InstallGuide Warmboard-S
InstallGuide Warmboard-S
WARMBOARD-S PANEL
Installation Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
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f Approved Tubing List Page 5 f Installing Solid Plank Page 17 f Water Temperature Chart Page 37
R D
Warmboard-S is a structural, tongue and groove
hydronic radiant subfloor panel made from 7-ply RIGHT PANEL Groove DOUBLE PANEL
plywood with a conductive .025" thick 1070 6"
aluminum alloy skin bonded to the entire top surface.
12"
Each panel type is stamped with a series of aluminum
channels on the top surface to accommodate the
12"
installation of 1/2" PEX or PEX-AL-PEX tubing.
S STRAIGHT PANEL
HDR
HALF DOUBLE, RIGHT
1 Count your panels when they arrive on site and 6 After tubing is installed, we recommend a
confirm the shipment is correct. Use the color Masonite or Lauan in high traffic areas to help
code painted on the end of each panel to compare protect the tubing. Remove before installing
numbers against your plan set, which will be the finish floors.
found inside of your Installation Kit. If there are any
questions or inconsistencies with your delivery, 7 Custom routes require a router with a minimum
call us immediately. 1.75 horsepower (2.25hp is recommended).
DO NOT attempt a custom route without the
2 Review the Shop Drawings: Check floor plan proper wood and metal template guides (pg. 7).
dimensions and joist layout. Verify that the joist
direction and location of the pull are correct. 8 When installing over floor joists, it is mandatory
Note that some tubing loops may need to be that the crawl space or basement have substantial
installed before the walls are framed, and some ventilation, per IBC guidelines to outside ambient
after (If you are not familiar with the time line of air (Exposure to Weather, pg. 8). After installation,
this process, give us a call). R-19 (or greater) insulation is required beneath
the panels to prevent downward heat loss.
3 Gap 1/8" between panels on the 4' butt side (no
need on the 8' side). Use the alignment pins when 9 Review this manual before installing finish floors.
fastening to ensure the tubing paths between
panels line up. 10 The surface temperature of finished floors is not
to exceed 85ºF. This rule applies to the entire
4 ONLY use tubing approved by Warmboard, Inc. radiant industry.
(pg. 5). DO NOT use silicone or other types of
adhesives in the tubing channel.
f Mr. Pex
f Uponor helioPEX X2
f Uponor/Wirsbo hePEX
f ViegaPEX Barrier
f Tubing un-coiler
Provided Equipment
The items shown below are shipped with your
installation kit and should be used when routing.
DO NOT attempt a route without them.
Template guide
25/ 32" I.D., 1" O.D.
This is the correct sub-base with the supplied metal This sub-base does NOT work with our template guide
Guide lock nut template guides installed. and will not create custom routes.
For traditional joist application, fasten with panel Exposure to Weather DO NOT insulate below the panels until the structure
adhesive and 23/4" screws or ring shank nails as is completely dried-in and all excessive moisture has
specified by your design professional or listed in our Warmboard-S panels are rated “Exposure 1” by been released from the panels.
ICC-ES report. Apply common sense when sizing the APA. They can be exposed to occasional and
fasteners for Truss and I-Joist systems, intermittent rain, snow and ice for a building season Here are a few installation tips that are crucial to
and select a fastener to grab as much flange as and still serve as structural subfloor. Warmboard-S understand and follow.
possible. DO NOT size a nail or screw that will panels will still respond to moisture like any plywood
product, which means minor edge swelling can f Keep the panels completely dry and covered until
penetrate the bottom side of the flange.
occur from water intrusion. the time of installation
If the nailing pattern is not listed in the architectural f If installing over a crawl space or basement,
specification, the APA (American Panel Association) If the panels experience water intrusion, create a
this space MUST be well-ventilated (per IBC
recommends a 12" inside, 6" edges pattern. constantly dry and well-ventilated environment
guidelines) and completely dry at all times during
beneath to release this moisture from the bottom
the construction process
As panels are placed, tap alignment pins into side of the panels. This is necessary due to the
place on the two outer most channels, across aluminum bonded to the top of the plywood. f If installing over slab, ensure the slab is completely
the seam between the adjacent panels, to ensure cured and dried, then apply a moisture barrier.
