Posted: 11/12/2006 6:14:13 PM EDT
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I don't see a point to do just the basement and I don't see how some aluminum sheets stuck to the tube and put in between floor joist on the main floor would work all that great. What is the how do they day it, 'hive mind' opinion on heating ones home? I have recently seen an installation where the main floor was a 2" pour of concrete and the tube was run through that, but I don't like that idea much. Lot of weight on the joists no matter how big they are. I was thinking, pellet stove and forced air, but people keep talking 'bout radiant heat. |
Yes...the house that I grew up in had radiant heat. Those cold St. Louis winters were so much easier to deal with when the floor was warm, it was great. Being able to walk around the house without socks during the coldest days of the year was awesome. It was pretty efficient too....... |
Radiant heat is the BOMB ! We added a 40x60 addition (metal building) with in floor heating. Using a mixture of glycol and water, it heats the entire room during winter. Your feet are never cold. It's awesome. The couches- are now HEATED ! That radiant heat feels so good, it's nearly as good as PIE ! I strongly recommend it. 
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I grew up in a radiant heat house, probably one of the early ones (just Post WWII) here in Michigan. Just like everyone here has said, it's wonderful having heated floors! But! there are a few things to remember..... The heat is great, but it's VERY VERY DRY! Install/get a good humidifier!! Otherwise your wood furniture will dry out and pull itself apart...guess how I know this! Radiant heat works well with tile/solid floors. Not so well with carpeting (Carpet+pad=Insulation) so solid floors are almost a must. Radiant heat (In concrete floors) will be a nice, even heat, because of the "Thermal mass" involved. But this mass also means that heating up quickly, or cooling off quickly isn't going to happen either. Tall Shadow 
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