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Hardwood floor underlayment for radiant heated floor application

TorBu | Posted in Green Products and Materials on

I am getting ready to have engineered hardwood floors installed onto a wooden subfloor. The hardwood floor will be nailed down.

I also have radiant heat installed, using heat transfer plates that have been screwed to the subfloor from below. The water temperature will be in the low 90s.

Hence, I am now looking for a recommendation for a proper underlayment for the engineered hardwood floor that has the following characteristics (in that order):
– no thicker than 1/8″
– very low or zero VOC and free of other questionable products
– low R-value
– sound absorbing

Any guidance and suggestions for a specific product?

Thank you,
Torsten

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Torsten,
    1. I don't think that there is any material that is less than 1/8 inch thick that is also "sound-absorbing."

    2. Engineered hardwood floors are not generic. They are manufactured products. You need to follow the installation guidelines provided by the manufacturer of the product you intend to install.

    -- Martin Holladay

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