Floating floors work best. It is recommended that you do not glue or nail down your wood floors. This would be affected by the heat in the near future and cause conflict in case of any repairs. Instead, aim for interlocking, floating floors. This will allow you to easily replace any floors in case of a damage. Remember to always check with the manufacturer to ensure that the wood floor you are considering is compatible with radiant heat.
Not all radiant heating systems will work with wood flooring. There are several radiant heating manufacturers so make sure you equip yourself with as much information as possible. While most radiant heating systems can be installed by the homeowner there are various technicalities to consider or you may opt to have it professionally installed.
This step will help drive out any moisture present in the subfloor. It will also show if there is any problem with the radiant heat system itself like a water leak.
This step should not be avoided regardless of the time of year. Another key step during installation is to measure the surface temperature of the sub floor and the hardwood floor. The surface temperature of the sub floor should never exceed 85F. If the surface temperature exceeds 85F, the wood may dry out more than it should and this can cause cracks. Making sure your subfloor moisture readings are on point is of the utmost importance.
Take frequent readings of the subfloor before the installation and delivery of the hardwood floor. You should take readings in all parts of the subfloor. Some radiant heat systems use a combination of gyp-crete and wood sleepers. Know the moisture content of each of these components and be certain they are within spec before the hardwood floor installation begins. The range of acceptable wood floor moisture content will vary according to your specific location.
A floor in New York has an acceptable moisture content that is different from a hardwood floor in Florida. It isn't recommended to use radiant floor heating under plank flooring wider than 3". Despite all your precautions, there is a high probability the user will not be satisfied. How It Works Radiant heat systems use a three-stage process to convey heated water to its destination. See diagram. Installation Details Good communication with the radiant heat system designer is critical.
Everyone should be notified of any work pertaining to the installation, especially if specifications are changed. To ensure a superior end product, pay attention to the following factors before, during and after installation:.
Subfloor Work with the system designer to choose the subfloor option see illustrations. The heat system designer is responsible for the subfloor installation, but you will want to be familiar with the choices. Direct contact of the tubing with the flooring is not recommended. Due to the minimized use of the central air heating system, the blowing of dust, dirt particles and allergens through vents and into homes is also greatly reduced.
Wood floors are additionally ideal for radiant heating because of the possibility to reduce extra noise, mainly due to muffling characteristic, though radiant heating does not use a blower and usually produces very minimal sounds. Close Menu Home. Installation of Radiant Heating Systems There are several possible methods of installing radiant heat systems, and these are; For home renovations, direct installation of radiant heat tubing, under a wood subfloor, from the underside is a common practice, especially with the use of foil or traditional fiberglass to provide additional insulation.
The installation of radiant heat tubing within a plywood underlayment system, either over an existing slab of concrete or directly over a current wood subfloor is another option. It is, however, a strong recommendation to incorporate the traditional closed-cell foam insulation developed for utilization in damp areas.
Embedding radiant heat tubing within the concrete slab while pouring the concrete is an option for new constructions. Radiant Heating and Solid Hardwood Floors Radiant heat is usually not recommended for application with solid woods since being a natural material, exposure to high levels of moisture and extensive fluctuations in temperature result in contractions and expansions. Selection of wood The choice of wood type is quite important, and this becomes apparent once you understand the impacts of the available options.
Boards are cut from logs in two ways, these are; Quarter-sawn: The grain runs vertically Plain-sawn: The grain runs horizontally Plain-sawn woods, upon exposure to temperature variations, expand from side to side, and this will more likely than not lead to cupping and gaps.
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