Warmth from the floor up

Radiant heat is a trend in home building and remodeling that is not going away, and the benefits are immediate for the homeowner. The big hurdle in the beginning is cost (budget around double the cost of forced air heat), and after that, you will experience the satisfaction of a wise choice that has made your life and your home a comfortable, cozy refuge for you and your family.

How it is done

The most common method of radiant heat is installed during the construction phase of a new home. Many forward thinking and qualified builders recommend, plan and facilitate the installation of a hot water “hydronic” radiant heated floor. Flexible polyethylene (plastic) tubes are typically fastened to the subfloor and then encapsulated with a lightweight and dense concrete. The water is heated and pumped through the tubes by a water heater or boiler to deliver efficient, even heat when desired.

The second most common method for radiant heat is electric radiant heat. This method is used when a home is being remodeled or “zone” heating is desired. This type of radiant heat is supplied by electric wires that are installed on top of the existing substrate (concrete or wood) and encapsulated by a self-leveling cement or mortar. It is important that an insulator, such as cork, or some other type of thermal break be installed between the concrete and the electric heating cables to decrease heat loss below the finished floor surface. Electric radiant heat is available in pre-packaged kits with a thermostat in various square footage quantities. Radiant heat should not be installed under cabinetry or around commodes.

Flooring options

Hardwood selection tips:
Verify that the hardwood is approved by the manufacturer for radiant heat. You will start to see a pattern of species, hardwood constructions (solid vs. engineered), plank size and thicknesses that are approved. There are specific steps to be followed prior to installation of the hardwood. Testing the vapor emission of the concrete, checking for floor flatness, acclimation of the wood and adhesives are some of the critical steps involved to make sure the floor you select looks great for years to come. I strongly recommend guidance from someone who is able to guide you through this part of the project.

Tile selection tips:
Most ceramic and porcelain tiles are suitable. If you are selecting natural stone, verify that it is suitable for radiant heat. Just know that some are okay and some are not.

Carpet selection:
There are’t too many restrictions in this area. Pay attention to the pad you select, and make sure that your radiant heat will pass through the pad and the carpet efficiently.

The Benefit:

We all know that the cost of utilities is only going to go up. No one thing will make a tremendous difference, but this is one way you can save energy, save on future utility bills, increase the value of your home and have nice warm, even heat from the floor up.