Basement Carpeting: Installing Carpeting In a Finished Basement

January 17, 9:07 AM [GMT -5]

Is it acceptable to put down a plastic vapor barrier on the floor before carpeting? Why would the concrete need to breathe?

January 16, 5:53 PM [GMT -5]

Another option is to use a plastic sub-floor. We did this on our recent basement remodel. Use the black plastic used as drainage on exterior basement walls (can't think of the name offhand) It has the raised dimples in it. Put that down, and then put TNG plywood subfloor on top, tapcon thru the plywood into floor (put a glob of silicone in hole prior to tapcon to keep moisture barrier). You then build your framing ON TOP of the sub-floor as normal. Then you can put any type of floor you like on top - we have carpet, tile and cork laminate. The plastic dimples let air circulate under the floor to remove any dampness and will help if you get small seepage....