Radiant Floor installed under existing oak floor

[Deleted User]

with an insulated, radiant, staple-up job 10 yrs ago, and the oak flooring, .75" ply sub/.75" oak flooring, doesn't heat any where near as well as the .75" ply sub and tile, or vinyl, or carpet. the radiant heat doesn't seem to affect the oak, it simply doesn't heat it as well, and i run a constant temp through-out all three floor types

DanB

Radiant system installed under 80 year old oak floor

I just bought an 80+ year old house with a one-pipe steam system. The entire system must be upgraded and I am considering installing a radiant floor system underneath the existing oak floor. The entire basement is open, so we have complete access to the underside of the first floor.

How efficient is such an installation? I was advised that the piping could be installed to the underside of the existing subfloor with a radiant barrier placed between each floor joist to direct the heat up to the subfloor and oak. I am concerned that the original oak floor may shift/react to the heat and that it won't be very efficient.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

A properly installed and controlled radiant floor system won't harm hardwood (natural or engineered) strip flooring.

Old house floors are however often multi-layered and quite thick. This, combined with the generally higher heat requirement of old homes--even with reasonably insulated--can make it difficult or impossible to get enough heat through the floor to meet the demand in cold weather.

A well-functioning 1-pipe steam system is a thing of beauty and even ones that first appear hopeless can be repaired at less cost than removing and installing a new system. Presuming that your boiler needs to be replaced I would highly consider the Burnham Mega-Steam boiler. Oil only--not yet available for natural or LP gas.

Before relegating your system to the scrap heap, I suggest checking "Find a Contractor" here at this site. The good steam men here seem to truly enjoy their work.

DanB

Reply to Mike T

Thanks - I am concerned about the efficiency of adding radiant to the old floor and your point is noted - no worry for the new areas. I've put in a call to a couple of contractors who specialize in both steam and radiant heating and will talk this through with them. The Burnham Boiler looks great - we have both gas and oil in the house, so something to consider.

tim smith

Regarding staple up etc

If you do this, as we do, use quality extruded aluminum plates for lower temps/higher outputs, more $$ but worth it. After doing a good load calc to determine what water temps and in turn surface temps required so as not to harm floors. This will tell you how well it will perform and if you need any supplemental heat. Are your windows updated, insulation in walls?? All this will help your decision.

Rich P_3

if i could add one thing, be sure there is no tar paper between finish floor and subfloor- this is common in New England. This can create an un pleasant odor when it gets warm
Rich

tim smith

Good call Rich

Tim

tim smith

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