Replies

1. 
   hipaul | Jun 16, 2007 02:28am | #1

   Oh yeah,
   The basement is about 425 sq ft in the main area, another 150 in the laundry area, 60 in the bathroom (will be tiled), and the rest won't need flooring.

   Paul

1. 
   allan23 | Jun 16, 2007 04:00am | #3

   I have a two story slab on grade. The slab was poured by hand in three sections. Leveling between the sections was an after thought. I did some pourable concrete in a few areas but I wish I had done more after I had finished a couple of rooms (dining and living). Decided to spend a lot more time ensuring a level floor for the kitchen. I went with engineered maple hardwood as I managed to get it at 2.25 sq.ft from a flooring auction. I've put down about a thousand sqft so far and I can see the job ending soon.

   Here is one method being used that uses 4x8 T&G on top of dimpled plastic

   http://www.systemplaton.com/pdf/ARM-Platon-install-int-10.pdf

   I have used the DELTA FL system as the PLATON system only had foundation protection available when I was scoping out options.

   http://www.deltafl.com/

    I like using the DELTA FL. The rolls are a bit cheaper than the 4x8 cut sheets that are also available. I wanted to decrease any chance of mold developing that was apparent  with the carpet and foam underlay. Although the carpet really hid all the problems with the concrete floor. After the floor was put down, I found a bit of a hollow sound when walking on it. In the end I am happy but it isn't a good hardwood nail down job which I would have really liked.

   Floor leveling is going to be an issue no matter what you put down so spend the time to get it level.

    

1. 
   hipaul | Jun 16, 2007 04:56am | #4

   Thanks, that's good info. I actually haven't seen either of those products before. Any rough idea on sq. ft. price?
   Also, you mentioned a hollow sound, I'm assuming that you put down plywood on top of the mat. If so, did you screw it down fairly often, or only around the perimter as the Platon system suggested (seems kinda underkill since that TNG plywood's still gonna want to move a little, seems like it could potentially buckle up a little bit at the joints if it's not screwed down anywhere but the outside edges)
   The slab I'm dealing with is actually fairly level overall as far as 100 year old slabs go, but there's definitely some spots to address, and I think there's unfortunately a hump right around the middle.

1. 
   allan23 | Jun 17, 2007 05:42pm | #7

   Hey Paul

   I installed as per specs. Engineered hardwood over a laminate foam right on top of the DELETA FL. I didn't use any plywood. I figured this cut the cost and work substantially (cost of ply, tapcons etc.). I suspect the places where I hear the hollow sound, while walking is in areas where I  wasn't as good with the floor levelling compound. Any areas where furniture or tables are placed it sounds like a regular soild floor. I think the DELTA FL was running just over $1 a sq ft (maybe a $1.15) plus the foam then the engineered flooring.

2. 
   Dave45 | Jun 16, 2007 02:46am | #2

   Paul -

   Your flooring manufacturer should have some specs about the allowable variation in the floor's "flatness" - as well as recommended installation methods over concrete (e.g. vapor barrier, etc)

   Since level and flat aren't the same thing, I would also want to really check on the floor's  level.  A floor that old may be quite a bit out of level which could make using leveling compounds something of an adventure.

3. 
   DougR | Jun 16, 2007 08:21am | #5

   I've done two installatons of cork floating planks in basements. Both basements already had old vinyl asbestos tiles over a concrete slab. I laid down that super-thin foam padding layer on top of the old tile with no other prep whatsoever. The planks are thick enough to bridge chipped and partly missing tiles no problem. They bridge divots left from pulling out old tack strips no problem. By and large the installations have held up great (4 years now) and the cork is a very nice surface to walk on. Provides some insulation as well.

   One warning: if you keep the cork dressed (mop on a coat of sealer once or twice a year) it handles water spills just fine. But if you ever get standing water UNDER the cork - forget it. In one basement, the Aprilaire unit on the furnace leaked and flooded under the cork planks. The planks immediately swelled and buckled, and when they dried out they shrank like crazy. I'm talking shrinkage enough to pull the planks completely apart. About 40 sq. ft had to be replaced. The rest of the basement still looks perfect. Slight seasonal movement due to humidity, but no worse than a hardwood strip floor.

1. 
   hipaul | Jun 16, 2007 06:47pm | #6

   I really like the feel of cork underfoot. That's why I was pushing for it as the flooring in this basement. The HOs had the same concern about moisture and whether the cork would be especially prone to it. I've put it down in a kitchen and laundry room before as well as other non-wet areas and felt that it holds its own as far as top side moisture control, but was concerned about water getting underneath it. I guess it's good to know that it will be a problem if something fails and water gets underneath.
   The basement itself is dry, and even though it's slab below grade, the property was actually graded correctly so that there's never been any leakage before. That's not to say it couldn't happen in the future, but that would be an issue with pretty much any flooring at that point.