Radiant heating warms from the floor, concentrating heat near people, furnishings and walls and eliminating drafts altogether. Since the entire floor is a radiator the temperature throughout the room remains nearly constant. This factor alone reduces heat loss by up to 25 per cent when compared to similar homes using conventional heating methods. There are no ducts or baseboards, so there's no blowing dust or allergens. And you can put your furniture wherever you like. It is far and away the most successful heating system for dispersing heat and comfort evenly throughout a structure.

Slab on Grade Radiant tubing is embedded in cement. The tubing is typically attached to metal mesh with plastic ties. A 4-inch slab is most typical. The tubing is best placed in the middle of the slab. Full under-slab insulation is recommended for most residential applications. Slabs have a large thermal mass, which stabilizes temperature swings but slows response. This method is recommended whenever a slab is poured.
Thin Slab on Subfloor Radiant tubing is attached on top of subfloor with approved staples or plastic clips. A thin slab of gypsum based cement is poured over the tubing. Typical slabs are 1.5-inch thick when using 1/2-inch tubing, but may be as thin as 1.25-inch thick when using 3/8-inch tubing. Gypsum cement is lighter than cement, but a little less conductive.
Hanging or Attached Below Subfloor Radiant tubing is hung or attached to the underside of the joists in an air space with insulation below. Requires higher water temperatures and has more limited heat output than other systems. It is often used for retrofitting when access from below is possible. Hanging systems have more even joist cavity temperatures than when pipe is attached in contact with subfloor joists.
Structural Radiant Subfloor with Aluminum and Grooves Pre-manufactured 1.25-inch thick panels have grooves for tubing and an aluminum sheet bonded to the board. In this case, the pre-manufactured panels serve both as the structural subfloor and as the channel into which the tubing is installed. The aluminum sheet makes the system accelerate rapidly and spreads out the heat. Tubing is installed 12 inches on center in the grooves.

If you are considering radiant heating in your home call for a free copy of "Radiant Flooring Guide" Your guide to suitable floor coverings and sub-materials for use with radiant heating