Products & Recommendations For Underfloor Heating Installations

By following these guidelines you should ensure the successful installation of your wood flooring, however further consultation may be required as every installation has varying conditions.

Notes
* Use a maximum width of 140mm solid wood flooring. If a wider plank is desired use a 20mm thickness Engineered board.

* Recommended moisture content of the wood flooring is 8% (+/-2%).

* Solid wood flooring should be fully adhered to cement based sub-floors using a recommended elasticated PU adhesive such as UKWF MS Polymer; for other sub-floor types flooring should be fully secured by secret-nailing method or similar.

* Engineered flooring can also be laid as a floating system over a recommended low-tog underlay such as Duralay Heatflow.

Installation Guide
* After the underfloor heating has been commissioned the heating must run for approximately 2 –3 weeks to assist the evaporation of moisture in cement-based sub-floors. Ensure that any patching or levelling of the sub-floor is complete prior to installation. The heating should still be run with other sub-floor compositions such as ply or chipboard.

* Recommended acclimatisation period for the wood flooring is 14 days. The flooring should be stacked in piles of 10-15m2 or have bearers inserted between packs of flooring to allow for air
circulation at ambient room temperature.

* Prior to installation moisture and humidity readings should be taken from the area to be fitted. The underfloor heating should be turned off for 2 days beforehand to ensure readings are accurate. The relative humidity should be between 45 and 60%. The moisture content of the sub-floor should be 3% or below read with Tramex Expert.

* Important: The underfloor heating must remain off for a further 2 days AFTER installation is complete. The heating should then be built up in stages from low level to room temperature over a period of 10 days. Any sanding and finishing should be carried out approximately 3 days after heating has been turned back on.

After Installation
* Control of humidity remains an important factor in preserving the wood's appearance and form. It is therefore important to maintain a stable humidity level all year round. The optimal humidity range for hardwood flooring is between 45 and 60%. Room temperature must be maintained between 18 - 24 degrees Celsius. Gaps appearing between the boards indicate a drying out of the wood and insufficient degree of humidity. Heating systems may have to be utilised throughout the year to maintain the correct humidity level. The installation of a humidifier or air exchange system can prove indispensable in controlling humidity.

CFJ Article

Please click here to view a full-sized PDF version of the below Solid Wood Flooring & Underfloor Heating CFJ article featuring UK Wood Floors.