If you’re planning on fitting a wood floor above underfloor heating (UFH) it’s essential that you use an appropriate engineered flooring solution and not solid wood flooring. Engineered wood flooring is available in a huge range of finishes and styles and is made from two or more layers of wood which have been joined together to form a plank. Engineered wood flooring is topped with wood which gives it its appealing and natural look.
Engineered wood flooring should be used when fitting wood flooring over UFH system because solid wood flooring isn’t sufficiently stable to stand up to the temperature fluctuations it will encounter.
When it comes to underfloor heating itself, essentially there are two main types: wet and electric. Wet underfloor heating uses hot water to produce heat and electric, as the name suggests, uses a heating element, a bit like the ones found in electric hobs or immersion heaters, to create the heat. When it comes to fitting your wood floor above underfloor heating, the type of heating you’ve chosen will affect the fitting method.
If you have chosen electric underfloor heating, the floor will need to be floated. Floating is a term used to describe a specific technique of installing a floor. A floating floor is a floor that isn’t fixed to the sub floor, which means that it’s neither nailed nor glued down. A floating floor relies on the weight of the floor to keep it in position. Normally a floating installation method includes the use of an underlay. If you are using a floating fitting method to fit your wood floor and want to include an underlay, it’s really important that you choose an underlay that is compatible with it.
On the other hand, if you have chosen wet underfloor heating, the floor can be glued straight on to the screed. Any engineered wood floor which is being installed over wet underfloor heating should be glued down to allow for the expansion and contraction of the floor as the temperature rises and falls. It is the flexibility of the glue which allows this to happen. In addition, a glued floor helps prevent the appearance of air pockets which sometimes occur over underfloor heating.
Although the fitting of wood flooring over UFH heating isn’t complicated, it is always worth seeking clarification if you are in any doubt about which flooring or which fitting method to choose. It is also extremely important to respect the UFH manufacturer’s recommendations as well as those of your flooring supplier.
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FAQ
1. What type of wood flooring is appropriate for fitting over underfloor heating (UFH)?
Engineered wood flooring is the recommended type when fitting a wood floor above UFH. This is due to its stability, which allows it to withstand the temperature fluctuations that come with UFH. Solid wood flooring is not recommended as it isn’t sufficiently stable for such conditions.
2. What are the main types of underfloor heating systems?
There are two main types of underfloor heating systems: wet and electric. Wet underfloor heating uses hot water to produce heat, whereas electric underfloor heating uses a heating element to create the heat.
3. How does the type of underfloor heating affect the fitting method of the wood flooring?
If you have chosen electric underfloor heating, the floor will need to be floated. Floating refers to a technique of installing a floor where it isn’t fixed to the subfloor, relying instead on the weight of the floor to keep it in position. On the other hand, if you have chosen wet underfloor heating, the floor can be glued straight on to the screed.
4. What should be considered when using a floating fitting method with an underlay?
When using a floating fitting method with an underlay for electric underfloor heating, it’s important to choose an underlay that is compatible with underfloor heating. The underlay aids in the installation and functionality of the floor.
5. What is crucial when fitting wood flooring over underfloor heating?
It is extremely important to respect the UFH manufacturer’s recommendations as well as those of your flooring supplier when fitting wood flooring over UFH. If in doubt about the flooring or fitting method, always seek clarification to ensure a successful installation.