Indeed, installing parquet with underfloor heating is compatible, however there is a list of aspects that we cannot overlook, which we will explain below.
Underfloor heating provides heat to rooms by transmitting part of the heat from below. This type of heating has attracted a lot of interest, because it allows:
- Uniform, constant temperatures to be achieved
- Use in prefabricated systems
- Elimination of unsightly, heavy radiant elements
- Use of reduced thermal fluids, which means a saving on the energy bill
Which Parquet Is Best for Underfloor Heating?
Regarding the choice of parquet suited for underfloor heating installation, we can say that any type of parquet allows for its installation. However, it should be noted that the adaptability of parquet to underfloor heating is determined by:
- Dimensional stability
- The thermal resistance of the installed flooring and, consequently, the economic-technical assessment
- Thermal resistance values change depending on the thickness of the parquet and the type of wood
Setting aside distinctions by wood type, depending on the type of parquet and its thickness, two different flooring categories can be established:
- Floating parquet
- Parquet glued to the base
Based on this classification, and depending on lower or higher thermal resistance, we can conclude that, in terms of energy levels, underfloor heating is more suited to glued parquet than to floating parquet.
For floating parquet, a good floorboard must be chosen in combination with the appropriate underlay recommended for this type of installation, because the underlay must provide good heat transmission.
What's more, the latter offers inferior results compared to glued parquet, which has a smaller thickness and offers continuity in thermal conductivity.
Among glued parquet categories, the thinnest is the one indicated for underfloor heating installation because it has:
- Lower thermal resistance, which means energy savings
- Dimensional stability against warping and expansion.
This second point is fundamental, since the first effect of a heating system installed under fine wood coverings is a decrease in the wood's moisture and, consequently, the appearance of cracks between the boards.
In these cases, installing birch wood flooring offers maximum dimensional stability and greatly reduces the occurrence of cracks.
Tips for Installing Underfloor Heating with Parquet
It is quite useful to bear in mind some precautions when using this type of installation:
- To avoid cracks or significant warping, rather than reduced thermal performance, it is advisable to avoid covering the floor with very thick rugs or other materials that prevent the environment from breathing; to guarantee hygiene in the environment and the physical stability of the wood, it is recommended to keep the relative humidity of the air (around 50-60%) using suitable devices to humidify the air.
- The floor temperature cannot exceed 26-27º in the living room or 30º in the rest of the rooms.
In short, wood is an excellent thermal insulator, a wonderful property thanks to the cellular, honeycomb-like composition of its structure. These characteristics make it a truly valued material for use in coverings, capable of increasing the efficiency of heating systems and reducing heat loss.
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