Engineered Wood Flooring: The Perfect Companion To Underfloor Heating Systems

Underfloor heating is becoming more and more popular – whether introduced as part of a contemporary new build or as a modernising luxury in a renovation project. The appeal is easy to grasp, as underfloor heating offers the pleasure of a consistently heated environment, with no cold spots to be found. It entirely eliminates the cluttering presence of radiators, leaving your interior an unfettered canvas to creatively make your own!

Engineered wood flooring lends perfectly in this case for a number of reasons, and with the correct guidance and collaboration between your underfloor heating supplier, and our team at Unique Bespoke Wood, you can enjoy both the decadence of a warm floor beneath your feet, and the spectacular beauty of hardwood throughout your home.
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A Tactile Choice
Wood is naturally warm to the touch when compared with stone or tile, and contributes to the cosiness of a space not only through temperature, but also through the beautiful colours and textures that only wood can provide. When we imagine walking barefoot through a hallway, or our children playing on the floor, a wooden surface seems somehow gentler, and more homely. Our meticulously constructed engineered wood floors match the elegant aesthetic and tactile appeal of any hardwood floor, while offering the flexibility of a variety of installation applications.  
 
The Intelligence Of Engineered Wood Flooring
As a natural material, the fibrous nature of wood means that it will breath with it's environment – slightly expanding and contracting as moisture levels go up and down within the air around it. When it comes to underfloor heating, this is an important factor to be aware of, as changes in temperature will have a direct impact on moisture levels.
To accommodate this, engineered wood flooring is constructed layer by layer, alternating the direction of the grain within the wood. This strategy means that the resulting floor is highly stable and resistant to fluctuations in temperature and moisture. A degree of care is still required to ensure that your engineered wood floors are maintained in their original, stunning condition, but with expert advice you will find that care for your floor is not difficult to apply.

Choosing Your Underfloor Heating System
The type of underfloor heating that you opt for will likely depend on the nature of the property in which it will be installed, taking into account the current sub-floor and any height restrictions. Primarily, you will need to choose between a hydronic – or water pipe – system, or an electrically heated system.

At this point, discuss with your suppliers your intention to combine your underfloor heating system with engineered wood flooring, and ensure that the system you select allows for accurate temperature control. Seeking a qualified and experienced supplier that is familiar with the exact specifications of your underfloor heating system, as well as it's compatibility with engineered wood floors is vital.
It is widely considered that the underside of engineered wood floors laid over underfloor heating should not exceed 27°C, as beyond this point excessive drying may cause damage to your floor. Isolated hot-spots also pose a risk, but can be mitigated by adding an additional insulating layer to distribute the heat more efficiently. Exploring the various options available before committing to an ideal system will result in a combination of floor and heating system that work in perfect symbiosis.

Care In Installation Of Your Floor
Ensuring that every care is made before your engineered wood flooring is installed will guarantee excellent results. Checks must be made to confirm that the sub-floor has low enough humidity levels to proceed. The heating must be turned off, and the temperature and humidity levels within the room monitored during fitting if the weather is changeable or any other factor may impact the conditions required.

Once your resplendent new floor is in place, you will no doubt wish to experience your new underfloor heating immediately, but a little patience is required! Sudden and substantial temperature changes will not benefit the result of your investment, and so a gradual increase of temperature is necessary over several days. In fact, following guidance on how to increase and decrease the temperature of your floor whenever you alter the settings of your heating system will ensure longevity. You will no doubt consider it worth the wait, as you continue to enjoy your energy-efficient and entirely hidden heating system over the years to come!

If you are curious to discover more about your options when it comes to combining underfloor heating with one of the many beautiful engineered wood floors we offer, don't hesitate to get in touch.