Radiant Floor Heating in New Construction

Elevate your New Home Comfort and Efficiency

Radiant floor heating is an excellent choice for home heating, offering energy efficiency and enhanced comfort. By distributing heat evenly beneath the floor, it operates silently and provides a more natural warmth compared to forced air systems.

It’s especially good for new construction, as it can be custom-designed to optimize comfort and fully maximize its benefits. Installing radiant heating from the outset also simplifies the process, allowing builders to plan seamlessly without the challenges of retrofitting later.

Benefits of Radiant Heat in New Homes

Radiant floor heating in new builds offers a host of advantages that make it a compelling choice for homeowners and builders alike. Here are some of the advantages for new construction:

  • Versatility and Design Flexibility: Since there are no ducts, vents, or radiators, builders and homeowners have greater flexibility in designing for high ceilings or large windows and furnishing spaces.
  • Efficient Use of Space: Optimize the layout of the mechanical room, tubing, and manifolds for efficient space utilization.

General Benefits of Radiant Heat

  • Energy Efficiency: Radiant systems are known for their efficiency, often reducing energy costs by 20-30%.
  • Improved Comfort: Radiant heat provides even, consistent warmth throughout a home without the hot and cold spots typical of forced air systems.
  • Quiet Operation: Unlike traditional heating systems, radiant floor heating operates quietly, adding to the comfort of the living environment.\
  • Healthy Heating: Radiant heat doesn’t circulate dust and allergens, making it a great option for those with allergies or asthma.
  • Increased Property Value: Homes with radiant floor heating are often considered more desirable and can command a higher resale value.
Warmboard logo White
Warmboard-S is a widely recommended solution for hydronic radiant heating, as it combines subfloor structural integrity with excellent heat distribution. Discover how to seamlessly integrate radiant heat into your new construction project using Warmboard-S structural panels.

What is Warmboard-S?

Warmboard-S is a structural radiant panel that acts as both a subfloor and a highly efficient radiant heat conductor. Made from 1 1/8″ thick plywood, it has a layer of aluminum bonded on top, which significantly enhances the distribution of heat across the surface. This dual functionality allows builders to install the subfloor and radiant heating system simultaneously, saving time, labor and materials.

Warmboard-S: 7-ply plywood, tubing channel, aluminum, paint

Learn more about Warmboard-S.

Warmboard-S in new construction job site

Why Choose Warmboard-S for New Construction?

There are several reasons why Warmboard-S is an ideal choice for new construction radiant heating systems:

  • Superior Heat Conductivity: The conductive aluminum layer ensures quick and even heat distribution.
  • Structural Integrity: Warmboard-S is designed to replace the traditional subfloor, making it a highly efficient solution for new builds.
  • Energy Efficiency: The system can operate at lower water temperatures while still providing excellent heating, reducing energy consumption.
  • Ease of Installation: Because it’s a subfloor and radiant heating system in one, the overall installation is more streamlined.
  • Compatibility: Works with a variety of floor coverings, including hardwood, tile, and carpet.

How to Install Radiant floor heat in New Construction

Warmboard-S is an exceptional choice for integrating radiant floor heating into new construction. By following these steps, builders can ensure a successful and efficient radiant floor heating system that enhances comfort, reduces energy costs, and adds value to the property.

1. Warmboard Design 

Your radiant heat system will be tailored to your specific needs. Our expert team will work closely with you to create a unique layout that maximizes comfort and efficiency.

  • Designing the layout with Warmboard-S: Our in-house team will create a unique plan layout to meet your project’s specific needs. Submit your floor plans here.
  • Determine installation method: Warmboard-S can be installed directly over structural floor joists or TJIs, and can also be installed over existing concrete or subfloor.
  • Plumbing, electrical, and other infrastructure should be planned so that they don’t interfere with the radiant floor tubing.


2. Site Preparation

Before beginning the installation of Warmboard-S, ensure the building site is properly prepared:

  • The foundation should be fully completed, and the joist layout finalized, or, if applicable, the slab should be dry and ready.
  • It’s recommended to ensure that the concrete slab or subfloor is completely dry and has an acceptable (low) level of moisture content before installation

3. Installing Warmboard-S Panels

The installation of Warmboard-S panels follows similar guidelines to traditional subfloor installation:

  1. Follow Layout Plans: Each panel shipment will come with a custom layout made in the design phase. Identify the starting point indicated by the red note.
  2. Panel Placement: Apply a generous amount of adhesive to the floor surface. Position the first panel, ensuring it is square and aligned with the layout. Secure the panel in place using nails or screws. Continue the installation process by applying adhesive to the floor and positioning the next panels. 
  3. Groove Alignment: Use alignment pins to ensure accurate spacing and alignment. Repeat this process until all panels are in place.
building warmboard home

4. Laying the Tubing

Once the Warmboard-S panels are in place, the radiant tubing is installed:

  1. Tubing Type: Use the PEX tubing listed in our install guide.
  2. Tubing Insertion: Insert the PEX tubing into the pre-cut grooves in the Warmboard-S panels. Be careful to follow the designed layout.
  • Zoning and Manifolds: Ensure that the tubing is connected to the appropriate zones. Each zone will typically be linked to a manifold that controls the water flow and temperature for that specific area.

5. Final Flooring Installation

After the radiant tubing is laid, the final flooring can be installed:

  1. Choose Flooring Material: Warmboard-S is compatible with a variety of flooring types, including hardwood, tile, laminate, and carpet. It’s important to select materials that work well with Warmboard for optimal efficiency.
  2. Install Flooring: Follow standard flooring installation procedures based on the material chosen. Take care to avoid tubing damage.

Learn more in our full installation guide.

Explore more radiant heating solutions

Warmboard-R

Designed for remodels or retrofits, offering the same heating efficiency as Warmboard-S.
• 2’x4’ tongue and groove remodeling subfloor
• 13/16″ thick
• Designed for an easy installation over existing slabs or subfloors⁠
• Can also be used in wall and ceiling installations

Warmboard Comfort System

A complete whole-home heating system, including a boiler, thermostat, and more, providing comprehensive comfort and efficiency. The boiler is available for any of these fuel sources:
• Natural Gas
• Liquid Propane
• Electric, Air-to-Water Heat Pump
• Heat Pump and Electric Boost

Enter your Project ID and Project Location Zip Code