Radiant Flooring

In-floor radiant heating is a heating system placed underneath tile or wood to warm up the surface during cooler months. The warmth is supplied by hot water tubes or electric wires buried underneath the floor. As the waves of thermal radiation rise from below, they warm up the floor. There are typically two basic ways used for radiant floor heating, electric radiant and hot water hydronic systems. An electric radiant system uses zigzagging loops of resistance wire. The hot water hydronic system circulates water from a boiler or water heater through loops of 1/2–inch polyethylene tubing to warm the surface. The flexible tubes can be installed on top of the subfloor in grooved panels or snap-in grids, then the flooring material is installed over the top or it can be embedded in concrete. The floor finishes included hardwood floors and tile. Carpeting is normally not recommended.