Radiant Heat for Wood: 10 Tips and Tricks

Tacking down the top tips and tricks for wood floor heating.

Radiant heaters can be installed in almost any room of the house, including areas with wooden floors. However, there are a few things you need to know before deciding to incorporate radiant heat into your home. In this article you will learn 10 tips and tricks you need to know before installing a radiant heating system with wood floors.

Benefits of Heat for Wood

Radiant heat is a fantastic way to keep your home snug and comfortable during the winter months. This type of heating system warms the floor directly instead of the air above it, resulting in a more consistent and even level of warmth. Not only is radiant heat great for keeping your home comfy, but it’s also extremely energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

1. Wood Species

Although it may seem like any wood will work with a radiant heating system, it is critical to ensure that the wood species is compatible with radiant heat (hickory has many problems). Check with the flooring manufacturer to see which materials are recommended with heat for wood versus prohibited.

2. Climate

The right radiant heating system for your needs depends on the climate you live in and the specific application. It is of the utmost importance to install the correct system, as most are designed with tile in mind, requiring mortar and cement which is a lengthy and completely different installation process than when using wood floors. The National Wood Flooring Association’s radiant heat for wood guidelines are found on pages 92-101 if you are unsure what you need. In most cases, a fabric mat with thermal cutoff like WarmStep is the best choice. It can work with engineered or solid floating, nail down, or glue down floors and sits directly under the floor, unlike other systems.

3. Moisture

The myth that floor heating damages floors comes from the fact that wood contracts and expands due to humidity. People think it’s because of it being really hot or cold outside, but this is simply not true. It’s the fact that there’s either a lot or a little humidity in the air. Wood is alive, so it reacts to moisture. You can monitor the humidity in your flooring by installing a humidity sensor. A sensor can be placed in a channel you carve into a plank. This sensor then connects to an app on your phone which monitors and reports humidity levels so you can stay informed. That brings us to our next tip.

4. Humidity

Use a humidifier or dehumidifier in the room, depending on the floor’s needs, to increase or decrease humidity based on what’s recommended for your specific configuration.

5. Directionality

It’s crucial to pay attention to the directionality of the wood when installing the heating element/cables. They need to be installed parallel to each other. Nailing can be difficult, so pay attention to spacing to prevent accidentally damaging the heating wires. Make sure to nail only through the fabric underlayment (not through the heating wire), which is easy to avoid when you pay attention to spacing.

6. Floorboard Width

Choose thinner rather than wider floorboards, as wider pieces have less flexibility when the humidity changes. Smaller pieces have more “give” and can distribute movement more smoothly if the floor has moisture variations.

7. Fastener Compatability

It’s important to verify whether the flooring or fastening materials are compatible with each other. There are certain glues and floors that have been tested and approved for use with the heating system, which will help you install the system quicker and obtain optimal performance.

8. Purchase Extra Flooring

Purchase 10% more flooring than you need, just in case the installer nicks a wire or something and you need to replace it. You’ll have matching wood on hand if that happens.

9. Backup Temperature Sensors

It’s a good idea to add extra temperature sensors so if one sensor fails, your thermostat will have an embedded backup you can wire into. Radiant floors last a long time and are very reliable. With this in mind, you may want to rearrange the furniture at some point or use different sensors in different areas. Whatever it is, you won’t regret having an extra temperature sensor.

10. Moisture Barrier

When installing flooring on a cement subfloor or slab, use a moisture barrier to prevent the cement’s moisture from wicking up into the flooring. Cement secretes and sweats moisture, so put a vapor barrier such as an adhesive or water-resistant sheeting over the subfloor before installing the heating system with wood flooring.

Give Us a Call

Let us help you plan your next project or answer any questions you have about heat for wood. Call our experts at (800)308-8057 or email us. Visit our website for more information and be sure to check out the Resource Center for more helpful articles like Wood Over Radiant Heat: Compatible Systems.

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With these benefits in mind, where can you add comfort and value at the same time?

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Benefits of ThermoSoft Floor Heating

• Available for All Types of Flooring: Tile, Laminate, Solid and Engineered Wood, Vinyl, Cement Slab, and Carpet

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• 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.

Tell us about your project and let our experts help you. Our team of Radiant Experts is ready to help! We can help find the right radiant heat product for any project from indoors to the outdoors. Just tell us a little about yourself and your project to get started.

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