Radiant floor heating puts the heat source beneath the floor rather than relying on warm air from vents. In a typical hydronic system, heated fluid travels through PEX tubing installed in or beneath a concrete slab. The floor then gives off heat to the room above.

A complete radiant floor heating system requires more than PEX tubing. The tubing, insulation, heat source, and floor construction all work together. Barn World's current radiant heating products include Crete-Heat insulated floor panels, oxygen-barrier PEX tubing, electric boilers, a PEX Pal organizer, and propylene glycol. Radiant floor heating products are available for projects ranging from homes and garages to shops, barns, and other concrete-floor applications.

How Radiant Floor Heating Works

Hydronic radiant floor heating circulates heated fluid through a network of PEX tubing beneath the finished floor. The tubing transfers heat to the surrounding concrete, and the warm slab radiates heat upward into the room.

The basic system has several important parts:

• PEX tubing: Carries the heated fluid through the floor.
• Insulated floor panels: Provide insulation below the slab and hold the PEX tubing in position.
• Electric boiler: Heats and circulates the fluid through the tubing loops.
• Manifolds: Connect and distribute the tubing loops.
• Propylene glycol: Can be used as the system fluid where freeze protection is needed.

The size and configuration of each component should be based on the area being heated, insulation, floor construction, electrical service, and the heating requirements of the building.

Why Insulation Matters Under Radiant Floor Heat

Insulation beneath a heated slab helps reduce heat loss into the ground. Without adequate insulation, some of the heat produced by the system can move downward instead of contributing to the heated floor above.

Barn World's Crete-Heat Insulated Floor Panels combine insulation with a built-in vapor barrier and raised knobs that hold PEX tubing in place. The panels interlock during installation, helping keep the tubing layout organized while the concrete is poured.

The current Crete-Heat system is available in 1-inch, 2-inch, and 3-inch insulation thicknesses. Barn World lists R-6, R-10, and R-15 insulation ratings, respectively.

Panel Thickness	Insulation Rating
1 inch	R-6
2 inches	R-10
3 inches	R-15

The appropriate insulation thickness depends on the construction and location of the project. The floor design should be considered before ordering materials.

Crete-Heat Panels Hold the PEX Tubing

One advantage of the Crete-Heat panel design is that the insulation also helps with PEX installation. Raised knobs on the panels hold the tubing at the desired spacing instead of requiring the tubing to be secured with separate staples or ties.

The panels have interconnecting edges that help keep the layout aligned. The PEX can be pressed into the spaces between the knobs, creating a consistent tubing pattern before the concrete is poured.

The current 1-inch Crete-Heat panel is designed for standard PEX sizes from 3/8 to 5/8 inch, with larger PEX sizes available as a special option. Each bag contains 12 panels and covers 96 square feet.

For larger projects, Barn World also offers 2-inch and 3-inch panel options with different coverage and insulation specifications.

Choosing PEX Tubing for Radiant Floor Heating

PEX tubing forms the circulation network inside the heated floor. The tubing is installed in loops that carry heated fluid from the manifold through the floor and back to the heating system.

Barn World offers oxygen-barrier PEX tubing for use with the Crete-Heat insulated floor panels. Current options include pre-cut lengths as well as custom cuts for radiant floor heating projects.

Planning the tubing layout before installation is important. Loop length, spacing, manifold location, and the amount of tubing required all affect how the system is installed and balanced.

What Does Oxygen-Barrier PEX Mean?

Oxygen-barrier PEX is designed to limit oxygen from passing through the tubing wall and entering the heating system. This type of tubing is commonly used in hydronic heating applications where the tubing is connected to components such as pumps, manifolds, and boilers.

The PEX should be installed according to the tubing and heating-system specifications. The finished floor also needs to provide sufficient protection for the tubing after the concrete is poured.

 

Electric Boilers for Radiant Floor Heat

An electric boiler provides the heat source for a hydronic radiant floor system. It heats the circulating fluid and works with the pump and manifold system to move that fluid through the PEX loops.

Barn World's current radiant floor heat electric boilers are pre-assembled on panels with components including a modulating electric boiler, circulating pump, expansion tank, automatic air scoop, purge and fill valve, pressure relief valve, and PEX manifolds.

Electrical Size	Output	Listed Coverage
20 amp	10,236 BTU	Up to 600 sq. ft.
40 amp	20,472 BTU	Up to 1,200 sq. ft.
50 amp	30,708 BTU	Up to 1,500 sq. ft.
60 amp	37,532 BTU	Up to 1,500 sq. ft.

These coverage figures are the current product specifications and should not be treated as a substitute for sizing a heating system for a particular building. Heat loss, insulation, climate, floor construction, and electrical requirements all need to be considered.

