Oak floor over electric under floor heating????

bellchippy

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Joined
Aug 27, 2007
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181
Been asked to instal an oak floor over electric heating floor mats, not sure how to go about this has anyone done this before. There is 22mm chipboard over celotex insulation then comes the electric matting which is about 3mm but feed cables are bigger, and it's not continuos its in strips. What I thought was to cover the remainder of the floor with 4mm ply and latex over the matting to make it flat but can see problems with moisture from latex and the heating area not being over the whole floor.
Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
If the mat is to heat the room you had better check the output because most wooden floors need to have the floor temp restricted to about 27 degrees.

The may may not give out enough heat to hear the room at 27 degrees.........

Edited for spelling
 
Sounds like the same matting you had on your floor, it's going in a kitchen and they won't put if there is something heavy going on the floor like where the large island is going to go, or under appliances. Would the adhesive be able to take up the difference. Not really familiar with sticking floors down. All know so far is oak and adhesive are coming on Friday
 
bellchippy said:
Sounds like the same matting you had on your floor, it's going in a kitchen and they won't put if there is something heavy going on the floor like where the large island is going to go, or under appliances. Would the adhesive be able to take up the difference. Not really familiar with sticking floors down. All know so far is oak and adhesive are coming on Friday

Oh yeah.  I was thinking it was an open room.  Yeah your not suppose to stick underfloor heating under fixed units because of heat trap.

Adhesive.....  So how are you sticking the floor down???? If you have nothing to directly stick to?? You can't stick to the underfloor heating.  A floating floor would need to be used to go over a matting.

You got pictures????  I might be miss understanding da ur saying

 
Got no pictures, but that's why I'm saying use 4mm ply to raise non matted areas and self levelling latex over mats, then stick down oak or would floating be better? Not really sure, can't seem to find any information online.

Thanks
 
U got link to which type if matting it is??  That make difference to wa u can an cannot do. 

If same as one I had u can't do wa u said.

 
Okay it's like the one in the second link, looks like I need to self level whole floor. Thanks for your help.
 
One thing though!

Your self levelling onto chipboard flooring.  I personally never done this and don't like the idea of it sticking to wood.

I would be afraid of it breaking free from the chipboard flooring when you stuck the floor down and over the years the wood expanding contracting caused the latex to depond from the chipboard.

Your floor would become a floating floor then and would open up all over the place.

Maybe I'm underestimating how well self levelling ponds to chipboard? I don't know .

Maybe others might know better!

You are using engineered flooring with underfloor heating.

 
You are using engineered flooring with underfloor heating.

Don't know until it comes the client ordered it without talking to me, just have to wait and see what comes.
 
Also a bit worried that some of the floor is heated and other parts are not and how that will affect the oak boarding, that is not moving at the same rate.
 
Be very careful doing this.  I am a wood floor sander and refinisher. I have seen some real nightmares with in floor heat. Oak is pretty stable, but there are so many other question marks. I did one 2 years ago, went back a few months ago and the floor was buckling and separating everywhere. I never warrant any floor that is over radiant heat.  Just watch everything you do.
 
If the floor turns up and is solid oak. I personally would walk of the job.   I wouldn't risk laying solid oak.

I would tell them to return the flooring and go with a floating flooring system like I said befor.  Clip system be best.

I wouldn't feel comfortable using latex on a floating chipboard floor to then glue the floor onto.

Jmb
 
Just wanted to post an update, after many delays to the kitchen I managed to talk the client into not having the underfloor heating and am installing the floor floating, so all those sleepless nights were for nothing but thanks to everyone who offered advise.
 
Best way dude!

Saves hassle and risk but also the clients electricity bill! 

Them Electric under floor heating systems are crap any way for efficiency.

Jmv
 
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