Unlike hot water pipe under floor heating systems, the electric versions are more difficult to control and slightly different rule apply.
The main reasons for this are as follows:-
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1. Electric under floor heating is able to supply an almost instantaneous heat that warms up the flooring over a
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very short period of time. This can cause tension in the wood with the risk of splits appearing in the face of the veneer.
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2. The main problem with electric under floor heating under Hardwood Flooring is the accurate control of the maximum temperature reaching the surface of the Hardwood Floor. The producers of electric under floor heating systems limit themselves to a maximum heat output of 120 watt/m2, which is lower than that which they propose for the same system below ceramic tiles. However, with such capacity, end users have the tendency to give full power to the system as the ambient temperature drops.
Important
The maximum temperature of the heating system must not exceed 23oC on the underside of the parkett and at a room temperature of 20-22oC.
Follow the instructions for raising the temperature (as per the hot water system) in gentle increments. The cable carrying the heat must be protected from direct contact with the Hardwood Flooring.
We also recommend that the under floor heating system should be operating at all times to avoid dramatic increases and decreases in temperature, this will limit the amount of expansion and contraction in the Hardwood Flooring.
Multilayered Hardwood flooring is kiln dried to around 7/8% and kiln dried to around 7/8% which is ideally suited to interact with under floor heating providing the rules for operating an electrical under floor heating system are strictly adhered to.
The key being gentle, steady increases to temperature output rather than instantaneous high temperature.
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