A good compromise is to install the hydronic system right in a concrete slab and install the wood on the concrete.
Lw hardwood flooring over radiant heat floor.
Installing hardwood flooring over a radiant heating system.
For more information about engineered flooring see our article all about engineered wood floors.
The beauty functionality and value of a hardwood floor over radiant heat should be enjoyed by every savvy homeowner.
Certain solid hardwood floors are appropriate as well.
Particleboard subfloors are not recommended by radiant heat companies.
Engineered wood flooring works better for radiant heating than under solid hardwood.
Porcelain and ceramic tile are great conductors of heat so your home will get the full benefit of the radiant heating system.
If a solid 3 4 thick wood floor is desired it is recommended to use quartersawn flooring not usually available factory prefinished.
One of the best options over radiant heat is to use an engineered hardwood floor.
But if you do wish to put radiant heating under solid hardwood use quarter sawn wood flooring instead of plain sawn wood flooring.
Guide the homeowner in selecting a hardwood floor that is appropriate for their scenario.
When you are installing wood floors over top of concrete the double layer two layers of 1 2 ply floating plywood method will be the best method.
Such expansion and contraction can cause cracking.
With the right experience moisture testing understanding of the radiant heat system and knowledge about the wood flooring being used contractors can make wood flooring over radiant heat work even.
Under floor radiant heating systems work by running hot water through pipes or electricity through resistance wires which are installed under the finished floor.
Plywood 5 8 or oriented strand board 3 4 make good candidates for subfloor materials in radiant installations.
The heating element should be embedded within a sleeper system subfloor under a traditional subfloor or embedded within concrete.
Successful wood floor installations occur when the radiant heat system design engineer the radiant heating system installer the wood flooring installer and the end user all communicate and fully understand what is required for the entire.
Quartersawn is a method of cutting the boards from the log so that the direction of the.
Floor temperature provide the radiant heat system designer with the hardwood flooring dimensions species and the desired temperature of each room.
In addition tile flooring will not expand as it warms or contract as it cools.
There are still some considerations homeowners should look at before making the decision to install wood flooring over radiant heat and we hope to address most those issues.
The inherent dimensional stability of engineered hardwood floors makes it a great choice for radiant heat systems.
This gently warms the floor under your feet.
But that said even a wood floor will warm up and heat you and the room quite well.