When it comes to combining the luxury of wood flooring with the modern comfort of underfloor heating, the choice of flooring material is crucial. Wood is a natural insulator, and while it’s a popular choice for its aesthetic and warmth, not all wood floors are created equal when it comes to their compatibility with underfloor heating systems. So, how do you make the right choice? In this blog post, we’ll explore which wood flooring options are best suited for underfloor heating, ensuring both efficiency and style in your home.
1. Why Consider Underfloor Heating with Wood Flooring?
Underfloor heating offers numerous advantages, including:
Even heat distribution across the room
Energy efficiency, reducing heating costs
Improved air quality, as it reduces the need for radiators, which can circulate dust
Maximized floor space, with no need for bulky radiators
However, wood, as a natural material, expands and contracts based on humidity and temperature changes. This can be problematic if the wrong type of wood is chosen for an underfloor heating system. Understanding how different wood flooring types react to heat is essential for avoiding issues like warping, buckling, cracking, and gapping.
2. Engineered Wood vs. Solid Wood: Which is Better for Underfloor Heating?
When it comes to wood flooring for underfloor heating, engineered wood flooring is often the superior choice compared to solid wood. Here’s why:
Engineered Wood Flooring:
Engineered wood is made up of multiple layers of plywood, with a top layer of real hardwood. This construction makes engineered wood more dimensionally stable than solid wood flooring, meaning it can better withstand the temperature fluctuations caused by underfloor heating.
All engineered wood flooring manufactured by Natura Wood floors come with a birch backing which is the best type of backing to use with underfloor heating systems.
Benefits: The layers prevent the wood from expanding and contracting as much as solid wood, making it less likely to warp or crack over time. Additionally, engineered wood allows heat to pass through more efficiently, providing better heat distribution throughout the room.
Solid Wood Flooring:
Solid wood floors, while beautiful, are more prone to expansion and contraction with changes in temperature. This can lead to gapping or warping when exposed to the consistent heat of underfloor heating. It is not recommended that solid wood floors are installed over under floor heating systems.
Some companies will say that solid wood floors can be installed over under floor heating, which is true to some degree. By this they mean solid oak 10mm herringbone blocks can be installed over under floor heating systems . 10mm parquet flooring have less movement so the expansion and contraction is less than plank flooring but the 10mm blocks must be installed on 6mm plywood basically turning the solid oak blocks into a engineered wood floor.
Drawbacks: Solid wood floors require more maintenance and can become damaged more easily when used with underfloor heating.
Verdict: Engineered wood is the preferred choice for underfloor heating due to its stability and durability.
3. Which Wood Species Are Best for Underfloor Heating?
Oak:
Oak is one of the most popular choices for underfloor heating due to its dense structure and natural stability. It’s less prone to warping and cracking compared to softer woods, making it ideal for this purpose.
Walnut:
Walnut is another stable choice, offering rich, dark tones that can add elegance to any room. Its durability under heat makes it a good match for underfloor heating systems.
Maple:
Maple is harder than oak and less likely to dent or warp, making it a strong contender for underfloor heating.
Ash:
Ash is an excellent option for homes with underfloor heating due to its hardness and stability, offering a light, neutral look that complements modern interiors.
4. Thickness of Wood Flooring Matters
For optimal performance with underfloor heating, the thickness of the wood flooring matters. Thicker floors can act as an insulator, preventing heat from transferring efficiently through the floor.
Ideal Thickness for Engineered Wood:
When using engineered wood, the ideal thickness is between 12mm and 20mm. This provides enough stability without hindering the effectiveness of the underfloor heating system. The top layer, or wear layer, should ideally be around 3-6mm, allowing you to sand and refinish the floor over time if necessary.
Solid Wood:
If you’re set on using solid wood flooring, the maximum thickness must be 10mm. and only small parquet blocks can be used over underfloor heating systems if fully bonded to 6mm plywood. Solid plank flooring is not be installed over underfloor heating, engineered wood is the better choice.
