Radiant Heat and Tile

Texasguy · 04-05-2009, 09:55 PM

Hello everyone.

I have a split level home and the main floor has a full basement under it. The main floor has a large living room and country kitchen. The house is 25 years old. I've always wanted tile in the kitchen but now I have decided to use the tile on the whole level.

This brought me to the discovery of radiant heat flooring. I currently have a heat pump that is on its last legs.

Since I will need concrete board to go under the tile anyway, will this work to also serve as a cover for radiant tubing placed on top of the subfloor? Or will I have to have concrete poured and if so, will that be ok as a subfloor for the tile?

Is the best tile for this job ceramic or can I use porcelain or stone?

I'm kind of trying to figure out if it is more economic to get this tile floor/heating done all at once.

Can anyone tell me how much more expensive it may be to replace my current heat pump with a combination of radiant heating (on the main floor only), heat pump heat on the second floor, and heat pump a/d on all floors?

Thanks for any information you can share!

**beenthere** · 04-05-2009, 10:07 PM

Depends which method you use.

VERY expensive.

Since the heat pump not only heats but also cools thehouse.
Are you going to put in a separate heat pump for each floor, or zone one heat pump.

Grampa Bud · 04-07-2009, 12:08 AM

There are electric loose weave heating fabrics or mats made specificly for heating floors. It's an alternative to hot water radiant floor heat and it can be applied to the surface you wish to tile over.

**beenthere** · 04-07-2009, 02:03 AM

But check your utility rates before installing.

Grampa Bud · 04-07-2009, 10:36 AM

Yes you are so right "beenthere", but look at "Texasguy"s query. 1. Take out the old whole house heat pump. 2. Install new bsmt/2nd flr heat pump slightly modified to include whole house A/C.
3. Install boiler supported (or possibly water heater) In Floor radiant heat - quite possibly zoned.
It would seem that "Texasguy"s pockets are recession proof to start with, but to tone it down slightly "WATTS" In Floor Radiant mats could be a cost alternative. Also I forgot to mention last night Texasguy, that you can indeed put tile, stone, marble, wood, etc. down over this mesh. Just make sure whoever does your work knows the radiant is there first. Idid a radiant floor once, had it pressurized and keeping the home warm so the general's tile crew could get started. I came in to check on the heat, boiler, pressure, etc. and found the general had imported an old world GREEK (no Englas-in or out) stone mason who was merrily airnailing chicken wire down to the 1/2 inch durorock that his helpers had just airnailed to the subfloor all over the first floor. I got there just as the system went into low water alarm.

**beenthere** · 04-07-2009, 11:14 AM

He may not have any idea what it will cost to do what he is proposing.

Many people's income seems to be recession proof. Until they see the actual price tag.

04-05-2009, 09:55 PM	#1
Texasguy Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8	Radiant Heat and Tile Hello everyone. I have a split level home and the main floor has a full basement under it. The main floor has a large living room and country kitchen. The house is 25 years old. I've always wanted tile in the kitchen but now I have decided to use the tile on the whole level. This brought me to the discovery of radiant heat flooring. I currently have a heat pump that is on its last legs. Since I will need concrete board to go under the tile anyway, will this work to also serve as a cover for radiant tubing placed on top of the subfloor? Or will I have to have concrete poured and if so, will that be ok as a subfloor for the tile? Is the best tile for this job ceramic or can I use porcelain or stone? I'm kind of trying to figure out if it is more economic to get this tile floor/heating done all at once. Can anyone tell me how much more expensive it may be to replace my current heat pump with a combination of radiant heating (on the main floor only), heat pump heat on the second floor, and heat pump a/d on all floors? Thanks for any information you can share!

04-05-2009, 10:07 PM	#2
beenthere An old Tradesmen Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 19,045	Radiant Heat and Tile Depends which method you use. VERY expensive. Since the heat pump not only heats but also cools thehouse. Are you going to put in a separate heat pump for each floor, or zone one heat pump.

04-07-2009, 12:08 AM	#3
Grampa Bud BIGRED Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 480	Radiant Heat and Tile There are electric loose weave heating fabrics or mats made specificly for heating floors. It's an alternative to hot water radiant floor heat and it can be applied to the surface you wish to tile over.

04-07-2009, 02:03 AM	#4
beenthere An old Tradesmen Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 19,045	Radiant Heat and Tile But check your utility rates before installing.

04-07-2009, 10:36 AM	#5
Grampa Bud BIGRED Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 480	Radiant Heat and Tile Yes you are so right "beenthere", but look at "Texasguy"s query. 1. Take out the old whole house heat pump. 2. Install new bsmt/2nd flr heat pump slightly modified to include whole house A/C. 3. Install boiler supported (or possibly water heater) In Floor radiant heat - quite possibly zoned. It would seem that "Texasguy"s pockets are recession proof to start with, but to tone it down slightly "WATTS" In Floor Radiant mats could be a cost alternative. Also I forgot to mention last night Texasguy, that you can indeed put tile, stone, marble, wood, etc. down over this mesh. Just make sure whoever does your work knows the radiant is there first. Idid a radiant floor once, had it pressurized and keeping the home warm so the general's tile crew could get started. I came in to check on the heat, boiler, pressure, etc. and found the general had imported an old world GREEK (no Englas-in or out) stone mason who was merrily airnailing chicken wire down to the 1/2 inch durorock that his helpers had just airnailed to the subfloor all over the first floor. I got there just as the system went into low water alarm.

Radiant Heat and Tile