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I am in the process of getting bids for retrofitting under floor radiant heat in my 150 year old farmhouse with hardwood flooring throughout. The tubing will be stapled between the floor joists, a typical retrofit. My problem is that each contractor’s specifications for the job are different. Some say I must have the snap on metal plates for the system to work. Others, never use plates because they say it creates “hot spots”. They hang the tubing so that it never touches the underside of the floor. Still others staple the tubing to the underside of the floor and than cover it with a radiant foil material.
Is one system better then the others? What factors other than price should I be aware off?
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Harry,
There is a bit of info that may help you in < Obsolete Link > this thread.
Plates may or may not be required based upon heat calcs.
I don't see an argument regarding the tubing touching/not touching the subfloor. It'll sag after the first few heat cycles.
I do feel that a foil-faced insulation (I'd recommend half-inch RFBI augmented with FG below that) below the tubing should be used. Try to have 3-4 times the R-value below the tubing vs what is above the tubing (subfloor/hardwood/rug pad/rug, etc). That'll help direct the heat upwards where it's intended to go.
The previously linked thread, especially Jeff's post, should help. There are also a few other RFH threads tha may contain pertinent info in the < Obsolete Link > Energy/HVAC Folder.
Regards, Mongo