 2006 Larry Lang All Rights Reserved.
Lang Enterprises Inc.
www.radiantheatingdisasters.com
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