Radiant Floor
Saturday, October 22nd 2022
Installing the flooring was a multi-week process. This post details the actual installation we did in one weekend. Prior to the installation, we had to cut in all the floor penetrations for everything we plan to install in later (i.e. shower, toilet, sink, etc). We purchased a CNC cut floor through Just Roaming, which collaborates with Rixens (who we purchased our hydronic heating system through). Just Roaming's kit includes heat transfer plates, pex tubing, fiberglass foam insulation, and plywood subfloor. It was expensive but ultimately saved Josh and me countless hours of measuring, cutting, and I'm sure a tons of headaches!
We reviewed this video that outlines the steps to installing the floor. Per the video, the floor has a finished height of 1", which is half the height of competitors. The total time to install the floor is about 1.5 hours (there is a 24 hour curing time once the insulation is glued down). First, we applied adhesive to the high ridges of the van foam to adhere the foam insulation board to the floor of the van. Josh's caulking gun came in handy (pun intended) since we used five tubes of adhesive. Once all the foam panels were set, we ensured the threaded inserts aligned. Then we applied weight to ensure a tight bond. We used boxes of Coco Char, which weigh 22 pounds each, some cement blocks, and some steel panels.
Sunday, October 23rd 2022
It should be noted that while we were waiting for the foam boards to finish curing, Josh upgraded our speakers. He has a separate video on our Insta channel that's really great. It's a much better experience listening to music in the van now.
After the adhesive cured, we removed all the weights and pressed in the heat transfer plates to their designated areas (which were outlined on the foam board). Next we pressed in three colors of pex tubing using a rubber mallet. White tubing is for the radiant floor, red tubing is for hot water for the sink, and blue tubing is cold water for the sink. Finally, we placed the four pieces of plywood subfloor on top.
Now we're ready for our finished floor!
After measuring multiple times, Josh drilled holes in the fiberglass floor and subfloor (these are the largest puzzle pieces you'll ever see).
Drilling holes into the floor of the van.
Penetration complete.
Making the floor of the van look like Swiss cheese.
Dry fitting the fiberglass floor and ensuring the holes align.
Josh triangulating measurements.
Holes and grommets!
Josh applying adhesive to the high ridges of the floor.
First section glued in. Josh is applying adhesive for the second foam panel.
Three of the four foam panels installed.
The adhesive for the fourth panel.
All foam panels glued down.
Applying weight to ensure a tight seal. We utilized Coco Char boxes (weighing 22 lbs each), some cement blocks, and steel panels. This sat for close to 24 hours.
Heat transfer plates (to help spread heat to more surface area) and whiting tubing for the radiant floor.
Heat transfer plates with all the tubing. The white tubing is for the radiant floor, red tubing is for hot water for the sink, and blue tubing is cold water for the sink.
The subfloor installed on top of the plates and tubing!