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Floor Covering (Engineered Wood) Question

jb9
jb9 Member Posts: 104
Hello,

I have a question about wood floors over radiant floor heat. I am looking over all the literature that show the resistance levels (Rv) of floor coverings and how this value affects the required water temperature of the system. Anyhow, I am assuming that the floor covering is actually the “emitter” that design professionals refer to. Is this correct? Obviously, the choice of a wood floor is informed by one’s aesthetic, budget and long-term durability. In my case, however, I want to be sure that my choice of flooring is going to work well with my system. Does anyone have any suggestions or can anyone share any pitfalls they have seen in the field with clients’ floor covering choices (materials, sizing, installation)? What I have settled on is that I am going to use an engineered “floating” floor that can be installed without using flooring nails (to hopefully eliminate the risk of a puncture to the Pex-Al-Pex). I know sometimes these decisions probably fall outside a designer’s jurisdiction, but I thought it would be helpful to ask folks’ thoughts.

Thanks.

Comments

  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    Start with this.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,054
    This company has done a lot of hardwood flooring testing also, a longtime RPA supporter.

    A top quality engineered flooring with a baked on factory finish should last a long time over radiant.

    The key is to not overheat it, try for constant circulation or outdoor reset to lessen temperature swings.

    Humidity control has a lot to do with flooring performance also.

    http://www.launstein.com/launstein_radiant.html
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    Here's a link to an old Radiant Flooring guide (2013) but recommendations as it pertains to wood floors hasn't changed.

    http://digital.bnpmedia.com/publication/?i=96350

    As HR said, low even temperatures (use good plates, or an engineered floor system, use as low an operating temp as you can, place insulation below the radiant floor) and humidity control (addition). More the addition of humidity, than the removal, unless you want complete control of wood in general, in which case you MAY need a de-humdifier depending upon where you are.

    Check with the manufacturer of the flooring product. Not all manufacturers will warrant their product over a floor heating system. They've had a LOT of problems with DIYer who don't know what they are doing, and they point their finger of blame at the wood floor manufacture when in reality, it is the homeowners problem. Too hot for too long, and no humidity control will cause wood to change dimensionally, and not usually evenly (warping and cupping) and incorrectly acclimated wood (installed wet,unevenly dried out by the RFH system) can cause checking, crazing, panelization, shrinking, these are all the results of improperly installed, maintained and operated radiant floors. Oh yeah, a lack of insulation below the floor has a negative impact as well. Causes longer run times, baking the wood.

    Done right, these floors will last forever. Done wrong, and there is likely to be a lot of problems, and no one goes away happy...

    ME

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    SWEI
  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    Here is the 2015 version. It has been renamed to the Radiant Comfort Guide.

    http://digital.bnpmedia.com/publication/?i=242283

    Contractors can order additional copies for placement with potential customers by contacting the IAPMO bookstore.

    ME

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    SWEI
  • jb9
    jb9 Member Posts: 104
    Thanks for these links! One other floor related question... I have been reading several WB charts that describe the relationship between the desired ambient temperature of a room and the required temperature of a radiant floor. In one article, I have read that this is derived from the flux value calculated during the design process. Can someone explain in basic terms how the floor temperature and desired room air temperature are related?

    Thanks again for all the knowledgeable folks here!
  • jonny88
    jonny88 Member Posts: 1,139
    @ME to funny I just ordered that copy a few weeks back and paid $20 or close to overnight it.Nice link thanks for sharing.Still saving up to join.......
    Mark Eatherton
  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    jb9 said:

    Thanks for these links! One other floor related question... I have been reading several WB charts that describe the relationship between the desired ambient temperature of a room and the required temperature of a radiant floor. In one article, I have read that this is derived from the flux value calculated during the design process. Can someone explain in basic terms how the floor temperature and desired room air temperature are related?

    Thanks again for all the knowledgeable folks here!

    As with any hydronic question, the only correct answer is "It depends..." And if you go to www.healthyheating.com there is a comfort calculator there that you can use to adjust the variables, like mean radiant temperature, air temperature, humidity etc and see the effects on comfort. The best advice I can give you or anyone else transitioning from a conventional system to a radiant system is to start low and go UP slow... Start out at 65 degrees F.,, and then change the temperature by nor more than 2 degrees per day, and allow the system to "soak" for at least 24 hours before making any adjustments. Once you hit your comfort zone, turn the temperature back one degree F, and again let things soak. You will eventually find your comfort zone based on your needs.

    Radiant heating and cooling systems in general affect a factor called the Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT for short). MRT is the primary determining factor in human comfort. Its definition is "The average surface temperature of those surfaces surrounding your body" Too high, and you will break out in a sweat when you get up to cross the room. Too low, and you will be cold regardless of what you are doing or where you are doing it. No one has developed a good "MRT" sensor, yet. As soon as they do, we will be able to set an MRT for a given exposure. Air temperature is a secondary effect.

    So, for the time being, we have to look at the "operative" temperature. The operative temperature is the average of the MRT and the rooms air temp.

    I do hope you enjoy your new found comfort. Done right, it will be incomparable to any system you've ever experienced, and has to be experienced to be understood. Done wrong, you cold be more miserable than you've ever been before. Pay attention to the critical details.

    Start low, and go up slow...

    ME

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    SWEI
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    Flux = flow of heat, and probably refers to the heat loss of the structure. The goal is to replace what is lost as it is being lost. Doing so is far easier with radiant than it is using other heating methods, especially at a residential scale.
    Gordy
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,054
    edited January 2016
    jb9 said:

    Thanks for these links! One other floor related question... I have been reading several WB charts that describe the relationship between the desired ambient temperature of a room and the required temperature of a radiant floor. In one article, I have read that this is derived from the flux value calculated during the design process. Can someone explain in basic terms how the floor temperature and desired room air temperature are related?

