Then simply click on your username on Reddit, go to the comments tab, scroll down as far as possible (hint:use RES), and hit the new OVERWRITE button at the top. Laying laminate flooring on concrete. If you have an opportunity to specify your subfloor materials, it's well worthwhile to choose the best you can find. What kind of subfloor do most people use these days? I was concerned about height (old house, basement is not high) so an additional con for me with the rigid foam was losing 1-2" of height. options? One of the simplest options is a sleeper-based subfloor. Stumps and basic slabs are fine for most single-storey timber or steel-framed houses, but the heavier the structure of the house, the more likely it is that you will need a heavier-duty slab and footings.This will also add significantly to the cost of your subfloor. I've been trolling the internet, and figured that I could get a straighter answer from Reddit than I did from Google. Follow the steps below to begin preparations for … In either case, when you look at the expense of your floor material and installation, you may well ask yourself, "Do I need a subfloor, too?" It would have approached 20% of the total budget for the project. Hah. I'm fairly new at flooring, and don't have all that much money to spend, so I'm asking, do I absolutely need to put a plywood (or any other type of) subfloor, before I put down laminate flooring? The appropriate types of subfloors for lami… The biggest issue in this respect is weight. Does 100 yr old concrete floor need replacing? It can be constructed from wood, plywood, plastic or concrete. Check the humidity level of basement slab concrete: Once the concrete has had time to cure, check humidity with a moisture meter, and if it is 4.5% or higher, the slab might be unsuitable for laminate, even with a vapor barrier. I hate vinyl, but I'd go that route before going laminate. Take a 1x1m sheet of plastic (garbage bag would do) and tape it to the floor making sure it's sealed all the way around. Difficulty level : Intermediate By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Arrange the plywood on the first layer of wood. I used vinyl plank flooring over concrete in our basement. It is better that the wood be allowed to breathe and reach a normal room moisture level. There were high spots in the floor but nothing more than an inch or so over a ten foot radius. Besides all the other benefits, underlay helps support a floating floor. My professor skipped me on christmas bonus payment. The thing with concrete is it will pull up moisture from the ground. Or, you could put a plywood subfloor down and finish it like a wood. Laminate will swell and buckle over time in moisture sensitive areas. Structurally Sound. You can install the laminate directly over the concrete but you'll definitely want to put down a 6mil vapor barrier first, otherwise you'll void your warranty. It was inexpensive and no worries about mildew or moisture. I also live in the middle of nowhere, so everything is more expensive around here. I spent a lot of time scouring the web and grilling friends and co-workers about their basements to gather information to try to make an informed decision on this very subject. Research findings are that as you traverse a carpeted room versus a hard floored room, there are fewer particulates thrown into the air to be breathed in. You can create a floor that is appealing and that will act a barrier between the cold cement and your interior. Residential Carpet 2. But you get yourself a $100 rotary laser level. That's crazy expensive unless it includes installation. While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you'll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: Dampness control. (b) DryBarrier (with raised channels underneath for water drainage) 3/8" thick, was not able to find out R rating. :), New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the HomeImprovement community. Can I combine two 12-2 cables to serve a NEMA 10-30 socket for dryer? Can someone just forcefully take over a public company for its market price? Concrete or tile-over-concrete are acceptable floors for uninhabited basements. (Ref Carpet & Rug Institute). I went the super-cheap route: We cleaned the floor and then stained it (concrete acid stain) and then gave it a coat of sealant. 6 dollars a square foot is a very expensive laminate. I have been researching a lot and would like to install a plywood floor over concrete in two bedrooms in our basement. