Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Jan 04, 2011 09:51am | #1

   not sure

   You may want to pose your question to the construction folks at Breaktime or at The Burl.

   I would think, however, that it might partly depend on how the slab was poured. Is there a moisture barrier, and perhaps insulation beneath the slab?

   http://forums.delphiforums.com/burl/messages

2. 
   ollie9 | Jan 04, 2011 04:23pm | #2

   some clarification

   There is 1 1/2" of insulworks insulation for the pex under the slab, though not any vapour barrier. 

1. 
   RalphBarker | Jan 04, 2011 06:26pm | #3

   just conjecture

   To me, concrete seems like a moisture sponge, eager to pull water from the dirt. So, I'm thinking that you'd want a barrier - at least between the flooring and the (treated?) sleepers. Plus, there may need to be some sort of air circulation below the flooring. But, again, I'd talk to a reliable contractor who has done similar installations, and perhaps the manufacturer of the heating system, as well.

3. 
   zolton | Jan 05, 2011 08:49am | #4

   Hydronic heat..

   Ollie,

   If you put a false floor over the slab that contains your hydronic heat,  you'll essentially cut off heat to the shop. Much of the heat the system generates will be trapped between the slab and the underside of the wood floor. If nothing else, it will increase the operating costs by a huge amount as the boiler tries to satisfy the thermostat hanging on the wall.

   A better solution would to run the dust collection ductwork overhead. That's the way it is in most shops, and it allows for relatively easy reconfiguration should that need arise.

   Zolton