TRADA has commissioned research to develop an underfloor heating test rig for timber flooring, in response to growing incidence of problems caused by heating systems used in conjunction with wood.
The rig will enable evaluation of new flooring products, such as those made from bamboo and modified timber, and laminated, multi-layer ranges.
According to TRADA, flooring makers are “increasingly pushing the boundaries” and recommending board widths for use in conjunction with underfloor heating traditionally considered oversized and prone to problems for such installations.
It maintains that there has been increased occurrence of flooring shrinkage, cracking and distortion incidents as a result.
TRADA’s new rig may ultimately be a tool used in a quality certification scheme for manufacturers of wood flooring aimed for use with underfloor heating.