5. Installation Methods for Wood Floors Over Underfloor Heating
The way you install wood flooring over underfloor heating will affect its performance. Here are two common installation methods:
Floating Installation:
Engineered wood can be installed as a "floating floor,” if the wood has a click system meaning the planks are locked together and placed over an underlay without being glued or nailed to the subfloor. This method allows the wood to expand and contract naturally with changes in temperature, reducing the risk of damage. However, ensure that the underlay you use is compatible with underfloor heating.
Glued Installation:
For maximum heat efficiency, gluing the wood directly to the subfloor is recommended and the best way to install engineered wood flooring. This method provides better heat transfer compared to floating installation, but it’s important to use adhesives designed for use with underfloor heating systems. Natura Wood Floors recommend Stauf adhesives when installing any of our bespoke wood floors.
6. Moisture content
Two important factors when installing a wood floor is the moisture content.
The moisture content of the wood flooring needs to be between 8-11%. The subfloor needs to have a moisture content of 65% RH for a glue down installation of wood flooring.
Most underfloor heating systems will have an anhydrite pump screed or a concrete screed over the top of them, these subfloors can take some time to dry. Anhydrite screeds can produce laitance this needs to be mechanically removed before any sub floor primers or adhesives can be applied.
If you find that you do have a subfloor with a moisture content over 65% RH you will need to apply a moisture suppressant before installing your wood floor. Moisture suppressants release the moisture very slowly while the subfloor fully dry’s without causing any damage to your new engineered wood floor. Natura Wood Floors recommend Stauf VPU 155 S for subfloors with a moisture content greater than 65%RH.
It is the responsibility of the person who installs the flooring to take moisture and humidity readings. These readings should be photographed and documented for your manufactures warranty.
6. Humidity Control: A Crucial Factor
Wood floors are sensitive to changes in humidity, which can be influenced using underfloor heating. To prevent issues like warping or cracking, it’s important to maintain the correct humidity levels in your home:
Optimal Humidity Levels:
Aim to keep the indoor humidity between 45-65%. Using a humidifier during the winter months can help maintain these levels, especially when using underfloor heating, which can dry out the air. Have the window vents open in the summer months to let the air circulate.
All wood floors installed over underfloor heating systems should have a fidbox installed into the backing. This is a Bluetooth device that monitors the temperature and humidity levels of your home. The fidbox takes a reading every 8 hours and stores the data to the device which you can read through the app.
7. How to Care for Wood Floors with Underfloor Heating
Proper care and maintenance are essential for ensuring the longevity of your wood flooring. Here are some tips to keep your floors in top condition:
Gradual Heating:
When first using the underfloor heating system, start by gradually increasing the temperature over a few days. Sudden temperature changes can cause the wood to expand or contract too quickly, leading to damage.
Avoid Excessive Heat:
Keep the temperature below 27°C to prevent the wood from drying out or becoming damaged. Most underfloor heating systems come with temperature controls that allow you to maintain a consistent heat level.
Regular Cleaning:
Clean your wood floors regularly with a soft brush or vacuum to remove dust and debris. Avoid using excessive water when mopping, as this can seep into the wood and cause damage. Use a damp mop with a wood flooring cleaner for the best results.
You can find a full range of maintenance products to care and maintain oiled or lacquered wood floors on our accessories page.
8. Conclusion: What’s the Best Wood Flooring for Underfloor Heating?
In conclusion, if you’re planning to install wood flooring over underfloor heating, engineered wood flooring is the best option. It’s dimensionally stable, offers excellent heat transfer, and comes in a wide range of finishes and species, including oak, walnut, maple, and ash.
Pairing the right wood species with the correct thickness and installation method ensures a floor that not only looks beautiful but also performs well in combination with underfloor heating.
With proper installation and care, you can enjoy the timeless beauty of wood flooring without compromising the efficiency of your underfloor heating system.
If you need any help or advise regarding any of our products please feel to contact us
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