On Jul 20, 9:29*am, ransley wrote:
On Jul 20, 8:26*am, Kevin wrote:



I an getting near the point of having to decide what type of flooring to
install on the concrete slab in my basement addition. Ignoring for the
moment other considerations such as durability, I'm wondering about the
'heat sink' effect of the slab, and whether carpeting will have an effect. I
seem to recall that at the time the Title 24 calcs were done, being told
that an exposed slab, would have a positive effect on the calcs, but a
carpeted floor wouldn't figure into the equation.

This addition is in the half of the basement area that wasn't already a
finished room. The pre-existing half does have carpet, and in the hot weather
we are currently experiencing, I'm noticing that the new room does stay
cooler than the pre-existing room.... (I don't have a/c for the lower half
of the house). I would like to keep it that way, and
am wondering if carpeting will have a noticable effect. My alternative to
carpet would be real linoleum, which I'm assuming would have a very limited,
insulating effect.

Would appreciate any comments, especially from those who do title 24 calcs
for a living.

TIA
Kevin

Where do you live, I live where winter heat bills kill you, zone 5.
Where I am at about 5ft below grade ground temp is never above 50-55
so it cools year around and concrete doesnt insulate much, maybe R 1
for 4 inches. Foam padding is an excelent insulator maybe R 3 for 1/2"
and carpet itself maybe R2 I will guess. Carpet and padding makes my
basement much warmer in winter since that 50f temp is being held back.
If you live south where winter heat is a few dollars and AC is the big
money then tile it, linoleum is best, the plactic tile has very little
if any insulating value but up here in the midwest carpet with the
thickest foam will save money on utilities. The foam pad per inch has
the highest R value. Keep a good dehumidistat handy and a
dehumidifier, you dont want above 65-70% or mold might grow. One idea
might be a foam pad and area rug you roll up in summer, portability is
also a good idea for when a pipe breaks, one leak and wall to wall is
trash. I just use a bunch of area rugs and padding, mainly for the
winter cold.

R value for typical concrete is really low. Less than .1 per inch.

Which is why in cold climates it makes sense to insulate under a new
slab on grade.

cheers
Bob