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Timber floor heating

Warming timber floors?

The range of timber flooring products varies considerably. The traditional timber floor construction uses a framed floor, over which solid timber flooring is nailed to the floor joists. An alternative method for using the same solid timber flooring over a concrete floor, is to fix battens to the concrete, (eg. 50 x 50mm) then nail the flooring to this. With either of these methods, cables can be run between the joists or battens.

An alternative, is to use thinner timber strip flooring or parquetry flooring (smaller blocks laid in a pattern), that can be adhered to a concrete floor that has in-concrete heating installed. Finally, there are a range of floating timber flooring products, that are not fixed to the floor, but each strip locks to the other through a tongue and groove shape. These products are generally much thinner and vary in quality from quite high grade, to some that have a very thin surface veneer. These timber floors can utilise the methods explained in “Under Tile Heating”, with a bedding or skim coat to provide a flat surface, or “Concrete Floor Heating”.

When installing timber over a concrete floor that has heating installed, it is essential to avoid a situation where the heating is turned on full, in a new concrete slab below the timber. The moisture will be forced out through the timber, possibly expanding it and causing buckling. Turning the heating on for 3 - 4 hrs per day for 2 weeks (with windows partly opened to provide ventilation) then off for at least a day before laying the timber will overcome the problem.

If this precaution is missed, ensure the heating is time clocked to gradually allow increasing “ON” times over a month or more. Concrete can hold a significant amount of moisture but still appear dry. Flooring experts often check the moisture content with a meter first (regardless of whether heating is installed or not). Another method for checking, is to place a sheet of  clear plastic - about 1 sq.m on the floor overnight which has been taped around the edges. The concrete will appear darker below, if damp.

Flooring manufacturers generally recommend opening up packs of timber and leaving them stacked in the room for a few days before laying, regardless of whether heating is installed or not.