Looking for some opinions on flooring.
I have rough sawn 1×12 red oak that I cut 3 years ago. I would like to use this wood for my flooring. I plan to cut a 1/2 inch rabbit and run the flooring across the joints and face nail with my 16 ga finish nailer over hardwood flooring paper on top of the 3/4 inch t&g sub floor. I also plan to install radiant heat tubing suspended under the sub floor. I have about 650 LF of the oak in my basement on my radiant heat floor drying. My question is; should I glue the planks to the sub floor and screw them down using plugs to hide the screws? I also thought of face nailing with the finish nailer and a flooring nailer in the rabbit.
My concern is will the floor cup from the heat?
I am installing porcelain tile in the kitchen over the same style of heat should I put down 1/4 inch hardy board or wire lath? Should the hardy board be glued to the sub floor? Or just screwed down?
Replies
Wirsbo recommends that the surface temperature of wood flooring used as a radiant panel not exceed 80 degF. Should you maintain that temperature, you will have no significant problems.
Those wide oak boards are going to change width over the seasons no matter how much you acclimate them. Some may cup just due to the individual boards nature. Sealing the back sides will help to a certain degree. I definitely would not glue them or they may split. Let them move at the joints. I like trim head screws, nails can work loose. I'd probably use three across the face. I've had good luck with Famowood filler for natural finishes. It won't take a stain. Plugs are a lot of extra work but they give a nice look. With either method, keeping straight and using a consistent pattern makes a difference in the appearance.
You'll have to use short screws on the Hardiboard because of the radiant heat. I don't think there will be a problem gluing it too. That's 3/4" OSB or plywood you're talking about, right? Most damage to tile is from dropping things on it. It takes a pretty wimpy floor to cause deflection problems. We've been using 1/2" lately. It's best to ask the tile installers and use what they want for the type tile you are using.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match