Hello everyone...
I'm renovating a room we have in the basement area of the house. It used to have beautiful
wood paneling on the walls and ceiling, which I've now removed, along with the vinyl wallpaper behind it. Everything is ready for reconstruction (the ceiling will be white), but I'm struggling with the question.
THE FLOOR!!!
It's a slab on grade, nothing built under, just a bare concrete slab. I'm not planning to install floor heating but still want to insulate the floor as much as possible. I have about 40 mm to build up to reach the "right" level regarding thresholds and other elements in the room. I've read and searched, and read even more... and have come to the following conclusion... please correct me if I'm wrong...
from the concrete slab:
s-150 insulation board foam click flooring.
* Will the floor make noise if the foam is placed directly on the insulation board (should I replace the foam with something better)?
* My most important question is about MOISTURE BARRIER... should I have plastic between the concrete slab and the insulation board?
I hope to get answers to my queries.
Christian- Halmstad
I'm renovating a room we have in the basement area of the house. It used to have beautiful
wood paneling on the walls and ceiling, which I've now removed, along with the vinyl wallpaper behind it. Everything is ready for reconstruction (the ceiling will be white), but I'm struggling with the question.THE FLOOR!!!
It's a slab on grade, nothing built under, just a bare concrete slab. I'm not planning to install floor heating but still want to insulate the floor as much as possible. I have about 40 mm to build up to reach the "right" level regarding thresholds and other elements in the room. I've read and searched, and read even more... and have come to the following conclusion... please correct me if I'm wrong...
from the concrete slab:
s-150 insulation board foam click flooring.
* Will the floor make noise if the foam is placed directly on the insulation board (should I replace the foam with something better)?
* My most important question is about MOISTURE BARRIER... should I have plastic between the concrete slab and the insulation board?
I hope to get answers to my queries.
Christian- Halmstad
Shouldn't you ensure that the slab gets some opportunity to ventilate so that ground moisture isn't trapped under the cellular plastic and create a bad smell?
What do you mean?
I am notoriously against moisture barriers, but in your case with an uninsulated slab, it might be the best option. Laying a durable building plastic with taped seams under the insulation boards to prevent ground moisture from damaging the floor.
If you have some sort of leveling solution underneath, the insulation won't do any good.
If you have some sort of leveling solution underneath, the insulation won't do any good.
Ah. I understand.
No leveling of any kind.
Anyone else have a thought, I'm going to start painting the ceiling today, so I'm getting closer to starting the floor with each passing day.
No leveling of any kind.
Anyone else have a thought, I'm going to start painting the ceiling today, so I'm getting closer to starting the floor with each passing day.
This is quite an old thread, so it would be interesting to hear what you decided on. I myself am facing a similar situation with a non-insulated slab on grade. Due to budget reasons, I will probably opt for a similar solution as you did.
I have thought a lot about this and concluded that the answer is not super simple. As you mentioned, moisture can come from the ground, but when you add some insulation on top of the slab, the slab will also cool down, which could then lead to condensation from humid indoor air. If you place a foil directly on the slab, the condensation will end up on top of the foil, which is not good for the wooden floor. Therefore, I believe it would be more appropriate to place the moisture barrier on top of the insulation since the insulation can withstand moisture.
I have thought a lot about this and concluded that the answer is not super simple. As you mentioned, moisture can come from the ground, but when you add some insulation on top of the slab, the slab will also cool down, which could then lead to condensation from humid indoor air. If you place a foil directly on the slab, the condensation will end up on top of the foil, which is not good for the wooden floor. Therefore, I believe it would be more appropriate to place the moisture barrier on top of the insulation since the insulation can withstand moisture.