[Matt Kulp]

Have a question. We have a project that we are working on that we are trying to use Radiant heat under pavers. Sounds easy right? The only problem is that it is a heavy vehicular traffic area. This area is in front of a main entrance to a Country Club, which is the only access for the club. This area has constant traffic from heavier cars, frequent delivery trucks, and occasional construction vehicles. My problem is that the traditional radiant systems call for laying the tubing on top of the base material and then bedding layer over top. Doing this, they recommend that you use 2-3" of bedding, which will not work with the amount of traffic. For pedestrian traffic it is fine, but vehicular there would be too much movement. I have been told about a system that you can install in your base material that will hold up to the weight, the only problem with this is that you have to keep the system on all winter, because it does not heat up fast enough to melt on command.

I was wondering if anybody here has had any similar applications that they worked through. I want to do this one top notch, because this is a very high profile club and we want to knock there socks off.

The area will be 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, depending on the design they pick. We will be using 3 1/8" brick stone and will be laying on 12-15" of modified 3/4.

Thanks

[Paul]

You need to switch and install a concrete base and install the tubing in it. The concrete will support the tubing and the vehicle loads. The prep also includes a 2" HD foam layer under the concrete, this prevents the heat and cold from penetrating above and below it.

[scott C]

We just completed a radiant heat drive. Our drive will rarely see the type and amount of traffic your project will.

What size tubing will you be using?

We used 1/2" inside dia. 5/8" O.D. and used 1 3/4" of bedding sand.

[scott C]

Insulation

[scott C]

Almost finished

[Matt Kulp]

Scott, looks really good. How did the screeding go with all the obstructions?

Paul,
Would I run into any problems with installing too thick of a concrete base? Would the thickness of the concrete make a difference in the heating time? I think for the amount of traffic on the this area, I would do a 8-10" pour. I would imagine that I would need to reinforce the concrete, will there be any issue with rebar being used?

[Matt Kulp]

O.k., I wanted to bump this back up and see if anyone had a particular system they liked and why?

[scott C]

Matt screeding around the pipes was a real pita in some locations. plus the plumber had some pipes overlapping.

When hitting the pavers with our sand hammer the pavers would spring back up instead of settling into the sand. It had me really concerned that the driveway would not tamp evenly. fortunately it did and everything is looking good.

Icpi has some info on there wbsite about installing radiant heat under pavers. I called three different manufacturers to find as much info as possible none was any great help. All led me to ICPI.

[Matt Kulp]

Do you have a link for the info at ICPI, I ran through the site and could not find anything.

Thanks

[scott C]

Hope this wurkz http://www.icpi.org/design/tech_specs.cfm

[Matt Kulp]

Thanks Scott, worked great.