Wooden floors can be combined with underfloor heating

Wood Flooring Is Suitable For Underfloor Heating

"Wood flooring on underfloor heating has been a warm combination for years"

One of the questions in our showroom is whether underfloor heating can easily be combined with wood flooring. Some people do not know that this is a great combination, if you use the right wood products and craftsmanship. Installing wooden floors on underfloor heating is our specialty! We have years of experience in carefully installing wooden floors on various types of underfloor heating and subfloors. All colors and most installation patterns are possible. We also supply wood flooring on underfloor heating with a 5-year CBW guarantee within The Netherlands. In addition to this, we can also install the underfloor heating for you. 

Underfloor Heating And Floor Cooling

In more and more homes, installations for electrical heating and cooling, such as in an underfloor heating system, are controlled by a hot water pump. In connection with floor cooling systems, it is important that the cooling system is equipped with a dew point protection. This ensures that condensation is prevented.

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Efficiency Of Underfloor Heating And Wood

Wood is a great insulator. Wood heats up more slowly compared to other floor types, such as tiles. But the wood also cools down more gradually and the wooden floor continues to give off warmth for longer. This means that you use your underfloor heating on a wooden floor differently than on tiled floors. The advice is therefore to maintain a constant thermostat temperature.

In this way, a wooden floor with underfloor heating ensures a constant temperature in the house and a comfortable living climate.

Most people want to achieve the highest possible efficiency from their underfloor heating, to reduce on energy costs. The higher the efficiency, the lower the heating costs. We therefore recommend gluing the wooden floor directly to the screed if possible. If the floor is glued directly, the heat is transferred directly through the plank, which increases the efficiency. With a floating floor, you cause extra resistance due to the air layers that are under the wooden floor, causing the efficiency to be less.

Herringbone floor installed on underfloor heating as the main heating system

Frequently Asked Questions About Floor Heating And Wood Flooring

  • Is it possible to install a wooden floor with underfloor heating?
    Yes, this is possible and we have years of experience with installing     parquet floors with undefloor heating. It’s important however, that the heating protocol is done once during construction so the underfloor and the parquet floor can be gradually warmed up in phases. See the heating protocol below.

    A solid hardwood floor is not suitable for underfloor heating as main heating. The massive floorboards have a large R value, creating a situation where not enough heat can reach the surface. Also, the heating time of a solid wood floor would take very long, making this option very inefficient.
    Engineered Wood Floor Vincent
  • What wood species can be used for a combination with underfloor heating?
    Not all wood species can be used for floor heating. Harder wood conducts heat better, but it’s also important that the type of wood used is highly resistant to changes in temperature and humidity percentages. The more sensitive wood is for these factors, the more the floor parts can expand or shrink, which results in a damaged floor. Wood species such as ash wood and beech wood are more vulnerable and therefore not suitable for underfloor heating. For example: oak, merbau, afzelia and walnut wood are well suited for a combination with underfloor heating.

    We recommend     oak wood. Oak is a strong, stable wood specie with a low resistance (R) and an excellent price / quality ratio. In addition, oak has a timeless character and the possibilities of finishing oak wood parquet floors are endless. Also oak parquet is suitable for various applications such as floating wood floors in apartments, which must meet a 10 dB noise reduction in several countries.
     
  • What are the requirements for heating systems?
    Old heating systems (> 20 years) are generally not suitable for a combination with wood flooring, because these systems generate too much heat. This is detrimental to the floorboards. Therefore, use a new generation of underfloor heating, wherein temperature regulation is more gradual, and the maximum temperature is not too high. First, consider whether you want to create floor heating as main heating or additional heating, and which subfloor you (see information below) before you leave install underfloor heating. For our parquet floorboards, it is important that the underfloor heating is located deep enough. We will pay attention to this during the inspection of your home, before installing the floor.
     
  • What determines the efficiency of floor heating?
    The efficiency of heating depends on the type of wood (hardness / resistance / stability), the thickness of the solid wood layer (10 - 20mm), insulation, type of heating system and the type of heating (main or additional heating). For more information and advice on the efficiency of underfloor heating for your living situation, you can always     make an appointment to visit our showroom!
     
