Installing engineered wood flooring on hydronic underfloor heating

Are you considering underfloor heating? Do you also want to incorporate wood flooring? 

At Forté, we’re often asked about pairing our engineered timber flooring with underfloor heating. So, in this article, we discuss everything you need to know about hydronic underfloor heating and how to install it safely with timber flooring products.

What is hydronic underfloor heating? 

Hydronic heating circulates warm water through a network of pipes, carrying the heat around the home. A hydronic underfloor system must be installed during the construction of the home. For an in-slab hydronic system, the underfloor pipe is tied to the reinforcing mesh in the construction slab before the concrete is poured. 

Benefits of hydronic heating

Energy-efficient

Hydronic underfloor heating is much more efficient than an electric underfloor system. This also results in much lower running costs and considerable savings over time. 

Whole-home heating

Hydronic heating is suitable for small or large homes, maintaining a comfortable temperature in every room. You can even set different areas at different temperatures, depending on how you use the space. 

Luxurious and discrete

Hydronic underfloor heating systems are silent and hidden beneath the flooring, maintaining a comfortable temperature without causing any disruption. 

Simple controls and timers

A hydronic heating system can be automated to suit your preferences. With a timer and control panel, you can easily adjust the temperature of each room with a set-and-forget mentality. 

Suitable with any flooring types

Hydronic underfloor heating can be paired with any flooring products, including engineered wood floors, tiles, vinyl, and even carpets.

Drawbacks of hydronic heating

Slower heat-up time 

Compared to electric underfloor heating, hydronic heating systems take longer to heat up and cool down. Fortunately, you can use a timer to automate the system and ensure it meets the right temperature as needed. 

Higher purchase cost

Compared to electric systems, hydronic underflooring heating is generally the most expensive to install. However, these costs can be remade over time with lower running costs. 

Annual servicing

Hydronic systems require yearly servicing and maintenance to ensure they are working efficiently. 

Alternatively, you could opt for an in-screed electric underflooring heating system instead. These are most cost-effective to install but are expensive to run and are best suited to smaller areas of the home. 

Underfloor heating and engineered wood floors

Both electric and hydronic heating systems can be installed below engineered wood flooring. 
With hydronic systems, the system should be fully tested before installing the engineered wood flooring. Periodic checks are also required to check the surface temperature does not exceed 27ºC and the humidity levels stay between 30% and 50%.

Provided the flooring is installed correctly, hydronic heating and engineered wood is a safe and effective combination, benefitting the occupants for many years. 

Why choose a Forté engineered wood floor?

Sustainably sourced timber

Compared to solid timber flooring, our engineered flooring uses a third of the amount of slow-growing hardwood resources. The core backing is made of more common and fast-growing timber, which is far more sustainable. We also source all of our timber from sustainably managed forests, promoting responsible forestry practices.

Low in formaldehyde

Our engineered wood flooring products are low VOC (volatile organic compound), with no added formaldehyde. This means they don’t release any harmful chemicals into the air during installation. 

Designed for New Zealand

Our flooring is designed exclusively for our sub-tropical climate, ensuring suitability with our unique environmental conditions.

Quality control processes

Pre-finished 

Our engineered flooring is pre-finished in our factory, with consistent joint profiles and reliable protective coatings. This also makes the installation process quick and easy, reducing labour costs and streamlining your project. Our factory-applied finishes also ensure more durability and colour retention. 

Network of approved installers

We have a nationwide network of skilled craftspeople to help install and maintain your Forté floor. Simply contact us for our top recommendations of local installers in your area. 

Glue-down installation

Our engineered wood flooring is installed using the glue-down method, ensuring the best sound and feel underfoot. This also means the wear layer can be re-sanded and refinished several times for an extended product lifespan of 25 to 50 years.

Aftercare and warranties

We take pride in the quality of our products and back them with a guaranteed warranty. We also have a dedicated Aftercare Team to assist you, ensuring we follow through on all of our promises. For more information, read our article about our aftercare services.

A wide range of flooring styles

We have an extensive range of engineered wood flooring available, in a variety of styles. 
Our wood tones include light, natural, grey, mid-brown, dark brown, and black and our grades range from smooth and sleek to rustic and full of character. We also have a series of standard planks, wide planks, narrow planks,  herringbone, chevron, and parquet floors. 

For more information on whether you can pair underfloor heating with wood flooring, read our article "Can I pair Underfloor Heating with Engineered Wood Floors?". You can also view our Flooring Collections here. 

If you have any questions or want more information about installing underfloor heating with our timber products we offer, please contact our team or book an appointment with your Forté representative. Alternatively, to learn more about choosing the perfect wood flooring, download our Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wood Flooring.