Underfloor Heating - Engineered Board or Solid Wood ?

WhatNext · 15 Jan 2008

Hi

Planning to install underfloor heating on upper floor of a timber framed house.

Joists at 400mm c/c sheeted with 9mm Sterling Board. 30mm straps fitted on top to extender joists.

Plastic pipe for underfloor heating system to be run between the straps and then a lean sand / cement biscuit mix to create the thermal mass.

Water going into plastic pipe from manifold will be 70 deg C maximum.

Need to use a 20mm thick flooring board to achieve the finished height.

Planned board width to be 120mm.

Question : Would you recommend an engineered board over a solid wood board ?

Cheers

WoodYouLike · 15 Jan 2008

If you're planning to install floorboards wider than 80mm Wood-Engineered definitely. Much more stable than wider solid boards.

WhatNext · 15 Jan 2008

What might happen if the solid wood boards were greater than 80mm wide ?

WoodYouLike · 15 Jan 2008

Then there is more risk of the board cupping.

WhatNext · 15 Jan 2008

Thanks

Board for board - Say 150mm wide engineering board versus 150mm wide solid wooden board are you likely to get less movement ( and hence less creaking ? ) from an engineered board when the underfloor heating raises the temperature of the flooring ?

WoodYouLike · 15 Jan 2008

You'll get less shrinkage during the heating season with engineered boards.

WhatNext · 15 Jan 2008

Is the shrinkage cosmetic from the point that you can see the gaps opening ever so slightly or will the shrinkage cause creaking ?

WoodYouLike · 15 Jan 2008

Not ever so slightly, gaps could be so wide you'll see the end of the Tongue!

WhatNext · 15 Jan 2008

I see !

So the engineered boards will shrink less.

Does the shrinkage cause creaking ?

Sorry to bag on about this - I am most grateful for your help

WoodYouLike · 15 Jan 2008

Depends on how the boards are installed, on battens and secrete nailed: yes definitely. Glued down on screed: could lift the whole lot from the screed

WhatNext · 15 Jan 2008

I am extremely grateful for your help and fast responses.

diynot

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Underfloor Heating - Engineered Board or Solid Wood ?

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