Hey there,
First time I post here, I walked over from the “knots” forum.
Has anyone tried to put in a heated shop floor that can handle rolling around mobile bases (loaded of course). Here in Quebec, heating the space is not open to discussion, gotta do it. I use a 220V space heater and it works fine, but I always have that “what if a spark lights the dust …..” in the back of my head. I keep the space as clean as possible, but…
The only way I’ve seen to heat a floor is by embedding the heating wire in cement and then laying the floor over top. I might be reaching here, but I’m trying to achieve the most comfort possible. If I put 2×3 sleepers 16 O.C. (laid flat and screwed to concrete), rigid foam in between, 3/4 ply over top, 1/4″ cement board, then the heating wire (embedded), then some wood flooring, (here’s the question) Is there a risk of damaging the wire when rolling around heavy tools?
Thanks for any replies to this
Dan
Replies
Soem wood floor manufacturers state that radiant heat cannot be used under their product. And I would think that if the floor flexes with the rolling loads, you are at risk of damaging the wires.
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"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Consider using hot (warm) water circulating through pex embedded in concrete. A standard water heater might be usable, depending on the BTU requirements.
The electric panel systems I have seen for radient floors are very expensive and intended primarily, I believe, for "small" bathrooms and the like.
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Edited 10/1/2007 11:42 am ET by rjw
Our shop and the one that we moved out of have/had radiant heat floor, hot water through pex. Works well and we don't have any space heaters.
Our winters are not nearly as cold as yours but they aren't all that balmy either!
Doug
Edited 10/1/2007 10:01 pm ET by DougU
Hey Doug
What type of flooring do you have in your shop? I've thought of hardwood, laminate, or just plywood. I think the negatives for each would be (in the same order) big gaps in winter, thin (weak as a workfloor), and soft (won't last).
Dan
We have a poured concrete floor. Wood would be nice for the feat but I'm not sure how practical that is for a shop thats 10-15,000 sq ft.
I'd rather be standing on anything but concrete all day long but nobody asked me! We do have mats around the shop and that really helps.
I'm no expert, hell I'm not even a novice when it comes to in floor heat but I've been around this shop and our other one and on days that are -20° outside our shop is just as warm as you'd want it to be.
Ours is run by a boiler, thats about all I know about it. I can get more info if you'd like.
Doug
I'm not too concerned about the water heating thing, and I think I have a solution to my flooring question, I'll just install a wood floor as a floating floor. That should take care of the gaps. I'm not worried about the edges where the floor will meet the wall, there can be a sizable gap.
Thanks to all for the replies
there is a electric radiant heat manufacturer based out of Qc. Wires supply the heat as opposed to plumbing.
the warm/hot water system from what i've read will cost you less to keep warm than any other system... because you get to "save/store the heat...
there are some pretty cheap passive solar systems out there that could save you even more...
as others have stated even a small standard hot water heater will do the trick
p
Hydronic in-floor heat is great stuff. A friend of mine has it in his garage here in Minnesota and it's very comfortable heat. He uses a regular water heater and a small pump with good results.