Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
CANADA
02-15-10, 04:14 PM
#1
Concrete Flor
I currently have tile over a concrete floor in my family room and of course the floor is very cold. am i able to put vapour barrier, insulation, then a floating hardwood floor...or do i need to build a sub floor over the insulation then put the hardwood on top?
the only issue i have for height is there is a two piece bathroom off the family room. i plan on raising the toilet and vanity to accomadate the height of the insulation and hardwood.
i would like to stay away from radiant heating due to the monthly costs.
the only issue i have for height is there is a two piece bathroom off the family room. i plan on raising the toilet and vanity to accomadate the height of the insulation and hardwood.
i would like to stay away from radiant heating due to the monthly costs.
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,775
ME
02-15-10, 05:03 PM
#2
Hi Rob and welcome to the forum. Slab construction most likely has a VB under the slab already, possibly some insulation as well. The problem is, the cold you feel on the floor is most likely not coming from under the floor. Since warm air rises, it is difficult to heat a flat floor by convection. The heat rises and any cold that enters the house falls to the floor. Your new floor will work, but address the rest of the heat loss to make it work better. Here is a link. Go to the bottom and click on "slabs" and it illustrates exactly what you propose. BSI-003: Concrete Floor Problems —
Bud
Bud
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
CANADA
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,775
ME
02-15-10, 08:07 PM
#4
If that's an all glass sliding door, it is probably your biggest source of cold air. Smoke tests on picture windows and glass doors show cold air cascading off them. Between air leaking around the slider and the r-3 glass, they are like leaving a window partially open.
As a test, cover the entire door with a sheet of plastic.
Bud
As a test, cover the entire door with a sheet of plastic.
Bud
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
CANADA