Solida Cork over Radiant Heat

When installing a cork floor over radiant heat, not all floors are created equal.
Most cork manufacturers and suppliers will only recommend the use of a floating
floor. Cork floating floors do work well with radiant heat bearing in mind that the
floor will take a little longer to achieve full temperature due to the MDF core.
Conversely, the floor will retain heat longer.
Solida also recommends the use of glue down floors over radiant heat. Many
manufacturers will not suggest this due to uncertainty with adhesive. Some cork
suppliers do not provide adhesive or the adhesive they do provide is not suitable
for this type of installation. Solida supplies a premium waterbased contact
adhesive with every order. This adhesive passes the Woodwork Institute of
California test for heat resistance and is perfectly suitable for installation over
radiant heat. Solida’s adhesive also exceeds California’s stringent air quality
requirements under Rule 1168.
When installing glue down tile over a radiant heat floor, two rules must be
adhered to. First, 5 days prior to installation, the heat must be brought up or
down to room temperature (70-72 degrees Fahrenheit) regardless of season.
Secondly, the floor temperature should never exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
After the floor is installed, the temperature can be adjusted as long as the second
rule is not broken. All other installation guidelines must still be followed.
A correctly installed and maintained cork floor will look beautiful for generations.

Glue Down Cork over Radiant Heat

Not all manufacturers recommend installing glue down cork tile over a radiant heat floor. The primary reason for this has to do with using an appropriate adhesive. Some adhesives are not recommended or approved for application over radiant heat and may not withstand the rigours of constant direct heat or substantial changes in temperatures over brief time periods.
Solida does recommend radiant heat installations as the contact adhesive supplied with Solida Cork tile has been tested by the Woodwork Institute of California and its heat resistance test.
Two critical things to remember if installing Solida Cork over radiant heat is that the floor must be up to temperature, regardless of season for at least 72 hours before and after installation and the floor temperature should never exceed 85° F.
Cork is an excellent thermal insulator and this inherent characteristic will slow the floor warm up slightly but your floor will retain heat longer. For further details, contact your Solida dealer.