Under Floor Heating and Timber Flooring

Under floor heating creates one of the most challenging environments in which to lay a floor. The wider the plank, the more potential for expansion and contraction of the wood floor. Heating the floor can cause further plank movement.

Excessive plank movement can lead to twisting, cupping and warping. That’s why it’s vital to only use perfectly engineered wood flooring with underfloor heating.

Quick Tips

It’s important to follow manufacturer guidelines when installing timber flooring with underfloor heating. Follow the specific manufacturer’s process to slowly heat the concrete slab prior to the start of flooring installation.

Ensure the heating coils or cables cover ALL areas where there will be timber flooring.

When using the heating system the floor surface temperature should not exceed 27 degrees Celsius. Note that rugs may cause hot-spots in the timber flooring that may compromise the structure of the floorboard.

Key to Success – Engineered Plank Construction

The construction and quality of the floorboard is the key to success with underfloor heating. Only engineered floorboards should be specified for use with underfloor heating systems.

The term ‘engineered’ means a floorboard made up of 3-layers or multiple layers of wood; similar to plywood. This engineered board structure is approximately 70% more stable than solid wood flooring (meaning it expands and contracts much less than solid wood floorboards do).

Unsurpassed Stability – Admonter Engineered Plank Construction

While the engineered floorboards described above will perform adequately with underfloor heating, for a more advanced solution we recommend the Admonter 3-ply engineered floorboard. This is an evolution of the engineered flooring structure, a 3-layer plank consisting of upper and lower layers of the same thickness. This structure provides perfect tension to keep all forces in check and ensure that your Admonter engineered wood flooring will remain perfectly flat when used with underfloor heating or in any other challenging environment, such as in very humid or dry climates.

Latest Timber Flooring Trends

COLOUR TRENDS / AGED WOOD / TEXTURES / FINISHES

COLOURS

Almost anything goes these days in terms of fashionable wood flooring colours; here are some of the trends we’re seeing on a consistent basis:

Light beige or light brown colours with grey under tones are popular; also mid-brown/grey, especially in smoked oak which brings a unique depth of colour to the flooring. See Imperial Oak, or Empire Oak, for example.

Smoked Oak – Admonter Oak Seta

Colours suitable for a Scandi-inspired interior are still popular; such as off-whites, cream and natural tones without too much yellow. Oak Cashmere is a good example of a neutral ‘Natural’ tone.

Nordic Inspired – Oak Cashmere

Dark and moody flooring has definitely made a strong return. An example of this is Oak Moonlight which is an oiled finish featuring dark hues and an attractive aged appearance. See also, Oak Onyx if you love extra wide boards.

Dark & Moody – Oak Moonlight

Grey tones continue to be popular, as it works exceptionally well with most other decors and provides a sophisticated foundation to your interior. Popular grey colours include Oak Karkula, Oak Constance and Admonter Oak Grey.

Sophisticated Grey – Chateau Oak Constance

AGED WOOD

There are a range of methods used to age the wood; speciality wood stains that react with the tannin to subtly age the wood are very popular. See our Chateau or Raftwood Patina ranges for examples.

Other ways of aging the wood include scraping, planing, smoking, distressing, variable band saw such as the ‘used’ texture, or sourcing reclaimed wood.

Aged ‘Reactive Stain’ oak – Patina Old Barn

Subtle Aged Effect – Planed Oak Oeral

APPEALING TEXTURES

Texture brings an interesting, natural element to the interior.

Lengthwise brushing that subtly highlights the woodgrain will always be popular, however we’re seeing more demand for unique textures such as the ‘Used’ texture, which is a subtle variable bandsaw available in Oak Prairie, Oak Marshall or Oak Whisky.

Variable Bandsaw – Oak Prairie Used Texture

The Authentic texture from Admonter is a real head turner. The wood surface mimics the organic structure of the tree itself. Authentic is available in both oak and larch.

Oak Authentic

Alternatively, reclaimed wood such as Raftwood reclaimed Dutch railway sleeper oak flooring, features a very natural and distinctive texture.

Reclaimed Dutch Railway Sleeper Oak – Raftwod Patina The Brick

EXTRA NATURAL APPEARANCE

Every year we see new releases from our suppliers, in more and more natural finishes. The aim is to provide oil and lacquer finishes so natural that you cannot see any visible finish.

A great example is Oak Natura from Admonter which captures a raw wood optic.

The Admonter Natura finish is available in two options, Oak Natura and Oak Smoke Natura.

