existing basement — new flooring options
Looking for advise about basement flooring that will feel nice for bare feet in the winter.
1960’s basement -climate zone 4.
existing floor is 9×9 tiles [assumed to be asbestos;] 3″ concrete slab; 10 mil poly [verified during install of new plumbing] 4″ of #4 gravel; clay soil; down-slope lot – low water table. masonry walls
I parged the masonry walls with lime and sealed the joint between the basement wall and slab. i could encapsulate or mitigate the floor tiles, but not sure what to put on top. ideally would like a floor that doesn’t feel too cold in the winter. [forced air HVAC with ceiling registers]
my ceiling is only 8′ so i don’t want to build-up more than an inch or so because of transitions to the stairs. this would preclude sleepers/insulation and a wood subfloor.
do the asbestos tiles provide enough of a barrier that resistance heating radiant heating [set in modified thin-set under tile] wouldn’t be an enormous energy suck?
rubber flooring seems unpleasant and commercial.
any other ideas?
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Replies
With a basement you must always assume it will flood one day for me that takes all the wood options off the table.
I have 3 rooms of luxury vinyl tile LVT I think it feels warmer under foot than the hardwood.
I must say what is under your slab is very unusual for something old enough to have asbestos tile. Spend the money for a test.
Have a look at the Raskin LVT no glue or fasteners simply lay it on a flat surface and it stays in place due to it own weight. It is rated for commercial use it does not look out of place in my home.
https://www.raskinind.com/collections/elevations
Walta