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I've been reading tons on how to do a subfloor for my basement and I don't seem to be getting any closer to an answer. So far it looks like there are 4 ways to do this: (I'm stealing a good part of Chris Jaynes answer from Should I use a subfloor for a finished basement's floor?).

Additional concerns that I have are that I want to put in cabinets with a peninsula. According to This thread, cabinets shouldn't be installed on floating floors.

And then of course, there's this problem of what to do with the existing steps.

It should be mentioned too that I'll have an unfinished portion of the basement (maybe 25%), so not sure how that affects different solutions.


The Old Fashioned (6mil + sleepers + plywood)

PROS

Tried and true method

CONS

No insulation - cold. Nails penetrate barrier and allow the moisture in, causing mold down the road.


XPS foam insulation under 5/8" plywood subfloor (Mike Holmes / BSC recomended)

PROS

Cheap Good R-value to provide insulation from cold. Feels almost as warm and soft as a regular subfloor

CONS

Opinions vary about how long the foam will last before breaking down Installation instructions vary wildly (some anchor directly to floor, others anchor through wood bracing, etc.)

Opinions vary about how much air circulation the foam would allow

1" XPS + 2x4 Sleeper + 5/8" plywood = 3 1/8" sub-floor


DRIcore-style subfloor tiles

PROS

Dimpled underside allows excellent air circulation over concrete Feels almost as warm and soft as a regular subfloor Most come in 2'x2' tiles so there are no 4'x8' sheets to lug around Easy install, much like a "floating" hardwood floor Nothing anchored into the concrete (except maybe interior walls??)

CONS

  1. Most expensive option
  2. Installation calls for 1/4" gap at the edges to vent. This would vent the moisture into the wall cavity (that can't be good) if you have unfinished walls, or you are supposed to leave at least a 1/8" gap in your trim to allow it to vent into room. I have issues with this:
    • If you leave a 1/8" gap then your baseboard isn't nailed into anything but the drywall
    • You have an ugly gap under your quarter round
    • Dust and whatnot can (and will) get pushed/sucked under the floor where it is moist, causing future problems


Platon/Delta-FL underlayment under 5/8" plywood subfloor

PROS

Dimpled underside allows excellent air circulation over concrete Feels almost as warm and soft as a regular subfloor Much cheaper than the DRIcore tiles, because the Platon is purchased separately in large rolls

CONS

More difficult to install than probably any other option 4'x8' plywood subfloor is no fun to lug around Requires the subfloor to be anchored to the concrete Many people complain of "clicking" noise.

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    why do you think you need a subfloor? Mike Holmes does his method because they are in a very cold region. In my region (midwest) we generally don't do subfloors in basements unless there is a known water issue or if someone wants hardwood (dummies or people who have money to waste).
    – DMoore
    Nov 26, 2013 at 15:19
  • Well, I'm planning on doing laminate for most of it, though probably tile for the bar and bathroom. I'm in MD, so not super cold, but at the same time don't want cold floors. I guess I assumed that the floors would be cold without insulation, and I'm uber paranoid about moisture in my basement. It's a new construction house and we used to have water seep into the basement through where the main water line comes in. They tried to fix it multiple times, but with little success. We did some landscaping and it seems to have stopped, but I wonder if it might be damp and that I'd need a barrier. Nov 26, 2013 at 16:31

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I would just lay tile on the concrete. It will last longer and be less upkeep down the road. Could always get some rugs if you're worried about your feet being cold.

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  • Wow, you get around! More good information: thanks. Apr 2, 2018 at 22:01

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