Cellar Heating?
Anybody has converted part of the cellar into a working space? How do you heat it? I am thinking about converting the front part of the cellar into my office and would like to know how usually people heat the space. Also, any recommendation about tiles or cement? Or wood on top of the cement?…
Anybody has converted part of the cellar into a working space? How do you heat it? I am thinking about converting the front part of the cellar into my office and would like to know how usually people heat the space. Also, any recommendation about tiles or cement? Or wood on top of the cement? I have to do a full renovation of the cellar, anything would work. Any experience converting part of the cellar into office space?
Do not put radiant heat in an existing slab on grade, you will end up with most of the heat being conducted to the earth, like a giant heat sink. You will get some heat but it will be very inefficient. You must have 2″ or more of foam separating the heat from the soil for the radiant heat to be efficient.
As for moisture, do a moisture test on the slab. Wood may be fine in your cellar it depends on the specifics of your soil and masonry. You can put the flooring on sleepers above a moisture barrier.
What denton is recommending is baseboard (bb) heat as opposed to under-floor radiant. Both sysytems are hot water. I think that unless you go with a system embedded in concrete and tile on the top, there will be problems IF you do ever run into a water/flooding issue. Otherwise if you expect this basement to always be dry and dampness free, go with engineered or wood. That said, wood does not conduct as well as concrete & tile.
I would think radiant in a cellar is a bad idea because of moisture and flooding issues.
hydronic radiant heat means the type of radiant heat is hydronic (ie, hot water), as opposed to say, electric mats.
If you must have a contractor installing expensive radiant heat in your reno, why not just ask him? He knows the circumstances, we’re guessing.
I’d put some engineered product down on concrete as flooring. No wood. Tiles are hard and cold. And since you have hydronic heat, a short baseboard is enough; cellars are pretty warm just from vagrant heat from the furnace etc.
Best heating system is forced air if you have space for ducting (dons flak suit).
Hi Denton, thanks for your comment. Why do you think radiant heat in a cellar is a bad idea? Sorry for the lack of knowledge, but what is the difference between radiant heat and Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating? Could you be more specific on the heating system you have and your experience in term of comfort and cost? Anybody else has any advise regards the best heating system for a brownstone?
never put wood in a cellar, too many possible moisture issues. Radiant heat in a basement sounds like a bad idea. In my reno, w hydronic bb, I’ve set aside a zone for heat in the basement, but haven’t put it in yet.
After the renovation we will probably have radiant heat. But nothing is sure yet. Anyway, tiles, cement or wood on the cellar?
What kind of heating system do you have now????