Basement flooring

1/16/2012 at 7:39:57 PM

I have never understood why anybody would put plastic on top of concrete. It does what you said "trap moisture". The only place for plastic is underneath the concrete, before it's poured.

You can save yourself some money by using drainage board for foundation walls on the floor instead of dri-core. If you want a warm basement put 1-2" foam insulation on top of that and than your flooring.

James

1/18/2012 at 9:30:23 PM

Avoid plastic 'vapour barriers' in basement floor slabs. Generally, your house's basement floor slab floats on a bed of clear stone sized and graded according to the subgrade native soils and drainage requirements.

Conduite Sauf inc.

Barrie, ON

1/22/2012 at 9:01:53 PM

James is correct in the use of the delta wall system to be used under your flooring. Dri-core although easy to use is incredibly expensive.

Lay the the dimpled plastic delta (exterior drainage membrane) on the floor and " TuckTape" any seams.

Rigid insulation can be laid over top if wanted but not required as the air space provides a thermal break from the cold concrete floor.

5/8 OSB tounge and groove sub-floor can be applied over top of plastic (and insulation if required) and screwed down with tapcons every 2 feet. Laminate floor does wonders in the basement with this type of application.

Avoid putting 6mil poly directly on the concrete as it does trap moisture.

Matt

Matt of All Trades

Kitchener Ontario

2/4/2012 at 10:42:23 PM

I was considering the dimpled plastic as well. How do I fix to the floor? If I have uneven spots, will a straight edge aid in isolating them so I do not have to level the entire floor?