Technical Specifications

Radiant Heat the Right Way
SM
Lay the foil down reflective side up. Do
not overrun the edges. Trim as needed.
Lightly staple to hold in place.
Install PEX tubing according to the
layout on your floor plan and walk tubing
into place as shown. The grid modules
form a unique symmetrical pattern that
accommodates straight runs, s-curves,
and 90˚ or 180˚ turns. The grid allows for
on-the-spot design changes and tube
runs in small or congested areas.
Pressure test the system before installing
backer board. Complete PEX tubing
installation and connect the tubing to the
manifold system.
Lay backer board over the completed
assembly and cut as required to fit room
dimensions. Secure backer board by screwing
through the grids to the subfloor (suspended
floor)... or gluing backer board to grids (slab).
Secure one row of backer board at a time and
cut to fit at end of run as needed.
Starting in the back corner of the room,
snap together the FloorHeat grids and lay
them over the thermal reflective foil. Cut
each grid as needed to provide a tight,
wall-to-wall-fit.
Install heat transfer plates into the grid
modules as shown leaving approximately
2" to 4" between plates.
Construction Considerations
The FloorHeat system—with typical cement fiber board
thermal mass—weighs less than 5 lbs./sq. ft. and requires
1-1/2" height. Joist reinforcement is usually not required.
The additional height is accommodated by adding a
second 2"x 4" to sill plates. Toilets should be set on the
grid and backer board with a soil pipe riser. Heavy objects
(tubs and kitchen cabinets) may be placed on stages
constructed with 2"x 4" frames.
Finished Floor Tips
Floor covering selection should be part of your radiant
system design. Most floor covering products have
published R-factors which will determine their suitability
for use over The FloorHeat system. Usually, the lower the
R-factor, the more heat will be radiated into the room.
Ceramic tile
Screw 1/2" backer board to sub-floor (suspended floors)
or lightly glue backer board to the grid (slab). Then, tape
seams and apply thinset to the backer board.
Vinyl flooring
Install a thin wood underlay material on top of the
backer board to prevent the seams from showing
through to the vinyl.
Hardwood
Engineered hardwood, 3/8" quarter-sawn natural
hardwood, or laminates work best, but other woods
certainly will work. Laminates can be floated on the
backer board by first taping the joints. Engineered
floors can be glued directly to the backer board. Natural
hardwood materials can be glued and/or nailed (3/4"
brads) to the backer board or to a layer of 1/4" wood
underlayment that is first glued to the backer board.
Carpet
Lay down a course of 2"x 4"s around the perimeter of
the room to act as a carpet tack strip nailer rail. Lay the
grid across the floor inside the carpet nailer rail. Select a
carpet with moderate pile thickness—avoid long-pile and
tight-pile carpets. Select carpet pads made from relatively
thin, flat cellular sponge rubber or synthetic fibers (avoid
fiber/hair/jute and waffle rubber pads). Carpet and pad
should not exceed an R-factor of 2.0.
1
4
5
6
2
3
Thermal Reflecting Foil
PEX Tubing
Pressure Test
Manifold Hook-Up
Backer Board (Thermal Mass)
Tubing Base Modules
Heat Transfer Plates
Example: 1,000 sq. ft.
Foil: 1,000 sq. ft. x 1 = 1,000 sq. ft.
Grids: 1,000 sq. ft. / 1.69 = 592 grids*
Heat Plates: 1,000 sq. ft. x .9 = 900 plates
PEX Tubing: 1,000 sq. ft. x 1.5 = 1,500 lin. ft.
Your Job: ___________ sq. ft.
Foil: ___________ sq. ft. x 1 = ___________ sq. ft.
Grids: ___________ sq. ft. / 1.69 = _________ grids*
Heat Plates: ___________ sq. ft. x .9 = ___________ plates
PEX Tubing: __________ sq. ft. x 1.5 = __________ lin. ft.
*Includes 5% for corners and waste.
MATERIAL ESTIMATOR
EMITTERS
ALWAYS CHECK WITH & FOLLOW LOCAL CODES