We are working on our remodel (thanks for all the offers for material!!) and we have hit a snag with insulating our basement concrete slab. Originally we were going to do a grid of 1x sleepers with 3/4" styrofoam in the cavities, but when we put 1/2" concrete board on top, it was way too flexible. It was also a pain in the donkey to install even in a tiny 3x5 toilet room.

Back to the drawing board.

A little research indicated that there are high-compression foam products (Foamular seems popular) on which you can directly place your underlayment without additional support. (The layers are secured using tapcon or similar screws going through the entire sandwich and into the slab.) This research also indicated that we need two layers of underlayment regardless of the installation - most info indicates two layers of 1/2" OSB or plywood with each layer perpendicular to the other. Some folks indicated that a single layer of 3/4" OSB might work, but I have not seen any references to the success of such an installation.

So, my question is this: does anyone have experience with installing basement slab insulation systems like this? Has anyone tried the Foamular type stuff? What are your experiences?

Ironically the cost of the Foamular sandwich is considerably less expensive, and seems the easiest to install (if you have the right tools, which we do).

Thanks!

I did my basement in 1979, tha slab is 6-7 ft below ground level , I just put down a thicker carpet pad , then rug over that , no prob, tha floor is warm , more so tho , if I have tha woodstove going , ,my utility room has a bare slab, not cold , even in bare feet ,,
Don't make a problem were there is none , why waste money , tha experts arn't always right , they just want to sell you something ..


Also, think about what will be put down there ,will it crush that underflooring ,, then think how hard that repair will be ...
Another thing , if hot air heat , put a cold air return near tha floor to pick up tha cooler air on floor . makes a BIG diff for tha floor ,. Remember , hot air rises , cold air drops to tha floor ..

http://repurposedmaterialsinc.com/store ... nsulation/