Flooring For Over Radiant Heat

Laminate flooring on top of a radiant heated floor is the perfect solution.

Flooring for over radiant heat.

Warm water systems run hot water through pipes to create heat whereas electric underfloor heating heats wiring beneath the floor to generate heat. Here are the top 4 flooring options for use over radiant heat. Such expansion and contraction can cause cracking. If you re installing our laminate in a home where radiant heat is used it is important that all installation guidelines are followed and approved underlayments are used.

Using a floating or click lock vinyl plank flooring is your best choice over radiant heating. Quartersawn wood flooring is always more stable under conditions of extreme moisture or heat and is always a good choice over radiant heat especially when going with flooring wider than 4 inches. However when using anything wider than 4 consider extra. In addition tile flooring will not expand as it warms or contract as it cools.

Some manufacturers even make hardwood floors specifically for radiant heat systems. This gently warms the floor under your feet. Solid hardwood floors can be used over radiant heat systems. Plainsawn wood will move more than quartersawn especially when it is over 4 inches wide.

Most flooring has a range of temperatures within which it is warrantied. Porcelain and ceramic tile are great conductors of heat so your home will get the full benefit of the radiant heating system. To help you achieve the perfect installation we re giving you a few pointers before you get started. Most vinyl flooring should be alright over radiant heat but be sure to follow all manufacturer s recommendations for your flooring.

If you ve installed radiant heating in your home you may wonder what type of floor can be installed over it. North american oak american cherry and american walnut are all appropriate. Properties that make a floor covering good or bad for radiant heating systems tend to center around the thickness of the flooring the flooring s thermal conductive nature its tendency to expand and contract and whether it is prone to water and heat damage. Installing hardwood flooring over a radiant heating system.

Under floor radiant heating systems work by running hot water through pipes or electricity through resistance wires which are installed under the finished floor. These always include ranges considered normal for human comfort. There are two types of radiant floor heating electric and water based systems. Certain solid hardwood floors are appropriate as well.

Both provide heating in a room from the floor up for consistent efficient warmth. This floor does not glue down or staple into the subfloor giving it the. Best flooring properties for radiant heating. Our laminate flooring is approved for use over radiant heating systems.