A radiant floor heating system is the most efficient way to keep your floor and home warm, especially in a cold climate. It can be installed in any specific area of your house and under any flooring material. But sometimes it can be tricky to get it right. If you have a radiant floor heating system installed under a wooden floor, or if you plan to do so, there is something that you need to keep in mind. In this article, we will tell you some tips and tricks that you should know before installing a low-voltage floor heating system under a wooden floor.
When you are incorporating a radiant floor heating system with a wooden floor, just keep these things in mind:
- Choose a compatible wood species: Although people believe that any wood will work well with a low voltage floor heating system, it’s not so. You will have to check the wood’s compatibility with the underfloor heating system before proceeding with the installation process. For instance, hickory, a wood flooring material, has lots of issues when used with a radiant floor heating system. If you want to know which wood species are compatible with this kind of heating system, check with the flooring manufacturer to ensure their compatibility. You should also seek the advice of a professional before incorporating any wood species into an underfloor heating system.
- Install the right system: The underfloor heating system was designed considering the tile and stone flooring. However, with technological advancement, it can now be used with any kind of flooring material. There are mainly two types of low-voltage floor heating systems: electronic and hydronic. When it comes to an electronic underfloor heating system, heating mats woven from electrical wires are laid out under the flooring. Hydronic underfloor heating systems work by sending hot water to the pipes laid down under the floor. Before beginning installation, consult with the manufacturer and an expert to determine which of these two systems is best suited to a specific species of wood.
- Check the humidity level: You might have heard a myth that says a floor heating system damages the wood floor. But the fact is that humidity or the moisture level present in the air causes wood to expand or contract. Wood reacts to moisture quickly. So check the humidity level of your room or any space where you are going to install a low-voltage floor heating system. You can do so with a humidity monitor or by installing a humidity sensor that is further connected to your phone through an app. It will show you the level of moisture content present in the air.
- Use a humidifier or dehumidifier: If you already have an underfloor heating system installed beneath the hardwood floor, a balanced humidity level is a must to keep it in good condition. If the level of humidity is not balanced, it can negatively affect or damage your wooden floor. You can use a humidifier or dehumidifier to increase or decrease the humidity level. This way, you can set the recommended humidity level depending on your specific configuration.
- Choose the thinner floorboard: When you retrofit a wood floor after installing the radiant floor heating system during renovation, install a floorboard that is thinner and not wider. Installation of a low-voltage floor heating system increases the floor height by about half an inch or an inch. On top of it, when you choose a wider floorboard, it will again elevate the floor height. The increased height of the floor may create an issue for the door that swings into the room.
- Use a compatible fastener: Check with the flooring manufacturer whether the wood floor has any installation instructions. When incorporating wood floors with the radiant floor heating system, read the instructions carefully. The instruction will tell you about the glues and fasteners approved for use with low-voltage floor heating systems. The compatible glue and fastener ensure that your system works efficiently and optimally.
- Purchase an extra 10% flooring: Always buy 10% more flooring than you need. In case the installer nicks a wire in it or something happens to some of the flooring material, you will have matching wood on hand.
- Backup Temperature Sensors: Always have an extra temperature sensor as a backup. It will help in case one sensor fails, you can wire another into your thermostat that is already embedded. Low-voltage floor heating systems are reliable and last for a longer period. You can have a different sensor for different areas of your home, and at the same time, you can have backups too. Of course, you will never regret having an extra temperature sensor.
- Use a moisture barrier: Consider using a moisture barrier when you install a low-voltage floor heating system beneath the wood flooring. A moisture barrier prevents underfloor moisture from wicking up into the wood flooring. The vapor or moisture barrier is laid out on the top surface of the subfloor and then covered with wooden flooring.
Wrapping up
Wooden floors look stylish and add a high degree of comfort to your home. When you decide on incorporating a wooden floor with a low-voltage floor heating system, there is something you need to consider. You can put in a little effort to take care of your wooden floor. Moisture is the most common factor that affects wooden floors. To save it from any kind of damage and to retain its beauty for a longer time, you can follow the tips and tricks that we have discussed above.
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