Decorative Concrete w/ Hydronic Radiant Floor

Cool Floor – Can Be Hot / Iowa Acid Stain, Hydronic Radiant Heat Floor

Location: Shellsburg, Iowa

Project: New frame construction residence

Installation by: Tim Johnson

Material Supplier: SureCrete Design

Total Sq. Ft.: 4,000+

Products used: SureStain, HS260, SureFinish

The client wanted an acid stained floor. But his home design called for frame construction, way off the ground. Hydronic radiant floor heat was on the client wish list as well. Traditional 2^nd floor concrete construction was too costly. The solution offered by experienced concrete artisan, Tim Johnson, of Earthworks in Shellsburg, Iowa was genius.

First, Earthworks in Iowa, had the frame floor engineered to accept an additional 4 lbs. per square foot of dead load above a gyp-crete floor. Next, he stapled a radiant barrier to the wood floor. Then radiant heat tubing was placed on the barrier, and was fastened to the floor in loops according to manufactures specs.

Then just like a regular concrete guy, Tim placed 1½” concrete over it all. His concrete design called for 6 sack mix with ¾” stone and micro-fibers. The concrete cures to a dead load of approximately 18 lbs. per square foot at 1½” depth.

Finishing was primarily done with a small 2’ edge machine. The small size trowel machine can maneuver in and out door openings. Early the next day, the floor was scored into 3 foot tiles. The first score line that established the pattern was placed directly over the main carry beam. Deflection was most likely at this point. Tim uses a small saw on “skates” set to a depth not to exceed ⅜”.  At this depth the ¾” heat tubes will never be damaged.

So, where does the genius come in? Can’t all of this be done with gyp-crete? So here’s the genius: the 1½” concrete can become the finish floor. No extra floor covering is required. Try that with gyp-crete.

Terra Cotta SureStain was used to color the floor into rich earth tones. The sealer selected was HS260 for an economical pick. SureFinish a high quality floor wax was used to complete the job. This was a great choice as it now became the sacrificial wear coat to protect the sealer beneath indefinitely, while providing a measure of slip resistance. The result is a “cool” floor that can be “hot.”

To see the latest in environmentally friendly interior, low maintenance floor coatings, go to the industry leaders at SureCrete. Earthworks is a certified installer of decorative concrete, concrete restoration, and concrete countertops.