Hi…all views are appricated!!
- what is the REAL story about radiant heat and hard wood floors? I heard it only works with floating floor systems. also heard it only works with bamboo and even heard don’t use it with hardwood floors at all.
- what is the REAL story with radiant heat and carpet? I’ve heard mixed messages, i.e., yes it can be done, and no, do not use radiant heat under a capeted floor.
- looking for views about the comfort level of baseboard heat (thin copper fins heated with boiler). If I can’t use sub-floor radiant heat under wood floors and carpet, then i have to mix heating to include baseboard and i’m not sure if that lessens the benefit of a radiant heating system. if it does lessen the benefits, then do i just scrap the radiant system all together and go with standard force air?
thanks for your help!!
Replies
RFH _can_ work with floating floors, engineered floors, bamboo floors, wood floors, carpet, tile, cork, concrete, sheet flooring....what have I missed? It _can_ work with them if the floor and subfloor is properly prepared and installed, and the heating system is designed with awareness of the flooring. You don't need to give up and go to forced air--RFH is the most comfortable heat I've experienced (ok, body heat, but that's another topic for another day). It's important though, that you select contractors who know how to make your choices work.
I have retrofitted 6 jobs with wood floors above. Never had a problem.
Ahh...ummm...
Yeah...what Cloud said!
Radiant can work anywhere and with virtually any flooring if it is properly designed.
many thanks for the feed back. anyone know a good contractor in the Seattle/Tacoma/Olymipa area of Washington State? We live between tacoma and Seattle but the house will be in Gig Harbor.
Hey, my bro lives in Gig Harbor. But he probably doesn't know any contractors. He's a math prof (I offer that after seeing your handle).
There is a good radiant company in the Harbour, I believe they are called Olympic
Radiant, by the way I am doing radiant in Seabeck.
Try the web site http://www.heatinghelp.com - it's were all of the radiant heating experts hang out. Try the "Find a Contractor" link to locate a HVAC contractor in your area.