  • Which installation patterns can you apply to underfloor heating?
    In addition to the traditional straight pattern, you can also easily apply a Chevron, Versailles or herringbone floor pattern to underfloor heating. Only an end grain wood floor pattern cannot be applied to underfloor heating because the resistance (Rc) of this type of wooden floor is too high.
     

Wood flooring installation patterns suitable for underfloor heating

straight pattern plank flooring

Straight Pattern

Herringbone Pattern Wood Flooring

Herringbone Pattern

Chevron Pattern

Chevron Pattern

 

 

  • What should I keep in mind when using and maintaining a wooden floor that has underfloor heating?
    A wooden floor is to be gradually warmed up and cooled down in order to prevent shrinkage or expansion of the timber. It is important that you follow the instructions of the heating protocol and keep the humidity percentage in your home stable (around 55%).

    You will receive a beautiful hygrometer as a gift from us after installation of the wooden floor. This allows you to measure the humidity in your home. You place the hygrometer at eye level on an interior wall, away from the sun and free from drafts. During the ‘heating season’ in the winter, the humidity rate may drop to a low point (<40%), which might result in shrinking of the floorboards. Using a humidifier can provide a solution in this situation.

    You need to maintain the floor by dusting, vacuuming and / or mopping the floor on a regular basis. In the maintenance kit you will find resources to maintain your floor. Good floor maintenance extends the life and protects the finish of a wooden floor.

Got more questions? Contact us today! We are happy to help.

Underfloor heating and wooden floors have been a warm combination for years

Advantages Of Underfloor Heating

A wooden floor with underfloor heating is an investment in your home and living pleasure

Do you consider putting underfloor heating under your wooden floor, but do not have a good idea of ​​the benefits? Based on our knowledge, experience and questions from our customers, we provide an overview of the benefits, opportunities and issues that you must pay attention to when installing and maintaining a wooden floor with underfloor heating.

Home Furnishings and Living Comfort

A wooden floor combined with underfloor heating provides a comfortable living situation. Nothing feels as natural and pleasurable as warm wood under your bare feet, especially in the winter months. Underfloor heating is of course possible with different types of floors, such as natural stone, but the unique sensation and appearance of wood is often preferred over other floor types. In practice, we regularly see people who have come back to their decision for the combination of underfloor heating with natural stone. They ask us in the showroom whether it is possible to put a wooden floor directly over their natural stone floor to add a 'warmer atmosphere' to the house. This is often possible without removing the stone floor.

The heat that underfloor heating generates is evenly distributed throughout the room. This has the advantage that there are no cold corners and temperature fluctuations within the same space. This is often the case in homes with radiators.

Another reason for choosing underfloor heating as main heating is that you can remove ugly radiators in the room, so you can see more of your wooden floor. Apart from more visibility of your floor, you get more options to furnish your home to your liking, because your wooden floor is available in various installation patterns.

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Modern oak wood floor straight pattern. This floor is made of European oak and suitable for installation on underfloor heating.

Cost Savings and Durability

Although the construction of underfloor heating initially requires an investment, it also provides financial benefits. For example, the underfloor heating temperature is lower than when using radiators. The water must first be heated to a high temperature before it flows through radiators. This can be done with underfloor heating with much lower temperatures. An floor heating temperature of around 20 degrees already ensures a sufficiently comfortable temperature, while this comfortable tempurature can only be reached in radiators at higher temperatures.

In the long term, this will cost a lot of money. Depending on the type of underfloor heating you choose, you can also combine this with renewable energy, such as solar panels.

Health

A wooden floor installed on underfloor heating can be easily maintained by vacuuming and mopping. Dust cannot easily accumulate, as is often the case with hard-to-clean radiators. For people who are sensitive to dust, have vulnerable lungs or allergies, underfloor heating is a warm solution. Finally, the chance of molding in the house is a lot smaller, because underfloor heating provides a lower air humidity and molds need high humidity to grow.

Dark herringbone floors have been combined with underfloor heating for years
Oak floor bedroom Haarlem
Parquet flooring can be combined with underfloor heating

Install underfloor heating

As a full-service wooden floor specialist, Uipkes can take care of the entire process: from removing the 'old' floor, installing a new sand-cement screed, installing the underfloor heating and the beautiful new wooden floor.
 