Radiant Floor Heating for Concrete Slabs

Radiant floor heating is particularly well suited to concrete slabs because concrete can absorb and distribute heat across a large floor area.

The PEX tubing is installed before the concrete is poured. Once the slab has cured, the tubing is protected inside the floor while the concrete acts as the heated surface.

Barn World's Crete-Heat panels are designed for concrete slab applications including main floors, basements, garages, driveways, and other areas where concrete or gypcrete is used. The current product information also describes above-grade applications.

Radiant Floor Heat for Garages, Shops, and Barns

A heated concrete floor can be useful in spaces where maintaining a comfortable floor temperature is important. Garages, workshops, barns, basements, and other buildings can be designed with radiant tubing beneath the slab.

The building's insulation and intended use should be considered before designing the system. A well-insulated floor and building envelope make it easier for the heating system to maintain the desired temperature.

For a garage or shop, for example, the system may be designed around a large open concrete floor. A barn or other agricultural building may have different heat-loss characteristics and operating requirements.

Radiant Floor Heating Panel Installation

The floor surface should be properly prepared before the insulation panels are installed. The current Crete-Heat installation information recommends a level base so the panels are properly supported and not placed over ridges or uneven areas that could damage them.

The general installation sequence is:

1. Prepare and level the floor area.
2. Lay out the insulated floor panels.
3. Connect the panels using their interlocking edges.
4. Plan the PEX loop and manifold locations.
5. Press the PEX tubing into the panel layout.
6. Connect the tubing loops to the manifold.
7. Complete the boiler, pump, controls, and electrical connections.
8. Test and purge the hydronic system as required.
9. Pour the concrete slab over the installed tubing.

The exact installation method depends on the project and the heating equipment being used. Electrical connections should be completed by a qualified electrician where required.

How Much PEX Do You Need?

The amount of PEX required depends on the floor area, tubing spacing, number of loops, and system design. It is better to determine the tubing requirements before purchasing the insulation panels and other components.

Loop length also matters. A radiant floor system may use several separate loops rather than one continuous length of tubing throughout the entire floor. The loops are connected to a manifold so heated fluid can be distributed throughout the system.

Barn World's PEX Pal organizer is designed to help organize supply and return tubing at the manifold. The current radiant heating collection also lists 300-foot PEX tubing and other tubing options.

Radiant Floor Heating System Components

Component	Purpose
Crete-Heat panels	Insulate the floor and hold the PEX tubing
Oxygen-barrier PEX	Carries heated fluid through the floor
Electric boiler	Heats the circulating fluid
Manifold	Connects and distributes the tubing loops
Circulating pump	Moves fluid through the heating system
Expansion tank	Accommodates changes in fluid volume
Propylene glycol	Provides freeze protection where appropriate
PEX Pal organizer	Helps organize tubing connections at the manifold

Radiant Floor Heat vs. Forced-Air Heating

Radiant floor heat and forced-air heating deliver heat in different ways. A forced-air system distributes heated air through ducts and registers, while radiant floor heating transfers heat through the floor surface.

Radiant floor heating can provide a different type of comfort because the floor itself becomes part of the heating system. It also eliminates the need for traditional supply-air registers in the heated floor area.

Neither system is automatically appropriate for every building. The building's construction, insulation, existing heating equipment, energy source, and installation cost should all be considered.

Things to Consider Before Installing Radiant Floor Heat

• Floor construction: Determine whether the project uses a new concrete slab, an existing slab, or another floor system.
• Insulation: Plan insulation beneath and around the heated area to limit unwanted heat loss.
• Floor area: Calculate the area that actually needs to be heated.
• Heat loss: Consider insulation, windows, doors, ceiling height, and local climate.
• PEX layout: Determine tubing spacing, loop lengths, and manifold location before installation.
• Boiler size: Match the heat source to the heating requirements and available electrical service.
• Controls: Plan thermostats and temperature controls as part of the system.
• Installation: Follow the requirements for the specific panels, tubing, boiler, and concrete system.

Is Radiant Floor Heating Right for Your Project?

Radiant floor heating can be a practical option when you are planning a new concrete floor or another installation where PEX tubing can be incorporated into the floor system. Proper insulation, tubing layout, heat-source sizing, and floor construction all affect how the finished system performs.

Barn World's current radiant floor heating collection includes Crete-Heat insulated floor panels, PEX tubing, electric boilers, a PEX Pal organizer, and propylene glycol. The available panels provide R-6, R-10, or R-15 insulation depending on thickness, while the electric boilers are available in several electrical and output sizes.

If you are planning a radiant floor heating project and are unsure how much PEX, insulation, or boiler capacity you need, Barn World can help you work through the available components. Provide the approximate floor area, type of building, floor construction, and other project details, and the Barn World team can help you compare the available radiant heating products and determine what information is needed for a quote.