YOUR GUIDE TO SUITABLE FLOOR COVERING AND SUBMATERIALS FOR USE WITH RADIANT HEATING
Traditional Wood Floors s System Suppliers s Engineered Wood Flooring s Laminates s Resilient Designer Cement s Tile s Stone s Marble s Carpet s Insulation s Hydronic & Electric Radiant
2012 EDITION
PUBLISHED ANNUALLY IN AFFILIATION WITH
RPA
RADIANT PROFESSIONALS ALLIANCE
SEE OUR EXPANDED RADIANT FLOORING LISTINGS BEGINNING ON PAGE 54
A Supplement to:
environmental design + construction
©2012 Ad Uponor, Inc.
uponor logic = The more things you’re good at, the more things you can get paid to be good at.
WANT TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? ADD UPONOR RADIANT HEATING AND MORE TO YOUR SKILL SET. OUR HANDS-ON TRAINING IN INSTALLATION AND CONTROLS GIVES YOU A COMPETITIVE EDGE. 800.321.4739 | UPONORPRO.COM/TRAINING
RADIANT HEATING PLUMBING FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS
The simplest,
Taco believes that radiant should be the least of your worries. So we design all-in-one products that make installing and controlling radiant systems easy. All-In-One Radiant. The Radiant Mixing Block® is a complete injection mixing system in one handy package. The X-Pump Block™ starts with the Radiant Mixing Block concept and adds a heat exchanger for complete system isolation. It’s the easiest, most cost effective way to add radiant.
most reliable
Add Precision Temp Control. For precise, cost-effective temperature control in every zone, we suggest iSeries® Mixing Valves. The iSeries modulates a 2-, 3-, or 4-way valve, and comes with a full featured outdoor reset or setpoint control built right into the actuator. Do it the 00® Way. Add 00 reliability to your radiant system with one of three styles of variable speed circulators: Outdoor Reset, Setpoint, or Variable Voltage. Or choose our 00R 3-Speed Radiant Pump for fine tuning your radiant system.
Circle 397
Learn More. Want more information? First, download our Radiant Made Easy Application Guide at www.taco-hvac.com. Then join the new Taco FloPro Team to get access to our radiant training webcasts taught by John Barba, one of the industry’s foremost radiant experts. With that kind of support, you’ll be in the loop in no time.
www.taco-hvac.com
Visit our booth!
i5IFZIFMQFEVTXJUIUIF EFTJHO XPSLFEIBOEJOIBOE XJUIUIFBSDIJUFDUT7JFHBXBT there from day one.”
AHR: #2610 IBS: #W3743
Eric Van Cleaf, Quality Control Manager, C Pyramid Enterprises
Viega provides customized design services to facilitate every Viega Climate Mat® installation. C Pyramid Enterprises of Trenton, NJ, experienced Viega’s personal, hands-on approach to customer service. Viega Support Advantages r .PSFUIBOTBMFTQFPQMFPGGFSJOHTVQQPSU across the continent r %FEJDBUFEEFTJHOUFBNGPSQSPKFDUTQFDJàD support and technical assistance r &YUFOTJWFUSBJOJOHPQQPSUVOJUJFTUPQSFQBSFZPVS UFBNGPSZPVSOFYUQSPKFDU %JTDPWFSIPX7JFHB$MJNBUF.BUDBOTJNQMJGZ BOEEFDSFBTFUPUBMQSPKFDUDPTUT
www.viega.com | 1-800-976-9819
Be prepared before you start XJUI7JFHBTVQQPSUTFSWJDFT The global leader in plumbing, heating and pipe joining systems
Contents
14
26
Features and columns 8
Staying in step while breaking stride A message from the Radiant Professional Alliance’s director.
10 Beautiful, comfortable floors An overview on using this guide.
12 Radiant flooring team Selected to ensure proper installation and satisfied customers. 12 Architect/specifier 14 Homeowner 16 Builder/general contractor 18 Radiant contractor 20 Flooring contractor
21 Insulating for radiant A well-insulated home allows for more system and floor-covering options.
22 Hydronic systems Comfortable, versatile and easy to control.
40 Resources 30 Choosing and installing flooring Homes with radiant floor heat can enjoy a full range of beautiful flooring. 30 Wood flooring 36 Tile, marble and stone 40 Carpet and padding 42 Decorative concrete 44 Engineered wood 46 Laminate floors 48 Resilient flooring
50 Gallery of radiant systems A visual guide to 15 radiant floor heating options — hydronic and electric.
53 Flooring R-values: A comparison chart The first stop in decision-making for homeowners and their teams.
54 Radiant flooring/subflooring/equipment guide Build your own radiant floor sandwich by selecting from dozens of flooring, subflooring, cushioning, insulating and radiant heating products.
