Q: I am expanding my kitchen and some part of the expansion will be over an open area underneath; therefore, I want to put in a heated floor, preferably electrical. I like the look of cork or bamboo floating floors. Can I put a heated system under these products?Gloria, Silver Springs, MD
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Q: I am expanding my kitchen and some part of the expansion will be over an open area underneath; therefore, I want to put in a heated floor, preferably electrical. I like the look of cork or bamboo floating floors. Can I put a heated system under these products?
Gloria
Silver Springs, MD
A: The short answer here is yes. When installing a floating floor over radiant heat, always check with a manufacturer to ensure your floor is approved for this, but typically floating floors, which are all an engineered product of some form, are OK for radiant heat.
Your best bet is to use one of the thinner pad types rather than cable loop style electrical radiant systems. Best Heat makes a terrific radiant system, which we have recently tested out here in the office.
I would suggest looking into a premium underlayment when doing radiant heat. This will help add better support to the floor and in the end help make your radiant system last longer. Keep in mind, although the premium underlayments have higher R-values, even something like cork only reduces heat transfer by 3% - 5%, which overall is nothing and your floor will stay nice and warm while sounding and feeling much better.