UNDERFLOOR HEATING FOR TIMBER FLOORS

POSTED ON: DECEMBER 20, 2022 5:27 AM
TAGS: TIMBER FLOORING, TIMBER FLOORS UNDERFLOOR HEATING, UNDERFLOOR HEATING
CATEGORISED IN: NEWS

During the winter months, nothing compares to the luxury of heated floorboards. With Speedheat electric underfloor heating, your timber floors look and feel great and create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Timber flooring has become synonymous with the Australian home, bringing the natural landscape to your kitchens, living rooms, and more. But layers of information should be viewed and considered before combining these two features to guarantee maximum performance. At Speedheat, we have compiled all the information you need to know about underfloor heating timber flooring and why it is regarded as one of the most effective ways to keep your home warm.

CONTEMPORARY WARM TIMBER FLOORS

There is nothing quite as luxurious as finished timber flooring that is warm to the touch.

Throughout Australia, homeowners are enhancing the comfort of their homes by incorporating the aesthetic and ambience of underfloor heating to their timber floors.

Electric underfloor heating is a viable and affordable option for most homes and is steadily becoming one of the industry’s most sought-after heating sources. The sleek and silent design allows spaces around the house to retain architectural integrity while incorporating a heating functionality.

It is important to note that there are a number of timber products that are compatible with underfloor heating. These include natural and engineered products, comprising hardwood laminate, vinyl finish, and engineered texture. It is important to work with your flooring provider on which products are compatible as not all manufacturers support their product with underfloor heating.

NATURAL VS ENGINEERED TIMBER FLOORING

The thermal properties of timber will differ depending on its make. Generally, the thinner the flooring, the better it is at conducting heat and the more suitable it is for underfloor heating. Flooring made with engineered timber is the ideal choice as it adjusts well to environmental changes in temperature.

When the timber is less dense, the board’s thickness becomes important to consider. Low density allows heat to rise through, meaning the floorboards will not act as insulators and facilitate heat transfer to the room.

The moisture content in the timber flooring changes during the process of heating a room. When selecting what material you will use in your home, we recommend sourcing one that can adapt to temperature variations without damaging the structure or appearance.

Underfloor heating should only be used with material approved as suitable by the manufacturer.

NATURAL TIMBER FLOORING

The term timber refers to natural hardwood consisting of lumber milled and treated specifically for flooring, with the majority of the timber manufactured as floorboards.

If you intend to install heating under your natural hardwood, it is essential to discuss this with your tradesperson or manufacturer as you want to ensure quality and compatibility.

Quarter-sawn timber is an ideal selection for flooring as it is more dimensionally stable, meaning that it expands and contracts less when exposed to humidity. These properties mean that it is less likely to result in warping caused by underfloor heating for wooden floors.

It is important to note that when it comes to solid hardwood, depending on the specifications, many may require hardware to secure it to the subfloor, meaning that it is unable to house underfloor heating systems safely.

ENGINEERED TIMBER FLOORING

When looking at options for timber floor underfloor heating, many homeowners want the look of a solid hardwood, with underfloor heating compatibility. Engineered timber flooring is developed with different veneers, for example, a hardwood finish secured to an engineered board. These may be floating or glued down and are available in vinyl and hardwood laminate, to name a few.

When it comes to these boards, it is essential to research the manufacturer’s specifications, as not all products will be guaranteed compatibility with heating underneath.

EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION

A prominent behaviour of timber is its ability to absorb moisture, leading it to expand and contract gradually.

Moisture content differs for different timber species selected, weather conditions, and the location where the floor heating will be placed in the home. Wooden floors must be installed correctly, as this will reduce any disruption or damage to the heating system when expansion and contraction occur.

Speedheat has developed a solution for this issue by programming thermostats associated with this flooring to be set to a maximum floor temperature of 27 °C to prevent any warping or bending of the boards.

IS THERE AN IDEAL BOARD THICKNESS?

If you are looking to include a timber floor heating system in your home, ensure you conduct your own research.

In accordance with manufacturer specifications, Speedheat systems can be put under nearly all timber flooring. However, we advise that boards are a maximum of 20mm thick. The reason for this is that as the depth of the board increases, although making the space well insulated, it does not allow the heat to get through the timber to the floor.

The heater’s performance is determined by the density and depth of the flooring, which is why we highly recommend becoming informed of the manufacturer’s specifications.

ADVANTAGES OF TIMBER FLOOR UNDERFLOOR HEATING

The benefit of installing heating underneath timber flooring is that this material conducts and retains the warmth and radiates it throughout the space. In addition, the natural properties of timber flooring make it an excellent choice for maximising the energy efficiency of Speedheat products. The reason for this is that it is able to warm quickly and prevent excess heat from dissipating.

The combination of underfloor heating and engineered timber has many benefits, including:

It maintains a comfortable temperature for a longer
Silent and invisible design
Engineered timber provides the aesthetic of solid hardwood
Highly durable
Floorboards are a cost-effective solution and offer a high-end finish.

CHOOSE SPEEDHEAT FOR HIGH-QUALITY UNDERFLOOR HEATING

When Australians look for the best heating system for their homes or offices, Speedheat is best suited to provide a wide range of underfloor heating options that radiate luxury, durability, versatility and affordability.

We pride ourselves on being trustworthy and knowledgeable because we take the time to explain the products and processes you can expect and customise a solution for you.

Discover our range on our website or contact one of our dedicated team members today if you are ready to take your home to the next level of comfort.

FAQS

1. Can you have wood floors with underfloor heating?

Yes, you can operate heating under wooden floors. Speedheat has engineered its products to be 1.5mm thick, meaning that no adjustments need to be made to the level, and it can be installed beneath glued or floating wood flooring.

2. Can you put underfloor heating under existing wood floorboards?

Our product can be installed underneath new timber flooring or in existing homes by retrofitting their existing space.

However, we can only install the heating system before the timber flooring has been laid, as this ensures correct preparation and installation.

3. What kind of flooring is best for underfloor heating?

When it comes to the best timber for underfloor heating, we recommend boards that are less than 20mm thick, as a depth greater than this may reduce the heater’s performance.

Although there is an extensive range of timber products that are compatible with Speedheat, you must discuss with the flooring manufacturer to address specifications.

4. Is engineered timber suitable for underfloor heating?

Engineered timber is ideal for underfloor heating due to its robust base and layered structure. The wood is durable during temperature and moisture changes by having a layered structure, while the engineered base ensures greater structural integrity. After the room’s heat has been evenly distributed, the timber flooring offers excellent insulation, maintaining the set temperature.

5. Is engineered oak suitable for underfloor heating?

The short answer is maybe. This depends on the timber specifications. Not all types of timber flooring are compatible with underfloor heating, so we recommend discussing this with your manufacturer to ensure its product is guaranteed to be suitable with this heating system.

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