UNDER FLOOR HEATING 20mm ENGINEERED WOOD BOARDS
THE BEST FINISH FOR UNDER FLOOR HEATING?
Why?
The principal of under floor heating depends on heat penetrating through or from the sub floor. The heat continues through the floor finish, and is then dispersed into the room above.
For maximum efficiency it is important that the sub floor and the floor finish not only have excellent thermal conductivity, but also retain the heat for as long as possible.
When you compare the qualities of wood with other popular finishes such as Carpet, Ceramics, Plastic Vinyl Tiles, Plastic Vinyl Sheets and Polished Concrete, good quality 20mm Engineered Wood Floorboards will out perform these competitive products in many important areas
• Wood has excellent thermal qualities allowing good passage of heat.
• Wood retains heat much better than most comparable materials.
• 20mm Engineered wood boards are the optimum thickness for retention and passage of heat.
• Wood is extremely durable (centuries of experience proves that)
• Wood is a natural product and one of the most environmentally friendly materials available
(only ceramics can compare)
• Wood has many aesthetically pleasing design options
• Wood is very cost effective when you take into account other materials that would perform to the same standard.
COMMISSION THE HEATING
To gain the best performance from your heating system and the finished floor it is important to have all components working together.
There are two main types of under floor heating
Hot water radiant heating systems
Electrical radiant heating systems
Both types must be installed in conjunction with the manufacturer’s guidelines and commissioned and run for up to 21 days to ensure that the system is fully operational.
After commissioning, the installer should provide documentary evidence of commissioning, particularly the temperatures achieved at the finished sub floor, and these should be available to the trades that follow.
CRITICAL: The surface temperature must never exceed 27 degrees C
Timescale: Run heating for 21 days
ACCLIMATISATION OF THE BOARDS
Before starting the installation the 20mm Engineered floor boards need to be brought into the room where they will be installed and exposed to the climatic conditions. The acclimatisation will compose of:-
• The 20mm Engineered wood boards will be in sealed and unopened cartons.
• The boards will be stored for at least 48 hours
• The boards will be laid flat at least 300mm (24â€) from the nearest wall
• The room temperature must be at least 18 degrees C
• The floor surface temperature must be a minimum of 15 degrees C
• The relative humidity must be between 40% and 65%
CRITICAL: The surface temperature must never exceed 27 degrees C
Timescale: Minimum of 48 hours
PREPARING THE SUB FLOOR
All sub floors must be prepared in accordance with normal sub floor preparation procedures and accepted tolerances within the flooring industry.
Before fitting the wood floor finish particular attention must be paid to
Moisture content – must be less than 10%
Evenness – maximum tolerance of 3mm per linear metre
Load capacity – The sub floor has to be a closed and self – supporting surface
Cleanness – the sub floor needs to be in a clean and vacuumed condition
Timescale: Switch off the heating for 48 hours
MOISTURE BARRIER
If the 20mm Engineered boards are to be installed over a concrete sub floor, you have to consider that possible rest moisture in the sub floor will seep to the surface of the sub floor. Based on the above-mentioned reason it is always necessary to install a moisture barrier over the concrete sub floor. A trowel on one part membrane such as BONA R580 can produce an easy to install and effective membrane that works in conjunction with the BONA R850 adhesive that we would recommend for fitting the floor boards.
Alternatively, if the floor is to be floated, a 0.2mm polyethylene film can be used as a moisture barrier between the sand and cement screed and Timbermate Heatflow underlay.
If the boards are to be fitted over an electric system and an underlay is required we would recommend Timbermate Heatflow Underlay which is designed for optimum performance with under floor heating.
Timescale: Leave to dry for 8 hours
FITTING THE 20mm ENGINEERED FLOOR BOARD
Wet System
If the boards are to be fitted over a sand and cement screed with a BONA R580 damp proof membrane, the most effective method is to adhesive fit with BONA R850 adhesive.
Electric System
If the boards are to be fitted over an electric under floor heating system, then if the manufacturer recommends a levelling compound over the elements, as some do, then the floor can be fitted as with the wet system.
If the boards are to be fitted over a Timbermate Heatflow underlay then the tongue and grooved joints of the boards should be glued together using a proprietory P.V.A. adhesive.
Timescale: Leave to dry for 48 hours after fitting
STARTING THE HEATING SYSTEM
It is important not to shock the floor by introducing the heat too quickly.
After starting the heating system
• Run the heating with a surface temperature at a constant 18 degrees C for 72 hours
• Increase the surface temperature by 1 degree C every 24 hours for the 9 days
CRITICAL: The surface temperature must never exceed 27 degrees C
Timescale: 12 days.
DURING USE
Generally the temperatures should not vary drastically, but always try to avoid taking the floor from one extreme of heat to another within a very short timescale.
CRITICAL: The surface temperature must never exceed 27 degrees C
N.B.
• If no certification is available from the installer.
BEFORE THE FLOOR IS FITTED the under floor heating system should be calibrated back to the boiler to ensure the surface temperatures of the sub floor are correct.
• WITHOUT CERTIFICATION – THE SUPPLIER OF THE ENGINEERED BOARDS WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY FAILURES OF THE ENGINEERED BOARDS
Recent Comments