Infloor electrc heat...under hardwood floors?

[ac777]

Ok, I have a situation here. I have a bunch of 2x8 txg that I want to use for flooring in my office. The total space is about 160 sq. ft. I would like to put some electric heat under it so It keeps the feet warm in the winter, and dries out the snow and ice that gets tromped in. Is this possible? I looked at some of the stuff you put under tile, but it said to only use under "engineered" wood floors. Is there a system that will work for my application or am I outta Luck? Thanks.

[pureinsanity]

Ok, I have a situation here. I have a bunch of 2x8 txg that I want to use for flooring in my office. The total space is about 160 sq. ft. I would like to put some electric heat under it so It keeps the feet warm in the winter, and dries out the snow and ice that gets tromped in. Is this possible? I looked at some of the stuff you put under tile, but it said to only use under "engineered" wood floors. Is there a system that will work for my application or am I outta Luck? Thanks.

Well a couple things come to mind.

How thick is the TxG? If you were really careful you could use that stuff but you would have to measure, measure, and more measuring to determine where the wire is. you can safelly staple it to the floor below BUT, if you did hit that wire and you are out some money. I wouldn't do that.

Your other option, if you are electrically handy and have a open ceiling below your office is put the electric heat under the sub-floor between the joists.

Another option is to just glue the TxG and have a semi floating floor but over time that bond will just break.

Are you against the idea of just putting it where your desk will be?

if that is the case, put your heat down where your feet will be, just use glue over that area and staple/nail the rest.

[ac777]

The t&g is 2" thick, Yes I know that's thicker than most flooring, but I have a whole stack just waiting to be used. Would I have to put a sub floor over the wires, or could I put the t&g right over the wires? Because if i didn't have to put a sub floor down, then I could see right where the wires were.

[Pat K]

When I checked into doing it with 3/4" t&g oak I was told by 2 installers that the electric in floor heat would hardly be felt when under 3/4" of wood. The heat would also dry out the wood and cause it to contract so that I would have larger than normal gaps in the joints for the winter months.

[pureinsanity]

The t&g is 2" thick, Yes I know that's thicker than most flooring, but I have a whole stack just waiting to be used. Would I have to put a sub floor over the wires, or could I put the t&g right over the wires? Because if i didn't have to put a sub floor down, then I could see right where the wires were.

I wouldn't recommend doing what you want unless you just put in tile. It can be done, but keep in mind when you staple the floor your stapling into the tongue and at an angle so you wouldn't be able to exactly tell where the wires are. if you did the whole floor with it it could be a tedious job and when you were done you could find out you did all that work for nothing as you hit a wire.

as far as feeling it through the floor, I doubt youd feel much, and I doubt the wood would expand or contract much if you were gluing and stapling. Why don't floors contract or separate int he winter months with out in floor heat? if the contractors are saying the heat would cause a gap in the TxG and you wouldn't even feel the heat wouldn't that contradict itself?

[LightningBG]

2 inches is really thick flooring...

Wood is a good insulator, so I can see the heat not making it through.

Are you ok having a 2 inch step up into this room?

[pureinsanity]

Ill trade you that flooring for a bear head lol

That would be good stuff for a work bench. 2" is really thick.

[ac777]

Thanks, for the tips, and ya 2 inch is thick for flooring, but it is in kinda an odd room, that is actually lower than the main level already, so this flooring will bring it back up pretty close to level. I think some heat would make it through, but not enought to justify the cost and time to install all of it. I think the wood floor will have a naturally warmer feel to it than the laminate flooring we have in there now anyways.

[PurpleFloyd]

When I checked into doing it with 3/4" t&g oak I was told by 2 installers that the electric in floor heat would hardly be felt when under 3/4" of wood. The heat would also dry out the wood and cause it to contract so that I would have larger than normal gaps in the joints for the winter months.

I agree 100%

[MNice]

I would say you're outta luck. In floor under a full 2" wood floor is not a good solution. Good luck.

[CAMAN]

You say there is a step down into the room? After installing the wood floor what would be the difference between the two floors? If there is still a difference like 3/4" I would add some closed cell foam insulation to raise it up and add insulation to the floor. You'd be surprised at how much it will help without adding electricity underneath.

[ac777]

Ill trade you that flooring for a bear head lol

That would be good stuff for a work bench. 2" is really thick.

How much you need? I will probably have plenty left for a work bench when Im done, I have a whole stack I reclaimed off a barn, so its not all perfect, but good and solid.

[ac777]

Caman- Thats a good Idea, I am going to look into that.

[pureinsanity]

ill have to measure it. I know its 15ft long.

Id say somewhere along 30-40sg ft

[daylate]

They make kits to do exactly what you are talking about. They fit between the joists under the subfloor. That is if it is accessable. It is not as efficient as over the subfloor and it requires insulating. But it is a good option for existing floors with tile, wood or vynal. Look up one of the manufactures and call them and ask a tech if it would work for you.

[pureinsanity]

They make kits to do exactly what you are talking about. They fit between the joists under the subfloor. That is if it is accessable. It is not as efficient as over the subfloor and it requires insulating. But it is a good option for existing floors with tile, wood or vynal. Look up one of the manufactures and call them and ask a tech if it would work for you.

That is what I was referring to before, but i was mistaking it for the stuff under the tile and thought you had to wire it yourself.

[MidwestArcher]

yeah two inches is just too thick for IFH. You might want to consider a newer system they have out now that is a thin rubber insulator subfloor covering that may work well if you just want to get rid of that flooring.

[Rymann]

I would suggest not using it under wood....I have been laying flooring with a company for the better part of 6 years. We have had multiple issues with drying out and cracking, which can be fixed, but it is an on-going process through the life of the wood. Not to mention it will significantly reduce the life of your floor, and void warranties. Plus 2" is very thick, and you wont feel much heat through it. If you want the wood look I would suggest the terrastone tiles, they are made to look like wood planks, but have the durability of ceramic tile. Plus you can run either the wirsbo system, or the mat system MWA is talking about. Let me know if I can help ya out with anything...id be more than happy to.

[ac777]

I ended up not using the infloor heat. I think If I planned on living in this house for more than 5-10 years I would have done tile with heat below that, but I hope to not live in this house for that long so I just went with the wood, and so far Im happy with it.

[pureinsanity]

pics???

[ac777]

I'll get some up when I get done with the office. Got the desk in, just gott finish up some cabinetry for it.

[pureinsanity]

does it have room for a bear skull? or did you want the hide I cant remember.

[ac777]

It's got room for Both!