Warmboard Versus Concrete Mass Radiant Floor Heating

Warmboard

• Warmboard is a type of radiant heating system that uses a layer of plywood for stability and an aluminum sheet that acts as a radiant panel. The aluminum sheet includes a groove in which tubing can fit. This provides room in the floor for hot-water radiant heating (called hydronic heating) without a concrete slab.

Benefits

• Warmboard is useful because the aluminum panel collects and radiates the heat from the water upward. Since the entire system is one flat layer, it can also be used for installations like hardwood flooring on top of the system. Warmboard works best as part of new construction, when the subfloor is still being installed. It can work with insulation installed underneath the warmboard for additional protection.

Concrete Mass

• Concrete mass is an older type of radiant flooring in which the radiant system is installed either below or within the concrete slab as it is laid. The concrete floor itself then acts as transfer system for the radiant heat. It can be overlaid with other materials, like floating floors or carpet.

Benefits

• Concrete mass system, when constructed properly, can be used with both hydronic systems and wire mesh systems, providing two possible ways to install radiant heating.Concrete also has limits as to where it can be installed in the house, whereas warmboard has fewer location limitations. Concrete is best suited for entryways, basements, and similar areas.