Installing Hardwood Floors over Radiant Heated Sub Floors

• Oak, Ash, Hickory, and Walnut species Engineered Hardwood products, > ½” thickness normally are approved for installation over radiant heated subfloors using either Adhered or Floating installation methods if applicable for the product.

• Nail or Staple Down installation methods are not recommended for Radiant Heated Sub Floors.

• For Engineered product constructions thinner than ½” will require review by the Hardwood manufacture before installation; along with a location registration and an acknowledgment letter, verifying that the project is approved and warranted.

• Radiant Heating Systems used must be designed and controlled specifically for Hardwood flooring by the system manufacturer, and include an Outside Temperature Probe, and Surface Temperature Controls.

• The end consumer should be aware that minor gaping between wood planks during the heating season is a normal occurrence with hardwood flooring installed over radiant heated subfloors.

• Proper humidity controls within the home or business will help to minimize the natural wood reaction to seasonally changing climate conditions.

• Indoor climate should be maintained between 60-80° F and a relative humidity range of 35%-65%.

Adhere to the following guidelines for a successful installation :

• Newly installed water type radiant heated flooring systems should be in operational mode with the temperature set between 64° -72°F, for a minimum of 4 weeks to insure that all sub floor moisture has properly dried.

• Older water type radiant floor heat systems should be fully pressure tested, properly maintained, and set to a minimum of 64°F, for at least 4 days before flooring delivery; acclimation, or installation processes may begin.

• All radiant heating systems must be set to room temp. (A minimum of 64°F), for at least 4 days before flooring delivery; acclimation, or installation processes may begin.

• Always check wood sub floors to insure that the moisture content is less than 14% using an accurate wood moisture meter.

• Concrete sub floors must register “dry”, using a reliable concrete moisture meter.

• The pH level of concrete sub floors should register between 6 and 9, on a fourteen point pH scale.

• Sub floors must fully comply with these “dry” requirements before proceeding with the delivery, acclimation, or installation of the wood flooring at the job site.

• Regulate the job site to insure that the relative humidity is between 35% and 65%, and that temperature is between 60° and 80° F, throughout the flooring delivery, acclimation, installation and any required curing processes.

• Deliver and acclimate the engineered hardwood flooring, for at least 48 hours before installation begins.

• Install the hardwood flooring according to the instructions that pertain to the product.

• After completing the installation, do not change the radiant heat setting for 48 hrs.

• Throughout the life of the installation, 3 to 5 degree daily increments must be used when adjusting system temperature for either upward or lower adjustments; so that the hardwood flooring can adjust to the temperature changes in a gradual manner.

• Never raise the flooring surface temperature setting above 85 degrees Fahrenheit