Radiant Heated Wood Floors: Everything You Need to Know

Published February 22, 2023

A heating system is an important component of a house, especially for those in colder regions. Those who wish to have one installed in their home have numerous options to choose from, some more popular than others.

Among these options, there is a handful that tends to escape one’s attention.

Radiant heated wood floors are the perfect example of this, as most people aren’t even aware that this option exists, which is completely understandable. They are more expensive than most heating systems, after all.

But that being said, is there any merit in spending extra bucks on radiant heated wood floors?

To answer that question, you must first understand what they are and how they work.

What Are Radiant Heated Wood Floors?

Radiant heated wood floors are, in essence, wooden floors with a radiant heating system underneath.

The idea is to set the heating system, so it constantly heats the floor. Eventually, the heat from the wooden floors will radiate up (hence the name), which the objects and people surrounding the floor can then absorb. 

Note that radiant heating is by no means exclusive to wooden floors.

You may also install radiant heating systems inside walls or in the ceiling. The mechanism of the system is generally the same, but for the purposes of this blog post, we’ll mostly talk about radiant heated wood floors.

Different Types of Radiant Heating Systems for Wood Floors

There are two kinds of radiant heating systems for wooden floors: (1) electric-based systems and (2) water-based systems. The main difference between the two is the type of fuel they use to run.

As the name would imply, the former runs using electricity, while the latter runs using water. 

Of course, the components will also be different.

A water-based heating system must have a boiler to heat the water and tubes or pipes so the heated water can find its way to the heater. Meanwhile, apart from the heater, an electric-based system only needs cables.

When choosing between these two options, you must consider the following points:

• Water-based systems have lower running costs than electric-based systems
• Electric-based systems have lower upfront costs than water-based systems
• Electric-based systems are easier to install than water-based systems

According to these differences, it’s safe to assume that a water-based radiant heating system is better in the long run as its maintenance cost is significantly lower. The only time we’d ever recommend electric-based systems would be when you don’t intend to use them as your main heating source but just as a backup.

Keep in mind that the radiant heating system’s running costs, installation speed, and upfront costs are the only factors that its fuel type affects. The benefits remain the same regardless of the fuel type.

Benefits of Radiant Heated Wood Floors

It’s no secret that heating systems are generally beneficial since they ensure you don’t get too cold. But radiant heated wood floors are particularly beneficial if you compare them with other heating systems, like radiators. Below are some examples of the benefits unique to radiant underfloor heating.

1. The Heating System Distributes Heat Equally

While the radiant heating system is active, every square foot of floor will almost always receive the same amount of heat. So, once the heat radiates up, every part of the room will receive the same amount of heat.

It’s not very impressive when you hear that at first. But what makes this feature noteworthy is that radiators and other heating systems can rarely achieve the same result. Usually, they tend to distribute heat unequally, hence why some areas would be scorching when other areas are still too cold.

2. They Are Energy-Efficient

To achieve optimal results on your radiant heating system, you only need to set the temperature at 30 to 60 degrees Celsius. Of course, this number may vary according to the outside temperature. Nevertheless, it’s still impressive, considering how radiators need to be set at 60 to 70 degrees Celsius to achieve the same result.

That means you’ll save money since radiant heating systems are more energy-efficient. For your reference, it costs around $5 per day to run radiant heating systems, while traditional systems like radiators cost $20 a day.

3. The Heating System Is Hidden

Since the radiant heating system is underneath the floor, it’s practically invisible, which leads to a variety of other advantages. For one, the system doesn’t take up space, so you have more interior space to work with.

Another advantage of this benefit is that it raises no safety hazards, unlike radiators, which you have to be careful not to touch. And lastly, the apparatus won’t mess with your efforts to improve your interior design.

4. They Don’t Increase Your Allergy Risk Factor

Yet another problem with radiators is that they distribute heat via air. Though it’s theoretically efficient, it raises a few issues. One particular issue is that the device may also transmit allergens like pollens and dust whilst transferring heat via air. Since radiant heating systems work via radiation, such an issue is non-existent.

Potential Drawbacks of Radiant Heated Wood Floors

Of course, radiant heated wood floors are not without issues.

Otherwise, it would have already become as popular as conventional heating systems like radiators, if not even more so. The following are some of the potential drawbacks of radiant heated wood floors.

1. The Upfront Costs Are Significantly Higher

To have a pro install your radiant heated wood floor, you should expect to pay $20 per square foot.