Hi. Hopefully we can help you with a couple of your questions, without sounding too biased. :)
1. The heating help forum has very useful information.
2. Our products (Warmboard-S [structural subfloor panel] and Warmboard-R [remodel panel]) are generally considered to be the best in the industry for both installation and performance. We do have thermographic videos on our site showing how the products perform and how they install. I would encourage to view those if you haven't already.
3. There is a longer lead time with Warmboard. We help design your system (panel layout, panel count, loop lengths, manifold locations, etc.). If you are in a rush, we can usually get you the product in a couple of weeks.
4. Plumbing and labor will be less, yes. You'll use about 1/2 the amount of tubing and manifolds. If you use Warmboard-S, you'll also remove the cost of installing the subfloor in addition to installing the radiant panels. In general, your finish flooring will install much more easily too, lowering that cost. Also, our water temps will (in all likelihood) be lower. We generally run between 80-110ºF compared to the 135+ range. If you're using a high-efficiency condensing boiler, this will really help with maximizing the performance of that system.
What we've found, with much research across the country over the years, is that, worst case, Warmboard is about 10-20% more expensive overall on a completed job. The cost of our product is higher, but the costs of materials, labor, installation, etc. are all much lower. So, when your project is complete, you may pay a bit more per square foot, but you'll have a much higher level of performance and energy savings.
5. Installation is pretty straight-forward. With the plans we provide, there's about a 1-2 hour learning curve for those who have never used us before. Once the panels are in, the plumbing/tubing portion of the installation is very similar to any other low-mass system. So that part should not be much different for your plumber, aside from fewer necessary parts.
6. In 50 years, if there is some kind of new technology, you can certainly rip of the floors. But your structural subfloor would still be intact, so you could put another product over it, and just pull out the tubing or whatever. Alternatively, if your children decide change the just the flooring, Warmboard is strong enough to endure the demolition. We actually have photos of other products being completely destroyed during that process, which could require replacing the entire radiant system as well. So there is more flexibility there as well.
I actually have links to several videos made by various contractors using Warmboard - many in Massachusetts. I'd be happy to provide those to you along with any other links along with the photos mentioned above. Feel free to email me here: rmccord [at] warmboard.com Alternatively, if you'd like more technical information, feel free to call and ask for Julie or Zak, both of whom manage the projects in your area.
Hope that helps.
Q
