Radiant floor heating is fast becoming one of the most common ways to heat a home, and the implications for flooring installed over these systems is significant. When using this type of heating system, care should always be taken to closely follow the instructions of the flooring manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in significant damage being done to a floor, in the form of serious shrinkage, cupping and face checking which result when a radiant floor heating system shocks a hardwood floor with excessive, direct heat.