Radiant tube vs Forced Air

[pioneer1500]

I have a 30x40x14 shop with a 12x12 and 9x10 overhead doors up at the front of the shed. It has insulated 2x6 walls with OSB inside and steel siding and blown fiberglass insulation above the ceiling. I am replacing the current overhead doors with R13 doors in a month but I'm wanting to switch my wood burning furnace to something gas. I'm not sure which way to go for my application. There is a "room"/loft area in the back of the shed as well. Most of the time, my truck, boat, SxS and lawnmower is in the shed but I also use it as my area for woodworking and working on vehicles. Is there one way over another that is preferred for heating a shed like this?

 

[fitter30]

Tube heaters are great for high bay garage. Heating objects and you. Angle instead of straight down then it will throw further and wider.

 

[The Cobbler]

I've had both. I prefer forced air as it keeps the air more constant temp thru ought. the radiant heats a path under the tubes, not so much the entire space.
But I guess it depends on what you're doing too.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Radiant tube, love mine. Quiet, heats objects not air, open doors and you dont lose all your heat. If you have the height, tube it!

 

[pioneer1500]

Does it make a difference for radiant tubes that most of my floor space has something one it? What about the lofted area? Would it still feel warm under it?

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

My fathers has the radiant tube in it and I love working in there. Here in Michigan we have winters like yours, it is insulated and OSB on walls with a metal ceiling with the tube down the center.

Heated space is small 26x30 or so and it does well. Only used when working on something and seams to do very well for our needs.

When I build I will be putting one in my shop

 

[Dagny]

Are you going to keep it above 50 all the time. If so I would consider a high eff. furnace. Also makes adding AC very easy.

 

[pioneer1500]

Are you going to keep it above 50 all the time. If so I would consider a high eff. furnace. Also makes adding AC very easy.

yes, I plan on keeping it at least 50 all the time

 

[Buckgnarly]

Does it make a difference for radiant tubes that most of my floor space has something one it? What about the lofted area? Would it still feel warm under it?

Nope, most of my shop has **** in it and I always have my plow truck in it with a loaded Polycaster, but the truck and floor make great heat sinks.
My loft is only 4 feet wide and perpendicular to tube, but everything up there is nice and warm.
I keep mine at 55F all Winter