Underfloor heating is a way of heating homes and offices that’s growing in popularity. An efficient way of heating your rooms without the need for radiators, when you choose underfloor heating you do need to choose your flooring carefully. We’ve already published an article about a whole range of different flooring options and how well each option works with underfloor heating. However, lots of clients have been asking us why they shouldn’t fit solid wood flooring over underfloor heating, which is why we’ve decided to put this article together.
So why is underfloor heating and solid wood flooring a bad idea? In order to explain, it’s best to start right back in the forest. As everyone knows, chips are made from potatoes and solid wood flooring is made from trees. It’s simple, no? Yes and no. When trees are out in the forest, they’re exposed to sometimes significant temperature and moisture changes and they take it all in their stride. This is because they’re still alive and able to respond to their environment by expanding and contracting according to the prevailing conditions. Once trees have been lumbered and processed into wood flooring the need to expand and contract decreases somewhat but it’s this that is at the crux of the problem with installing solid wood flooring over underfloor heating.
When you fit solid wood flooring, it’s best if you fit it in a room where the chances of fluctuations in temperature and moisture are minimal. In other words, rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens are generally accepted as ‘no-no’ places for solid wood flooring. This is because, when temperatures and moisture levels increase, solid wood flooring expands, just like a tree would in the forest. Then, when temperature and moisture levels fall again, solid wood flooring contracts again. When this happens only from time to time and when the fluctuations are only minimal, solid wood flooring will take no harm. However, when expansion and contraction is extreme and frequent, solid wood could start to cup and bow and gaps could appear in the floor, allowing draughts to pass and spoiling the look of your floor. These are all the same reasons why fitting solid wood flooring over underfloor heating is a bad idea.
If you consider that the heat that comes from underfloor heating needs to pass the floor above it in order to heat the room it’s in, it becomes clear that the very nature of solid wood flooring makes it a bad proposition. The rise and fall of the temperatures of your underfloor heating will cause solid wood to expand and contract exactly as it does in rooms where there are extreme temperatures. In fact, the constant changes in temperature caused by underfloor heating is arguably worse than the occasional rises and falls that there’ll be in bathrooms and kitchens. Add to this, the fact that wood is a natural insulator and you’ll see precisely why solid wood flooring and underfloor heating are not good bedfellows. So what should you choose?
There are plenty of flooring options that work well with underfloor heating, but if you want a wood floor, then there is no getting away from the fact that engineered wood flooring is the best option by a long shot. Engineered wood flooring, as any regular reader of this blog will know, is cleverly constructed so it resists significant expansion and contraction, even in some pretty extreme conditions. This is why it is the wood flooring solution recommended for bathrooms and kitchens, as well as for installation over underfloor heating.
Engineered wood flooring boards are constructed using layers and layers of ply, which are bonded together to create a solid and stable core board. That core board is then topped off with a solid wood lamella or top layer. This method of construction means that engineered wood flooring boards are exceptionally strong and stable. When it comes to choosing the right engineered wood flooring option to install over underfloor heating, we generally recommend that the board thickness should be no more than 18mm. Thereafter, the top layer, or lamella should be 5mm or less. These are what we believe to be the maximum thicknesses for heat efficiency. You can further increase the effectiveness of your engineered wood flooring by gluing it down over underfloor heating.
If you’re looking for a wood flooring solution to go over your underfloor heating, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll happily guide you and give you all the help and support you need.
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FAQ
Q: Why is solid wood flooring not suitable for underfloor heating?
A: Solid wood flooring is not recommended for underfloor heating due to its natural tendency to expand and contract with changes in temperature and moisture. The constant fluctuations caused by underfloor heating can lead to cupping, bowing, and gaps in the floor, compromising its appearance and performance.
Q: Can solid wood flooring be installed in rooms with minimal temperature and moisture fluctuations?
A: Yes, solid wood flooring can be installed in rooms with minimal fluctuations, such as bedrooms or living rooms. However, it is generally not recommended for rooms like bathrooms and kitchens, where temperature and moisture levels are more likely to vary.
Q: What is the effect of underfloor heating on solid wood flooring?
A: The rise and fall of temperatures caused by underfloor heating can cause solid wood flooring to expand and contract, similar to its behavior in extreme temperature conditions. This frequent and significant expansion and contraction can lead to issues like cupping, bowing, and gaps in the floor.
Q: What flooring options are suitable for underfloor heating?
A: Engineered wood flooring is the best option for underfloor heating. It is constructed with layers of ply bonded together to create a stable core board topped with a solid wood lamella. Engineered wood flooring resists significant expansion and contraction, making it more suitable for underfloor heating compared to solid wood flooring.
Q: What should be considered when choosing engineered wood flooring for underfloor heating?
A: When installing engineered wood flooring over underfloor heating, it is recommended to choose boards with a thickness of no more than 18mm. The top layer, or lamella, should be 5mm or less. Gluing down the flooring further enhances its effectiveness with underfloor heating.