Thermal conductivity of floors

In case of underfloor heating, unlike the traditional heating method, it is necessary to pay attention to the type of flooring and the type of wood. When heated, it is recommended to choose more stable types of wood, important to react as low and as slowly as possible to changes in humidity and temperature. For evaluation of different types of wood according to the Janka stability scale, one of the most stable ones is recognized: treated bamboo fiber, mesquimit, merbau, white ash, hard maple.

In Germany it is recommended to use floor heating for a floor heating of not more than 0,15 m2K / W.

Thermal conductivity -  is the property of the material to waste heat, it is thermal insulation material properties. This property is described by the thermal conductivity coefficient λ. The lower the λ value, the better the insulating properties are the material.

Thermal resistance -  is the ability of a product of a certain (defined) thickness to resist thermal penetration. Thermal resistance depends on the thermal conductivity (λ) of the material, the thickness of the insulating layer (d) and is calculated according to the formula: R = d / λ

The higher the thermal resistance, the better the insulating properties of the material. The thermal resistance R is expressed in m2 K / W.

Comparison of bamboo thermal conductivity with oak

λ = 0,26 bamboo array boards
λ = 0.16 oak massive boards

Floor thermal conductivity calculations:

14 mm thick
R = 0,014/0.26 = 0,053 m2K/W bamboo board
R = 0,014/0,16 = 0,087 m2K/W oak massive boards