Can You Put Hardwood Flooring Over Radiant Heat
Wood flooring manufactured and expected to perform at mc levels higher than 9 percent or in conditions above 50 percent rh should not be used with radiant heating systems.
Can you put hardwood flooring over radiant heat. Certain solid hardwood floors are appropriate as well. There are some limitations on the type of wood flooring that can be used with radiant heat. How to install hardwood floors over radiant heat parquet floors are readily used in radiant heat applications. Radiant heat has many benefits.
Radiant heated floors could cost more to install but it s important to remember that you will likely experience a decrease in your overall heating cost in fact heated wood floors can be considered a primary source of heat for you home and an increase in the market value of your home. Most wood flooring can be installed over radiant heat providing all of the necessary conditions are met. But if you do wish to put radiant heating under solid hardwood use quarter sawn wood flooring instead of plain sawn wood flooring. For more information about engineered flooring see our article all about engineered wood floors.
Yes you can install just about any type of flooring over a radiant heat system but i would not recommend any type of vinyl flooring. Walking on heated floors in winter is very cozy. The type of wood flooring that you install over the radiant heat mechanism will ultimately determine your temperature guidelines. And radiant heat can be very economical.
Engineered wood flooring works better for radiant heating than under solid hardwood. The dog will love laying on it. North american oak american cherry and american walnut are all appropriate. With strip flooring the wider the board the greater the potential for gaps between the boards when they contract with seasonal changes in temperature and humidity.
A high quality vapor retarder must be installed under the concrete slab and preferably over the concrete slab just before the flooring is installed. If a solid 3 4 thick wood floor is desired it is recommended to use quartersawn flooring not usually available factory prefinished. Here are the top 4 flooring options for use over radiant heat. The heating element should be embedded within a sleeper system subfloor under a traditional subfloor or embedded within concrete.
Some manufactures would recommend that you maintain a consistent temperature ideally between 78 and 80 degrees. Solid hardwood floors can be used over radiant heat systems. If you re considering the installation of a radiant heat system some flooring options work better than others. Can 3 4 solid wood flooring be used over radiant heat systems.
Some manufacturers even make hardwood floors specifically for radiant heat systems. And also you want to check with the manufacturer because installing some floor over a radiant heat system will void the warranty.