Cork Flooring For Radiant Heat

As a former cork flooring professional i have always stated that cork over in floor radiant heat is a waste of time money in the long run.

Cork flooring for radiant heat.

Here are two basic methods for installing cork flooring over radiant subfloors. It should be pointed out that the flooring installed over in floor heating might gain moisture or dry out faster. It can be installed on uneven surfaces. Use of a humidifier is suggested.

Can cork floor be installed over radiant heat. This works better with radiant floor heating for two reasons. In addition tile flooring will not expand as it warms or contract as it cools. First there is less chance that a stray nail or other fastener can puncture the radiant floor.

A floating floor snaps or glues together but is not affixed to the actual subflooring. Because electric radiant floor heating system is the most common retro fit system available we realize the hydronic is not the only kid on the block. So make sure you speak with the manufacturer to make sure that whatever is used as the subflooring for the cork does not interfere with that radiant heat panel. What follows is my tutorial for installing the cork mats but this tutorial is also very similar to laying tile.

Cork flooring systems can be installed like regular ceramic or glass mosaic tile. Cork tiles glue down cork tile flooring should be adhered directly to the plywood or concrete subfloor using the bostik vinyl grip 99. The surface temperature of the floor should not exceed 85 degrees fahrenheit. The recommended type of cork flooring for use over radiant heating system is called a floating floor.

We cork floors are suitable for use with under floor heating. It can be used over radiant heat systems. It is an excellent material to be used on retrofitted buildings. The cork mats insulate the radiant heating wires and tiles from the cold subfloor and direct the heat up to warm the tiles.

The only thing i m not familiar with with cork flooring is i know that sometimes there s a special installation process that is required for the cork floor. Cork is an insulator made from natural materials and installing it over a radiant heat floor helps slow down the time it takes for heat generation from your floor once you turn on your heater system. Cork infloor radiant heating inefficient heating system increased price to run the heating system waste of time money effort. Such expansion and contraction can cause cracking.

Cork can be installed over existing flooring systems such as wood or linoleum. Porcelain and ceramic tile are great conductors of heat so your home will get the full benefit of the radiant heating system. We recommend our cork only be used with hydronic water gel systems.