proper channel alignment. Pay close attention Warmboard-S panels MUST be completely dry
to the Panel Layout plans as the work proceeds. before, during and after installation
Per APA guidelines all subfloor panels, including
Warmboard-S, should be gapped 1/8" on the 4' side. f To accelerate the removal of moisture, fire up the
boiler and circulate hot water through the system.
Using portable fans and/or heaters is also effective
24"
Fastening to Concrete f Method 1: Split Drive Anchors (Recommended) 13/4"
Use a 3lb. sledge hammer to force the
Drilling should be done with the Warmboard Split Drive Anchor through the pre-drilled
panels in place (pre-drilling the concrete is not panel and into the concrete
recommended). Use a heavy duty roto hammer drill
and a high-quality 1/4" masonry drill bit. The hole
should be 1/2" deeper than the required specification.
Once drilled, draw the drill bit in and out a few times 16"
to loosen excess material. Use a shop vacuum to 2 1/2" x 1/4" flat head Split Drive Anchor:
remove the debris. Use 1/4" high-quality masonry bit
11
Check List
f Review all the tubing layout plans
Procedure
f Place the routing template over the appropriate area
and fasten into position with 3 screws. Be sure the
screws do not interfere with the path of the router
13
Step 1: Clean the Panels Step 3: Return Lines to Manifolds Bury Point
Drill and deburr.
Clearing the panels and tubing channels of debris will To return the PEX tubing back to the manifolds, (see note below)
ensure the tubing sits flush and level. This is essential there are a few different options which will work. Warmboard-S
to a well functioning radiant system.
f Method 1 To Manifold
f Use a broom, shop vacuum or leaf blower to clear Use the existing channels in the panels to return
the debris from the panel and tubing channels the tubing to the manifold
f A tubing uncoiler will help avoid twists and kinks Minimum Framing Dimensions
when installing the tubing. It is an excellent
investment and highly recommended for large jobs
Loops Width x Height
f Use nail plates to secure tubing as needed and 2 Loop Manifold 14" x 36" clear
remove before finish floors are installed 3 Loop Manifold 16" x 36" clear
4 Loop Manifold 17" x 36" clear
5 Loop Manifold 20" x 36" clear
6 Loop Manifold 22" x 36" clear
7 Loop Manifold 24" x 36" clear
8 Loop Manifold 26" x 36" clear
The tubing MUST be level and flush with the
surface of Warmboard.
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AND BAMBOO
4 Installation Methods Approved Adhesives Method 1: Floating Floor
f Method 1 f Bona R850T, R851, R859 This is a great option because the floorboards are
Floating Floor locked together at the joints of each board and not
f Bostik’s BEST, BST, Climb, EFA+, GreenForce,
nailed or adhered to the subfloor. This approach
f Method 2 HDAC, ProCure, Pro-MSP, Ultra-Set SingleStep 2,
allows the whole floor to move as a single unit if a
Nail planks directly Vapor-Lock
dimensional change within the floor takes place.
f Method 3 f Mapei Ultrabond Eco 975, 980
We highly recommend installing acoustic padding
Nail and glue planks directly
f Sikabond T-35 and T-55 between Warmboard and the planks. A good
f Method 4 option is the Roberts’ AirGuard Premium 3-in-1
Glue the planks directly (no fasteners) f Stauf Adhesives PUK-455 Wide Plank Adhesive, Underlayment with Microban (homedepot.com)
PUM-950 Power Mastic
Method 2: Nail Directly Method 3: Nail and Glue Directly Method 4: Glue Directly
You do not need to install additional material Aside from the glue itself, you do not need to install Aside from the glue itself, you do not need any
between the Warmboard panel and the hardwood. additional material between the Warmboard panel additional material between the Warmboard panel
and the hardwood. and the hardwood.
