ᐅ New Construction: Which Flooring Is Best for a Hobby Room?

Created on: 21 Oct 2011 22:02
T
tigotigo
T
tigotigo
21 Oct 2011 22:02
Hello everyone,

What kind of comfortable and affordable flooring would you recommend for a hobby room in a new build that could be installed DIY?

For example, we were advised against laminate because of the moisture in the basement.
What about cork or carpet?

Any other suggestions?

Thank you.
T
TomTom1
24 Oct 2011 07:24
Hello!

Why would there be moisture in the basement of a new build?

Otherwise, cork and carpet wouldn’t be alternatives either. And what exactly is "cozy" about laminate flooring?

I would strongly base the flooring choice in the hobby room on how you plan to use it. What kind of hobby do you have – aquaristics or weight training?

Besides sheet flooring (carpet, vinyl), you can install anything that "clicks" (linoleum, hardwood, laminate, cork...).

The differences are in durability, appearance, and price...

If you have ever looked at used carpet under a microscope, you’ll see why it’s not ideal.

Best regards,
TomTom1
T
tigotigo
25 Oct 2011 09:25
Well, nowadays new houses are built very quickly, so it’s understandable that the house isn’t fully dry after just a few months.
This is just the normal moisture that occurs during the construction of a house.
We were told it’s best to wait 6–12 months before installing any flooring. But since the room needs to be used right away, waiting isn’t an option.
So, we need a type of flooring that can handle the moisture.

The hobby room will be used as follows:
Party room
TV room
Foosball table
Pool table

Does anyone have any other suggestions?
H
Hopla
25 Oct 2011 10:30
A vinyl floor installed on a specialized underlay is very well suited. All click systems that are built on an MDF or HDF board are sensitive to moisture and therefore require a professional vapor barrier.
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TomTom1
25 Oct 2011 17:20
Hello!

And this makes sense now? So you assume that your building is still damp—and instead of worrying about your health or mold on your furniture, you are focusing on the floor covering in the basement.

At our place, we chose dehumidifiers as a solution back then—after 14 days, everything was dry and ready for flooring installation.

By the way: A vapor barrier and/or “special mat” protect against (permissible) residual moisture in the screed—no more, no less.

Best regards,
TomTom1