24 Electric systems Customizable for a particular room or project.
26 Going ‘green’ with radiant floor heat Eco-friendly homes also score highest in comfort.
62 Radiant heat and the green revolution
61 Advertiser index /product showcase
Personal observations from the editor of this guide.
For more information about the advertisements in this edition of the Radiant Flooring Guide, please visit the websites listed in the ad index on page 61.
30 RADIANT FLOORING GUIDE 5
THE CORE OF A PROFESSIONAL
HYDRONIC INSTALLATION
Published by BNP Media 2401 W. Big Beaver, Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084 Phone: 248-362-3700; Fax: 248-362-5103 www.bnpmedia.com The Radiant Flooring Guide is the intellectual property of the Radiant Professionals Alliance, 18927 Hickory Creek Drive., Suite 140, Mokena, IL 60448, 708/995-3003, www.radiantprofessionalsalliance.org.
RPA
RADIANT PROFESSIONALS ALLIANCE
PATENTS PENDING
Webstone Isolator® with Rotating Flange & Drain
Precision-Crafted Closely Spaced Tees for Hydraulic Separation
Additional copies may be purchased for $15 each by contacting RPA.
RPA Director Kathleen Mihelich |
[email protected] Editor Kelly Faloon |
[email protected] Art Director Joe Kwasniewski |
[email protected] Three Union Connection Styles 1. Basic Connection
Webstone Ball Drain™
2. 1 ⁄4" Plugged Pressure Gauge Port (shown) 3. With Multiple Device Ports
Production Manager Vince Miconi |
[email protected] Advertising Manager Roy Wagner Jr. |
[email protected] Hydronics Editor John Siegenthaler |
[email protected] Plumbing Group Brand Leader Bob Miodonski |
[email protected] ED + C, NFT Publisher Diana Brown |
[email protected] Tile Publisher Alex Bachrach |
[email protected] T-Flow Ball for Compact Design
EASILY INSTALL & SERVICE ANY NEAR BOILER OR SECONDARY CIRCUIT LOOP
Directs flow into either the boiler or purge drain.
All drawings created by National Hydronic Publication Service, except as noted on pages 50-52. Additional drawings on those pages by National Radiant Design Center (NRDC), the Radiant Professionals Alliance, Legend Hydronics and Flextherm. Radiant sandwich graphic courtesy of: Gary A. Payne © 2005 Payne Design
• Replaces 15 components • Eliminates 13 connections • Saves nearly 2 hours of labor
Integrated Mesh “Y” Strainer with Rotating Flange
2012 AHR Expo®
AWARDS WARD WAR
Learn more:
www.webstonevalves.com/hydrocore HONORABLE MENTION
(800) 225-9529
INSTALLATION KITS AVAILABLE TO FIT OVER 100 DIFFERENT BOILERS FROM:
Corporate Directors John R. Schrei – Publishing Rita M. Foumia – Corporate Strategy Scott Krywko – Information Technology Vincent M. Miconi – Production Lisa L. Paulus – Finance Michael T. Powell –Creative Nikki Smith – Directories Marlene J. Witthoft – Human Resources Scott Wolters – Events Beth A. Surowiec – Clear Seas Research
BAXI • BIASI • BURNHAM • CROWN BOILER • ECR - DUNKIRK • ECR - UTICA • HEAT TRANSFER PRODUCTS • IBC TECHNOLOGIES • LAARS• LOCHINVAR • NAVIEN • NORITZ • NY THERMAL INC • PEERLESS • PENSOT TI • RAYPAK • SIME • SLANT FIN • TRIANGLE TUBE • VIESSMANN • WEIL-MCLAIN • WILLIAMSON-THERMOFLO BNP Media Helps People Succeed in Business with Superior Information
6 RADIANT FLOORING GUIDE
CIRCLE NO. 102
RPA NOTE
Staying in step while breaking stride
S The RPA Radiant Flooring Guide is one of the most important documents to enter the radiant heating industry in a decade. It unites the various floor covering industries and the mechanical heating trades with one goal in mind: To ensure maximum performance and satisfaction with all elements in a radiant floor heating system.
Since 1994, the RPA has been dedicated to providing information and education about radiant heat.
