Radiant Heat Under Wood Flooring

Launstein r value testing results.

Radiant heat under wood flooring.

The various radiant heating systems there are 4 types of radiant heating systems steam radiators hydronic water hot water baseboards and low voltage electric. If a solid 3 4 thick wood floor is desired it is recommended to use quartersawn flooring not usually available factory prefinished. 6 set the new hardwood flooring down into the mastic then fasten it with an 18 gauge pneumatic nailer filled with 1 inch nails. 5 use a inch notched trowel to spread flooring mastic onto the old hardwood floor.

In fact many people do not know that radiant heat can be installed under wood floors. Such expansion and contraction can cause cracking. Engineered wood flooring works better for radiant heating than under solid hardwood. The flooring nails never use floor staples will only penetrate 7 8 thus providing an unbroken vapor barrier under the floor.

Work in small sections to prevent the mastic from drying out. A low profile line voltage system it features gradual warmth from low wattage resistance heating of ultra thin flexible radiant heat film. Most people are not aware of how radiant heat works. But if you do wish to put radiant heating under solid hardwood use quarter sawn wood flooring instead of plain sawn wood flooring.

Imagine walking over heated wood floors on a cold winter night. For more information about engineered flooring see our article all about engineered wood floors. It is also important to consider the heat transfer qualities of the sub flooring used the sub floor and wood floor should be within 2 3 degrees of each other. The types of wood flooring best suited for under floor radiant heat systems should be accounted for to ensure long term performance.

A gentle electric radiant heat system designed specifically a gentle electric radiant heat system designed specifically for dry installation under floating wood and laminate floors. The heating element should be embedded within a sleeper system subfloor under a traditional subfloor or embedded within concrete. If you are choosing our engineered hardwood floor it is very important that your heating contractor understand the maximum surface temperature of the flooring cannot exceed 25 degrees celsius. Porcelain and ceramic tile are great conductors of heat so your home will get the full benefit of the radiant heating system.

Quartersawn is a method of cutting the boards from the log so that the direction of the. Most species are not recommended over. It s the moisture difference between the top and bottom of wood floors that causes cupping and crowning. Which is why the most efficent way to use radiant heat under your wood floors is to use a hardwood with a low r value.

Species both in solid and engineered flooring options certain species are known for their inherent dimensional stability such as mesquite black cherry black walnut and others.