Wood with underfloor heating. We answer the ten most frequently asked questions

In spring, we are reluctant to think about winter and the consequences of low temperatures. Meanwhile, this is the best time for interior renovations and home reconstruction. It is worth planning actions now, the effects of which will be appreciated in a few months. What can you do to enjoy natural wood and at the same time walk on a pleasantly warm floor? We answer the most frequently asked questions about installing wood on underfloor heating.

Wood is a natural material with hygroscopic properties. This means that it responds to the conditions in its environment, including humidity and temperature. However, this does not mean that it cannot be installed on underfloor heating. On the contrary!

Interest in installing a wooden floor over a heating system has recently become extremely popular. This is hardly surprising, the very thought of walking on a natural, pleasantly warm floor is very tempting. This issue, like any solution that is intended to last for years, requires appropriate attention and interest. The more knowledge an investor gains before installing wood, the more he will appreciate the results of the parquet installers' work.

1. Can any wooden floor be installed with heating?

NO. Solid wood is not recommended for flooring. The thermal resistance of this material is high, making heating uneconomical and inefficient. Moreover, solid wood is more susceptible (than laminated material) to the "work" of wood.
As the name suggests, layered material consists of several layers of wood, the grain of which is arranged perpendicular to each other. This type of construction will not eliminate the "work" of wood, but it will significantly reduce it. Floors made of layered material (also called engineering) are more resistant to changes in humidity and temperature, and their structure does not significantly inhibit the flow of heat.

2. Is only the thickness of the floor important in the context of heat flow?

NO. Before making a final decision, you should pay attention to several factors and, more precisely, know the values of certain variables.

- The first one is thermal conductivity (heat conduction coefficient), which expresses the thermal insulation properties of a specific material, in this case wood. The higher the coefficient value, the more heat will flow through the floor made of the tested raw material. This coefficient is expressed in the unit W/mK (Watt per meter-Kelvin) - explains Sebastian Kos, an expert of the Chapel Parket brand, which offers, among others, oak layered floors, dedicated for installation on underfloor heating.

The second important element is the value of heat conduction resistance, i.e. the degree of thermal insulation of the material. Thermal resistance depends on the material thickness and the previously described thermal conductivity coefficient. As you might guess, the lower the thermal resistance, the more heat will be conducted through the material. Thermal conduction resistance is expressed in the unit m ^2K /W (meter squared - Kelvin / Watt).

- In this context, it is worth recalling that according to the DIN 4725 standard, materials whose thermal conductivity resistance does not exceed 0.15 m ² K/W can be installed on water underfloor heating. As you can see, the thickness of the wood is important, but the value of thermal conductivity is equally important, because their values directly affect the thermal resistance - emphasizes S. Kos.

The wood shrinkage coefficient is also important, as it allows you to determine the material's resistance to moisture. The coefficient determines, in percentage, the average shrinkage of the material when its humidity changes by 1 percent. In this case, the rule "the less, the better" also applies - a low shrinkage coefficient indicates that the wood is more stable, so its "work" will be limited.

3. How important is the color of the floor when heating?

This question is difficult to answer unambiguously. Investors who plan to install light wood on their floors should take into account the fact that these shades will make the natural shrinkage process of the material more visible. In such a material, the gaps (although they are literally up to a millimeter wide) will be more visible. However, you don't have to give up light-colored floors. The solution is to choose boards with a microfiber, thanks to which individual boards will be distinguished and the effects of natural "wood work" will be less visible.

4. Are layered floors available in as wide a selection as solid floors?

Of course. The choice of wood dedicated to underfloor heating is very large. There are not only boards available on the market, but also planks and even cassettes that can be successfully installed on the floor. These elements are distinguished not only by their interesting colors, but also by their texture. For example: the layered floors of Chapel Parket In Between are planed, thanks to which the wood pattern is exposed and the wood gives a three-dimensional impression.

5. Is it really necessary to hire a parquet floor installer?

Definitely yes. It is best to entrust the installation of the floor to an experienced person who not only has the appropriate knowledge, but also the appropriate tools to, for example, assess the moisture of the screed.

It is important to entrust the installation of wood on the floor to a parquet installer, and not to a handyman. Wood is a noble raw material that requires proper treatment. Considering that the installation of any floor made of this material is a long-term investment, it is worth relying on a specialist in the wood industry.

6. Is the investor's role limited to choosing the floor and the specialist?

Not completely. Before the parquet installer starts work, the floor must be heated to remove moisture from the screed. This action is necessary - if we do not complete it, excess moisture will be absorbed by the wood.

Contrary to appearances (and the name), the process itself is not complicated. - It involves maintaining a specific temperature of the heating system in the room where the wood will be installed. The investor should only follow the instructions provided with the floor and document the subsequent activities in a special protocol. The whole process takes about a month. It is much easier to heat the floor than to incur the maintenance costs of neglecting it - says the Chapel Parket expert.

An additional argument in favor of heating the floor (and preparing a report on this activity) is the fact that this document may constitute an important element of the floor warranty.

The purchase of wooden floors should be treated as an investment. Therefore, before its installation, it is worth familiarizing yourself with all recommendations and tips regarding temperature, humidity level and methods of caring for and preserving wood. If in doubt, it is best to contact the supplier.

7. What is the maximum temperature that can prevail in the room?

The Chapel Parket brand expert recommends that it does not exceed 28 degrees Celsius. - It's a very high temperature. You also need to remember that the entire floor surface will be warm, so you don't have to worry that it will be cold inside, says S. Kos. - Both for people and the floor itself, optimal temperatures range from 18-22 degrees. However, the humidity should be between 45 and 60%. - he adds.

8. Is this floor safe for allergy sufferers? What about formaldehyde emissions?

Yes, wood is a natural, safe material. Caring for properly protected floors is not complicated: it is easy to keep them clean every day, and their periodic maintenance is also hassle-free. In the case of oiled Chapel Parket floors, even sanding is not necessary.

In the context of floor safety, it is also necessary to mention the formaldehyde emission class, which determines the amount of escape of this harmful gas.

The lowest one is E1, which is assigned only when formaldehyde emission does not exceed 0.1 ppm. The ppm (parts per million) unit contains information about the number of molecules of a chemical compound in a million molecules of a solution. Formaldehyde emission values below 0.1 ppm have been defined as safe for health by the World Health Organization.

9. How can you combine wood with ceramic tiles?

The first method is to use a cork, the second method is to use silicone. Using a material in the appropriate color (corresponding to the other elements) will make the connection virtually invisible. The difference in thickness between ceramics and wood will be reduced by, among others: by lifting the concrete screed.

10. What is expansion joint and what is it for?

This name refers to a deliberately created gap running between the wooden floor and permanent elements in the room (e.g. walls), thanks to which the wood can expand and contract, i.e. expand. Its implementation is mandatory, but the comfort of using the floor will be improved by expansion joint strips.