Faster to install. Less material. No concrete. More floor covering options. Here's how Ultra-Fin compares.
Traditional hydronic radiant systems work — but they come with significant trade-offs in cost, floor build-up, and floor covering limitations. Ultra-Fin eliminates all three.
| Feature | Ultra-Fin | Concrete Slab | Staple-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Build-Up | None | 1.5" – 3.5" added | None |
| Concrete Required | No | Yes — required | No |
| Structural Impact | None | Significant dead load | None |
| Works in Retrofit | Yes — access from below | Rarely feasible | Sometimes |
| PEX Tubing Quantity | Up to 50% less | Full coverage required | Full coverage required |
| Heat Distribution | Even — fin dispersal | Even — thermal mass | Striping possible |
| Floor Covering Options | All types | Most (no thick carpet) | Most |
| Hardwood Compatible | Yes | Engineered only | With care |
| System Response Time | Fast — low mass | Slow — high mass | Fast |
| Installation Complexity | Low — clips + PEX | High — concrete work | Moderate |
Ultra-Fin installs entirely in the joist cavity. Door clearances, stair heights, and transition strips stay exactly as designed. No compromises.
The proprietary fin spacing formula means you need up to 50% less PEX tubing compared to standard staple-up or concrete installations. Lower material cost. Less labor.
Concrete topping slabs add cost, weight, lead time, and floor height. Ultra-Fin delivers the same heat output with aluminum fins and none of the concrete complexity.
Solid sawn, LVL, I-joist, open web truss — Ultra-Fin clips work in every standard framing system without modification to the structure.
Low-mass assembly means the system reaches comfort temperatures quickly. Ideal for homes with programmable or zoned thermostats where you need responsive heat.
Access from below — through a basement ceiling or crawlspace — makes Ultra-Fin feasible in existing homes where slab systems are impossible. One of the only options for retrofit radiant in a wood-frame building.
Hardwood, engineered wood, tile, LVP, laminate, carpet — Ultra-Fin is the only radiant system that works properly under any floor covering your client wants.
Works efficiently at supply temperatures as low as 38°C — compatible with condensing boilers and heat pumps running at their most efficient operating points.
Fins spread heat laterally across the full subfloor area — not just directly above the tubing. No striping. No uneven patches. Consistent comfort wall to wall.
The 2027 Ultra-Fin system incorporates updated fin geometry, refined clip tolerances, and expanded compatibility. Engineered to the latest hydronic radiant standards.
Radiant heating is only as good as the installation. Ultra-Fin is designed from the ground up with the installing contractor in mind — fewer components, faster layout, no specialty tools, and a repeatable process that works across every project type.
The clip-and-run system installs in a fraction of the time of staple-up or concrete methods. Less time on the job means lower labor cost and more projects per season.
No specialty tools, crimpers, or concrete equipment required. Any HVAC or plumbing contractor already has everything needed to install Ultra-Fin on day one.
Ultra-Fin provides layout design, fin spacing calculations, and technical support for every project. Submit your floor plans and receive a complete specification package.
Operating temperatures, flow rates, pressure ratings, insulation minimums, and design data — everything the mechanical engineer needs to specify Ultra-Fin on a project.
