Crosspost on HeatingForum:

Someone must have wood over radiant in their kitchen to be able to help me based on their own experiences.

I am putting radiant heating under my wood flooring for kitchen and livingroom (and familyroom but that is tiled).

My 1976 house in MA does not have central AC nor dehumidifier.

So humidity level goes from 20-80%.

I want to go with 3" wide 3/4" thick ALL rift sawn white oak.

--> Do I have to go with quartersawn white oak for increased stability?

Here are 2 samples next to my cabinet doors. These planks has 1 coat of walnut stain but NO poly yet. Just a sample.

Left = quartersawn (see the flecks or tiger-wood-ish graining?); Right plank = rift sawn.

Reminder: base cabinets = black-brown; peninsula and uppers flanking hood = white

I think I want all riftsawn, because I really like the straight graining of the rift sawn.

I see the flecks of the qtrsawn as flawed or damaged/marred wood flooring.

Or am I missing something, because the lovers of quartersawn would think I am crazy to not want qtr.

(when the sawns are bundled, usually it is only 20% qtr and 80% rift. People buy more boxes just so that they can have more of 50%/50%, leaving some of the riftsawn aside/throw out).

Am I over analyzing this?

Thanks for any thoughts,

Amanda

I called my HVAC radiant guy; he's away until next week. Will try to email him.