Carpet Over Concrete Subfloor

Check your flooring manufacturer s recommendations to ensure you re using a proper subfloor.

Carpet over concrete subfloor.

On wood frame floors the subflooring provides a continuous structural surface over the floor joists. Subfloors are strong versatile and very durable. It strengthens the floor removes bounce and gives the tile a. To install carpet on concrete choose a carpet that is constructed of synthetic products only as natural fibers are often too absorbent.

Use a 6 staple pattern at the perimeter of the subfloor. Lay the sheet over the concrete floor dimples down overlap adjacent edges and tape the seams. As with a floated subfloor nwfa recommends a vapor retarder for glue down subfloors when installing wood flooring over concrete. Then lay tack strips around the perimeter of the room and install your strips of padding.

The subfloor is the foundation beneath finish flooring materials. Additionally the underlayment is always a waterproof material that will create a waterproof barrier. Cement board a sheet of lightweight concrete and fiberglass mesh should be laid over top of the subfloor for any tile project. This engineered material acts as a floating floor over concrete to provide extra protection from moisture and create a softer feel underfoot.

While carpet and underlayment will be able to hide some flaws in the concrete sagging or bumby areas may show through. Dimpled polyethylene underlayment is available from home centers flooring suppliers or online. Patch the concrete subfloor as required. How to install a glued subfloor over concrete.

If the concrete subfloor is always dry however laminate floors can be placed directly on the slab. Add the plywood layer on top and anchor it to the concrete with 15 concrete screws predrilled and countersunk per 4 x 8 ft. In basements and in homes with slab on grade foundations the subfloor may simply be a concrete slab. This is a possible basement flooring project you can diy.

Many homeowners are hesitant to using carpet in the basement due to moisture concerns. Before you install the carpet make sure to check the concrete for any moisture issues that need to be addressed. Subfloor panels offer much easier installation than the traditional technique of nailing down 2x4 sleepers over the concrete and covering them with plywood. Keep in mind the average cost of laminate flooring is 1 sf to 5 sf.

Concrete or tile over concrete are acceptable floors for uninhabited basements.