Can solid hardwood go on radiant heat?
Solid Hardwood Over Radiant Heat: Why Traditional Hardwood Fails and Why Thermawood Is Different
Most solid hardwood flooring is not recommended over radiant heat.
That is because traditional solid wood moves. Heat changes the moisture balance in the floor, and normal hardwood can shrink, gap, cup, crack, or move if the wrong product or install method is used.
That is why most flooring companies push engineered hardwood for radiant heat.
And with traditional wood, they are usually right.
Thermawood is different.
Thermawood is 100% real solid hardwood that has been changed using heat and steam. The process removes the organic material that causes excessive movement.
No organic material = no cupping, warping, or gapping.
That is why Thermawood can be used over radiant heat, concrete slabs, bathrooms, and high-moisture areas while still being 100% real solid hardwood.
Solid Hardwood Over Radiant Heat: Glue-Down Matters
But the installation still matters.
For radiant heat, we recommend a full glue-down installation.
Not floating.
Not loose laid.
Not shortcut methods.
A full-spread glue-down helps keep the floor tight to the substrate, gives better contact with the heat system, and helps the floor perform the way it should.
That is one of the reasons Thermawood can be used where regular solid hardwood usually cannot: concrete slabs, radiant heat, bathrooms, wide planks, and high-moisture areas.
Most people are not wrong when they say solid hardwood over radiant heat is risky. They are talking about traditional solid hardwood.
Thermawood changed the wood itself.
Real solid hardwood. Built for radiant heat. Installed the right way.
Real wood for real life.
Thermawood-USA