Original Chapel underfloor heating
Installing wooden floors over heating systems is currently enjoying immense popularity. No one is surprised anymore by the warmth underfoot upon entering many houses or apartments. It's no wonder. Underfloor heating is a very comfortable solution that can last for years without any problems. To ensure this, it's worth carefully preparing for the investment. Wood is a natural material with hygroscopic properties that reacts to the conditions in its surroundings (including humidity and temperature). Despite this, it is perfectly suitable for installation over underfloor heating. However, it's worth being aware of a few important factors.
What is it with this wood?
Chapel Parket wood floors are created by combining several layers of wood (with perpendicular grain) into a single, durable element. This construction significantly reduces the "work" of the wood. At the same time, the layered construction does not significantly impede heat transfer. Floors made of engineered material are more resistant to changes in humidity and temperature. All Chapel Parket collections and colors: floorboards and parquets (classic herringbone and chevron) are suitable for installation and use over underfloor heating.
Does thickness matter?
Before making a final decision, it's important to consider several factors, or rather, understand the values of the relevant variables. According to DIN 4725, materials with a thermal conductivity resistance value not exceeding 0.15 m²K/W (meter squared - Kelvin/Watt) can be installed on water underfloor heating systems. The term "thermal conductivity resistance" refers to the insulating power of a given material: the lower the value, the greater the amount of heat that will be conducted by the material.
The thermal resistance value is influenced not only by the thickness of the wood but also by its thermal conductivity (thermal conductivity coefficient), which expresses the thermal insulating properties of the raw material. The higher the value, the more heat will flow through the material. As you can see, the thickness of the wood matters, but the thermal conductivity value is equally important, as it directly affects thermal resistance. For example: the criteria of the previously mentioned DIN 4725 standard are met by Chapel Parket In Between layered floors with a thickness of 12, 15 and 20 mm.
Instalator and floor heating?
It's best to entrust the installation of a wooden floor to an experienced professional who not only has the necessary knowledge but also the right tools, such as assessing the hardness and moisture content of the screed. It's crucial to entrust the installation of wood flooring to a professional, not a handyman.
Wood is a noble material that requires proper treatment. Considering that installing any floor made of this material is a long-term investment, it's worth entrusting it to a woodworking professional. However, before the installer begins work, the floor must be heated to remove moisture from the screed. This step is essential: if skipped, excess moisture will be absorbed by the wood, causing it to swell.
Contrary to appearances (and the name), the heating process itself is not complicated. It involves maintaining a specific temperature in the heating system in the room where the wood will be installed. The investor should simply follow the instructions provided with the floor and document each step in a special protocol. The entire process takes about a month. It's much easier to heat the floor than to suffer the consequences of neglecting this step.
An additional argument in favour of heating the floor (and preparing a report on this activity) is the fact that this document is an important element of maintaining the warranty for the floor.
What about the temperature?
The floor surface temperature should not exceed 28 degrees Celsius. It's also worth remembering that excessively high temperatures dry out the wood, and sudden and large fluctuations can lead to damage. Considering that the entire floor heats up, there's no fear of the room being too cold. The optimal temperature range is 18-22 degrees Celsius, while humidity should be between 45 and 65%. These conditions are suitable for both the household and the floor itself.
Speaking of temperature, it's important to emphasize that (both at the beginning and end of the heating season) its value must be adjusted gradually, at the beginning of the heating season by a maximum of 1 or 2 degrees Celsius per day, to avoid temperature shocks.