Have you thought of having an addition added to your home? Maybe you've considered adding a bathroom in a large hallway. Hiring contractors to make this sort of changes in your home is a way of experiencing growth. You've realized that your home no longer fits your life, and you want to expand it.
Making the decision to add on to your home, or to have any other type of construction work done, is a lot easier when you know a little about construction work. You can learn enough to inform yourself on this blog. We'll venture beyond the basics and into lots of great details.
4 Questions about Installing Radiant Heat
Are you building a home and have the opportunity to pick your HVAC system? Radiant heat can be a great addition to a home due to its comfort and energy savings. Here are some questions you're likely to have about installing radiant heat in your home.
What Kind Of Base Are The Pipes Attached To?
Radiant heat involves running hot water pipes underneath your floor so that the heat radiates upward into the room. This means that the pipes need to be secured to a surface when installing them. A foam board can be used to insulate the bottom of the food and redirect the heat upward. A special tool is used to tack the pipe down to the floor without puncturing it.
There are also special bases that can be used for placing the radiant heat pipes. These ensure that the pipes are completely straight and form curves at the right angle. However, this is not necessary to install radiant heat. An experienced HVAC contractor is capable of installing radiant heat pipes by simply measuring the space between the pipes. They may even create a diagram of how the pipes will be laid out prior to the installation.
What Material Secures The Pipes Under Your Flooring Material?
Once the radiant heat pipes are secured, lightweight concrete is used to cover the floor and the pipes. This secures them in place, ensures that they won't be accidentally punctured, and creates a solid base for your flooring materials. You can then cover the lightweight concrete with the flooring material of your choice.
Do Some Flooring Materials Work Better Than Others?
When it comes time to pick the flooring material that goes on top of the radiant heat pipes, you need to consider what materials conduct heat more than clothes. This is why ceramic or porcelain tiles are preferred for a radiant heat installation. While you use almost any type of flooring material with radiant heat, you'll have better performance with tiles.
How Many Zones Can You Create With Radiant Heat?
Radiant heat has the benefit of creating zones in your home for heating, which means you can turn on and shut off the heat to certain rooms of your home. However, the limit to how many zones you can create is based on the equipment you install. A larger boiler allows you to create more hot water, and a larger distribution panel will allow you to make individual zones. This means that the typical home won't have to make compromises with how many zones are made as long as you're willing to spend the money.
To learn more about heating system installation options, contact a heating construction contractor in your area.