Need Help Finding Suppliers for My New Garage - Radiant Heating

[Frank R]

Long time lurker but only my second post. I moved into a new house last year. I am planning on adding a 24x32 extension onto the side of my existing 2-car attached garage. Stick built with troweled concrete floors.

My brother suggested I include in-floor tubing during the pour so I can heat it later. I think this is a good idea but a late add. He has a friend who has a small pole barn. This guy uses just a water heater to heat the floor instead of a boiler. My garage will be even smaller. My brother helped the guy install the tubing and they tied the tubing to wire mesh with zip ties. He was not a fan of the tedious process.

I am signing a contract today for a contractor to rough in the structure and pour the concrete. Construction start has not been scheduled but will probably be a couple months away due to weather.

I researched pole barns and radiant heating years ago and I recall two things I need help with: the floor insulation foam with the buttons that the tubing snaps into, and the pre-assembled copper valves/manifold that I would secure to the wall and attach the tubing. I think if I can get the foam and tubing in, and the tubing connected to the manifold before the pour I can worry about running the gas line and installing the heater later, after finishing the garage.

Can you provide answers or point me in the right direction? I think the manifolds were being built by some individuals, not some big company. Also, any recommended links or videos on the best practices?

 

[Frank R]

Well, my research so far has brought up Hydrofoam panels and Radiantec manifolds.

 

[chim]

Youtuber "Diesel Creek" did the lowest level in his new house. Looks slick. He has some information in the video that might be useful.

 

[Frank R]

Thanks.

Heat Sheet. Both are Canadian companies. I see a pattern here. Trying to find a local supplier. Will have to wait til Monday to contact them both.

 

[Carl_NH]

Here's a post for a barndominium Barndominium/Shop or "real" House? in Upstate NY using the Heat Sheet system. Appears to be installed on top of the gravel/grade with a moisture barrier underneath, then the heat sheet, then the tubing in the heat sheet. Then the wire mesh and standoffs on top of this.

You want one contiguous run of the tubing under the floor to a manifold (probably 2-3 runs for your size) and either electric or gas water heater run at a low temp. If you have solar plans, run your conduits now to the roof, as you might want AC in the summer. The thing about radiant it does best at a constant temp - its not immediate.

Also make sure you have big enough doors 9' high x 10' wide, and a lift is nice too!

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Add foam insulation below the slab. Heat goes to cold. Heat does not "rise", warmer fluids rise in cooler fluids.

My ex-brother in-law installed heat tubing in the slab of a house he and my sister built. I told him to install 6-inches of blue foam below the slab. He and his buddy the plumber decided that I was wrong, and heat rises. No, insulation under the slab. $1700/month propane bill.

Sometimes us dumb ol' engineers know what we're talking about.

 

[ultrarunner]

My shop has it and used only once as I find the year round temp just about perfect without heat or cooling.

Brother installed in his home and never used it… both of us SF Bay Area.

Just a thought when you pencil out the numbers.

 

[kennyd]

I priced out the manufactured panels that hold the tubing, and they are expensive. I just used 2" rigid foam, then heavier 6a wire mesh on chairs, then zip tied the tubing to it. You will have to have the concrete pumped in, so make sure you and your builder are on the same page.

Used about 1200' of 5/8" PEX in 5 loops, bought it through SupplyHouse, that's where most of my materials came from.

I used THIS calculator to figure out the tubing layout.

Here are some random pics of my install.

 

[kennyd]

More pics

 

[kennyd]

Finished floor