Replies

1. 
   nigel_martin | Dec 28, 2001 03:16am | #1

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   Can you make large holes in the floor and blow in insulation? or run sleepers and use hard foam 1 1/2" thick, then attach the flooring to the sleepers with small step at the entrance.

1. 
   bear313 | Dec 28, 2001 06:32am | #2

   *Or both of Nigel's ideas.Blown in is a relatively easy job, easily done on a Saturday with rented equipment and quite cheaply.Laying down sleepers with foam between is also pretty low tech and easily accomplished--just check with the flooring people as to the span of the sleepers. This will bring your new floor to 1/8th" of the house floor, eliminating that trip hazard of 2 3/8th".

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   Mongo_ | Dec 28, 2001 07:31am | #3

   *Climate? Structure is good? Meets code, permitting, minimum R-value requirments for a floor in a finished room, etc?I read Will's flooring as being open underneath...when standing under the 3-season room, you look up and see the joists and the bottom of the 2 1/2" by 8" boards...it's an open-bay, like the bottom of a deck. I'm not certain that there are enclosed bays to blow anything in to.Will, with 2 3/8ths, think about 1" of foil-faced polyiso on top of the luan. Top that with T&G underlayment for the bamboo. Screw the underlayment through the polyiso, the luan, and into the 2.5 by 8" deck boards. Attach the bamboo to the underlayment by following the manufacturer's recommendations...nailing off, glueing, or floating.Is the bamboo really 3/4"? Most manufacturers supply 5/8ths. If the bamboo is 3/4", then consider 5/8ths underlayment. If the bamboo is 5/8ths, then use 3/4" underlayment.One inch of polyiso plus 3/4" plus 5/8ths inch equals 2 3/8ths.Realize that floating or glueing can add an eighth of an inch to the floor's thickness...you can accept that and make it up at the transition with a saddle, or adjust (insulation to flooring ) to 1" plus 5/8ths plus 1/8th plus 5/8ths. Or, consider pulling the luan and running 1" polyiso plus 3/4" underlayment plus 1/8th glue/float pad plus 3/4" bamboo equals 2 5/8ths.Myriad possibilities at this mindless hour...work out the required (if any) R-values with your inspector first...if you need more R-value than you can place on top of the current floor, it changes everything.Good luck!After posting all that, I re-read your original and saw "the flooring is 2 3/8ths lower than the subfloor in the adjoining room...".What is the finish floor in the adjoining room going to be? Whatever it is, add that thickness to the puzzle I posted above so the top of the bamboo will approximate the top of the finished floor in the adjoining room.If it's bamboo all around, I'll throw out one more:You have 2 3/8ths...pull the luan to get 2 5/8ths. Put down 2" polyiso, which is actually 1 7/8ths from one manufacturer, plus a 3/4 T&G underlayment for a total of 2 5/8ths.The 2" of polyiso is R 14.4, the inspector may give you the additionally required R 4.6 for the 2.5" deck boards, the 3/4 underlay, and the bamboo.Or he may not.Watch out for bugs.

2. 
   will_kruger | Dec 28, 2001 07:41am | #4

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   I am converting a three season room to all season. The last item in the conversion is the floor insulation.

   This room's floor is exposed on the underside as it sits over a patio. To insulate the underside is not an option as it acts as finished ceiling to the patio with stained and varnished 2.5" x 8" boards that are attractive.

   The floor currently consists of these 2.5" x 8" boards with 1/4" luan underlayment.

   This floor is lower by 2 3/8" than the subfloor in the adjoining room.

   The floor in this room will be 3/4" hardwood {bamboo} flooring.

   I am wondering how I can add some insulating value to the floor and still attach the hardwood flooring.