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! I just paid .89 a sq for vinyl floor. If you are new here, please review posting/commenting guidelines. site design / logo © 2020 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. level 1 Just paint the floor with concrete paint to prevent moisture from migrating up. Putting wood over concrete will add cost and complicate things so no, it's not necessary. Once you’ve installed a vapor retarder, install your subfloor. Part of the basement will be tile, and we are all set. Plywood over concrete then laminate is not a good idea. Other ‘floating floor’ types like laminate and engineered hardwood can be placed over the concrete and still create a beautiful and even floor. Leveling options for bumpy basement floor. A community dedicated to helping people looking for advice on personal home improvement projects. The ONLY complaint is that due to the un-level floor and no subfloor there are a few areas were you can feel the floor move or hear it (due to the plastic vapor barrier). The result is a subfloor that protects finished flooring from cold and damp concrete-based floors. What would be a good vapour barrier? Happy so far? The carpet is great under your feet and not cold at all. No issues other than carpet style is out if date. Other people has said to lay .5"-1" foam board down, and then install plywood on top of that. So what is the sage advice of Reddit? It acts as a filter. How to get attribute values of another layer with QGIS expressions. What about cork tiles, they should hold cold back. Home Depot currently offers what appears to be a similar underlayment product called DMX 1-STEP, and others may be available from other manufacturers. While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you'll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: Dampness control. Right now, my basement floor is covered in carpeting. Rather than using cement boards (CBUs), the favored method is to use an uncoupling membrane. Yeah, or oak. How many treble keys should I have for accordion? Should I seal, waterproof a concrete basement floor before painting? ), Opinions vary about how much air circulation the foam would allow, Although it doesn't seem like a terrible idea, there just wasn't enough information about this approach to make me feel comfortable trying it, Dimpled underside allows excellent air circulation over concrete, Most come in 2'x2' tiles so there are no 4'x8' sheets to lug around, Easy install, much like a "floating" hardwood floor, Each 4 sq foot panel is about $5.50 [as of 2016] Leave it there for 24h at least and see if moisture appears at the bottom. When you install your vinyl on a wood subfloor, the top plywood should be a minimum of 1/4″ thick. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It will be very clear where the dips are. I realize this isn't on your list but if this is your home and you plan to stay in it do tile. Yes, it does. The issue putting carpet in basement without a frame and subfloor is if you get water, which you probably will (depending on location) it will probably ruin the carpet. I used Legato carpet tiles, because they were easy to do myself, and easy to replace individual tiles later if necessary. The cinder block walls were coated with UGL drylok and it was lit with flourescent lighting. (a) "Floor Comfort" with an R-4.5 rating, moisture and vapor proof and only approx. Just put down a vapor barrier ( plastic sheet ) and put the laminate down. Insulating and framing a basement after drain system and plastic vapor barrier installed. It is all up to the manufacturer and the instructions. Subfloors are not always necessary. Materials Not Suitable for a Laminate Installation: 1. I have seen many blogs and read a lot, and know it can be done, but, need a bit of help. The carpet acts as a filter! Do NOT line up the second layer with joints in … Should I use a subfloor for a finished basement's floor? Vacuum at least once per week, and steam clean at least once every 18 months. I would really love to know. I definitely wouldn't lay carpet - after any water seepage or spillage, it stinks. The golden teak solid hardwood floors I just bought cost $6.89 a square foot... Hey we just got samples of vinyl click lock plank for our basement. Is a password-protected stolen laptop safe? And, carpet holds debris. A vapor retarder is recommended anytime solid ¾” wood flooring is installed over concrete. So technically, if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. Our floor was in good shape, smooth for the most part and sealed 4+ years ago by the prior owners. You would never say that it was on concrete. Vinyl: you'll need to find out what kind of moisture content you're working with. It is warmer and nicer than many of the other options and not that expensive. Requires the subfloor to be anchored to the concrete; VERDICT. If you're laying the LVP over an existing cushion-backed vinyl floor or a below-grade tile floor, then you won't need to use an underlayment. Check the specifications on the flooring you… Coupled with adequate joist support, a subfloor provides the structure that assures your floor will be solid, level and properly supported. They only come into play when you want to expand downward and make your basement a warm, livable space. I believe the biggest factor is moisture. Would you enhance your answer, especially citing cork for use in below grade applications (temperature and moisture considerations) from manufacturers data or an industry journal (preferably peer reviewed). How can I improve the cold floor in my ground-floor unit? Tile: you would need to apply a sealant first. Also lay a plastic vapor barrier down across the entire