Can underfloor heating be used with a wooden floor?
Yes it can! Under the right conditions both an electrical or hydronic underfloor heating system can be used to heat up your wooden floors and home.
The secret to underfloor heating for wooden floors lies in a low output heating system and maximum coverage of the entire floor. Tension on the floor joints are minimized by ensuring even expansion and contraction of the wooden floor by evenly distributing the heat through the timber floor.. With proper implementation, genuine wood, laminate wooden floors and engineered wood flooring can be successfully heated without damaging the wood.
To prevent wooden floors from damage, the South African Wood and Laminate Flooring Association specifies that the temperature of the wooden floors do not exceed 27 degrees celcius which is attained by using a dual thermostat that measures both the floor and ambient temperature.
Benefits and features of underfloor heating for wooden floors
- SABS approved
- ISO9001:2001 compliant
- Compliant with S.A. Wood and Laminate Association specifications
- Output: 130W per sqm
- Even distribution of heat
- Dual thermostat to monitor floor and ambient temperature
- No fans or heaters that circulates old air
- Safe for animals and children as no contact possible
- Comfortable temperature during winter months
- Engineered wood flooring is highly durable and long-lasting
- Can be installed at any floor level
- Increase value of your home
Requirements for wooden floors
- Heat must be distributed evenly throughout the whole floor
- At no time should the temperature of the timber flooring exceed 27°C
- Thermostats must be operational from the source. i.e. under the floor panels and NOT ambient
- No heavy textile floor covering should be placed over the heated floor
- Heating system has to cover a minimum of 85% of the entire living area
- Must have its pre-establishing set up done 14 days prior to installation of the floor for moisture to dry
- The timber flooring also has to be installed as tightly as possible to the substrate
- Living areas should be kept to a relative humidity of between 30% to 60%
Please be advised: Due to the nature of the following timber species, we STRONGLY ADVISE these species NOT to be used as flooring with underfloor heating. Kempas, Maple, Jatoba, Iroko, Beech, and Australian timber (Jarrah, Sydney Bluegum, Blackbutt, Tasmanian Oak, Spotted Gum)
F.A.Q.
Will underfloor heating damage my wooden floors?
There is a common misconception that underfloor heating will damage wooden floors. This is not correct when it is done proper and correct. Our professional installer are well trained to install heating under your wooden floor so that you will suffer no damage.
Some photos of our previous professional installations can be seen here in our gallery