Floating Sub Floor

[neolitic]

I have done a floating sub floor over a slab
before with ¾" T&G and 3/8" laid perpendicular
and screwed together.
There was even an article in FHB or JLC
a while back about it (though I can find it now).
This time though, all the situation allows
is Platon (¾), OSB (½), and ¼" birch underlay.
Screwed together with ¾" construction screws.
Cheap vinyl tile over every thing.
Only 1-1/8" clearance for steel entry door,
and no room to raise the door. :surrender:
I want the Platon for vapor barrier as well
as isolation from the slab, but I'm afraid of
ripples if I tapcon the OSB.
Any chance that it might work?


http://www.systemplaton.com/

[WarnerConstInc.]

What about the squares of OSB with that stuff on the bottom?

I cant remember what it is called. I think that stuff floats.

[Eieio]

Dricore



link: http://www.dricore.com/en/eIndex.aspx

[neolitic]

What about the squares of OSB with that stuff on the bottom?

I cant remember what it is called. I think that stuff floats.

It is the same stuff.
I'm just buying a 7'-3"X65'-6" roll,
and 4X8 OSB.
It comes out @ 50¢ sft against @ $1.50 sft
for the 2'X2' DriCore tiles.

[naptownCr]

how do you plan to secure the edges together?
that's also a lot of sheet to warp if it goes south on you.
The dricore is 2x2 pieces for a reason. If one warps it will not be as bad as an 8' sheet bowing up and slapping on the concrete when walked on.
I would spoend the money on the dricore or mill the osb to mimic it. ( I did not tell you to infringe on their patent)

[neolitic]

how do you plan to secure the edges together?
that's also a lot of sheet to warp if it goes south on you.
The dricore is 2x2 pieces for a reason. If one warps it will not be as bad as an 8' sheet bowing up and slapping on the concrete when walked on.
I would spoend the money on the dricore or mill the osb to mimic it. ( I did not tell you to infringe on their patent)

:laugh4::laugh4:

That's a thought, and that's what
I'm after.

[naptownCr]

OK let's assume you create something similar.
How long will it take to do the milling?
can you do it for less than a dollar a square foot?
Why not look into a laminate floor?
they also make floating floors in real wood veneers that can be installed below grade. ( assuming that is what is ultimately desired.)

[naptownCr]

How big an area are we talkin here

[neolitic]

How big an area are we talkin here

Between 360-400 sft.

[neolitic]

It's a detached garage, slab on grade.
Going to be finished and heated as a studio.
The Platon is supposed to interlock
and form a vapor barrier.

[naptownCr]

What's the finish floor supposed to be?

[WarnerConstInc.]

I think I would spend more on the Dricore and have it put together quicker then fabbing your own up.

I guess you could roll the sheets out and then put some 3/4" advantech or even just grant t&g.

Depends how hard you want to work.

[neolitic]

What's the finish floor supposed to be?

I'm telling her to do some peel'n stick,
but she may just put porch paint
on the Birch.

[neolitic]

I think I would spend more on the Dricore and have it put together quicker then fabbing your own up.

I guess you could roll the sheets out and then put some 3/4" advantech or even just grant t&g.

Depends how hard you want to work.


¾" ply or Advantech would be too thick with
underlayment, it would have to have tile
installed directly on it.
After reading the DriCore instructions
they say you can tapcon those, so maybe
I shouldn't worry about tapcons with the OSB.

[WarnerConstInc.]

If they pucker the osb a little, just sand it off.

[neolitic]

If they pucker the osb a little, just sand it off.

I was more worried about compressing
the Platon and making the OSB wavy,
but if they do it with the 2X2's, it must
not be that compressible.

[WarnerConstInc.]

I bet with the shape of the plastic, that stuff is pretty crush resistant.

[neolitic]

Ooops.
I guess so, it says 1000 lbs per sft.

[TulsaRemodeler]

I would do two cross layered of 1/2 plywood, liquid nails and screwed. No OSB, nothing to stop it from buckling. I love Adantech but not for this situation.

[neolitic]

I would do two cross layered of 1/2 plywood, liquid nails and screwed. No OSB, nothing to stop it from buckling. I love Adantech but not for this situation.

Raises me up too far.
Platon is ¼", and I only have 1-1/8"

[TulsaRemodeler]

Raises me up too far.
Platon is ¼", and I only have 1-1/8"
3/8ths plywood then or layers of luon, what are you options? Not too many.

[Eieio]

Ok back up a bit.. do you need to raise the floor Neo?? or are you inserting the osb etc as a vapor barrier??

[OGStilts]

Neo,

That article you are looking for was in this months FHB and it was for installing hardwood floors on concrete. It might be a bit of an overkill for your situation.

I've used the Dricore before and it was great to work with. Very easy to install. We laid carpet over it so I don't know how it would work for you but it worked great for our needs. If you are only talking $400 I think you will eat a good chunk of that up in savings for how quick the Dricore goes down.

[neolitic]

Neo,

That article you are looking for was in this months FHB and it was for installing hardwood floors on concrete. It might be a bit of an overkill for your situation.

I've used the Dricore before and it was great to work with. Very easy to install. We laid carpet over it so I don't know how it would work for you but it worked great for our needs. If you are only talking $400 I think you will eat a good chunk of that up in savings for how quick the Dricore goes down.

Thanks for some first hand experience.
I was skeptical about attaching the underlayment
to so many little pieces.

(That isn't the article, it was months ago
and not about hardwood...almost what I
need to do here.)
Ok back up a bit.. do you need to raise the floor Neo?? or are you inserting the osb etc as a vapor barrier??

Trying to make the floor warmer, and
more comfortable to stand/work on.

[neolitic]

3/8ths plywood then or layers of luon, what are you options? Not too many.

2 layers of 3/8 might be good.
3/8 fir is still easy to get here....
I think. :rolleyes3:

[Eieio]

Paint the floor with thoroseal..

Put some visqueen over it.

lay down some cork padding and put the floor on top

[neolitic]

Paint the floor with thoroseal..

Put some visqueen over it.

lay down some cork padding and put the floor on top

Cork is kind of pricey isn't it?
I don't think I want to tapcon
the top layer, too many concrete screws. :laugh4:

[Eieio]

Cork is kind of pricey isn't it?
I don't think I want to tapcon
the top layer, too many concrete screws. :laugh4:

about 50 bucks for 100 sqft.. reduces that awful hallow sound under the hardwood floor and is a great insulator and water resistant membrane..

We use it under all our floating floors

Link: http://www.dwellsmart.com/Products/Cork/Corkshield-Cork-Underlayment