Myth #1: Wood Floors Cannot be Heated
A popular misconception is that hardwood floors are impossible to heat. Beliefs that the wood will dry out, crack or warp when heat is applied are common. Fortunately, these concerns are all easily mitigated by proper installation of both the hardwood floor and the radiant heating system.
When installing wood floors, the hardwood should be properly acclimated in the home prior to installation. When adding radiant heat, this acclimating process should be continued by gradually bringing the floor up to the desired temperature following installation.
The other concern with heating wood floors is the process of nailing the floors down. You shouldn’t nail through or otherwise puncture cables or tubing. At Warmquest, we avoid this by using ZMesh by Heatizon Systems. One of the unique features of ZMesh is that it can be nailed through during installation of the wood flooring. This makes for easy installation under most any floor covering.
Myth #2: Hydronic Heating Systems are Less Expensive
The choice of what heating system to use will vary depending on the desired results, project needs, and other circumstances. Pricing however is less of a factor.
Electric radiant heat is 100% efficient as opposed to boiler systems which idle and continue to use energy. Electric radiant heat also produces an even heat throughout the system, where hydronics experience cooling as liquid moves away from the boiler. Electric systems have no moving parts and require no maintenance, while hydronic systems require seasonal maintenance. Additionally in the event something damages the system, electric heating elements are more easily repaired.
Myth #3: Adding Radiant Heat Requires Removing the Existing Floor or Pavement
Want to heat your floors or driveway? You don’t have to tear everything out.
For floor heating, ZMesh can be retrofit into the floor joists and insulated to provide heated floors above. This allows for heated floors, without the need to redo your floors.
Heated driveways can be retrofit into existing concrete and asphalt. Saw cuts are made, and the cable inserted and then sealed.
What other myths have you heard about radiant heat? We’d love to debunk them!
3 Radiant Heat Myths
Myth #1: Wood Floors Cannot be Heated
A popular misconception is that hardwood floors are impossible to heat. Beliefs that the wood will dry out, crack or warp when heat is applied are common. Fortunately, these concerns are all easily mitigated by proper installation of both the hardwood floor and the radiant heating system.
When installing wood floors, the hardwood should be properly acclimated in the home prior to installation. When adding radiant heat, this acclimating process should be continued by gradually bringing the floor up to the desired temperature following installation.
The other concern with heating wood floors is the process of nailing the floors down. You shouldn’t nail through or otherwise puncture cables or tubing. At Warmquest, we avoid this by using ZMesh by Heatizon Systems. One of the unique features of ZMesh is that it can be nailed through during installation of the wood flooring. This makes for easy installation under most any floor covering.
Myth #2: Hydronic Heating Systems are Less Expensive
The choice of what heating system to use will vary depending on the desired results, project needs, and other circumstances. Pricing however is less of a factor.
Electric radiant heat is 100% efficient as opposed to boiler systems which idle and continue to use energy. Electric radiant heat also produces an even heat throughout the system, where hydronics experience cooling as liquid moves away from the boiler. Electric systems have no moving parts and require no maintenance, while hydronic systems require seasonal maintenance. Additionally in the event something damages the system, electric heating elements are more easily repaired.
Myth #3: Adding Radiant Heat Requires Removing the Existing Floor or Pavement
Want to heat your floors or driveway? You don’t have to tear everything out.
For floor heating, ZMesh can be retrofit into the floor joists and insulated to provide heated floors above. This allows for heated floors, without the need to redo your floors.
Heated driveways can be retrofit into existing concrete and asphalt. Saw cuts are made, and the cable inserted and then sealed.
What other myths have you heard about radiant heat? We’d love to debunk them!