I have searched through a lot of the posts and keep reading about using this type of plate for staple up. I plan on having one zone on my first floor be a staple up. It's the part of the house that hasn't been worked on. I have seen these types of products from various companies like Radiantec and RTI. Is there a consensus on the best/cost effective ones out there? Thanks.

Radiant tech and RTI get confused alot,but they are very different companies.RTI on LongIsland is part of Uponor, a major company in the radiant business.They sell high quality extruded aluminum plates as do other companies like Wirsbo and Radiant engineering http://www.radiantengineering.com/

We always use high quality extruded plates on out staple ups.They are worth every penny.

We won't install a staple up job without extruded plates. We use Radiant Engineering. We've tried the rest. These are the best. IMHO

I use the Radiant Engineering brand, mostly. They now offer a ThinFin also. A bit thinner gauge the the ThermoFin but still, by far the best tube fit. They offer C and U fin configurations

I like the 8 foot lengths, they offer,also. Covers a lot of real estate in one strip. www.radiantengineering.com

This same extruded fin is also available from Slant Fin in 4 foot lengths with pre punched mounting holes. www.slantfin.com.

Both companies have stocking dealers scattered across the country. Find one close for shipping cost reasons

hot rod

Thanks a lot. I had come across that website before but had forgotten to bookmark it. I clearly remember it because of the 8' lengths. What's the cost on this product?

Slant fin! Totally forgot about them. I work about 2 miles from there HQ. Again, thanks.

[This message has been edited by MikeM (edited 04-03-2004).]

We use extruded plates where they are necessary. However the rest of our system designs prevent expansion noise from being an issue with lightweight plates, and we often choose to save the $$$, a substantial amount of it, by using lightweight plates instead of the heavy gauge. Sure, the output isn't quite as good, but the question is, how good does it need to be? Putting extruded plates in an area with a 10BTU/sqft heatloss, for example, is of dubious benefit and substantial cost, IMO.

------------------
Northeast Radiant Technology, LLC
-=RFH Design, Supply and Consultation=-
RPA certified Radiant Designer

ph/fax 207.899.2328
nrt@maine.rr.com

I just got a quote for Thermofin, the original at $1.60 per linear foot, yikes! They do have a product that isn't as heavy duty for ~1.40, but still, that's some serious dough.