Laminate flooring for the bottom of enclosure

[Lundude]

I am going to be making a wood enclosure.I was originally going to use plexi glass for the floor until I got out today and seen the outrageous price. I have left over flooring and think this will work out nice. Will be using flex watt tape for the heating. Do you think it will heat thru the laminate flooring very well? The flooring is 3/8" thick.

[kitedemon]

it will but i would suggest not doing this. I would look at a PVC (not expanded PVCx just plain) it is easy to work with and can be used with wood working tools it heat easily and well with no concerns of out gassing or other issues. If you do choose to use the laminate I would follow the exact instructions from calorique for radiant flooring heat systems.

[S.I.R.]

I would test it first with a piece of flexwatt under it to see how heat is able to transfer through. Laminate flooring should be okay as a bottom due to its moisture resistance, but definitely test the heat transfer capability first. Good luck!

[Argentra]

In my wooden cages, I use vinyl flooring and it's great. No issues, heat comes through perfectly, and it isn't horribly expensive.

[JaGv]

i work installing laminate floors and i think it will be ok to use on top of flexwatt. but the only thing to consider is when you clean it, too much moisture caused by cleaning or the snake spilling the water will swell up the seams and damage the laminate boards and you will have to do it over.

imo you should go with linolium all round the enclosure to make it more easy to clean.

[Lundude]

What do you attatch the vinyl too? I am putting vinyl tiles on the inside walls.I have enough to usr onthe floor but I dont want to get the floor too thick in order for the flex watt to heat thru.

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i work installing laminate floors and i think it will be ok to use on top of flexwatt. but the only thing to consider is when you clean it, too much moisture caused by cleaning or the snake spilling the water will swell up the seams and damage the laminate boards and you will have to do it over.

imo you should go with linolium all round the enclosure to make it more easy to clean.

You have a good point there. My dog has peed enough on my kitchen laminate floor to do just what you are talking about. Thank you for pointing that out. I never thought about that

[JaGv]

some vinyl tiles come with adhesive already if not it's sold at any hardware store in the flooring section.