Carpet in basement

HU-548922720

7 years ago

I’ve built a music room in basement of my house. Want to carpet floor to help with acoustics.

Any suggestions for “backing “ or other ideas in case of dampness?

Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

Joe T.

7 years ago

Unless you're in a desert area, you'll have to be concerned with moisture from summer air condensing in carpet that's directly on concrete, which will cause mold. This is not the same as carpeting wicking up moisture from the concrete.

The solution is putting in an airgap between the carpet and concrete. I've used both Dricore (which I had to rip out after a 100 year flood), and platon + ¾" t&g subfloor. I did platon + ¾" in two houses, and would do it again. I did both carpet and hardwood over it.

As for how much weight the platon will hold, I had a pool table that according to the specs weighed 966 lbs. There was no deformation or deflection in the floor.

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Comments (7)

HU-955941711
7 years ago
How about mold/mildew resistant outdoor carpet tiles?
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HU-548922720
Original Author
7 years ago
Platon looks a lot less expensive that Dricore and Delta-FL (other materials suggested to me).

Am I looking at the correct product? Are there different types of platon?
HU-548922720
Original Author
7 years ago
Here's what some one suggested to me:
Joe T.
7 years ago
That's it!
HU-548922720 thanked Joe T.
SJ McCarthy
7 years ago
For acoustics and in basements, I like to see a 6mil vapour barrier (do NOT pierce the plastic...like in option 'B') with a floating cork floor. I like to see 1/4" cork underlayment underneath the cork floating floor. The two put together do VERY WELL for acoustics and in basements. The crucial part in basements = VAPOUR BARRIER. So long as you have a vapour barrier (Delta FL is the brand name for the dimpled product = expensive version of vapour barrier) you are ready to go for any type of flooring option.

Go ahead and do the cost break down for 6mil vapour barrier ($0.11/sf) with 1/4" cork underlayment ($0.75/sf www.icorkfloor.com) and an entry level 10mm cork floating floor ($2.21/sf www.icorkfloor.com). That's a total of $3.07/sf. The project = DIY level = no labour costs to be paid.

https://www.icorkfloor.com/store/cork-floors-golden-beach-10mm/

All the cork is from Portugal and is heavily tested to European standards.

Now go ahead and check your pricing (per square foot) for Options 'A' and 'B'. If I had to do it your way, I would work with Delta FL...because I do NOT like seeing 6mil plastic being pierced by screws (why use vapour barrier if you are going to punch holes in it an make it useless?).

Delta FL = $0.72/sf Home Depot (does not include tapcons)

Plywood = $1/sf (Home Depot)

Acoustic/thick carpet pad = $0.55/sf at home depot (does not include carpet tack strip)

Carpet: $1-$3/sf

Carpet requires professional install = not a DIY level install. Labour = $1.50/sf or so from Home Depot.

Total costs (if using the LOWEST priced product from HD): $3.27/sf for materials ONLY. The carpet install for labour = $1.50 or so = $4.77/sf
Rick
7 years ago
I used Dricore R+, if your doing it yourself and dont want to waste too much time on this project, this route is great.