You have probably noticed that radiant heat is starting to show up all over the place in hardwood floors. This new level of comfort adds that amazing feeling of stepping out of bed on a fully warmed floor on a cold winter night. We’ll go over some of the technical aspects that you need to know before you invest any money.
1. Climate Control & Operation
- Maintain Relative Humidity (RH) above 37% year-round to prevent excessive drying and cracking.
- Utilize thermostats equipped with floor sensors for precise floor temperature monitoring.
- Limit daily temperature changes to no more than 5°F to prevent thermal shock.
- Never exceed a floor surface temperature of 80°F (26.7°C) or a heat flux of 20 BTU/h/ft².
- Plan for an auxiliary heating source to handle peak demand without overheating the floor.
- Avoid rugs or carpets over heated floors, as they can create localized hot spots that damage the wood.
2. Wood Flooring Material & Design
- Plank Width: Narrower boards are safer; wider boards increase the risk of warping or gapping. When installing 6.5″ wide or wider planks, use the nail-down with glue-assist flooring install method to prevent gaps or warping.
- Sawn Orientation:
- Quarter-sawn (QS) wood is more stable than plain-sawn wood. This is due to the way quarter-sawn is cut perpendicular to the growth rings of the tree.
- Plain-sawn wood is cut parallel to the growth rings of the tree.
- Species Warnings:
- Avoid installing Hickory over radiant heating due to its tendency to be unstable.
- White oak is more prone to surface checking; stricter adherence to all installation and climate guidelines is essential when used.
Conclusion
Adhering to all guidelines helps ensure long-term stability, comfort, and appearance of the floor.
Improper design, installation, or system control can result in cracking, gapping, or cupping of the wood floor.
Radiant heat will lower your flooring’s moisture content; without adequate humidity, shrinkage and surface damage are likely.