I want to take the carpet out of my bedroom and put down wood flooring, but I want to have the floor heated under the wood flooring. Can this be done, and where can I get step by step on how to install that type flooring insulation?
Posts: 10 | Location: Missouri | Registered: 19 September 2007
Well you have some issues to look into before you go that route. 1. What is the room over? basement, crawl space,cement slab, or is the room located on a 2nd level with finished room below? 2. What kind of floor are you thinking about? Floating floor or nail/glue down? 3. What kind of radiant heat are you thinking about? Electric or hydronic?
Electrical radiant systems are all the rage. They can heat a room well, but you need to know what the layout of the room is going to be before you spend the cash. A typical layout with radiant heat as a floor warmer, rather then a room heater is the system is set only under areas in which your feet are going to rest or walk upon. There is no need at all to heat under the bed or couch as this would be a waste of both money for the heating element as well as energy. Many electrical radiant system manufactures can provide you with custom element pads in which to place under the foam pad that is typically used under floating floors. But you need to check with manufactures of the flooring your choosing as area heaters for comfort rather then room heat can unevenlly heat the floor and cause abnormal expansion of the floating floor system and then cause seams to open or damage to the floor. Whole room systems used to heat the room not just warm floor for foot comfort would be the choice as this would heat the entire floor evenly and thus the floor would expand or shrink evenly and not have any issues. Other radiant heating units can be placed below the floor. That would be such as a open basement. The elements are fastened to the underside of the floor then covered with reflective material and then insulated to drive the heat up. Much more effective as well as expensive. The only draw back to electrical heating elements is that of failure. Once they stop working your feet will get cold again and the only way to repair is to remove the floor. Be sure to check warranty on any heating pads you purchase before you move ahead and spend the money.
There are other over head radiant heating panels you can purchase. These elements are square 24" tiles that are fitted in a frame and fastened to the ceiling. They heat objects such as floors, tables, people etc. These work great in babies rooms over their beds and dressing tables. They keep the kids warm even if they kick off there covers. These heaters can warm floors as well. So you have many choices in which to choose. Depending on your choice of heating units, the manufacture that suppies the parts to make it work can assist you in installing these units.
Posts: 1440 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: 31 January 2006
Thanks for your input. The house is over a crawl space and I was considering bamboo flooring. I heard that it was a stronger flooring. I guess the best places for heated flooring are really in the bathrooms it sounds like. Give me your suggestions how you might go about selecting a flooring, or what I considered was a good choice. Thanks for your input. I await your reply.
Posts: 10 | Location: Missouri | Registered: 19 September 2007
Thanks Marlowe for the links they sure gave good input on both electrical and hydro heating. Also, the installing of the hardwood flooring. Thanks again.
Posts: 10 | Location: Missouri | Registered: 19 September 2007