Best Hardwood Species Over Radiant Heat Nwfa

Species both in solid and engineered flooring options certain species are known for their inherent dimensional stability such as mesquite black cherry black walnut and others.

Best hardwood species over radiant heat nwfa.

When possible choose a species that is known for its stability. The types of wood flooring best suited for under floor radiant heat systems should be accounted for to ensure long term performance. Together the taskforce developed maximum recommended allowable operating temperature guidelines for wood floors. Plainsawn wood will move more than quartersawn especially when it is over 4 inches wide.

Types of wood flooring that are best suited for radiant heat subfloor are products that possess improved dimensional stability such as. Water and wood as well as in its installation guidelines. We recommend the radiant heat be run at a temperature of 65 70 degrees two weeks prior to the wood flooring being brought in and until the wood flooring has been installed. The nwfa offers information on radiant heat in its technical manual a100.

With strip flooring the wider the board the greater the potential for gaps between the boards when they contract with seasonal changes in temperature and humidity. Quartersawn or rift sawn flooring is preferable to plainsawn in the search for stability. How to install hardwood floors over radiant heat parquet floors are readily used in radiant heat applications. Certain species are known for their inherent dimensional stability such as north american oak and others.

Engineered wood flooring is more dimensionally stable than solid wood flooring. One of the best options over radiant heat is to use an engineered hardwood floor. Guide the homeowner in selecting a hardwood floor that is appropriate for their scenario. Types of wood flooring that are best suited for radiant heat subfloor are products that possess improved dimensional stability such as these.

Quartersawn wood flooring is always more stable under conditions of extreme moisture or heat and is always a good choice over radiant heat especially when going with flooring wider than 4 inches. It s best to follow the manufacturer s recommendation for a species suitability over radiant heat. Wood flooring can be installed over radiant heat as long as you understand radiant heat and how it can impact wood flooring what precautions to take and what type of wood flooring to use. Most newer radiant heat systems have exterior thermostats which will gradually bring up the temperature within the floor during the start of the colder season so that the heat will not shock the wood flooring causing the.