Do I really need a second layer over routed OSB

[ricardo100671]

Hi

 

We are considering installing underfloor heating in prerouted 22mm OSB boards. Originally Underfloor Heating Store Quoted for ProFloor 22mm boards and we designed all our floor levels and door height to this. Now they have offer a new board, also 22mm, but foil faced and closer spacing, saying these are more efficient, which I guse makes scense. However they say you also now need an additional 6mm over the top before laying floating floor. 

I can understand for carpeted areas, but do I really need teh extra 6mm board, if we will be floating 12mm engineered flooring over. Would it not also be more efficient without.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[torre]

I think building control will insist on the extra board over. It forms part of the structural floor - you might be okay with 12mm flooring over but the next occupant may replace that with just carpet, unwittingly making the floor unsafe

[G and J]

8 hours ago, torre said:

I think building control will insist on the extra board over. It forms part of the structural floor - you might be okay with 12mm flooring over but the next occupant may replace that with just carpet, unwittingly making the floor unsafe

Is that to ensure that there’s enough strength in the floor ‘skin’ to stiffen it nicely?  

 

If so a floating layer of flooring won’t help.   Presumably that extra strength could come from an extra layer under the routed OSB just as much as it could on top, perhaps improving the thermal performance. 

[torre]

Putting the extra board below is probably problematic in terms of heat distribution (in the future carpet scenario) though I agree it'd give the same support.

Best would be clarify with the board manufacturer though it sounds like they've already said it's needed

[G and J]

26 minutes ago, torre said:

Putting the extra board below is probably problematic in terms of heat distribution (in the future carpet scenario) though I agree it'd give the same support.

Best would be clarify with the board manufacturer though it sounds like they've already said it's needed

Ah - do you mean ‘cooked’ stripes in the carpets.  That does not sound good.   

[Iceverge]

12mm seems very thin for engineered flooring. 

 

I suspect it's 12mm laminate you mean? 

 

In that case you could just swap it out for 6mm LVT which I would prefer anyway. 

[saveasteading]

Is this on a solid floor or over joists?