Installing hardwood perpendicular to the tubing
pattern is the best method as it allows you to see Installing hardwood perpendicular to the tubing
the tubing and avoid damaging it. Tongue nail at a pattern is the best method as it allows you to see
45º angle using 2" flooring nails at 6" on center. the tubing and avoid damaging it. Tongue nail at a
45º angle using 2" flooring nails at 6" on center.
Occasionally, plank flooring may need to run the
same direction as the tubing, and nailing the plank Occasionally, plank flooring may run the same
could cause tubing damage. Should this occur, direction as the tubing, and nailing the plank could
DO NOT nail - either glue with an approved adhesive cause tubing damage. Should this occur, DO NOT
or face nail the plank. While the planks can be nail - the glue will successfully bond the plank to
successfully nailed down parallel to the tubing the Warmboard panel.
pattern, this method may require extra labor.
Strategic planning with the layout can avoid face
nailing and gluing in many locations.
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Tile or stone set to Warmboard-S is subject to all of TCNA Ratings & Description Recommended Assemblies
the tile setting requirements of any ordinary unheated
f TCNA rating: Residential (homes) f Method 1 Page 22
wooden subfloor.
Tile survived 3 cycles of testing with no damage Backer board
TCNA rating: Extra Heavy
f TCNA rating: Light Commercial (offices, etc.)
Testing and Approvals Tile survived 6 cycles of testing with no damage f Method 2 Page 24
We recommend using one of eight tile assemblies Mud bed, Mapei
f TCNA rating: Moderate (hospitals, etc.) TCNA rating: Extra Heavy
when installing tile or stone over Warmboard.
Tile survived 10 cycles of testing with no damage
Three of these methods have been warrantied and
f Method 3 Page 25
approved by product manufacturers, and five have f TCNA rating: Heavy (shopping malls, etc.) Self-Leveling Underlayment, Mapei
been rigorously tested by the Tile Council of America Tile survived 12 cycles of testing with no damage TCNA rating: Extra Heavy
(TCNA). These tests provide an expert third party
endorsement for best practices when installing tile f TCNA rating: Extra Heavy (airports, etc.) f Method 4 Page 26
and stone over Warmboard radiant panels. Tile survived 14 cycles of testing with no damage Uncoupling Membrane, Blanke
TCNA rating: Light Commercial
Robinson Floor Test (ASTM C627) results are available
upon request. f Method 5 Page 27
Uncoupling Membrane, Mapei
TCNA rating: Light Commercial
f Method 6 Page 28
Uncoupling Membrane 1, Schluter
Approved: Schluter
f Method 7 Page 29
Uncoupling Membrane 2, Schluter
Approved: Schluter
f Method 8 Page 30
Ensure your chosen products and methods meet Uncoupling Mat, RedGard
the standards set by the TCNA, ANSI and ICC. Approved: Custom Building Products
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations
when using their products.
Warmboard Inc. is not an agent for manufacturers
listed herein, and gives no implied warranty for
any of these products or manufacturers on these
assemblies.
BACKER BOARD 22
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Backer boards have a low mass and are relatively Warmboard panel
inexpensive to install. They can be 1/4" or 1/2" thick
and provide a base for tiled areas which will match up Flexbond®
Custom Building Products
well with adjacent finish flooring. There are a variety
of Cementitious Backer Units (CBUs) available. Wonderboard® Lite
Custom Building Products
f Apply thinset to the surface of Warmboard using a
square-notched trowel (this layer will function as a
Flexbond®
Custom Building Products
butter coating)
Tile or Stone Flooring
f Immediately, before the thinset dries, fasten the
Backer board using Backer board screws (pg. 23)
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UNDERLAYMENT, MAPEI
This product has a thin profile with the great strength Warmboard panel
of a mortar bed.
