s
ret
insiderbassec
ement edition
Q
We recently purchased a home with an unfinished basement and my goal
is to finish it. I’d like to add a second bathroom and a family room. My
plan had been to paint the concrete floor but a friend suggested I install
a subfloor. This seems like extra work and an added expense. Can you
explain why I would need a subfloor and what the long term benefits would
be? - Peter
Hello Peter,
Traditionally,
basements are cold
and damp spaces
that are prone to
moisture problems.
Installing a proper
subfloor is the
most effective way
to prevent those
problems and create
a space that is warm,
soft and dry. Here’s
how:
WARM Did you
know that 25% of
your home’s heat
energy is lost through
the foundation
and concrete slab
floor? Insulating
your basement floor
actually improves the
thermal performance
of your entire home!
In terms of energy
and heat, using a R3
rated DRIcore Subfloor
R+ in your basement
is the equivalent of
adding R40 insulation
in your attic!
SOFT The basement,
especially in the family room, will be a heavy traffic area. Constant, repetitive
walking or standing on concrete floors can cause cumulative pain and fatigue. A
subfloor will provide added shock absorbency for one’s feet by raising the floor from
the hard concrete.
DRY DRIcore Subfloor panels are designed with air gap technology that
encourages constant air flow and evaporation/reabsorption of surface moisture
emitted from your concrete. Consider a DRIcore Subfloor as a cheap insurance
policy; after spending thousands of dollars in your basement, you want to protect
your investment by limiting moisture that can cause damage to your walls, flooring
and furniture!
When renovating a basement, a quality subfloor is a must to help ensure you have
a mold-free, dry, warm and comfortable space for everyone to enjoy! - Dan Sudnik,
Renovation Expert, DRIcore
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