Quick Track

One of the major aspects of our remodel is the radiant floor heating we’re adding to our 1st and 2nd floors. On the 1st floor we’re using a system called Quick Trak, and for the 2nd floor we’re using Joist Trak.

We installed the Joist Trak last week when Nick’s dad was here. Basically, we screwed extruded aluminum plates in the joist bays of the 2nd floor. These plates have a groove that accepts 3/8” PEX tubing, which is strung through the bays.

The Quick Track system is a bit different. It consists of plywood panels (4’ by 7”) with grooves cut in them which are layed down on top of the subfloor. (Beneath each panel is a thin layer of aluminum to reflect heat up in to the room). The finish floor will be nailed on top of this, creating a radiant “sandwitch”.

Last week we laid the first loop of the Quick Trak and it went smoothly. Once the loop was designed, then we double checked that things were square and started stapling it to the floor.Thank you Paul for your help, advice and reassurance for that first loop! It goes pretty quickly and there is a good sense of accomplishment when it’s done. We had to do some distribution piping last weekend so we didn’t get to any of the other tracks. So after my frustration with the window yesterday, I cleaned up the next section, checked for any nail heads that needed to be pounded in, vacuumed a couple of times, and then laid out the next section. When Nick got home from work we installed it and today I’ll lay out the next section. It really doesn’t take too long to do, but we have to move stuff from the unfinished sections to the part that is complete. Hopefully by the end of the week we will have the entire floor laid and be ready to snap in the tubing that will heat our home this winter. After the system is completely installed and checked, then we can start installing the fir flooring in the living and dining room and new bamboo in the kitchen. We’ll be contacting Greg for any hints he has for re-installing the old flooring! (Get back to working on that floor, Greg!) It’s so nice to walk on the firmer floor and not the sub floor any more! I’ll post pictures later when we’ve cleared of the completed section!