I've got a customer that is all over the board with the different things he wants to happen over his radiant heat floor. He's trying to price shop, get the perfect color, longevity , etc

His style of floor is a bit different .He layed down his plywood, and nailed down 2x 4's to make pseudo joists. Laid down the radiant tubing and mesh / wire in between these joists. Then poured a type of cement over the tubing. I wish he just used the plywood with the channels that the tubing sets into.

Regardless, I must either treat this like a slab type glue down or float a locking type floor. I'd like to know what you have worked with that pleased you. Here's a pic of what he did.

A floating Kahrs floor would work well.

Hi. I looked into Kahrs and they got good reviews. Their website is not very good as it seems designed for decorators and not flooring contractors

Anyway, I'm pointing my customer towards the 5/8 click together prefinished /engineered floor. Kahrs has two different under layments. One is called "quiet stride" which is thick recycled rubber and the other is called "combo system" which is two layers of plastic with foam balls in between.

Which underlayment is the best for going over radiant heat in your opinion ? THanks

That foam ball underlayment sounds like the same stuff Formica had, when they were manuf. their laminate flooring. It was good underlayment.
I would sure ask Kahrs which one they recommend over radiant heat. First thing that came to my mind....Is that recycled rubber going to gas off a smell over radiant heat ?, in an enclosed environment? I figure better to be gun shy and ask.

Better run that system for awhile before I'd put anything over it. Cover it with plastic too just to see if it blows up! .

My guess is that it will blow up. Seems too complicated to me. And the customer still hasn't made up his mind on what he wants to use.

With the great increase of radiant heat systems being used today, flooring manufacturers are constantly up dating site requirements for their products. One of our suppliers requires us to map out the floor system and imbed heat sensors under the floor in specific locations in order for them to determine whether the system was run over the recommended temperature.
We have had no great problems with our installs, since we always consult with the heating contractor and home-owner prior to our install so that everyone is on the same page.
As to the issue of getting ready for the install, the system should be running at normal operating temperature for a minimum of three days prior to install, turned off 24 hours before the install, and gradually over a period of time (several days) brought up to operating temperature after the install, and at the beginning of each heating season.
Most engineered floors can go over these systems given the above noted prep. We have even successfully installed solid products over them, but it MUST be quarter-sawn material and no greater than 2 1/4 inch width.

Here's some pics of an old system I put a floating vinyl plank over. Scroll down....http://flooringinstaller.ning.com/forum ... e-envelope

The manufacturer said is was OK for over a radient system. I didn't realize the huge temp swing across the span of the slab that the tubes caused until I was crawling around on it when installing. Had them running it while install was on. Temp on thermostat was set at 70 ish.

Had I'd known this before I probably would have told them not to install.

Well guys. THe home owner is nice and all. But in my contract with him, I specified how i was going to install the floor and contractually left him responsible for cupping, crowning or separation from the substrate.

He decided to buy a bunch of reclaimed white oak strip (Q-Sawn) And I will do a full spread of Sika BOnd and staple onto the sleepers where possible.Thanks for your tips.

Good thinking Paul. I like the idea of radiant heated floors but with resilient or wood over it I feel it's a crapshoot even if it's done by a pro. Eventually wood is going to do something it ain't going to do over a regualr substrate.