Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 20, 2000 04:29am | #1

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   Not worthwhile.

   Forget the slate. Convection over radiation is the principle method of thermal transfer in this configuration. Thermal density/mass is principally a low temperature strategy.

   Fan on those floor boxes? If not, how does the sinking cool air enter the fins to be rewarmed?

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 20, 2000 07:42am | #3

   *Ed - You can, of course, get matching hardwood floor grilles, even let in type, if aesthetics is your primary concern. Your biggest problem will be how to deal with recessed boxes that run perpendicular to the joists, since cutting the box in (if thats what you have in mind) would structurally compromise the joist. Do you plan to frame out (header-off) larger areas? Sections of 14 1/2" width of fin-tube in the floor aren't practical. I would use sheet metal painted black for the floor boxes, don't bother with slate. I'm pretty sure you can get pre-fab sheet metal boxes. In areas where you need more heat, say at a large double door opening, you can stack the fin tube 2x high (one over one) with a deep box.I'd spend the money on nice floor grilles rather than on wood boxes with slate.PS - If money is absolutely no object, Reggio makes a fan-forced fin-tube box that does fit between joist - only problem is that they run for over $500 a pop.Jeffb Been there, done that, can't remember ...

2. 
   Ed_Brennan | Jul 20, 2000 07:42am | #2

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   I am finishing a house with hot water baseboard and am recessing the fin pipe between the floor joists into boxes with. I am considering building my own boxes to house the finpipe out of 2X or ix pine and lining the boxes with left over slate tile. Would this add some thermal mass and improve efficiency to a worthwhile degree or should I just have a sheetmetal guy make the boxes. The finished floor will be hardwood, I was considering Maple until I read that last discussion thread that it is a troublesome wood.