We are finishing our basement and are doing reasearch on sleeper style subfloors and was wondering if anyone could give us advice on it. We read that you should put felt paper directly on concrete with sleepers on top. Some sites then said to lay vapor barrier over sleepers and then lay plywood on top.
We are plannning on using ceramic tile in bathroom and click laminate floor on the rest of the area. Any suggestions. We considered the dricore flooring however our ceiling height will be compromised with this poduct so trying to apply a good subfloor for heat, protect against mold and mildrew while still allowing us enough height for drop ceiling and of course keeping the cost reasonable.
Thanks,
Kelly
You are doing it the best way. You need to get the sleepers off the cold possibly damp concrete. Felt paper or sill gasket material will do the trick.
As for the vapour barrier beneath the plywood. It is good idea in case any moisture did get in. Not sure if it is required though.
Hi Kelly,
You definitely want to keep your sleepers off the concrete with a vapour barrier. You don't need vapour barrier on top of the sleepers only underneath.
Another product that keeps your sleepers off the floor yet allows air movement underneath to help keep things dry and warm is Delta FL basement sub-floor system. With this product you don't need any additional vapour barrier.
http://www.deltams.ca/pdf/DELTA-FL_install_inst.pdf
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Laminate with the proper foam underlayment can go right on the Delta. No plywood necessary
As you were asking in your other post I would ensure that for the ceramic tile area you use a 1" thick plywood over the delta to ensure there is no movement of the sub-floor. If you can, rent a Ramset nail fastener for securing the plywood in the bathroom to the concrete floor. Much easier than using Tapcon screws as Delta mentions in their installation guide. Plus the Ramset nails hold better
This product may also help with the ceiling height that you are looking for and require. As well it is more cost effective than Dri-core
Thanks,
Dave
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