RPA
RADIANT PROFESSIONALS ALLIANCE
ince 1994, the RPA has promoted the comfortable, efficient and healthy virtues of radiant heating on behalf of its network of dedicated members. These members include radiant and hydronics manufacturers, designers, suppliers and distributors, contractors and installers. To help advance understanding and acceptance of radiant heating, the RPA, in affiliation with BNP Media, publishes this Radiant Flooring Guide. This guide is one of the most important documents the RPA delivers annually in support of the radiant heating industry, which is why the RPA, staying in step, wouldn’t miss WKLVHGLWLRQħHYHQZKLOHLQWKHFRXUVH of reinventing itself. The RPA, in these difficult economic times, realized a reinvention was needed in order to continue to plan and deliver ILUVWĥUDWHVHUYLFHVIRUUDGLDQWDQGK\GURQLFV professionals. Breaking stride, the name was changed from Radiant Panel Association to Radiant Professionals Alliance to better communicate the message that the organization represents many stakeholder groups that have common goals and objectives. Then, the leadership began searching for a partner organization with the depth, strength and influence that could further the goals and objectives of the RPA. It’s a bright future for the RPA. Its new home is with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. IAPMO ħDVWKHVSRQVRURIWKH$PHULFDQ1DWLRQDO 6WDQGDUGĥGHVLJQDWHG8QLIRUP3OXPELQJ &RGH8QLIRUP0HFKDQLFDO&RGH8QLIRUP 6RODU(QHUJ\&RGHDQG8QLIRUP6ZLPPLQJ 3RRO6SDDQG+RW7XE&RGHħKDVDQ unmatched resource base of members and an infrastructure of staff equipped with what it takes to deliver to the RPA sustained growth, strong financial performance, and increased market reach domestically and internationally. In addition to enhanced visibility worldwide, RPA members will notice that IAPMO is at the forefront and works
8 RADIANT FLOORING GUIDE
\HDUĥURXQGWRDGYRFDWHFRGHUHIRUPVWKDW immeasurably benefit the industry. They immediately will have access to a team of technical experts in plumbing and mechanical codes and can even play a role in shaping the codes that govern the design, installation, methods and materials in the plumbing, mechanical and solar thermal systems in homes and businesses. RPA members also will experience the expertise of IAPMO’s training and certification professionals by participating LQVWDWHĥRIĥWKHĥDUWFRQWHPSRUDU\GHOLYHU\ systems. A new website will be launched early this year. Those outside the industry will benefit as well. Architects, builders, general contractors, flooring contractors and homeowners can be FHUWDLQWKDWZRUNLQJZLWKDQ53$ĥFHUWLILHG FRQWUDFWRUZLOOUHVXOWLQHQHUJ\ĥHIILFLHQW KLJKĥSHUIRUPDQFHKHDWLQJV\VWHPVLQVWDOOHG by professional heating contractors. Staying in step, all RPA memberships will remain intact and all of RPA’s reference materials will continue to be available. Publications, such as this outstanding resource, will continue to educate and promote the industry. The RPA’s new headquarters are located at IAPMO’s Chicago regional office: 18927 Hickory Creek Drive., Suite 140, Mokena, IL ĥ We encourage anyone who has questions about radiant and hydronic heating, or wants WROHDUQDERXWZKROHĥKRPHFRPIRUWWR contact us. KATHLEEN MIHELICH IAPMO DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
HOW DO YOU MAKE
INNOVATIVEEVEN & EASY BETTER? JUST ADD
t
Easy to install
t
All connections on top
t
Low pressure drop
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Smooth stainless steel coil
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Minimal standby losses
Introducing the NEW Dunkirk H2O Series. A complete line of Stainless Steel Single and Dual Coil Indirect Water Heaters, Storage Tanks, and Hydronic Buffer Tanks. The perfect compliment to our revolutionary 96% AFUE Helix VLT Stainless Steel Condensing Boiler.
Innovative. Efficient. Dependable. Dunkirk. Contractor Assistance: 800.325.5479 Hours Extended: 7am – 6pm, Est. Monday - Friday
®
www.dunkirk.com
Photo credit: Armstrong Flooring/RFCI.
Many green flooring options, such as the vinyl tiles shown here, are approved for installation over a radiant floor-heating system.
Radiantly heated floors are comfortable and beautiful
t
he 2012 edition of the Radiant Flooring Guide provides a general overview of radiant floor heating and flooring materials from several viewpoints ħWKHDUFKLWHFWWKHKRPHRZQHU WKHEXLOGHUJHQHUDOFRQWUDFWRUWKH IORRULQJFRQWUDFWRUDQGWKHUDGLDQW FRQWUDFWRU,QYROYLQJWKHHQWLUH WHDPHDUO\LQWKHSURFHVVZLOOHQVXUH that suitable flooring materials are VHOHFWHGIRUWKHVSHFLILFUDGLDQWIORRU KHDWLQJV\VWHPLQVWDOOHGDQGWKH radiant heating system is designed SURSHUO\IRURSWLPDOSHUIRUPDQFH DQGFRPIRUW 7KLVLVQRWDFRPSUHKHQVLYH WHFKQLFDOPDQXDOEXWDUHVRXUFH for understanding the relationship
10 RADIANT FLOORING GUIDE
between flooring and radiant KHDWLQJV\VWHPV:LWKUHDVRQDEOH HGXFDWHGH[SHFWDWLRQV\RX¶OOHQMR\ a wonderful heating system and EHDXWLIXOIORRUV