    Thanks again for all the knowledgeable folks here!

    Heat Flux is generally expressed as BTU/ hr./sq. ft

    in a formula Q= heat flux under design load.
    So design heat load of room divided by area of panel.

    Take a 20X20' room with an 8,800 BTU/ hr. calculated load.
    Divide that by the room area of 400 square feet

    So 22 BTU/sq.ft/ hr

    Where you need be careful with heat flux is the "available" floor surface. Take a kitchen for example, and use the above example, but put cabinets inside that room that block the output of the radiant panel.

    You need to subtract out that square footage of the cabinet footprint.

    Use that 20X20 room, add cabinets along two walls, and a 8X2 island cabinet = 92sq. ft.

    400-92= 308 sq. ft
    8,800 BTU/hr. load divided by 308 "available" surface area = 28.5 BTU/ sq. ft. required.

    Same would apply to a living area with sofas or overstuffed chairs in the room, they limit the available radiant panel area.

    A common rule of thumb is 2 BTU/ hr./ sq. ft for every 1° difference between floor surface and ambient temperature.

    85°F should be the max. floor surface temperature for residential applications. Some suggest 82- 83° max.

    So 85°floor temperature - 68° ambient= 17 X 2 = 34 BTU/ square foot output. This is where most of the 35 BTU/ sq.ft maximum output number that you hear, from a residential radiant floor comes from.

    Of course some folks prefer a 70 or higher ambient for the elderly especially. That further limits the radiant panel output.
    If the occupants desire a 72°F ambient, it looks like this:

    85°- 72°=13 X 2 = 26 BTU/sq. ft. output.

    So always run a load calc, then pay attention to how m much actual floor surface will be the heat emitter, and crunch the numbers.

    What commonly happens when a design is missed is the supply water temperature gets cranked up to compensate. This was a very common "fix" attempt for staple up tube systems that were unable to get that floor surface a consistent 85F due to limited tube contact and the related temperature striping.

    Here is a look at WB under power. The striping does go away quite a bit when floor covering is added, as the back 1/2 has carpet. This is a good visual of how the tighter 6, 8 or 9" on center could even out surface temperature and give overall better output as the entire surface area warms.

    Notice where I router through the aluminum surface and how it completely stops the heat transfer.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    Hr, you said "A common rule of thumb is 2 BTU/ hr./ sq. ft for every 2° difference between floor surface and ambient temperature."

    I think you meant A common rule of thumb is 2 BTU/ hr./ sq. ft for every difference between floor surface and ambient temperature.

    Thanks for contributing.

    ME

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  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,054

    Hr, you said "A common rule of thumb is 2 BTU/ hr./ sq. ft for every 2° difference between floor surface and ambient temperature."

    I think you meant A common rule of thumb is 2 BTU/ hr./ sq. ft for every difference between floor surface and ambient temperature.

    Thanks for contributing.

    ME

    Correct, thanks for catching that. I'll serif I can edit.

    Sorry we could not connect in Colorado this week.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    Me too. Hope your trip went well. I guarantee I will see you in Orlando :smiley: Thanks!

    ME

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • jb9
    jb9 Member Posts: 104
    Thanks Hot Rod, Mark, and SWEI. I have been reviewing all of your detailed responses! I think I am close to understanding the flux concept. Looking at the math, I don't think I fully understand how the lower ambient temperature requires more emitter (floor) output... The example really helps. I "almost" have it... Jus t didn't want you guys to misinterperet my radio silence. So, to hone my question, why does the lower ambient room temp require more output and the higher ambient temp (70 as you used) reduce the floor/emitter output?

    Thanks again. You guys really know your stuff.
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    The ambient room temp paired with the average fluid temp in the loops is what "drives" the output. The greater the difference between the two, the more heat flows into the room. Assuming the fluid temp remains constant, as the room warms up, the flow of heat (flux) decreases. When we vary the fluid temp using outdoor reset, the goal is to put the same amount of heat into the room (from the emitters) as is leaving the room (to the cold outdoors.) When those two amounts are close to the same, the room temp and comfort level stabilize in a way that is almost magic. Once people have experienced it, they find it hard to go back to whatever they had before.
    GordyMark Eatherton
  • jb9
    jb9 Member Posts: 104
    Ok. So using the max output value above, let's say that the kitchen space presented (308 sq.ft. of emitter area) is running at that 35 BTU/sq ft maximum. Then the system could drive 10472 BTUs into the space. Assuming it was a tight envelope house, that would clearly be too much heat compared with the heat loss of the space, right? So basically, this flux calculation works in tandem with the room by room heat loss calculation to determine ideal fluid temps, right? And heat loss calc gives you the load to sustain the heat content and the flux further refines the design by giving you a fluid temp to match the heat loss, right? I might have a room heat loss calculation value to try this part of the design with soon... Each phase of the design is starting to make sense as I see how they are inter-related.
  • bmwpowere36m3
    bmwpowere36m3 Member Posts: 512
    Correct... but, you won't know whether 10k BTUs/hr is too much till you do a heat loss. For example my kitchen is 290sqft and the heatloss is 6k at 7* (design day). Assuming 240 sq ft of emitter space, I need about 25 BTUs/sq ft (reasonable for radiant flooring).

    I wouldn't design the system in the hopes it'll output 35 BTU/sq ft (maybe a shop or structure where you don't walk barefoot). I think 20-25 is more reasonable (at least that's what I've read).