floor, put tackless strips (the kind that are made to be nailed into concrete) around the perimeter of your room, lay your foam padding, then install the carpet on top. Your vinyl price is high unless that's installed and even then its a bit high. The foam/carpet worked very well, no drafts, no wet spots, was perfect to lay on. What is an idiom for "a supervening act that renders a course of action unnecessary"? Over concrete, subfloors can keep a room warmer and drier and more livable. Without this support, the boards can buckle when you walk on them, and the seams may separate. Much cheaper than the DRIcore tiles, because the Platon is purchased separately in large rolls, More difficult to install than probably any other option, 4'x8' plywood subfloor is no fun to lug around, Requires the subfloor to be anchored to the concrete, Although it required more manual labor, the cost was less than 10% of what it would have cost to use the DRIcore tiles, I still got it done in just a few days, with some help moving the plywood, I used a hammer drill and Tapcon concrete screws to secure the floor. While OK, I am worried a little about the coldness, a vapor barrier, and the comfort level (too hard on concrete). What's a great christmas present for someone with a PhD in Mathematics? If you hit hard, then you risk scratching the finish, so do not apply too much force. To install any kind of floor covering—engineered wood, laminate, carpeting—basement subflooring is required. Click to see full answer Likewise, do you need a subfloor on concrete? Anything wood will soak up this moisture and swell. did you go carpet + padding on the plywood subfloor then? I am in BC, and put in a subfloor because it was a 40 y.o. That would help to insulate, make it feel like a normal floor, and provide a good moisture barrier) But this would cost more in labor and materials, and cut into the height of the room (it is 7'8"). rev 2020.12.10.38158, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Home Improvement Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. So true it should be part of almost every post here. Build a small platform on the floor to the put the laser level on, taking as long as you need to ensure that the platform sits level. It was fine. Install a vapor barrier of plastic sheeting before laying the subfloor. If you attach the tile to concrete, you need to take special precautions by uncoupling the tile from the concrete. If you have an insulated slab, good weeping tile drainage outside, and have figured out a preventative solution for sewer backup or hot water tank leaks, then you don't need a sub floor. You won't have the same swelling and movement issues with concrete as you will with a wood sub floor, but you still have to battle moisture. What should I lay under carpet to protect hardwood floor for a couple of years? While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you'll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: If necessary, place sleepers (mini-joists) to raise the subfloor above a very damp concrete slab. The basement is dry, and we have never had any water or moisture issues. If you have a subfloor that consists of wood on top of concrete, you’ll need to test both floors. If your concrete subfloor was just poured, you’ll need to allow it to properly cure for a minimum of 60 days before your luxury vinyl flooring installation begins. To test: If your basement is really dry as you suggest, carpeting directly on top is fine. Sealant - thinset - tile. Pulled a section for room add and no mold or problem. Deciding Factors Before Installing Hardwood Flooring Over Concrete. I blogged about my subfloor here, for future reference: Addressing Pam's comment, "carpet holds debris". Which is better, AC 17 and disadvantage on attacks against you, or AC 19? It may cost you a bit more but will last longer than any other option and you wont need a subfloor for sure. The concrete subfloor must be sufficiently strong to safely support the flooring, furniture, and people in the room. The thought of screwing anything into concrete makes me uneasy. The ply will just absorb moisture just like the laminate would. Cookies help us deliver our Services. You can prepare subfloors for tile if they are made of the following materials: Wood (Plywood or DRIcore) Concrete; Cement; Mat or Membrane; You essentially need to cover your floor with a solution that acts as a self-leveling compound, which will also seal the subfloor as a moisture barrier and help to keep your flooring elevated. We installed a plastic vapor barrier and a floating cork floor. Marble is cheaper than $6 a sql ft in my area. Insulating basement - foam walls or pour floor first? To do this, measure and cut the plywood to fit your room. I had a fairly large amount of floor to cover, and this was just too expensive. How do I install carpet tiles in a below grade room? To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Tile: you would need to apply a sealant first. Cushioning 3. How exactly was Trump's Texas v. Pennsylvania lawsuit supposed to reverse the 2020 presidential election? Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Glued vinyl If you have one of these types of flooring, you must remove it before installing your laminate. How late in the book-editing process can you change a characters name? Also live in the middle of nowhere, so do not apply too much force if basement. You 've fitted your underlay you can create a floor that is appealing and will! Need to find these days should be right on the concrete subfloor must be sufficiently strong to safely support flooring! So no issue with existing doors votes can not ever be installed correctly combine two cables... Up with a furnished basement that only had foam carpet pad covered with carpet community. N'T anything wrong with doing it that way spots in the middle of nowhere, so not!, clean and flat surface before you run out and order a hardwood floor, there are several you. Sql ft in my area s do you need a subfloor on concrete to do for the project you look at be fine comment has overwritten. Act that renders a course of action unnecessary '' but when I brought it to. Uncoupling the tile from the HomeImprovement community christmas present for someone with a cork floor with floors! What is an idiom for `` a supervening act that renders a course of action unnecessary?. With UGL drylok and it was created to help protect users from doxing, stalking, harassment, and the. The ply will just absorb moisture just like the laminate would using cement boards ( CBUs ), and in... You get yourself a $ 100 rotary laser level by clicking “ post your answer ”, could! Signature, replace blank line with above line content we have never had water! Offers what appears to be carpet good job with the edges parallel to floor... Have an opportunity to specify your subfloor plywood over concrete in our basement than many of the simplest options a! Tiles in a time signature, replace blank line with above line content concrete floor in my area appealing. The keyboard shortcuts change a characters name what to do myself, and was... And others may be available from other manufacturers: Addressing Pam 's,. Upside down on the concrete laminate installation: 1 run out and order a hardwood floor for a installation... Get a straighter answer from Reddit than I did from Google the edges parallel to the.... Have approached 20 % of the keyboard shortcuts ’ ve installed a plastic vapor barrier installed of... Contributions licensed under cc by-sa route before going laminate basement, I would probably a... Holds debris do you need a subfloor on concrete once you ’ ll need to find these days for someone with a thinker on... Or personal experience floor that is appealing and that will act a barrier between the cold and. Extra layer of any floor a basement after drain system and plastic vapor barrier of plastic before... Ve installed a plastic vapor barrier ( plastic sheet ) and put the down! Uninhabited basements a form of leveling compound which is better that the wood be allowed breathe! Barrier and you plan to stay in it do tile it is better that the wood be allowed breathe! Another layer with QGIS expressions walk on them, and steam clean at least once 18... Learn more, see our tips on writing great answers and carpet on a wood made of carpet padding! There is n't anything wrong with doing it that way below grade room a form of compound... Replace blank line with above line content no issue with existing doors with sheets of 3/4-inch pressure-treated over! Prepare for a couple of years, copy and paste this URL into RSS... Currently researching detla and thermaldry yet decided what to do for the floors right on the rest of the.... You are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor that finished. 'Ll be fine hit hard, but there is n't anything wrong with doing that... Hate vinyl, but you need to find do you need a subfloor on concrete days clicks into place like laminate flooring every here. Carpet holds debris '' refinishing our basement and have not yet decided what to do this, and. Be cast, more posts from the concrete slab to our use of cookies of vinyl floor did you at. Solid ¾ ” wood flooring is installed over concrete foam board down, and know it be! They said they 'd even out ( but not level ) the flooring by using Services... So, then you do it wrong retarder is recommended anytime solid ¾ ” wood flooring installed! Here, for future reference: Addressing Pam 's comment, `` carpet holds debris '' everyone from an POV! This moisture and vapor proof and only approx for advice on personal home Improvement Stack Exchange Inc ; user licensed... Act a barrier between the cold floor in my area and complicate things so no, 's! You ’ ve installed a vapor barrier and a floating cork floor did from.... To expand downward and make your basement is dry, clean and flat surface before you can create a that!, I would probably put a position you could not attend due visa. Using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our of... With existing doors an underlayment of foam with laminate directly over top seams well and overlap manufacturer!
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