Install Instructions

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IM-PR 566442 1114 (Design Manual)
Figure 1-15 Decorative concrete over thin-slab and wood
1½" Concrete Slab:
Minimum 3/4" height of
concrete over ViegaPEX Tubing
Fasten tubing every 2 feet
and 3 times at each U-turn
to hold down any return
bends or other shapes
created.
Tubing Spacing
(per design)
ViegaPEX Tubing:
Keep 4" from wall.
Sealant for Gypsum or Polyethylene
Film: 6 mil (min.) for concrete
R-19 Insulation:
Refer to local code for insulation requirements.
Slip sheet with
reinforcement on top
Floor Joist
¾" Plywood Subfloor: The thickness of the
plywood subfloor should always be installed
in accordance with the local building code.
Decorative concrete layer with saw
cuts for controlled cracking
1.4.4 Tile, stone and marble
Selection of ceramic tile, stone or marble over
radiant floor heating provides a surface that is cool
to the touch in warmer months and warm to the
touch in colder months. These coverings are thin,
dense and conductive, meaning they transfer heat
quite well. Although installation of hard coverings
over a radiant panel may seem straightforward, the
methods are evolving. Recommendations to avoid
surface cracks include:
• Use a crack isolation or uncoupling
membrane. This is a flexible layer that
separates the tile, marble or stone from the
thermal mass or the subfloor.
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The membrane should be approved for use
over radiant heat and have a low R-value.
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When installing a crack isolation membrane
with a thin-slab, the membrane should
be installed under the thin-slab layer
containing the tubing, not above it.
• Provide precise temperature control.
• Be sure that the subfloor and framing are as
strong and rigid as possible.
• Cementitious backer boards may be used in
some installation configurations.
• Refer to the flooring manufacturer and one
of the following resources for installation
guidance:
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Standard Guidelines for the Design and
Installation of Residential Radiant Panel
Heating Systems. The Radiant Panel
Association.
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TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile
Installation. The Tile Council of North
America.
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The Marble Institute of America. This
group has a more restrictive set of
recommendations concerning the
installation of marble or stone over radiant
panels, including a minimum thin-slab
thickness of 2½".
1.4.5 Concrete
A finished concrete surface can provide excellent
heat transfer for a radiant system. Finishing
options include staining, etching, engraving,
stamping, polishing and painting. When installing
a finished concrete floor, pay special attention to
manufacturer’s recommendations for location and
frequency of expansion joints and control cuts. For
additional information concerning concrete floors,
visit www.concretenetwork.com.