[Cob] Radiant Heat Flooring

[ocean]

Since we're trying to avoid plastic in our cob buildings, why not 
insulate with loose pumice instead of styrofoam.  The pumice should be 
well tamped (possible after mixing with a light clay slip or covered 
with cardboard), then pour the floor layers.

In addition, you might want to add the heavy wire mesh used in concrete 
slabs (wires on 6" centers) into your poured floor layers.  The mesh 
provides tensile strength and also gives you a grid to tie the PEX 
water tubing to for a radiant floor.  We have a room in our garage with 
a hydronic concrete slab, and agree that it's the coziest room in the 
house!

Ocean
http://www.intabas.com

On Mar 22, 2006, at 12:47 PM, Bill&Julie wrote:

> Hi Mark,,,   The word is called ( Work Around )..
>
> If Cob , you mean a poured clay floor...  then I am guessing hi 
> maintenance.
> In any case, you will have to isolate the heat from the ground 
> underneath.
>
> Blue or Yellow insulation board is what I would use. But with clay, the
> flexing would break the clay up.
> I also am guessing that a clay floor at its best, is not maintenance 
> free...
> Learn all you can about the Clay Homes of Devon England...
> The oldest are 600 years old...
>
>
> There is a guy in town that has a poured concrete floor in his garage,
> Packed sand, blue board insulation on the sides between the walls
> and the floor and underneath the water pipe heating, and poured
> concrete floor over that. He uses a 50 gal. water heater to heat
> his garage, with a small circulating pump... and says it is great..
> * Southern Minnesota *
>
> ~¿~  bill
>