Cork over radiant
cork2win
17 years ago
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cork2win
17 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Radiant heat, cork underlay & laminate flooring
Comments (0)I just purchased a home with radiant heating. It is a one-story home on a concrete slab. I bought laminate flooring from ifloors and 3mm cork underlay. Does anyone have experience with cork underlay (I've read posts regarding cork flooring, but not underlay)? I have floating cork panels and a floating laminate floor. Do I need plastic under the cork or should the cork go directly on the slab? Will the radiant heat cause the laminate to warp over time?...See MoreMarmoleum over a radiant floor
Comments (5)Forbo Installation Manual "... Forbo floor coverings may be installed over radiant heated floors provided the operating temperature does not exceed 85 Degrees Farenheit. To allow proper adhesion of the adhesive to the subfloor the radiant heating system should be lowered,or turned off for at least 48 hours prior to installation of the Forbo flooring material.This is to ensure the surface temperature of the subfloor does not exceed 65o F during the installation of the flooring material. The room temperature must be maintained at a minimum of 65o F prior to, during,and after installation for 72 hours after which the temperature of the radiant heating system can be increased.When raising the floor temperature,do so gradually so that the substrate and flooring material can adapt to the temperature change together. A rapid change could result in bonding problems. For more information, contact Forbo Linoleum Technical Services. ..." Here is a link that might be useful: Forbo Installation Manual...See MoreQuestion about glue down cork floors and radiant heat.
Comments (10)If the manufacturer says it's OK over radiant, I'd trust that. Duro Designs told me in writing [via email] that their glue down was fine as well, though I don't know if they've changed the website to reflect that. When you think about it, there's no less flexible material than grouted tile, but that's commonly used over radiant. I think the reason there's so much trouble finding radiant approved flooring is that once the floor and heat system are installed, the homeowner is in the drivers seat: there's nothing to stop you from trying for a little greater efficiency by turning the water in the pipes up to 120 degrees if you like, and that can cause a lot of materials to fail. So the flooring industry tries to limit it's liability by saying 'fine over radiant, so long as the water in the pipes is kept at 85 degrees'. When you think about it, that's just silly: every floor gets hotter than that when the sun shines through the window or the fireplace is burning or near a heater. So why 85? Because it 'feels' warm to your skin. There's no materials testing, no scientific standard in play other than that. FWIW, I have radiant accross my main and upper floors. The tile is noticeably warm under barefeet, the laminate less so, the floating cork less, the carpet [despite special pad] not at all. I think a glue down cork will transmit heat at least as well as the floating, and would have used it if my heat pipes weren't the sort that rest on top the subfloor, rather than below. It isn't that the cork feels cool at all, it's just that the warmth doesn't make itself known in the same way. BUT be sure to insulate well below the heat: we all know that heat rises, but it also follows the path of least resistance. Cork is a resistor, a 'dam' for the heat, so you'll want an even bigger heat dam below it....See MoreBest flooring over radiant heat
Comments (2)What is the exact water temperature coming out of the boiler for the loops? Your air temp may be set to 71, but the water in the PEX in the concrete is much higher. You need to know how high, or you'll have floor failure of anything not compatible. For any bonding install, like glue down wood or thinsetted tile, you will need to grind off the surface sealer from the concrete. It won't bond. And, floating floors with a foam underlayment aren't wise with radiant heat either. You don't have a lot of choices, and none of them are really ''soft''. Other than maybe adding some rugs to the existing install....See Moreatelier
17 years agolast modified: 9 years agocork2win
17 years agolast modified: 9 years agoatelier
17 years agolast modified: 9 years agonjtea
17 years agolast modified: 9 years agoMichelle Fenn
5 years agoSJ McCarthy
5 years agosdelee123
4 years agoSJ McCarthy
4 years agosdelee123
4 years agoNicole Mather
4 years agoatelier design build
4 years agoSJ McCarthy
4 years agoMichelle Fenn
4 years agoSJ McCarthy
4 years agoMichelle Fenn
4 years agoatelier design build
4 years agoSJ McCarthy
4 years agoatelier design build
4 years agoSJ McCarthy
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoatelier design build
4 years ago
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