The advantage of this is that we completely unburden you and take care of the organization for installing underfloor heating and the wooden floor. From the removal of the existing floor to the moment that the furniture can be placed back on the new wooden floor.

Single point of contact for all activities

You have a single point of contact for all the activities and the planning of installing underfloor heating and the installation of the wooden floor can therefore be better coordinated, which is important when you are working on a renovation.
 
Important to know: Uipkes also installs underfloor heating as a separate service.

How long does it take to install underfloor heating and install the wooden floor?

Based on 50m2, finishing all activities, from removal of the existing floor to the delivery of the new wooden floor, would take approximately 7-21 days (provided preparatory work has been done). You can use the following distribution:
 

  • Removing and disposing of the existing floor, placing the Fermacell / Estrich / Knauf / Gypsum fiber board subfloor and side edges; approx. 1 day.
  • Milling slots in an existing screed for underfloor heating, placing the pipes, suspending the distribution station, connecting the pipes to the distribution station and lubricating the pipes, approx. 1 day. (when all other preparatory work has been carried out)
  • Implementing the heating protocol: 10-14 days
  • Placing a new wooden floor, including color finish: approx. 3 days.
  • Drying of the color treatment: approx. 2 days.

What are the options for installing underfloor heating?

We can mill slots in an existing screed for underfloor heating pipes or we can pour a new sand-cement screed with integrated underfloor heating. When milling underfloor heating, slots are made in the screed and the heating pipes are placed in them. Uipkes can:

More about underfloor heating installation

How much does a wooden floor on underfloor heating cost?

Do you have underfloor heating in your home and do you want to know what the costs are to have a wooden floor installed? View a number of examples of wooden floors on underfloor heating below in various installation patterns and the price per m2 including installation, glue, subfloor and VAT. There are various underfloor heating systems that can be combined with our wooden floors.

If you do not have underfloor heating yet, Uipkes can install underfloor heating for you. Visit one of our showrooms for information and advice on wood flooring in combination with underfloor heating.

Are you interested in one of the wooden floors on underfloor heating based on the photos below? Click on the photo and then on 'request a quote'. You will immediately receive a non-binding quote with all costs by e-mail. Read more information about buying a wood floor or view all wood flooring pictures.

The m2 prices of wooden floors depend on the color finish, the installation pattern, plank width and thickness.

Wide Plank Wood Flooring The Hague - Unicorn White - €170.00 per m2

Herringbone Engineered Floor Amsterdam - King Black - €191.00 per m2

Chevron Floor with Underfloor Heating - Fog Grey - €199.00 per m2

Oak Plank Floor in House Blaricum - Bison Brown - €130.00 per m2

White Oak Herringbone Floor Utrecht - Fresh White - €209.00 per m2

Chevron Floor in The Hague - Coral White - €199.00 per m2

French Oak Floor Wassenaar - Cappuccino - €146.00 per m2

Light Herringbone Floor in Alphen - Van Gogh White - €198.00 per m2

Chevron Parquet in Living Room Utrecht - Champagne - €199.00 per m2

Wood Floor in Artistic House Bussum - Milk - €146.00 per m2

Black Herringbone Parquet Utrecht - Chalkboard Black - €191.00 per m2

Herringbone Wood Floor w/ Border - Van Gogh White - €194.00 per m2

Modern Wooden Floor in Amsterdam - Iron Grey - €170.00 per m2

Plank Floor Rotterdam - Clear White - €130.00 per m2

Chevron pattern floor on underfloor heating in Delft

Want to know more?

In short, there are many good reasons for combining underfloor heating with wood flooring. Do you have more questions about the possibilities for your living situation? Would you like to know more about our products and services? Order our free wooden flooring magazine, request an online quote within 2 minutes or visit one of our inspiring showrooms for free advice!

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White herringbone wooden floor applied to underfloor heating

Technical Explanation of Types of Floor Heating Under a Wooden Floor

Developments in technology have created a situation that floor heating can be used anywhere. Underfloor heating can be used as additional or main heating. The wooden floor which we have been using for underfloor heating for years, has a resistance (Rc) of 0.088. This resistance is very low. When your heating system allows for a maximum resistance of 0.12 Rc, then our floor with Rc 0.088 can be installed without any problem.

