{"id":1624,"date":"2022-01-06T12:44:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-06T12:44:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/?p=1624"},"modified":"2023-04-14T13:08:44","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T13:08:44","slug":"why-do-you-need-a-basement-subfloor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/why-do-you-need-a-basement-subfloor\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do You Need A Basement Subfloor?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
While some basements are simply used as storage space, many basements are used as an extension of the rest of the house. To turn a basement into a comfortable living space, the first change made is usually to install a better floor that will be warm and comfortable to walk on and add to the overall appeal of the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basement subfloors perform several functions, with one primary function being to prevent the upwards movement of unhealthy, musty air into the house above the basement. Floor finishes in basements cannot be placed directly onto the concrete base. The subfloor creates a buffer between the two.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While a basement subfloor is not always necessary, it will certainly help improve your basement’s living conditions. It comes highly recommended if you plan to use your basement as an extension of your home’s living space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Basement subflooring has a more significant job to do than the subflooring used on any other level of your home. A basement subfloor has to perform all the usual functions of a subfloor along with several more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A basement subfloor must control moisture conditions in the basement while simultaneously creating a thermal break to control the basement\u2019s temperatures. In the event of flooding, the subfloor will need to dry quickly and allow the floor finish to dry properly to avoid a potential build-up of moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people think that when installing a basement floor, the carpet underlay or foam underlay is perfectly sufficient. This is not true, and these underlays cannot actually be installed directly against the concrete floor of a basement. An underpad cannot stop hidden condensation from forming as air moves through the carpet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An underpad cannot stop the moist air conditions that form as air moves through the carpeting. When a floor is raised above the concrete basement surface through the use of a subfloor, any accumulated moisture is able to drain away below the finished floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hidden condensation is the leading cause of musty basements, and this is easily prevented through the use of a subfloor. Because concrete is cool to the touch, any cold air moving downwards through the carpet will make contact with the concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, condensation will occur. If there is no separation between the floor and the concrete surface below, the condensation will occur within the carpet and underpad, creating a moist environment that will quickly turn fresh air conditions into musty conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The space between the concrete and the floor surface need not be significant to achieve the desired effect. This is especially true in basements where ceilings are usually low, so it is best to ensure that the subfloor is as low as possible to maximize the floor-to-ceiling height of the basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A basement subfloor is essentially a layer built below the floor covering. A basement subfloor is used whether the floor covering is carpeting, laminated wood, or any other type of floor finish. The basement subfloor is placed on the bottom floor layer, primarily made of concrete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The subfloor creates a gap between the concrete surface below and the floor finish above. This gap helps to manage moisture and assist in insulating the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A basement subfloor is only necessary if you wish to turn your basement into a livable space with proper floor finishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Basement subfloors can be built in a multitude of different ways. The simplest basement subfloors are made using a combination of standard structural timber and plywood. In contrast, others make use of rigid foam insulation. Others still consist of factory-made modular elements that are placed together to create a fully functional subfloor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Subfloor installed above grade has less required of it than a basement subfloor. Firstly, a basement subfloor must provide a level surface for installing a finished floor. A level surface is important whether you’re installing carpeting or ceramic tiles. When it comes to ceramic tiles, the level subfloor surface will ensure that tiles do not crack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A basement subfloor must manage moisture while simultaneously creating a thermal break to control temperatures and aid in insulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three main roles of a basement subfloor. Firstly, the basement subfloor needs to provide insulation. This makes for a warm floor in winter and a cool floor in summer. Without a subfloor, the flooring will feel just as hard as the concrete underneath it, making for a less-than-desirable floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second major role of a basement subfloor is to protect the finished floor above it from moisture in the form of water vapor. If any moisture moves through the concrete from the earth below, it is very easy for mold and rot to begin forming underneath the finished floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, basement subfloors need to prevent indoor air from moving down through the floor finish, causing condensation underneath the floor. This is referred to as hidden condensation and is discussed in more detail above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of subfloor, as the name suggests, consists of two by four sleepers installed underneath a plywood surface. This subfloor type is a great low-cost option; however, it is relatively high when compared to other types of subfloor systems. This is due to the size of the structural timber that is used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A typical cross-section of this popular type of subfloor consists of (from top to bottom) a floor covering of your choice, underneath which is the plywood referred to above. This plywood is attached directly to the two-by-four sleepers below. These sleepers are placed between twelve and sixteen inches apart, center to center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is usually rigid foam insulation placed between these sleepers, and this plays a big role in assisting with insulation for the space above. The next layer down usually consists of a vapor retardant barrier which plays a major role in ensuring that moisture is sufficiently managed within the subfloor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Underneath the vapor-retardant barrier is the concrete basement floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A floating plywood subfloor is by far the cheapest option for a basement subfloor. This subfloor type consists of a simple plastic sheet barrier between the concrete floor and the plywood above it. This makes for an exceptionally thin subfloor that performs its function relatively well while remaining low in price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A floating plywood subfloor is also exceptionally easy to install when compared to other subfloor types. The layers in this subfloor type consist of your chosen floor finish, a layer of plywood, and a vapor-retardant barrier placed on top of the concrete flooring underneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Do You Need A Basement Subfloor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basement Subfloor Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Roles Of The Basement Subfloor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Two-By-Fours & Plywood Subfloor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Floating Plywood Subfloor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n