I am currently doing a bid on a basement remodel and client requested a floor with a little “give” to it(Gymnastically inclined kids I guess). The existing floor is concrete, level, and dry. In the past I have installed various kinds of floors over concrete from gluing the pad down and carpeting over(not great but fast and cheap) to total 2 X 10 joist build up. I would like to start with a 6mil vapor barrier then a 2 X 4 sleeper frame(16″ o.c.) with rigid foam between, then float a layer of 3/4″ T&G Ply and finally tie it all together with 1/4″ ply at right angles and staggered with the 3/4″ T&G underneath.Then (Whew!) pad and carpet. MY PROBLEM: Is there a pad or cushion out there that can be installed under the T&G to give the floor a little bounce? Suggestions?
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Can ya put cork in a basement? Where's Gabe when ya need him. Jeff
Genius has it's limits.....but stupidity knows no bounds
Thought of using cork. I know it's widely used for noise abatement. However that is not the concern. Is there much give in a cork floor? I know that its microporous so it should have some give to it. Client wants carpeting. Does one cover a (beautiful?)cork floor? Thanks for the suggestion. Bro
One idea might be to use one of the interlocking rubber tile products as an underlayment for either the carpet or the T&G ply.
Ken Hill
I though you were looking for something other than carpet. If carpeting.....I'd just go with the best pad available. Best pad and medium carpet makes for the best carpet deal. Better pad will make a lesser carpet last longer too. Jeff Genius has it's limits.....but stupidity knows no bounds
sorry if I led you all on the wrong path. what I'm trying to do is in conjunction with the pad and carpet. I've seen, but don't know where to find, the products that one can install under the subfloor(in my case between the 3/4" T&G and sleeper 2X4's) that acts as a shock absorber. I've heard of pads about 2" square that one installs under the subfloor in a 12" or 16" or more grid depending upon the amount of bounce one desires. used for dance floors and gymnastics floors? thanks for the help so far!
Did a job, a few years ago similiar. Rubber pads attached to bottom of 1 st layer of 3/4 ply, then a second layer of 3/4 ply, laid perpendicular, and staggered, glued & screwed. In this case , finish floor was birdseye maple, but pad & carpet would also work. Be sure no moisture is migrating from slab, or install vapor barier 1st. Space all panels at walls and between each panel. Pads came from Connor Sports Flooring, they have several locations nationwide. If you can not locate such a product, and are more interested, feel free to reply back. One of my customers is an exec. there, I'm sure we can help you out. They do basketball courts like this everywhere. I believe the guy who invented their system works at the mill near me, so technical support should not be a problem. ( layout of pads, desired cushioning, etc.)
Brudoggie
Sounds great! I could use a spec sheet, spacing, $?,and install advice and such so as to make an accurate bid. Thanks a bunch form here in sunny seattle.
The pads come in 3 levels of cushion: Softest- aerobic room floors, medium- all purpose, & hardest- basketball courts. Application rate of 1 pad per sq. ft. floor space. Pads are about 3/4 thick. They cost about $0.60 each. Plus shipping. The company does some business with Northern Hardwoods, in your neck of the woods. We can arrange sale through them, or direct C.O.D. to you. If you are interested in this, E-mail me at ( [email protected]), and I will set up a contact for you. Found a link: sales@northern hardwoods.com, also check out http://www.connoraga.com, for design specs.
Brudoggie
Edited 6/18/2002 7:06:04 PM ET by BRUDOGGIE