Diamond Wire Mesh Lath
f Clean the panels and apply “Mapei Primer T”
(per Mapei instructions) 3/8" Ultraplan Easy
Mapei
f Follow with the diamond wire mesh lath and attach
with crown staples UltraFlex™ 2
Mapei
3/8" or more
Tile or Stone Flooring
f Apply thinset
BLANKE
Blanke•PERMAT offers amazing crack isolation Warmboard panel
protection with superior compression and tensile
strength. The Blanke•PERMAT reinforced mesh Granirapid®
Mapei
panel adds major support to wood subfloors, greatly
reducing vertical subfloor movement (deflection). Blanke • PERMAT
Blanke
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MAPEI
Mapeguard UM is a premium-performance, Warmboard panel
lightweight, waterproofing and vapor-pressure
equalizing membrane that provides crack suppression Granirapid®
Mapei
for ceramic tile and stone installations.
Mapeguard® UM
Mapei
f Apply the Mapei Granirapid® thinset mortar using a
v-notched trowel Kerabond/Keralastic™ System
or Ultraflex™ 3
f Install the Mapeguard UM Mapei
SCHLUTER®
Schluter®-DITRA® and DITRA-XL™ uncoupling Warmboard panel
membranes are designed to help prevent cracking
in ceramic and stone tile installations. Made of Schluter FAST-SET®
waterproof polyethylene, these product installations
can be waterproofed with minimal effort. Schluter®-DITRA™ or DITRA-XL™
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Schluter®-Primer-U
Schluter®-DITRA® and DITRA-XL™ uncoupling
membranes are designed to help prevent cracking
Schluter ALL-SET®
in ceramic and stone tile installations. Made of
waterproof polyethylene, these product installations
can be waterproofed with minimal effort. Schluter®-DITRA™ or DITRA-XL™
REDGARD
The RedGard® Uncoupling Mat is a water and vapor- Warmboard panel
proof uncoupling membrane that can be used for
crack-isolation in most tile, porcelain or natural Granirapid®
Mapei
stone installations. This product absorbs stress
and preserves the surface and integrity of the tile. RedGard® Uncoupling Mat
Custom Building Products
RedGard Uncoupling Mat’s bonding layers have
reinforced fleece which locks mortar into the mat, UltraFlex™ 2
Mapei
ensuring strong, reliable installations.
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Carpet and padding (cushion) is a very common Recommended Padding Other Product Options
finish floor that can be installed directly over
Warmboard. We recommend a carpet assembly with Company R-value Product Product Thickness R-value
a low R-value (2.0-2.5) so the system can use the Leggett & Platt 0.80 Arcadia Slab Foam Rubber 1/4" R-0.31
same water temperatures beneath all finish flooring 1.800.866.9446 3 /8 " R-0.47
0.70 Aurora, Laguna,
types. Higher values may require creating a two lpcarpetcushion.com Coronado,
1/2" R-0.62
temperature system. Waffle Rubber 1/4" R-0.62
0.60 Solano
3/8" R-1.00
The R-values listed below are approximate based on Sponge Cushion 0.71-0.80 Luxury Step
1/2" R-1.33
carpet thickness. Check with the manufacturer to 1.800.435.4062 0.61-0.70 Full House,
Fiber/Hair/Jute 1/4" R-0.97
obtain accurate values. commercial- Tred-MOR 3700,
3 /8 " R-1.62
carpetcushion.com Opulence,
1/2" R-2.15
Carpet thickness Approximate R-value Horizon 100,
1 /8 " +/- 0.6 Cloud 9,
Luxury Walk While many brands of carpet padding are available
1/4" +/- 1.0 in the marketplace, we DO NOT recommend Prime
1/2"
0.51-0.60 Berber Supreme,
+/- 1.4 Urethane, Bonded Urethane or Sunburst products
Horizon 80, Royal
3/4" +/- 1.8 due to their high R-values.
