Hi all,

Hydronic radiant planned with 1/2 pex on 8" centers. The heat loss calculations show this to be an acceptable approach.

I have about 1" of subfloor and will be installing 3/4" oak flooring on top of that. It is a remodel of an existing house and all is exposed now. The question is would it be better to route out 5/8"channels in the subfloor for the pex or staple it under the subfloor? I just think that there may be a lot of thermal resistivity with 1" of subfloor plus the finished floor

that's only a 1/4" more than normal.

routing out your structural subfloor is a bad idea. going over the subfloor adds height. If you can't add height, stay in the joists.

Agree with Rob.

If you were to router 5/8" groves in 1" of subfloor that leaves 3/8" of subfloor 8" on center not a good scenerio.

1 3/4" of wood equates to an r 1.6 approx.

If head room is not a concern go with an over the top 5/8" sleeper system. But the work verses the extra output, or lowered supply temps. I would stick to a heavy plate joist bay install.


Gordy

Hi, thanks for the quick responses!

I am going to go with the plates on the bottom of the sub floor. I just need to pull out the fiberglass insulation.

My next question is do I pull the craft paper off the insulation because both rooms will be heated?

Thanks in advance,

Peter

leave it on, it won't hurt.

What would be the preferred orientation?