Expansion and Contraction
As an organic material, wood has the properties of attracting and storing water molecules at room temperature. Because of these tendencies, wood will expand or contract in an attempt to match the relative humidity of the room. This expansion and contraction can in some cases present a threat to the longevity of the flooring. This is why it is important to maintain conditions that are suitable for wood flooring. With the help of dataloggers such as the Floor Sentry®, homeowners can greatly extend the life of their wood flooring.
Wood Floor Components
Your natural, wood-based floor is part of an overall system that consists of (1) the finished floor itself, (2) the subfloor that the flooring is installed over, (3) the ambient environment above the flooring (the inside environment of the room or building), and (4) the environment that the underside of the subfloor is exposed to (typically, a crawl space or concrete slab foundation).
Threats to Your Flooring
Wood flooring may be at risk of damage or catastrophic failure if exposed to unfriendly ambient conditions. This unwanted exposure can occur either from inside your home or building or from the underside of the flooring (what is often called the subfloor).
If ambient conditions, primarily temperature and RH, go beyond safe limits for extended periods of time, significant damage to your wood flooring may occur. Types of damage may include cupping, splitting, crowning, etc. The Floor Sentry’s purpose is to help prevent these serious wood flooring issues.
What is the Floor Sentry?
The Floor Sentry monitors the temperature and relative humidity (RH) of your wood flooring and your underlayment or subfloor. It serves as a data logging device that creates a historical record of temperature and RH. If either the temperature or the RH falls outside the desired range for proper floor care, the Floor Sentry alerts you by automatically delivering notifications wirelessly to your mobile device. Just like your mobile device, the Floor Sentry is Bluetooth-equipped, so you must be within Bluetooth® range to receive Floor Sentry notifications for either temperature or RH-related issues
Installation of the Floor Sentry
- Create a space for the Floor Sentry in the underside of the wood floor plank using a router or similar device. Use the included template card to determine the correct cavity size and depth.
- Remove the release paper covering the butyl seal on the Floor Sentry and apply the device so that the butyl seal bonds with the wood inside of the cavity.
Using the Floor Sentry
Download the free Wagner Sentry app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, you can begin monitoring the temperature and RH in your flooring. You can also set alarm thresholds to capture spikes and begin receiving notifications for unfavorable conditions. Once installed the, the Floor Sentry will give you around 8 years of constant temperature and RH monitoring
Heating Wood Flooring
If you’re looking to take your flooring to the next level, consider heated wood floors. Experience the comfort of warm wood floors with the WarmStep® electric heating system. WarmStep is a 100% green heating solution, that unlike gas furnaces, has no negative impact on the environment. Since heat is distributed evenly from the floor, it provides a feeling of comfort at lower temperatures which reduces energy consumption.
WarmStep mats have a tailored heat output of 8-10 W/ft² to safely heat wood flooring. The system is controlled by a floor heating thermostat with a wood floor heating setting designed to keep floor temperatures in an optimal range. As with any wood flooring installation, we strongly recommend using a datalogger such as the Floor Sentry (available through ThermoSoft) for additional protection. For more information, read the following blog “The Future of Floor Heating is Here-WarmStep”.
Wrap Up
Whether or not you choose to heat your wood flooring, you should always install a datalogger to alert you to potential harmful conditions. The Floor Sentry not only monitors and sends alerts but also creates a historical record for future reference. The Wagner Sentry app allows you to set thresholds and receive alerts directly from your mobile device. Enjoy the peace of mind that your flooring is protected with the Floor Sentry.
Why ThermoSoft’s Floor Heating Systems are the Answer For You
With these benefits in mind, where can you add comfort and value at the same time?
Look no further than ThermoSoft floor heating systems! We have the fastest warm-up time in the industry, and installation is simple and DIY-friendly.
Benefits of ThermoSoft Floor Heating
- Available for All Types of Flooring: Tile, Laminate, Solid and Engineered Wood, Vinyl, Cement Slab, and Carpet
- Exceptional Comfort: Warms rooms and not ceilings, Uniform, ideal heat pattern, Say goodbye to drafty rooms, Invisible and silent, Individual room control
- Cleaner, Healthier, Maintenance-Free: No dirty vents or ducts, No more drying out your air
- Energy-Saving: 100% Efficiency, More comfort, less energy, Use less energy by needing less heat
- Easy to Install: Designed with installation in mind, Tools already in your toolbox, Simple hookup, We’re here to support you
ThemoSoft never compromises on your comfort or safety, so why would you?
Start enjoying each space more than ever with ThermoSoft floor heating systems. Visit us online or contact Thermosoft today.
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Don’t Trust Just Any Floor Heating Systems – Insist on ThermoSoft Products
ThermoSoft offers the best-performing and most reliable radiant electric heat solutions on the market. Our systems are safe and can be installed quickly during a room remodel or a new home build.
ThermoSoft products are made in America and are backed by our best-in-class customer service. We design and manufacture our systems here in Vernon Hills, Illinois with the highest quality control. We have an in-house team of qualified professionals to offer guidance and advice every step of the process – from selection to installation and beyond for years to come.
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