Not a flying topic but what the heck

Bill Hart · Post by **Bill Hart** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 3:54 pm

My Wife and I are finishing our basement to make a giant playroom for our 2 children. I was planning on hiring someone to install the carpet but wasnâ€™t sure about what type of carpet to put down first and then I got to thinking how hard is it to put it down my self. I have started the research and thought I would put this out here as I am sure that some one in this organization has experience with home improvements.

We do not have a moisture problem but I have treated the floors and walls with antimicrobial moisture resistance paint. I was planning on using an industrial office grade of carpet. 2 boys I need something that will stand up to the abuse. One of the questions I have is can I use a pad with this type of carpet or are they strictly glue down to the concrete? Is it more difficult to glue it down or should I go with a more traditional stretch and nail type with a good pad?

Any thoughts?

15A · Post by **15A** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:17 pm

Bill,

If you HAVE to go with carpet, go with nail strips and stretch over a good pad for concrete. Having done this before, with 4 kids growing up, I would recommend a vinyl floor or better- hardwood strips glued down. I say this because even though you may choose a rugged carpet, drinks are spilled, food is dropped, you get the idea! Carpet shampooing works, but it's a pain in the back! Linoleum or hardwood always looks good and easy to maintain. Plus you can throw some scatter rugs in the chosen areas! Which ever way you go, I'm sure the kids will love it!

flat country pilot · Post by **flat country pilot** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:38 pm

Don't glue carpet to your floor. If you ever want to remove it, its a lot more effort to remove than carpet that is not glued down.

Just for the experience, go find someone removing commercial carpet that is glued down and help them for a half a day. After that you will not glue carpet to any surface.

I have removed glued down carpet from three floors and the third one was the last one, ever! Enough family favors. Anyone who glues carpet to concrete or wood gets what they deserve, eventually.

If you must have carpet in the basement, consider having the edge bound and just lay it in place. This works ok in a basement. If something bad happens to it, roll it up and through it out. This also eliminates any installation cost. Most large carpet retailers will bind the edge and it doesn't cost much.

Depending on the age of your kids, consider giving them paint and turn them loose on the floor. See how creative they are. I know a guy that did this and 15 years later those kids come home and just have to look under the rug.

Any way, Do Not Glue Down Carpet!

Bill

53B · Post by **53B** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:01 pm

I have carpet on half of our basement floor. We went the tack strip and pad route and have had no problems at all after 16 years. The concrete was sealed but not painted. The pad was "lightly" glued down by the installers. That half of the basement is the teenager suite which the oldest child still at home has the rights to. It has taken a lot of abuse and the carpet is pretty worn but we're down to the last kid at home so it will get replaced soon and used as a new hobby area for my wife and I.

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:50 am

Don't carpet it at all. Stain the concrete floor instead. It'll look great, and be durable, and if you ever get tired of it, you can still carpet or floor it.

AR Dave · Post by **AR Dave** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:38 pm

Our camp (dorm) was recently done with an industrial grade that had a peel-n-stick backing. Camp maitenance was really impressed with it and how easy it was to work with.