Everything You Need To Know About Heated Wood Floors

Heated wood flooring, often referred to as radiant floor heating, is a modern luxury that provides a warm and comfortable living environment. If you’ve ever lived in an area with cold winters, you know that heated floors can be an amazing upgrade. 

Radiant floor heating is a cost-effective method of keeping your home warm and comfortable and it’s suitable for many types of wood flooring. 

All you need to get started on your project is the basics – so read on to learn everything you need to know about heating wood floors. 

Which Wood Floors Are Suitable?

Heated wood floors incorporate radiant heating systems beneath the wooden flooring to provide consistent warmth across the floor surface. This technology can be installed under various types of wooden flooring, including solid hardwood and engineered wood.

If you’re not familiar, solid hardwood is (no surprise) solid throughout. engineered wood, on the other hand, is composed of a fiberboard or plywood core with a veneer of solid wood on top.

While engineered wood is designed to be able to expand and contract with changes in moisture, its flexibility can actually be a downside if it’s installed over a radiant heat system. Too much heat can lead to permanent swelling which can completely ruin the look of your floor.

This isn’t to say that combining underfloor heating with engineered wood is a bad idea – it just means you have to be a little more careful. Watch out for the heat output and distribution to prevent excessive temperature fluctuations which can lead to swelling and warping of the floor.

Best wood Species for Heated Wood Floors

You should always choose a wood species with high dimensional stability, which is a wood species’ ability to resist changes in shape, size, and volume due to fluctuations in moisture and temperature.

This includes wood species like Cypress, Mesquite, Teak, Santos Mahogany, and even Black Cherry.

Species with low dimensional stability, on the other hand, should be avoided, including Beech, Maple, White Oak, and Hickory.

How Do Heated Wood Floors Work?

The concept of heated wood floors is based on radiant heat transfer, which involves direct heating of the floor surface. There are two main types of radiant heating systems used for this purpose:

Electric Radiant Heating 

This system uses electric cables or mats installed under the wooden floor. When the system is turned on, the electric current heats the cables or mats, which then radiate heat upwards into the room.

Hydronic Radiant Heating

This system uses a network of water-filled tubes installed beneath the floor. Heated water circulates through these tubes, transferring heat to the floor surface and subsequently warming the room. This method is often used for larger areas or whole-house heating due to its efficiency.

Installation of Heated Wood Floors

Preparation 

Ensure the subfloor is clean, level, and dry. Remove any existing flooring, debris, and imperfections to create a smooth surface for installation.

Insulation Layer 

Install an insulation layer to prevent heat loss and direct the warmth upwards into the room. This step enhances energy efficiency and ensures even heat distribution.

Installation of Heating System 

Lay out the heating cables or tubing according to the manufacturer’s specifications, whether using an electric or hydronic system. Proper spacing and secure attachment are crucial for optimal performance.

Embedding the System 

For electric systems, apply a thin layer of self-leveling compound to embed the heating elements. For hydronic systems, pour a thin layer of concrete or a similar material over the tubing to secure it in place.

Installation 

Once the heating system and embedding material have cured, install the wooden flooring on top. Leave a small expansion gap around the edges to accommodate wood movement due to temperature changes.

Installation Costs

Electric Radiant Heating installation costs range from $10 to $20 per square foot, including materials and labor.

Hydronic Radiant Heating typically costs $15 to $30 per square foot to install, including materials and labor. 

Hydronic systems tend to be more expensive initially but offer greater long-term energy savings.

Benefits of Heated Wood Floors

Comfort

If you’ve ever been in a home with heated floors, you know they’re a joy to walk on. The consistent warmth completely eliminates the shock you get when walking on cold floors during winter.

Energy Efficiency

Radiant heating is highly efficient, reducing energy consumption and lowering heating bills by up to 30%. This efficiency is achieved through direct heat transfer, minimizing the 20-30% heat loss typical in traditional forced-air systems. 

This lower operating temperature, combined with even heat distribution, can result in energy savings of 10-20% on average.

Health Benefits

Forced hot-air furnaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves often create a lot of dust—and forced hot-air furnaces can spew pet dander, hair, and other particulates everywhere. Radiant floor heating, on the other hand, does just that – it radiates. No moving air means no dust gets blown around!.