

- #RADIANT FLOOR HEATER SYSTEM INSTALL#
- #RADIANT FLOOR HEATER SYSTEM PRO#
- #RADIANT FLOOR HEATER SYSTEM WINDOWS#
The first pro of heated floor systems is the ease of installation. When looking for floor warming options, there are some pros and cons to consider. A heated floor system provides comfort and warmth to tile floors, which can be particularly snug in bathrooms.
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Always follow the gypsum underlayment manufacturer’s procedures to verify that the slab is adequately cured that and the surface is properly prepared before installing finish flooring.Heated floor systems, or radiant heating, is not only a popular addition that adds appeal and value to the home, but floor warming systems are also super cozy, especially on a cold morning. With the proper preparation, a poured gypsum slab can be covered with almost any finish flooring including carpet, sheet vinyl, ceramic tile and glue-down wood flooring. However, unlike concrete it is NOT intended to serve as a permanent “wearing surface.” When poured gypsum underlayment cures, it resembles plaster and is almost as hard as standard concrete. This minimizes any differential shrinkage in the slab, resulting is a very flat finish surface.
#RADIANT FLOOR HEATER SYSTEM INSTALL#
Some installers prefer to install the gypsum slab in two layers (or “lifts”). As the product is poured, it self-levels with minimum floating. The product is prepared is a special mixer usually placed outside the building, and is then pumped in through a hose. The poured gypsum underlayment consists of gypsum cement, masonry sand, admixtures and water. This minimizes water absorption into the subfloor as well as strengthening the bond between the slab and subfloor. Next the floor is sprayed with a combination sealant/bond enhancement coating. Once all tubing circuits have been installed they should be pressure tested as described earlier. It’s the preferred attachment method for all but very small thin-slab areas. A pneumatic stapler with a special attachment allows the staples to be quickly placed without damage to the tubing. Installation begins by stapling the tubing to the subfloor. In most cases, the slab is installed by a subcontractor trained and equipped to mix and place the materials. They also function well as the slab material for thin-slab floor radiant heating systems. Poured gypsum underlayments have been used for many years for floor leveling as well as to enhance the acoustic and fire resistance properties of wood-framed floors. Poured Gypsum Thin-Slab Radiant Heat System However they can present obstacles in retrofit situations. The additional floor thickness and weight are easily managed if planned into the building as it is designed. Have a competent designer or structural engineer verify what, if any, changes are necessary to support the added load.

Never assume the proposed floor structure can simply support the added weight of either type of thin-slab. Standard weight concrete thin slabs add about 18 pounds per square foot (at 1.5” thickness). Poured gypsum thin-slabs typically add 13 to 15 pounds per square foot to the “dead loading” of a floor structure. It will also affect the riser heights on stairs.Īnother issue that must be addressed is the added weight of the thin-slab.
#RADIANT FLOOR HEATER SYSTEM WINDOWS#
This requires adjustments in the rough opening heights of windows and doors as well as the height of door thresholds. One requirement that must be accommodated is that thin-slabs typically add 1.25 to 1.5 inches to the floor height. Both types of slabs have installation requirements that must be carefully coordinated with the building design process. One of the most common is called a thin slab system. Thin slabs consist of either a specially formulated concrete or poured gypsum underlayment. There are several methods of installing hydronic radiant heat systems over a conventional wood-framed floor.