Flex, Pinnacle
1" +/- 2.2 0.41-0.50 Luxury Walk,
Granite IV,
f Before installing the padding, fill all of the empty Tred-MOR 2568,
tubing grooves with a floor leveling compound Tred-MOR 2580
(Portland cement) to make the grooves flush and 0.31-0.40 Eclipse,
level with the panel surface. Scrap pieces of PEX is Tred-MOR 2500,
also a good solution, though they should be fastened Contract Master,
into place to prevent movement Onyx Super
0.21-0.30 Tred-MOR 1562,
f DO NOT install padding and carpet until all the loops
Onyx, Badger
have been properly pressure tested
Cork Laminate
Cork laminate products contain an MDF layer
When using a plywood or OSB (or equivalent)
sandwiched between two layers of cork. It is not underlayment, you MUST fully acclimate the
necessary to put any barrier between the cork panels before installation. If the moisture content
flooring and the Warmboard prior to installation. of the underlayment is too high, it will shrink from
This flooring installs the same as a floating floor and the floor heating and cause an installation failure.
requires no adhesive or nailing for proper installation, DO NOT use adhesive with plywood or OSB,
providing flexibility for the homeowner if they ever only staples or screws.
decide to change the floor covering. Surface temperatures of the finish flooring
should not exceed 85˚F.
Failure to follow these guidelines will void any
product warranty.
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Flooring Thickness Typical R-value R-value per inch Underlayment Thickness Typical R-value R-value per inch
Softwood 3/4" 0.825 1.10 Plyboo 3/4" 0.825 1.10
Ash 3/4" 0.75 1.00 OSB 3/4" 1.05 1.40
Fir 3/4" 0.90 1.20 Engineered Wood 1/8" 0.20 1.60
Maple 3/4" 0.75 0.75 Flooring Pad
3/4" Carpet Pad/Slab 1/4" 0.32 1.28
Oak 0.638 0.85
(rubber) 33 lb. 3/8" 0.48
Pine 3/4" 0.975 1.30
1/2 " 0.64
Engineered Bamboo 3/4" 0.72 0.96
Carpet Pad/Waffle 1/4" 0.62 2.48
Engineered Wood 1/4" 0.25 1.0 (rubber) 25 lb. 1/2 " 1.24
3/8" 0.375
Hair Jute 5/16" 1.25 3.88
5/8" 0.625
1/2 " 1.94
3/4" 0.750
Prime Urethane 5/16" 1.40 4.30
Carpet 1/4" 0.70 2.80
1/2 " 2.15
3/8" 1.05
1/2 " Bonded Urethane 5/16" 1.35 4.20
1.40
5/8" 1/2 " 2.1
1.75
3/4" 2.10 Dense Rubber 5/16" 0.25 1.30
Wool Carpet 3/8" 1.575 4.20 Flooring
1/2 " 2.10 Recycled Rubber 1/2 " 1.10 2.20
Vinyl (sheet) 1/8" 0.20 1.60 Flooring
1/8" Thin-set Mortar 1/8" 0.05 1.00
Vinyl, (composite tile) 0.20 1.60
1/8" MDF/Plastic Laminate 1/2 " 0.50 1.00
Linoleum 0.20 1.60
1/4" 0.40 Laminate Floor Pad 4/25" 0.30 1.92
Cork 3/8" 1.125 3.00
Cork/MDF/Laminate 1/2 " 1.175 2.35
Brick 1 1/2" 3.375 2.25
Marble 1/2 " 0.40 0.80
Ceramic Tile 1/4" 0.25 1.00
HARDWOOD MANUFACTURERS 36
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Launstein Floors
launstein.com // 888.339.4639
37
3.0
85 30
3.5
4.0
80 20
75 10
REQ. BTU�H�FT2
FLOOR TEMP.