I am getting ready to carpet my basement and thought about using 1/2″ fanfold foam insullation under the carpet instead or a pad. House is 12 years old with no water problems in the walls or from under the slab. The resaon for this approach is that I heard that the padding against concrete breaks down in just a few years. Any reasons I should not try this approach?
John
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Replies
John.....
is there any reason why you should?
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
John there's all kinds of padding out there, some of which is more or less designed specific to laying on a concrete basement floor.
I just finished up a basement last Saturday, and had specified to the carpet junkie I wanted good pad. He said how good, and that turned into something of an educational dissertation (to me) on pads and purposes. What we ended up with was a fairly hard foam pad, slick on both sides, won't hold water, contractors price on it was about $2.75/yd. Feels real good on the feet.
I have doubts that this pad will break down in the near future. Check with suppliers. Maybe you just haven't found what you think you want.
" The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies." - Oliver Cromwell
Have only carpeted 2 basements ever, both I laid a sleeper floor first (1/2 ply over PT 3/4 sleepers), one after adding footing drains.
If you are intent on carpet over concrete on a pad, closed cell polyethelene is the only way I'd go, with another layter of poly sheet under that..
John
Junkhound has good advice. Listen to him and as for Jeff Buck
Jeff.....youre becoming very Zen like. I like that. lol
Be laid
Namaste'
Andy
"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
At this point I have not done a lot of research about different types of paddings. This was just an idea that I thought would work. I will be taking the advice I receiver here and make a decision. Thanks to for the help.
John
John
I don't think that the foam will hold up. Common sheet styrofoam is about 15-25 psi compressive strenght. Now it will hold a lot of weight, but only if it is DISTRUBTED. Chair legs and high heels will crush it. I don't know about the famfold stuff, but I douught if it is any denser.
Homasote has a product for this.
http://www.homasote.com/comfort.html
And here is another product
http://www.deltams.com/deltafl/index.html
But I dont' know if you can put carpet right over it or if you need plywood to distribute the load or not.
But there is a company that I have seen advertise in FHB has has plywood t&g pannels with a layer of similar product on the bottom.
Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel..as some of these ideas are......just visit a flooring store and see what they have.
Many pads have been laid in many basements.....for many years.
How's that, Andy?
Jeff
as a guy that in a former life time cleaned more than his share of carpets.......go with the best pad ...for your specific carpet...that money can buy. Your carpet will look/feel/last many time better/longer. Or...get a real good commercial carpet.
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite