The document discusses the four main methods for installing radiant floor heating: in-slab installation within a new concrete slab; joist installation within floor joists; overpour installation which raises an existing floor; and wood panel track installation for floors that can't be accessed or raised. Each method has different requirements regarding the structure and different procedures for laying out and installing the radiant heating tubing. Selecting the appropriate installation method depends on factors like the existing structure and whether new construction is being done.

1. Radiant Heat Installation Guide:
The Four Radiant Heat
Installation Methods

2. Radiant Heat Installation Guide
The four methods of radiant heat installation are In-Slab, Joist,
OverPour, and Wood Panel tracks. The method you plan to use to install
radiant heat is extremely important and affects all of your subsequent
decisions. It also depends on your skill level, the layout of your home,
and the materials available to you before you begin the project.
Selecting a method of radiant heat installation is not to be taken lightly.
The Four Methods of Radiant Heat Installation:
1. In-Slab Installation
2. Joist Installation
3. Wood Panel Installation
4. OverPour Installation

4. In-Slab Installation
• If the concrete slab foundation has not yet been poured, then In-Slab
installation is the best choice for radiant heat installation. In-Slab
Installation is often the best choice for new home construction because
the concrete slab has not yet been set.
• With in-slab installation, the loops of tubing are configured and then laid
out. Concrete is then poured over the tubing. The entire concrete slab
will heat up and radiate heat into the room through hot water circulating
through the laid out piping; we suggest PEX piping for this application.
• The In-Slab Installation method results in the slab becoming a large
thermal mass that will stay warm for long periods of time. In-Slab
Installation usings very little energy and is often preferred because it can
be the most cost effective method. When installing in slab, it is important
to pressure test. This test lets you know if there are any leaks in your
piping before you pour the concrete!

5. Joist Installation
• The preferred method when you have access to the Joist spaces
beneath your floors is Joist Installation. Before you begin, look
into aluminum Joist Trak panels and tubing. The tubing will need
to be pushed into these aluminum Joist Trak panels. As the
panels heat up, they hold their heat, thereby warming your room.
• Suspended pipe installation can also be used in joist installation
in places where you do not use aluminum panels. Hot water is
required in suspended pipe insulation. This water will need to
run through the tubing. This method does not retain heat nor
heat a room as well as the Joist Installation method with
aluminum panels.

6. OverPour Installation
• If you already have a slab, In-Slab Installation is not an option. If
you have access to the joists, you can choose Joist Installation. If
you already have a slab, but do not have access to the Joists,
you have two options left: OverPour Installation and Wood Panel
Track Installation.
OverPour Installation requires the ability to raise your current
floors two to three inches. This allows for an overpour of
lightweight concrete, either mud or gypcrete, onto your existing
slab. PEX tubing will need to be laid on your existing slab. Then
another two to three inches of lightweight concrete will need to be
poured on top. This top layer is important so that there is a
minimum of 3/4" of an inch above the highest point of your tubing.
Warming of this new floor will be similar to in-slab installation.

7. Wood Panel Track Installation
• Wood Panel Track Installation, the last of the four methods, is
your choice if you already have set down floors, can not access
the joists, and can not raise your floors by two inches to three
inches. This method uses wood panel track radiant heating that
raises the floors half an inch. You will need wood panels and PEX
tubing. An aluminum heat transfer sheet is built into some panels,
such as Quik Trak panels. They can be combined to rooms of
various sizes and shapes. Your loops will require both straight
and return tracks.

8. Radiant Heat Supplies
You can visit PexSupply.com for a wide selection of radiant heating
supplies including radiant heat parts, such as:
PEX Tubing
PEX Fittings
Radiant Heat Manifolds
PEX Tools
Radiant Heat Controls
Radiant Heat Panels
Radiant Heat Insulation
Radiant Heat Install Parts
Radiant Heat Packages
Electric Radiant Heat

9. Suppliers of the highest quality plumbing and heating products.
https://www.pexsupply.com/contact
1-888-757-4774