Underfloor Heating as Main Heating

If you want to use underfloor heating as a main heating system, we recommend you to use engineered parquet flooring. This type of floor, which consists of laminated boards with a top layer of solid oak wood, can range in thickness from 10 to 20 mm. The thickness, thermal insulation capacity (R-value) of the floor and the installation method (floating or glued down) influences the efficiency and effectiveness of your heating.

To achieve the highest efficiency, we recommend directly glued method of our engineered parquet floor ‘Vincent’. Parquet flooring is available in over 90 colors, is very strong and has an average lifespan of 50 years.

The advantages of underfloor heating as main heating are lower heating costs and radiant heat. The body is comfortably heated directly instead of through the air by radiators.

Underfloor heating as main heating is often chosen for aesthetic reasons, as 'ugly' radiators and pipes can be removed, which gives the room a more clean look and feel.

The value of well-insulated house with floor heating as main heating generally increases. Finally, main heating is a child-friendly solution, since children can not hurt themselves or have their fingers burned with this heating system.

Underfloor Heating as Additional Heating

Another possibility is to use underfloor heating as additional heating in combination with radiators or convectors. One advantage is that the total area of the floor is evenly heated by underfloor heating in combination with radiators. This often fails when you are only using radiators or convectors. By using underfloor heating as additional heating, the fluctuations in temperature are much less, so that a wooden floor is less likely to swell or shrink. The more gradual changes in the temperature and timber moisture content, the better this is for the wooden floor. Underfloor heating as main heating has the property that it may take longer before the entire living area is warmed. This is not the case when using underfloor heating as additional heating.

View wooden floors with underfloor heating
Wooden plank floor installed on underfloor heating in the kitchen

Points to Check for Underfloor Heating and Wooden Floors

When you choose the combination of underfloor heating and a wooden floor, there are a number of points of attention that you should pay attention to in order to maximize the efficiency of underfloor heating and to keep the wooden floor in top condition.

Maximum Surface Temperature of the Subfloor

The maximum surface temperature that a screed (not the wood) may reach is 28°C. The surface temperature of the wood must not exceed 25°C.

The inlet temperature of the water that passes through the pipes therefore depends on how deep the pipes are placed in relation to the screed.

For underfloor heating systems where the pipes are close to the surface of the screed, such as with milled underfloor heating systems, wet construction systems that are finished with a thin liquid layer, or dry construction underfloor heating systems, the inlet temperature must therefore be lower than in a wet construction underfloor heating system where the pipes are about 5-7 cm deep.

Floor Heating Protocol

Before the wooden floor can be installed, it is very important to carry out the start-up / heating protocol. The purpose of the start-up protocol is to allow the screed to 'set', so that it can no longer influence the bonding of the new wooden floor. An additional advantage is that any residual moisture evaporates when going through the start-up protocol.

Each underfloor heating system has its own way of going through the start-up protocol. After purchasing the floor, Uipkes Wood Floors provides a description of how the start-up protocol should be followed. Always inquire with the installer how you can initiate the boot protocol on your system.

Going through the boot protocol takes about 14 days. During this procedure, ensure good ventilation in all rooms, so that the released moisture can be properly drained. The best condition for a wooden floor is a relative humidity between 55% and 65%.

You only have to execute the heating protocol once before installation of the wood floor. The heating protocol helps you to avoid large temperature fluctuations and bring the floor in optimal condition before installing your new floor. It is important to check the moisture content in the subfloor, which we will do before installation: cement floor up to 2.0% and anhydrite floor up to 0.5% moisture content.

Uipkes Wood Flooring always performs an inspection before we install underfloor heating and/or a wooden floor, so you can safely enjoy your wooden floor with underfloor heating! During this inspection, we also measure the moisture percentage of the subfloor. The wooden floor is delivered and installed with 5 years of CBW guarantee.

Heating Protocol

The heating protocol helps you to avoid large temperature fluctuations and keep the floor in optimal condition.

Custom made wooden floor of oak wood
The chevron pattern floor is suitable for installation on underfloor heating
The Oak herringbone floor has been installed in the kitchen. The entire kitchen has underfloor heating.

