INSTALLATION OVER RADIANT HEAT (Glue down installation only) WITH RADIANT HEAT, THE HEAT SOURCE IS DIRECTLY BENEATH THE FLOORING, SO THE FLOORING MAY DRY OUT FASTER THAN A SIMILAR FLOOR IN A SPACE WITH A CONVENTIONAL HEATING SYSTEM. WOOD FLOORING CAN BE INSTALLED OVER RADIANT HEAT AS LONG AS YOU UNDERSTAND RADIANT HEAT AND HOW IT CAN IMPACT WOOD FLOORING, WHAT PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE, AND WHAT TYPE OF WOOD FLOORING TO USE. NOTE: THE FINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INSTALLATION LIES WITH THE INSTALLER. THE INSTALLER MUST BE SUITABLY TRAINED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE WITH WOOD FLOORING INSTALLATIONS! Types of wood flooring that are best suited for radiant heat subfloors are products that possess improved dimensional stability such as these: • Engineered wood flooring is more dimensionally stable than solid wood flooring. • Certain species are known for their inherent dimensional stability such as North American oak, and others. Denser species such as maple and Brazilian cherry are less stable. • Quartersawn, rift-sawn, and live sawn wood flooring is more dimensionally stable in width than plain sawn wood flooring. • Narrow boards expand and contract less than wider width boards. Note: Use Woodstikk 19 wood flooring adhesive or equivalent for installation. GENERAL RADIANT HEAT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES 1. To minimize the effect that rapid changes in temperature will have on the moisture content of the wood floor, Northern Wide Plank recommends that an outside thermostat is installed. Unlike conventional heating systems, which switch on as needed, radiant systems work most effectively and with less trauma to the wood floor if the heating process is gradual, based on small incremental increases in relation to the outside temperature. 2. To ensure the surface of the sub-floor and the wood flooring does not exceed 29°C (85°F) we recommend temperature probe(s) be installed within the subfloor build up, to regulate the surface temperature, these should be located in each room/zone. 3. Subfloors should have proper moisture tests according to the moisture testing procedures outlined in Chapter 3, Jobsite Inspection / Preparation of our Installation Guide. 4. The essential requirement in proper applications of wood flooring over radiant heated systems is to avoid penetration of the heating element. Radiant-heated subfloor systems can be concrete, wood or a combination of both. The type of subfloor as described in the Installation Guide determines subfloor preparation. 1 NWP INSTALLATION OVER RADIANT HEAT (GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION ONLY)
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