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Heat Output

The Heat Output from a timber floor system is limited by the timber floor itself. As timber is an insulant in itself, it restricts the available heat that can penetrate through it. The maximum output through the floor is between 70 and 75 watts per square metre of floor, whereas a concrete floor can provide 100-120 watts per square metre.

Due to this lower output, the use of underfloor heating on its own under timber floors in older and poorly insulated buildings is not feasible as sufficient heat cannot be provided to match the heat requirements necessary.

Chipboard and Plywood Floors

Using underfloor heating with chipboard or plywood floors generally presents no problems, providing the thickness of the flooring is kept to reasonable limits.

Hardwood Flooring

Careful specification is required in each instance to ensure lifelong structural stability and performance of Hardwood floors. Wood, being a hygroscopic material, is very susceptible to movement when exposed to different humidity levels. Timber absorbs moisture from the atmosphere when humidity is high (normally during the summer months), causing expansion; whilst in the winter months when the heating system is in operation and humidity is low, the timber will shrink. This expansion and contraction is most noticeable across the width of a piece of wood and in some cases, particularly with Boarded floors, the compound effect may add up to several inches of movement across a room width. Therefore, if traditionally machined tongued and grooved boards are installed in such an environment, be prepared to accept large amounts of movement in the floor.

Laminate Hardwood Floors

To overcome the problems associated with Hardwood plank floors, a number of flooring companies now produce Laminate Hardwood Floors. These consist of layer(s) of plywood with Hardwood Veneers bonded to the surface. This construction method, also used with parquet and marquetary floors, made up with thousands of pieces of timber arranged in different directions, offers a sound and stable solution.

Where the use of underfloor heating is being considered for timber floors, the method of its installation and its suitability for use should always be checked and confirmed with the flooring installer- they will be able to provide technical guidelines in this respect.

Details of suitable flooring products can be obtained from the following companies, among others.

Junkers Tel 01376 534700 www.junkers.com (All floor types)

Isa Sport:Gym Tech Flooring. Herculan Sport Surface, Research Report(Commercial sports floors, ) sections

Weldon Flooring Nottinghamshire Tel 01636 636962 www.weldon.co.uk (Domestic and Commercial Hardwood, Laminate, and Parquet Flooring)

Hardwood Flooring Supplies Tel 01483 721535 www.hwfsltd.co.uk (Domestic and Commercial Hardwood, Laminate, Parquet and Sports Floors)

Granwood Tel 01773 606060 www.granwood.co.uk (Mainly Commercial Hardwood, Laminate and Wood Block Floors)

Element 7 Tel 020 7736 2366 www.element7.co.uk (Domestic and Commercial Hardwood and Laminate Floors)

Khars Tel 01243 778747 Domestic and Commerical Hardwood and Laminate Floors)

The Winchester Hardwood Flooring Company Tel 01962 888577 (Oak and Hardwood flooring for domestic properties).

Sports Halls

For Sports Halls and Sprung floors for commercial applications, please refer to our Systems section / sports floors section.