Aluminum laminate is factory installed in the grooves of the Ecowarm RadiantBoard straight panel, but the super combo panels including curves are made differently as follows:
The super combo boards with curves are first grooved for the tubing using a computerized router. The boards are laminated with the covering layer of aluminum then the grooves are indented and perforated down the middle of the grooves. Combo boards have many perforated grooves to choose from. During installation, the tubing is walked into the chosen grooves splitting the aluminum which then compresses to the side of the tubing.
This results in lower conductivity for ¼ the circumference of the tubing covering in the combo boards (about 35% of the floor surface) It also leaves the conductivity of the aluminum covering unchosen grooves intact. Testing has shown no significant impact on heating efficiency or comfort.
This also significantly lowers manufacturing costs of manufacturing Ecowarm RadiantBoard. The result: the best value in the market.