I have a new build with Joist Trak under the subfloor. On the main floor we will have a lot of engineered hardwood flooring (already in the room acclimatizing). The flooring supplier included a 3mm rubber under pad which was highly recommended (and I tested their showroom floor which used the same pad - no "clicking" noises etc.). Anyway I have had the rub underpad down in two rooms for almost 3 weeks and it stinks like a tire factory! I thought it might air out after a week but this is becoming a serious issue. I can imagine what this is going to smell like when we turn on the heat and shut the windows. Fortunately the actual flooring is not installed yet. I am seriously considering tearing out the pad and getting something else. Does anyone have any recommended products for this application? I have a good nose and slight chemical sensitivity so the "Goodyear Plant" has to go! Thanks John7

I was once enamored with engineered flooring but the quality, like any man-made product, varies with the man.

Pads of any kind should be avoided since they all resist heat transfer. When a pad is used, either under hardwood or carpet, the radiant designer must be made away so the system can be modeled with the R-value of the pad accounted for.

First make sure, talking directly to the factory, that the engineered flooring you have chosen is indeed compatible with radiant floor heating at the design temperatures you are using (another question for your designer).

We prefer real 1/4 sawn flooring and a paper pad if you must. I used 3/4" pre-finished oak over 100 year old 3/4 T&G, no pad or paper. One creaky spot missed in the sub-floor by the prep guy, me.

Lose the pad and tell them to install it carefully or choose a more compatible flooring and perhaps a new installer.

I used glue and 1 1/4" nails with 3/8 real maple been on radiant under 5/8 subfloor over 18 years.

I agree no pad

Watch those long nails !

I have the same situation before like you but I'd rather choose to not put a pad underneath.