Admonter Oak Natura

Another popular, extremely natural looking wood floor is American Oak Pureline from ESTA Parket. This is finished with an invisible Supermatt lacquer.

American Oak Pureline

Sustainable Timber

Choosing the right flooring can play a significant role in shaping the environmental impact of your home. In New Zealand, engineered timber flooring has emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly option, offering a myriad of benefits over traditional flooring materials. But not all timber flooring is sourced from sustainable forests or made using sustainable practices.  Let’s explore the various ways in which the right choice in engineered timber can contribute to a more sustainable future.

 

Sustainable Sourcing

Engineered timber flooring derives its environmental credibility from the wood used in its construction. Many manufacturers source their wood from sustainably-managed forests, adhering to responsible forestry practices that ensure a healthy ecosystem. By choosing flooring that is sourced sustainably, you are contributing to the preservation of natural forests.  Be sure to check the credentials of your supplier and the certification of their timber.

Vienna Woods, a leading New Zealand importer of quality timber flooring, sources its products from suppliers committed to sustainability. This dedication is reflected in the certifications they hold, demonstrating compliance with rigorous standards that support forest conservation.

 

Recycled Materials

There are now many choices for reclaimed and recylced timber floors, which is fantastic way to use a product displaying rich character and reducing our impact.

Long Lifespan

Durability is another sustainability hallmark of engineered timber. With a longer lifespan than many other flooring options, engineered timber reduces the need for frequent replacements. This longevity translates into fewer resources used for manufacturing, transportation, and disposal over time, lessening the environmental footprint.

Understanding FSC Certification

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a globally recognised certification body that promotes responsible forest management. FSC certification ensures that wood products come from forests that meet strict environmental, social, and economic standards. It helps consumers make informed choices about the sustainability of their purchases.

Vienna Woods’ suppliers hold several FSC certifications, including the FSC Single Chain of Custody and Controlled Wood. These certifications indicate that the wood used in their flooring comes from responsibly managed sources, providing peace of mind to eco-conscious consumers.

Other Sustainability Certifications

Europe is home to various sustainability certifications that guide the construction industry toward greener practices. Beyond FSC, other notable certifications include:

  • Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC): This is another international certification that promotes sustainable forest management. It is similar to FSC but has different criteria and processes, providing additional options for ensuring sustainable sourcing.
  • European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR): This regulation aims to combat illegal logging by requiring companies to ensure their timber is legally sourced. It is a legal framework that underpins sustainability certifications.

Each certification has a unique focus, but all work toward the common goal of promoting sustainability in forestry and construction. By choosing products with these certifications, you are supporting a more environmentally responsible industry.

The Broader Scope of Sustainability in Construction

Sustainability in construction encompasses more than just materials—it also involves energy efficiency, waste reduction, and reducing carbon emissions. Using sustainable timber contributes to this broader scope by providing a renewable resource that can be managed to support ecosystem health.

In New Zealand, where natural beauty is a significant part of the national identity, the construction industry’s move toward sustainability aligns with the country’s values. Specifying the right  timber flooring, with environmentally friendly sourcing and durability plays a role in reducing the carbon footprint of buildings and promoting a greener future.

By choosing Vienna Woods for your timber flooring needs, you are supporting a business committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Sustainability Certifications from some of our producers:

What Goes First – The Kitchen or the Flooring

Kitchen Or Flooring First?

This is a very common question that we’re asked time and again. It is actually possible to install the flooring both before or after the kitchen, depending on the intended installation method; floating or glued down.

Floating Installation

If you’re floating your timber or laminate flooring then you should always install the kitchen first and install the flooring around the kitchen units. This allows free movement of the floor boards as they expand and contract with humidity fluctuations. If the kitchen was sitting on top of the floating floor its weight may restrict the movement of the floorboards and potentially cause floor boards to start lifting. The end panels of the cabinets can be undercut so the flooring can slide underneath, for a clean finish. Flooring is installed just under the kick panels and all the way under any appliances (that are not built-in). The kick panels should be left off until after flooring is installed and then put in place last.

Glued Down Installation

For glued down wooden flooring you can either install around the kitchen cabinets or you can install the flooring first. We highly recommend installing the flooring first; this ensures a premium finish at the bottom of cabinet ‘end panels’ as your installer won’t have to cut into them on-site. It also ensures boards are installed all the way to the walls, so if you do happen to modify your kitchen in future for whatever reason, you won’t have to install any more flooring at a later date.

We have experience with both methods, so please feel free to contact us for obligation-free advice.

Oak Castle Grey