INSTALLATION OVER RADIANT HEAT GUIDE
FOR NORTHERN WIDE PLANK HARDWAX OIL FINISHED FLOORS (GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION ONLY)
INSTALLATION OVER RADIANT HEAT ( Glue down installation only )
WITH RADIANT HEAT, THE HEAT SOURCE IS DIRECTLY BENEATH THE FLOORING, SO THE FLOORING MAY DRY OUT FASTER THAN A SIMILAR FLOOR IN A SPACE WITH A CONVENTIONAL HEATING SYSTEM. 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.
NOTE: THE FINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INSTALLATION LIES WITH THE INSTALLER. THE INSTALLER MUST BE SUITABLY TRAINED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE WITH WOOD FLOORING INSTALLATIONS!
Types of wood flooring that are best suited for radiant heat subfloors are products that possess improved dimensional stability such as these:
• Engineered wood flooring is more dimensionally stable than solid wood flooring.
• Certain species are known for their inherent dimensional stability such as North American oak, and others. Denser species such as maple and Brazilian cherry are less stable.
• Quartersawn, rift-sawn, and live sawn wood flooring is more dimensionally stable in width than plain sawn wood flooring.
• Narrow boards expand and contract less than wider width boards.
Note: Use Woodstikk 19 wood flooring adhesive or equivalent for installation.
GENERAL RADIANT HEAT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
1. To minimize the effect that rapid changes in temperature will have on the moisture content of the wood floor, Northern Wide Plank recommends that an outside thermostat is installed. Unlike conventional heating systems, which switch on as needed, radiant systems work most effectively and with less trauma to the wood floor if the heating process is gradual, based on small incremental increases in relation to the outside temperature.
2. To ensure the surface of the sub-floor and the wood flooring does not exceed 29°C (85°F) we recommend temperature probe(s) be installed within the subfloor build up, to regulate the surface temperature, these should be located in each room/zone.
3. Subfloors should have proper moisture tests according to the moisture testing procedures outlined in Chapter 3, Jobsite Inspection / Preparation of our Installation Guide.
4. The essential requirement in proper applications of wood flooring over radiant heated systems is to avoid penetration of the heating element. Radiant-heated subfloor systems can be concrete, wood or a combination of both. The type of subfloor as described in the Installation Guide determines subfloor preparation.
5. We advise using a water-heated radiant-heat system that is set into a screed or electric type, set into a high strength levelling compound under Wood Flooring.
• Heating pipes must be covered with a minimum of 30mm (1¼”) of concrete and 10mm coverage of high strength levelling compound must be achieved over electric systems.
• We do not recommend other systems such as an electric blanket or water pipe that are placed on top of screeds or between joists/battens unless they have a heat distribution board fitted above to ensure an even heat distribution transfer of heat to the underside of the engineered board.
6. If the subfloor is concrete and it has cured, turn the heat on, regardless of season, gradually raising the temperature, and leave it on for at least 14 days at 2/3rd of the maximum capacity to drive out residual moisture before installation of the wood flooring. In the middle of these 14 days, the underfloor heating needs to be heated to the maximum temperature for 2 days. The heat should then be reduced and turned off, so that the subfloor is at 20°C (68°F) before installation of the wood flooring begins, to ensure adhesive does not cure too quickly. Test concrete in accordance with Chapter 3, Jobsite Inspection / Preparation of our Installation Guide. After at least 48 hours after installation of flooring, the system can be turned on, increasing the temperature by maximum 2°C (4°F) each 24 hour period until the normal room temperature is reached.
7. With water-heated radiant-heat systems, a pressure test must be performed and documented by a qualified plumber or the system installer prior to beginning the installation of the wood flooring. Electric radiant-heat systems should also be tested prior to floor installation. Refer to heat system manufacturer guidelines.
8. If flooring materials that conduct heat at different rates are on the same circuit or heating zone, check with the HVAC mechanical engineer and Radiant Panel Association (www.radiantpanelassociation.org) before proceeding.
POINTS OF ATTENTION
NOTE: FOLLOW NORTHERN WIDE PLANK INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. INSTALL OVER AN APPROVED SUBFLOOR. SEE CHAPTER 6, GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION OF OUR INSTALLATION GUIDE
1. The maximum allowable subfloor surface temperature is 29° C (85° F).
2. Expect some heating season shrinkage.
3. Some systems (mainly electrical) can create hot spots (when rugs or other items are placed directly onto the wood floor) which will negatively affect the stability of the wood flooring.
4. It is strongly recommended to install room humidifiers or whole house systems, to ensure that the environment in the house does not become overly dry, this will help prevent damage (cracking or splitting) from overdrying of the wood.
5. The ambient room temperature and humidity should be maintained at a constant level, ideally between 15°C (60°F) and 24°C (75°F) with a relative humidity, between 35% - 55% RH and the temperature of the subfloor should not fluctuate more than a maximum 2°C (4°F) each 24 hour period prior to, during and for the whole life of the wood flooring.
6. Flooring Protection after installation should be of a suitable type to prevent a buildup of humidity between the protection and the wood flooring. In addition, radiant heating must be kept off or very low to prevent retention of heat below the protection. Ideally, protection should not remain in place for long periods of time (2 weeks). If protection is required for longer periods, lift the protection to check for the atmosphere under the protection and to allow the floor to breathe.
PLEASE CONTACT NORTHERN WIDE PLANK IF YOUR RADIANT-HEATING SYSTEM OR SITE CONDITIONS DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED ABOVE / IN OUR INSTALLATION GUIDE OR IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.
