Week 8: Hot, hot heat

The next step on the construction ladder was to lay the insulation and wire mesh for the new in-floor radiant heat system. This is one of the exciting changes we have been able to make to our workshop as a result of the whole tornado experience. One has limited options when heating a wood shop, due to concerns about dust, so radiant heat is the perfect solution. It is very energy efficient and will keep everything at a comfortable working temperature during our cold, snow-belt winters. Here are some images of the process.

Rigid foam insulation was laid onto the compacted soil surface of the new addition and directly onto the concrete of the old foundation. Next, a layer of thick wire mesh is added which will allow the piping to be anchored flat.

During this phase, the groundwork for the plumbing also needed to be completed before the final concrete floor was poured.

A portion of the old concrete foundation was removed to accommodate our new CNC router, which needs to have a special thickness of foundation underneath it to help limit any possible vibration. The construction crews cut out and lifted the section of concrete, insulated the hole, and then laid the heat piping so that it dipped down into the hole and out again.

The snaking grid of in-floor tubing is quite a sight over the entire surface of the foundation. Another check mark achieved on the construction to-do list!