 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Which Type of Radiant Floor Heating is Best For Me?
If you are looking to warm your floors with a radiant heat system, and have typed "radiant heat system" into a search engine, you might find yourself scratching your head at this point. There are dozens of products available to purchase, and there are even more companies telling you that their product is the best. So which product is the best? Should you install a hydronic heating system that pumps hot water through your floors, an electric cable heating system, or a low voltage screen system? The answer lies in the type of project you are doing. Not every system is ideal for every project, but there is an ideal system for every project. Hydronic Heating Systems Hydronic floor heating is the oldest and most popular type of radiant floor heating. These systems are comprised of a boiler or hot water heater, pumps, manifolds, pex tubing, thermostat, and either gypcrete (a concrete-like material) or wood panels. Hydronic heating is the most complex of all radiant heat systems. These systems require trained professionals to design and perform the installation. Your best economies of scale are achieved for hydronic systems in large areas or entire homes because of their expensive components and operational costs. Hydronic systems can be installed under any type of flooring. Most hydronic systems require hot water tubing to be installed in a 2 to 4 inch bed of light concrete and are best installed during the initial construction because of its weight load demands and adjustments to floor height. Recent low-mass products have been developed to avoid these challenges by fitting the tubing into pre-cut wood panels making hydronic systems more convenient and possible for most major remodeling projects. If you want to heat smaller areas like a bathroom or kitchen, a hydronic floor heating system may not be the best value for your project. The complexity and cost of installing the system, along with the long-term maintenance and up-keep required, is not worth the small amount you will save in operational costs. Electric Cable Heating Electric cable heating systems, often called line or high voltage systems, are gaining popularity and are ideal for heating smaller areas (10-300 square feet) like bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These systems are comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable. On some systems, the cable will be shipped to you as a large spool of cable. These systems are often times less expensive, and give you the ability to space the cable how you want and customize a layout that will heat every square inch of your floor. Other systems have the cable attached to a plastic mesh or tape to create a mat to maintain its proper spacing. Every available cable system is equally effective, and so when determining which system to purchase, you should look at the warranty of the product, along with the ease of installation. Some cables must be embedded in a separate layer of concrete or mortar, whereas other systems can simply be installed in the thin set. Most cable systems can only be installed under tile. However, on others, if the cable is embedded in mortar or concrete, any flooring can be installed on top of the concrete. When heating smaller areas, it is nearly impossible to beat the simplicity and price of an electric cable heating system. Low-Voltage Screen Finally, there are low-voltage radiant heat systems. These systems are ideal for mid-size to larger areas (300-3000 square feet) and are comprised of a control box, transformer, heating screen or cable, and thermostat. The main advantage to a low-voltage screen (Zmesh) system is the extremely low profile of the heating element. Zmesh is a 12 inch wide bronze-wired mesh that resembles screen door material. This mesh is practically paper thin and does not buildup floors during the installation. Zmesh can be installed directly under any type of flooring including hardwood, tile, and carpet. Whereas most cable systems must be installed on top of the concrete board when installing tile, Zmesh can be installed underneath it. These systems are easy to install and don't require maintenance like a hydronic system. Radiant heat technology has made significant advances over the years and is an excellent way to supplement your existing heating system or be your sole source of heat. One good way to be assured that you're being sold the best system for your project is to buy from a company that offers all of the available types of radiant heat. Warmzone, Inc. is one company who carries various types of radiant systems and is dedicated to specifying the product that makes the most sense for each individual job. Without a bias towards one system they have become a consumer advocate in the radiant industry and will save you time and money. Warmzone has already done the research and has selected to only work with the best products on the market. Because they are a large nation-wide wholesaler, they can offer you the best pricing by selling to you direct. You can receive a free estimate for your project by submitting a request at www.warmzone.com or calling them at 1-888-488-WARM.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Concrete Cutting: Shedding Light On Your Basement Remodel Basements or cellars (depending on which part of the country you are from) are primarily seen as dark and dingy parts of a home. In most cases they are considered a useless area or are used as a "catch all" for family discards that haven't quite made it to the curbside for trash pick up yet. Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas Any remodeling idea for a small kitchen must address the following issues: counter space, storage, built-ins, and pantry.In order to make better use of your kitchen floor space, you need to put up the maximum amount of counters. Building a Backyard Play Structure A child's dream backyard includes a play structure complete with a slide and swings just like the one at the neighborhood park. Once you have made the decision to make your child's dream come true then you have several avenues from which to select depending on the amount of money and time you can invest. Finding The Right Window Treatment In Los Angeles And Chicago Some of the most unique and individual décor consultants can be found in smaller centers, but for a truly competitive field that will supply window treatments for your home, you're looking at the larger cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.Larger dealers have more contacts, often further afield both in distance, and in tastes, so that they can lay their hands on virtually any accessory, material, or extras that you need to create the right window treatment. 6 Saving Tips When Moving Moving households, whether it is due to a job transfer or upgrading your home, and whether moving across country or across town, is an expensive proposition. Even when a new employer sponsors a relocation, there are hidden or un-thought-of expenses such as tipping or registering your vehicle in a new state. Mistakes? MISTAKES.Don't worry about making mistakes. Electric Radiant Floor Heating Electric radiant floor heating systems are heating systems designed for use under carpeting, area rugs, tile, stone, and laminate wood floors and have been used in Europe, South Africa, and Australia for over 20 years.Radiant heat does away with the age-old problems of cold rooms by offering easy-to-install zone heating. What You Should Know About Steam Showers "Steam" and "Steam Bath" Health Benefits:"Steam" and "Steam baths" in you own home. Why not? Researchers have found that steam not only is a benefit for skin, but also helps with the elimination of toxins within the body. Hydronic vs Forced Air Heating and Cooling Hydronic, or hot water, heating has been standard for years in many parts of the U.S. 5 Easy Steps to Protect Your Hardwood Floor From Disaster Common knowledge states that hardwood floors are a great investment for a homeowner. They add a certain charm and character to a home that can't be replicated by laminates, carpeting, or any other type of flooring. How to Remodel A Small Bathroom Not all bathrooms can be lavish spaces with whirlpool tubs and two separate vanities. For some bathrooms, space is at a premium and knocking out walls is not an option, but remodeling must be done. Pergo Flooring Is Perfect For The Home or Office Pergo flooring was invented more than 75 years ago, and has since become the leader in the laminate flooring industry. Pergo has been the leader in both design and laminate technology. Power Tools and HAV - Hand Arm Vibration - Prevention is Better Than Cure Power tools are some of the most useful devices ever invented, but by their nature of concentrating and directing force you need to be prepared for the extra juice.What is Hand Arm Vibration?Hand Arm Vibration is the effect of long term or extreme vibration exposure from power tool use. Tips and Suggestions To Help You Plan and Build Your Own Log Home Log Cabin Homes: They have come a long way. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you plan and build your own. Home Is Where The Heart Is Every one lives in a house but every house is not a home. A house is a shelter made of bricks, wood or any other material. A Carefully Planned Outdoor Kitchen is Worth the Investment Do you have any idea how popular outdoor kitchens are becoming? We spend more time at home than ever before and we are fixing up those homes instead of buying new. Homeowners are opting for an outdoor kitchen over other types of remodeling projects because they extend the size of their living space. If You Want to Bring Your Bathroom Up to Date, Consider Fitting a Shower Stall Modern shower stalls look sleek and stylish. If you have the space, adding a shower stall in addition to your bathtub can be a great way to improve your bathroom. Useful Home Products Will Help Your House Sale Profits Even if you've never been involved in the sale of house before and yours is about to go on the market, you probably know enough about the process to be able to repeat, like a litany: clean it; paint it; fix it. But do you find yourself asking: How clean does the house have to be and how do I tackle the job? Do I really have to paint? What are the best colors to choose? What do I need to repair? When considering these questions, it's good to remember that most prospective home buyers are an unimaginative lot. Bring Out the Comforters for Back to School If the weather is turning chilly it must time for the kids to go back to school. Bring out the comforters, flannel bed linens, quilts and stadium blankets. Building A Pair Of Heavy Duty Saw Horses Start out by measuring and cutting all your stock according to the cutting list and set it aside. Take the legs and mark out the tapers.
|
|
|
 |
 |
