Product Comparisons
Compare HR Panels from Effective Thermal Solutions LTD. in Saskatoon, SK. with other insulation currently used for in-floor heating applications.
HR Panels
HR Panels provide an all-in-one solution for insulating hydronic floor heating applications. Our original panels are rated R10, lock together quickly with u-shaped edges, grip the PEX tubing in place without the need for additional fasteners or mesh, have a thermoformed moisture barrier, and possess compressive strength of 28 PSI.
Not only do they boast the listed qualities but, they also reduce the installation times of the insulation and PEX by up to 66%; saving time and installation costs. Custom runs are available to address higher R value or PSI requirements up to R15 and 60PSI.
Our insulation is made of EPS and is proven to hold nearly all of its insulation properties over the lifetime of the concrete slab compared to the following insulations which lose up to half of their insulation value in as little as 2 years!
XPS/SM Board
The pink/blue boards are taped together which does not provide an adequate seal between the panels. The PEX tubing is then tied to wire mesh over the insulation. Although this is the most common method in the past, it is not ideal for keeping the PEX tubing in place during the concrete pour. This also adds excessive labour costs with the added steps required to fasten the tubing while also leaving the tubing open to possible damage or rupture before the floor is poured.
This form of insulation is prone to breaking/cracking when walked on reducing its effectiveness. Another important reason to avoid the use of the XPS boards is its inability to hold its R-value over time. The gas used in the production of the xps insulation off-gases over time allowing moisture to work its way in. This results in continually increasing heating bills as the thermal break below your concrete slab deteriorates annually allowing moisture to replace the gas that escapes.
Polyurethane Foam
Although an effective form of insulation for walls and roofs, this option is not well suited for below-grade insulation.
Polyurethane has similar downfalls to the XPS board and struggles further as water and moisture are trapped in the foam which greatly reduces its R-value (EPS vs Polyurethane).
It is also difficult to determine the PSI of the foam as it is manually sprayed resulting in varying thicknesses throughout the concrete slab. Not only is this an ineffective insulator, but it is also the most expensive option when looking to insulate your in-floor heating project.
Polytarp Insulation
This method consists of a thin poly-film, sometimes in conjunction with a 3/8″ layer of EPS foam which together provides very minimal insulation resulting in a weak thermal break below your heated concrete slab. The tarp and foam act as a great moisture barrier however; they do not offer the structural stability to hold and protect the PEX tubing and can also trap moisture in the insulation due to the location of the tarp.
The tarp provides minimal insulation (usually less than R-2) to satisfy the highly important R-value required so that your money spent on heating does not simply pass into the ground below the tarp. This results in your heater consistently running as heat escapes below your heated concrete slab. Remember, “Hot Air Rises, but Heat Goes to the Cold”.