Why won't anyone put in heat mats under hardwood??

15 years ago

I'm hoping that someone can give me some info on this. We are putting in a wood floor in our den (wood subfloor, old linoleum tile, new wood floor). I want to put in Warmly Yours or other heating mats but every person I get estimates from has either never heard of them, never installed them, or says that any source of heat under a wood floor will dry out the floor over time. Can anyone shed some light on this-I'm feeling discouraged.

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Comments (5)

glennsfc
15 years ago
It is being done...you have to find a flooring specialist willing to do it and to assume the liability inherent in such a job.

Some individuals will accept the risk inherent when working with new products and can absorb some floor failures. I have very little confidence in the willingness of manufacturers of flooring and related products to support the individual contractor by assuming some of the risk...hence, I have refused such jobs so far.

Installing a wood floor, especially a solid, and getting a gap free and stable result over time can be a difficult task. Add this relatively new underfloor heating technology and some of us would rather pass on the work and give it to others willing to accept the added liability.

Keep looking...I know some of my colleagues do this work...I am sure you'll be able to find someone skilled and experienced to take on the job.
bill_vincent
15 years ago
What you might do is call Warmly Yours and ask them if they know of anyone in your area who WILL install their product with hardwood. They're a good company up against tough competition, and they're aiming to please. They'll help you in many ways that may surprise you. All you need to do is ask. :-)
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User
15 years ago
Wood doesn't transmit the heat as efficiently as will tile. So the floor is less warm, and with a system that really doesn't "heat" the floor, only warms it, you don't get a whole lot of temperature increase. And, it's not very cheap to pay to have done. If you can DIY the install, then the extra $1500 or so in materials isn't too bad. Adding an install to it will at least double to triple that extra amount depending on the prep needed for your situation.

With true radiant heat under the floor, (the kind designed as whole house heating) you need proper insulation and reflectors to get enough of the heat transmitted to the living space. Both systems would work best with engineered wood flooring as you'd have less expansion/contraction issues.
User
15 years ago
Is there not a problem with introducing heat over old linoleum (which may have been made from asbestos and which may have been adhered with mastic that was made with asbestos) and releasing asbestos fumes into the home? Just wondering.
bill_vincent
15 years ago
No. The only time you have a problem with asbestos containing flooring materials is if you sand them, or somehow attack the floor so as to make the asbestos fibers airborn. Heating the floor won't do it.

Nice to see you on the "sane side of town", patser!! :-)