Why radiant floor heating?
Unlike forced air heating systems, radiant floor heating provides the ideal personal comfort zone, keeping your body warm without heating air above your head.

How does radiant floor heating work?
Warm water, 80° to 160°, circulates through barrier tubing in the floor. You can use a variety of heating sources, including a boiler or you can use a water heater.

Why is radiant floor heating so comfortable?
Radiant heating warms your feet, body and the objects around you. This allows you to keep temperatures lower to maintain the same comfort level.

 Radiant heating allows you to keep temperatures lower to maintain the same comfort level.
  What is Ideal Heat?
Even heat distribution
For maximum comfort, the warmest temperature is at floor level and cooler temperatures are at head and ceiling levels. By comparing Radiant Floor and Forced Air heat distribution systems one can easily see that in forced air heat becomes trapped at the ceiling level, causing an inversion of the ideal heating pattern.

Ideal Heating Curve
Chart illustrating the ideal heat curve as it related to a person's comfort.
Radiant Floor
Chart showing the how radiant floor heat compares to the ideal heat curve.
Forced Air
Chart showing the the ideal heat curve compares to the forced aire heating curve.

Radiant Floor

  • Entire floor surface area is in effect a low temperature radiator
  • Warms other surfaces in that room and they, in turn become heat emitters
  • Has superior energy efficiency

Forced Air

  • Drafts may occur
  • High temperature may be blown at occupants
  • Exact opposite of the ideal heat curve – cold feet and hot head
  Installation Methods
Below Subfloor
Renovations
 Cut-a-way shows radiant floor heating installed below the subfloor as in renovations.
Concrete
Basements, Garages and Workshops
 Cut-a-way shows radiant floor heating installation for basements, garages and workshops.
Above Subfloor
Living Rooms and Room Additions
 Cut-a-way shows the radiant floor heating installed above the subfloor for living rooms and room additions.
  Piping Schematics
Piping Schematic of Pump & Control Package when used with Hot Water Storage Tank for the Heat Source
 Schematic of pump & control package when used with hot water storage tank for a heat source
Piping Schematic of Pump & Control Package when used with a Boiler for the Heat Source
 Schematic of pump & control package when used with a boiler for the heat source.
  Vanguard's Design and Quoting Service

Get downloads of layouts and material lists for many different situations.Vanguard’s commitment begins with support. Our technical support team is prepared to provide the assistance required to get your job done and answer the questions you have along the way. We will create a Radiant Heating Quote based on your provided floor plans within a few days for no charge.

Upon submission of the store receipt for the purchase of a Vanguard Radiant Heating System we will create a tubing layout drawing.

Download layouts and material lists

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Vanguard Radiant Design/Quote Center
Easy to maintain
No ducts to clean or filters to replace.

Decorating freedom
Since there are no vents, radiators or cold air returns, you can place furniture anywhere.

Quiet operation
No fans or blowers.

Versatile installation
Perfect for new or existing homes. Compatible with all floor coverings—tile, carpet or vinyl.

Healthy
No blowing dust and allergens.

Easy to install
Simple to install and connect to a hot water supply. Most homeowners can do the tubing installation themselves.

Why Vanguard?
For more than 30 years Vanguard has earned a well respected and proven reputation for making people comfortable around the world. Whether you need to remodel an existing room or add on to your home, you can rely on Vanguard for cost efficient and environmentally friendly home comfort solutions.