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Whole-Home Radiant

Whole-Home Radiant Floors in Boulder

Even, floor-level heat in every room, sized zone by zone for Boulder’s altitude.

  • System Evaluation First
  • Written Estimate
  • Post-Install Check
  • Local Installer Arranged
Underfloor heating pipes laid out on a subfloor in a spacious living room with large windows overlooking a snowy mountain landscape.

What Goes Wrong

Where whole-home radiant installs fall short, and how to avoid it

Undersized Boiler

Boilers sized at sea level lose roughly 4% output per 1,000 feet of elevation, leaving Boulder homes short of heat on cold days.

Altitude-Adjusted BTUs

Every BTU calculation is derated for Boulder’s elevation before any boiler model is selected or quoted.

Single-Zone Layout

Running the whole floor on one zone means a bedroom thermostat controls the kitchen, comfort in one room comes at the cost of another.

Room-by-Room Zones

Manifold sizing and zone count are set from the heat-load assessment so each room is controlled independently.

Skipped Heat-Load Calc

Guessing tube spacing from floor area alone ignores insulation levels and floor construction, producing hot and cold patches across the slab.

Full Load Evaluation

Each room’s square footage, floor build-up, and insulation value are measured before any manifold layout is drawn.

No Permit Scope

Hydronic systems installed without Boulder County permits can block a home sale and require costly remediation to pass inspection later.

Permits Built In

Boulder County permit requirements are included in the written scope from the start, not added as an afterthought.

Whole-Home Radiant

Whole-home radiant floors sized zone by zone for Boulder homes

A room-by-room heat-load evaluation comes before any equipment is specified.

Request a Scope

Whole-home radiant floors heat every room from the floor up, eliminating the drafts and uneven temperatures that forced-air systems produce. In Boulder, altitude derating reduces boiler output by roughly 4% per 1,000 feet of elevation, so every BTU calculation is adjusted before the system is sized.

The assessment covers a full heat-load evaluation of each room’s square footage, floor construction, and insulation level. Manifold sizing and zone count are determined from that assessment so each area of the home can be controlled independently.

You receive an itemised written estimate covering boiler selection or retrofit, manifold layout, zone control, and installation timeline. Boulder County permit requirements are built into the scope from the start. A post-install check confirms each zone reaches its specified output.

Why Choose Us

Why Boulder Radiant Heat for whole-home radiant floors?

Process and accountability built into every step, from first enquiry to final check.

Evaluation Before Any Commitment

A system evaluation covering load, existing equipment, and altitude sizing happens before any work is booked.

Itemised Written Estimate

The estimate names equipment models, BTU output, installation scope, and timeline, nothing left to verbal agreement.

Permit Scope Included

Boulder County permit requirements are written into the project scope at the start, not discovered mid-install.

Post-Install Performance Check

After installation, each zone is tested to confirm it reaches the output specified in the original estimate.

Local Installer Arranged

Every assessment accounts for Boulder’s construction and climate conditions.

Underfloor heating pipes laid out on a subfloor in a spacious living room with large windows overlooking a snowy mountain landscape.
A cleared, winding paved path through a snow-covered garden with evergreen bushes, pine trees, and a stone retaining wall.

The Process

From first enquiry to a fully heated home

Request a Scope

  1. 01

    Describe Your Space

    Tell us the square footage, floor construction, and any existing boiler so we can schedule the right visit for your home.

  2. 02

    Receive Your Written Scope

    The installer conducts a heat-load evaluation and delivers an itemised estimate covering equipment, zone layout, permits, and timeline.

  3. 03

    Install & Confirm Output

    Installation follows the approved scope, and a post-install check verifies each zone reaches its specified BTU output.

Pricing Estimates

Typical Whole-Home Radiant Floors Prices

JobTypical costTypical area
Small room project$500-$1,70050-100 sq ft
Single bathroom floor$1,500-$3,50040-60 sq ft
Basement hydronic retrofit$7,500-$20,000Whole area
Whole-home hydronic system$15,000-$50,0002,000-3,000 sq ft home
These prices are estimates and often vary with the condition, size and scope of each job. Message or call us for a free, no-obligation quote.
See all prices

Common Questions

Questions about whole-home radiant floors in Boulder

  • How long does a whole-home radiant floor system last?

    PEX tubing in a hydronic system can last several decades. Boilers, pumps, valves, and zone controls typically need replacement sooner. Longevity depends on installation quality, regular maintenance, and the condition of the heat source. A post-install check and annual servicing extend the working life of every component.

  • What happens if I delay getting the system sized properly?

    An undersized system will run continuously on the coldest Boulder nights and still fall short of the target temperature. At altitude, a boiler without derating applied can lose meaningful output. Correcting sizing after installation means replacing the heat source, a cost far higher than getting the calculation right before the project is scoped.

  • Is PEX-A or PEX-B better for a whole-home install?

    PEX-A is more flexible and handles tight bends without kinking, which suits complex loop layouts. PEX-B is stiffer and often lower cost, working well in straighter runs. The right choice depends on the loop layout, floor construction, and the installer’s assessment of each zone’s routing requirements.

  • Can radiant floors be added during a whole-home remodel, or only in new construction?

    Both are viable. New construction is simpler because tubing is placed before finish flooring. Remodels require a room-by-room check of existing floor build-up to confirm door clearances and transitions can be maintained. The written scope addresses this for every room before work begins.

  • Should I turn the system off in summer?

    Most homeowners reduce or shut down the system when it is not needed. The right approach depends on your controls and system setup. The main goal is avoiding unnecessary runtime while keeping the system ready for the next heating season. The recommended procedure for your specific configuration is confirmed at the assessment.

  • How is the cost of a whole-home system calculated?

    Pricing is typically based on square footage, but the total depends on system type, floor construction, heat source, and whether it is a new build or remodel. An itemised written estimate is prepared after the site assessment, so you see the full breakdown before committing to the project.

More questions about Whole-Home Radiant Floors?

Tell Us Your Radiant Heat Project

Describe the space and we’ll schedule an assessment and put the scope in writing.

Request a Scope