Engineered Hardwood Flooring For Radiant Heat

If choosing engineered.

Engineered hardwood flooring for radiant heat.

Quartersawn is a method of cutting the boards from the log so that the direction of the. Engineered flooring with a less stable wear layer species such as hickory beech and maple are not normally best suited over radiant heat unless otherwise suggested by the flooring manufacturer. But if you do wish to put radiant heating under solid hardwood use quarter sawn wood flooring instead of plain sawn wood flooring. However not all engineered wood flooring is recommended or appropriate for use over radiant heating systems.

The inherent dimensional stability of engineered hardwood floors makes it a great choice for radiant heat systems. Some manufacturers even make hardwood floors specifically for radiant heat systems. The heating element should be embedded within a sleeper system subfloor under a traditional subfloor or embedded within concrete. Can 3 4 solid wood flooring be used over radiant heat systems.

If a solid 3 4 thick wood floor is desired it is recommended to use quartersawn flooring not usually available factory prefinished. North american oak american cherry and american walnut are all appropriate. Certain solid hardwood floors are appropriate as well. Engineered flooring works well over radiant heat because its unique plywood construction creates greater stability as each wood layer is positioned perpendicular to the other thereby resisting movement from environmental fluctuations depending on the selection can be nailed glued or floated over the subflooring.

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.