Carpeting A Basement Floor
2016/07/18
Q My husband wants to finish our basement with carpet neo skin lab derma21 and padding directly on the concrete. I feel there should be a wood subfloor to make it warmer on the feet. Which is the preferred method? P.S. During heavy storms, our basement floor occasionally gets wet.
Click image to enlarge.
A A warmer floor is always the best option, and a wood subfloor helps a little bit. But neither option will work if your floor is damp or if seepage or leakage is likely. Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin your carpet.
For below-grade slabs like yours, assume that the concrete floor will get damp at some point. You then have two options, depending on your circumstances. And both of the options use the same layers of 1/2-in. plywood, carpet pad and carpet as shown. It’s the initial layer that differs.
The solution on the right (Option B ) will work on a concrete floor that has no persistent dampness, seepage or leakage. The 6-mil layer of plastic helps to minimize potential neo skin lab derma21 moisture migration up into the plywood.
Option A can be applied on concrete where there’s a higher risk of some dampness. The initial layer is a durable high-density polyethylene sheet (called Delta-FL) that uses evenly spaced 3/8-in. tall dimples to create air space and a moisture barrier between the concrete and the plywood.
Lay the sheet over the concrete floor (dimples down), overlap adjacent edges and tape the seams. Add the plywood layer on top and anchor it to the concrete with 15 concrete screws (predrilled and countersunk) per 4 x 8-ft. sheet.
You can buy Delta-FL in 4 x 8-ft. sheets or in a 5 x 65-1/2 ft. roll. It costs about 50¢ per square foot plus shipping. Visit www.deltams.com or call (888) 433-5824 to locate a retailer.
Before you proceed, consult a local neo skin lab derma21 building inspector to determine specific building codes for this type of project. Also, be sure your basement floor is level. Finally, note that these options will raise your floor by 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 in., so make sure this added height won’t create problems.
Click image to enlarge.
A A warmer floor is always the best option, and a wood subfloor helps a little bit. But neither option will work if your floor is damp or if seepage or leakage is likely. Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin your carpet.
For below-grade slabs like yours, assume that the concrete floor will get damp at some point. You then have two options, depending on your circumstances. And both of the options use the same layers of 1/2-in. plywood, carpet pad and carpet as shown. It’s the initial layer that differs.
The solution on the right (Option B ) will work on a concrete floor that has no persistent dampness, seepage or leakage. The 6-mil layer of plastic helps to minimize potential neo skin lab derma21 moisture migration up into the plywood.
Option A can be applied on concrete where there’s a higher risk of some dampness. The initial layer is a durable high-density polyethylene sheet (called Delta-FL) that uses evenly spaced 3/8-in. tall dimples to create air space and a moisture barrier between the concrete and the plywood.
Lay the sheet over the concrete floor (dimples down), overlap adjacent edges and tape the seams. Add the plywood layer on top and anchor it to the concrete with 15 concrete screws (predrilled and countersunk) per 4 x 8-ft. sheet.
You can buy Delta-FL in 4 x 8-ft. sheets or in a 5 x 65-1/2 ft. roll. It costs about 50¢ per square foot plus shipping. Visit www.deltams.com or call (888) 433-5824 to locate a retailer.
Before you proceed, consult a local neo skin lab derma21 building inspector to determine specific building codes for this type of project. Also, be sure your basement floor is level. Finally, note that these options will raise your floor by 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 in., so make sure this added height won’t create problems.