One Time Preparation of the Workplace

The heating cycle described below will take approximately 14 days.

  • Heat the workplace the first day with a water temperature of 20 ºC. Then increase the temperature by 5 ° C per 24 hours. Keep the inflow water temperature below 45 ° C.
  • Keep the maximum temperature (45 ° C) for at least 24 hours for every cm of subfloor thickness: so for a 3 cm thick floor it will take 3 days.
  • Decrease the temperature in the same way.

During and After Installation of a Wooden Floor with Underfloor Heating

  • During installation the floor should be around 15-18 ° C (water temperature 20 ° C). Maintain this temperature for at least 5 days after installing and finishing of the floor.
  • Then slowly increase the temperature 2 ° C per day up to a maximum water inflow temperature of 45 ° C.
  • The gradual increasing and decreasing of the water temperature is also necessary at the beginning and the end of the heating season. It is important to maintain little temperature differences during day and night.

Relative Humidity Percentage

A wooden floor must be gradually warmed up and cooled down to prevent shrinkage and expansion of the wood.

Wood reacts to this increase and decrease in the relative air moisture percentage. The ideal value, where wood does not work, is between 45% and 65%. If it falls below 45%, the floor may show signs of shrinkage (in width). There may be gaps between the floorboards. If the humidity is too low and the floorboard can no longer absorb the stress of shrinking in its bandwidth, it is possible that cracks appear, or that the top layer is somewhat warped.

Uipkes supplies a digital hygrometer with your wooden floor. This way you can see whether the air moisture percentage remains stable.

In brief:

  • Maximum surface temperature should not exceed 28°C.
  • Mandatory completion of the start-up protocol, duration approximately 14 days.
  • Maintain relative humidity
Plank floor in an office building. The entire office has underfloor heating, on which the Oak floor has been installed by Uipkes Wood Flooring

Wood Flooring and Underfloor Heating - A Trusted Combination for Years!

Uipkes has extensive experience in crafting and installing wooden floors with underfloor heating. With our many years of experience, skill and love for wood you can trust us with installing a wood floor on your underfloor heating. Wooden floors of Uipkes are always made ​​and installed according to your wishes. We always do an inspection of your home or office and provide you with information, so you can make the best choices for your situation. 

We like to see you in our showroom for an informal and informative talk about combining floor heating with a beautiful wooden floor from Uipkes!

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Underfloor Heating Systems

Underfloor heating is often “controlled” by different types of systems.

With some underfloor heating systems, a distribution station is placed from which the heat comes, with other systems no distribution station is used. The distinction between the systems can be classified into heat-borne systems and electrical/infrared systems. The various control types for the underfloor heating systems are explained in more detail below.

Boiler Heating

The boiler heating system, also known as central heating boiler, is a conventional system. The boiler provides hot water and heats the house with radiators. The boiler uses gas and is controlled by the thermostat.

An underfloor heating system can be connected to a boiler. Existing radiators can continue to exist, but it is often decided to drop them. If you have underfloor heating with a boiler, but no longer have radiators, there must be a pressure regulator. This is also known as the AVDO or Bypass. The pressure regulator prevents unwanted rises in the pipes.

There are a number of types of boilers on the market:

  • Central heating boiler on gas: most well-known gas boiler.
  • High efficiency boiler: High Efficiency boiler, where energy is converted by reuse of heat. 
  • UHR boiler: Ultra High Efficiency boiler, boiler that is combined with a heat pump. 
  • HR-e boiler: boiler that generates electricity in addition to heating water.
  • Electric boiler: sustainable alternative to a central heating boiler. This boiler does not run on gas. This boiler works best in combination with solar panels.

District Heating

A unit for several homes is used for district heating.

Various systems are in use for this. For example, heat that is left over from factories and power stations is often used. Previously, this heat was lost. There are pipes under the ground through which the residual heat flows and ensures that sufficient heat is sent to the houses.

Heat Pump

A heat pump is a device that generates heat from the outside air or groundwater. The heat pump does not use natural gas, which makes it a lot more sustainable and cost-effective in combination with solar panels.

