Most radiant ceiling panels look just like any other ceiling panel.
Radiant heating systems work like the sun, radiating heat that warms objects it comes in direct contact with. Various type of radiant heating systems exist, including radiant ceiling panels. Radiant ceiling panels distribute heat to all the objects in a room in the same way ceiling lights distribute light to all spaces within a room. Determining the size of a radiant panel needed for your job comes down to a handful of considerations, such as surface area and panel system.
Panel Sizes
You can purchase radiant ceiling panels in almost any size. While companies produce generic panels in standard sizes like 2 feet by 2 feet or 2 feet by 4 feet, you can purchase customized panels in any size you desire. This provides you with myriad options when it comes to choosing a size for your radiant ceiling panels. Consulting an installation expert before ordering your panels can help ensure that what you order fits your needs and space.
Surface Area
Surface area constitutes a major factor in determining the radiant ceiling panel size for your job. You must choose panels that fit properly into the surface area of your ceiling. For instance, assume your ceiling measures 18 feet by 18 feet. You should avoid using 2-by-4-foot panels with this ceiling because four cannot divide evenly into 18. If ordering customized panels, avoid purchasing one huge panel measuring 18 feet by 18 feet, as its weight may cause it to collapse. To figure out how best to fit ceiling panels into your surface area, create a to-scale drawing.
Heating Elements
Some, if not all, radiant ceiling panels connect directly to heating elements. When purchasing ceiling panels, ensure that each panel that connects directly to a heating element is large enough to work properly with that unit. For instance, avoid purchasing a 2-by-2-foot panel for a 3-foot-long heating element. Try purchasing panels with built-in heating elements, or those from companies that manufacture and install panels and heating elements simultaneously, to avoid a problem with this.
Panel Interconnectivity
Some radiant ceiling panel systems combine radiant panels with convection panels in a patchwork pattern. Convection panels absorb heat from radiant panels and distribute it by warming air molecules that come into contact with the panels. When purchasing radiant ceiling panels, make sure that they can connect with convection panels without a problem. Furthermore, make sure that your convection and can cover the surface area of your ceiling together. This may require creating a drawing.
Other Considerations
Various other factors affect the size of ceiling panels you use. If you install radiant ceiling panels as a replacement for other types of ceiling panels, simply purchase new panels of the same dimensions as the old ones. If your ceiling contains inlaid lights, purchase panels in similar sizes as the lighting fixtures to make sure all ceiling elements fit together properly. In some settings, such as office buildings, structural weight distribution requirements limit the size of panels you can use.
Installation
Ultimately, you only need to decide upon which size radiant ceiling panels you need if you plan on doing installation for panels yourself. This requires taking down an existing ceiling and installing radiant panels in its place. If you do this, you can use your actual ceiling as a life-sized model, and divide it into evenly sized sections - order panels based on the size of these sections. If you plan on letting a professional handle installation, leave everything in the hands of this professional, including sizing and purchasing panels. This may up the cost of a project but also usually results in a better product.
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