Although the investment is higher than with a central heating boiler, you will eventually earn it back.

Heat pumps can be divided into a number of types; air-to-water heat pump, water-to-water heat pump, ground-to-water heat pump and air-to-air heat pump:

  • Air-to-water heat pump: extracts heat from the outside air via an outdoor unit. The heat is passed on to a refrigerant which passes it on to the heating system. An air-water heat pump is almost always a hybrid heat pump.
  • Water-water heat pump: extracts heat from the ground, two wells are placed for the supply and removal of water. Drilling for water requires a permit.
  • Ground-water heat pump: extracts the heat from the ground. These contain pipes containing liquid. The fluid absorbs heat and transfers it to the heating system via a heat exchanger. 
  • Air-to-air heat pump: works on ventilation air and is a hybrid system. It extracts the energy from the air which is converted into heat. The heat is blown into the room via wall or ceiling units. This system can also cool by blowing cold air into the room via the units.

Electric / Infrared:

Homes can also be heated by means of electricity. Stoves or radiators are often used for this, but also electric underfloor heating is increasingly common. Installing these heat sources is quite simple and allows you to quickly heat a room. Ideal for the bathroom, for example. 

Electricity costs will increase with the use of electric heating. By installing solar panels, these costs can be reduced and you can be self-sufficient if there is sufficient capacity.

Wet underfloor heating system and wooden floors

Wet underfloor heating system

In this most traditional system, the underfloor heating is installed on the concrete base. Then, a finishing floor is poured over it. The screed is pretreated and then we put your wood floor over it. This is a hot water tube floor heating system. The wet-construction underfloor heating system with a fixed screed is often used in new-build homes and apartments or in the renovation/conversion of an existing home where the screed has to be renewed.

View Wet underfloor heating system
Dry underfloor heating system and wood flooring

Dry underfloor heating system

This system consists of insulating boards where metal plates with grooves have installed for heat dissipation. Within the grooves pipes are installed and covered with fermacell boards (gypsum board) or similar boards. After the fermacell sheets are primed, we can then glue the wood floor.

View Dry underfloor heating system
Mill floor heating under your wooden floor

Mill floor heating under your wooden floor

The mill floor is popular. You will find these floors in renovated or serially built homes where heating is not required. Residents usually choose for floor heating at a later point in time. The existing screed may consist of different materials such as cement, tiles or floor screeds. Several slots are milled In the existing screed layer and then underfloor heating tubes are placed in these slots. Next, the slots are sealed with cement or epoxy / PU bound materials. After this we can install the wooden floor.

View Mill floor heating under your wooden floor
Electric underfloor heating for your wooden floor

Electric underfloor heating

There are two types of electric floor heating: underfloor heating mats and cables. Electric underfloor heating is generally used as an additional heating system. Disadvantage of electric heating as main heating is the high costs involved in comparison to other heating systems. The only reasons to choose for electric floor heating is when the is no room / building height available or when no heating tubes can be installed in the underfloor. Therefore, we recommend electric underfloor heating only as an additional heating system.

View Electric underfloor heating
Tile floor with underfloor heating under a wooden floor

Tile floor with underfloor heating under a wooden floor

It’s possible to directly glue a wooden floor to an existing tile floor with underfloor heating already present in the floor. You do not need to remove the existing floor and the new wooden floor can simply be installed over the existing floor.

View Tile floor with underfloor heating under a wooden floor
Existing cast floor with underfloor heating under your wooden floor

Existing cast floor with underfloor heating

You can also glue a wooden floor directly to an existing cast floor with underfloor heating. The new wooden floor can easily be installed over the existing screed.

View Existing cast floor with underfloor heating
Wooden floor on existing stone floor with underfloor heating

Wooden floor on existing stone floor with underfloor heating

You can easily glue wood floors on an existing stone floor with underfloor heating. The new parquet floor can be directly installed on an existing natural stone floors, except on a slate floor, because this natural stone type is too porous.

View Wooden floor on existing stone floor with underfloor heating
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In addition to wooden floors, we can also perform the following activities for you:
• Install and connect underfloor heating
• Install sub-/ screed floors
• Outdoor parquet
• Staircase renovation (in the same color as the floor)

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