Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

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

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

Years ago, I lived in a building that had formerly been a
car repair garage. Had cement floor. One cold winter day, I
was laying on the bed, watching television. A space heater
was keeping the ceiling warm, but the floor was bitter cold.
At one point, I noticed that my left foot was not as cold as
my right foot. I looked down, and noticed that left foot was
on a carpet scrap plus the room carpet. Right foot was only
on the thin carpet. So I moved the carpet scrap so it could
be under both feet.

Since that time, I've been a big believer in having a big
thick carpet sample where my feet hit the floor, stepping
out of bed.

Anyhow, I find that carpeting does have insulation value.
Use that information as you wish.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Kevin" wrote in message
...
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

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

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
Hi,
My house has fully developed basement with proper heat/cooling duct work
and gas fire place. Floor is think rubber underlayed carpet. Even in
winter(temp. ~-30). it is pretty cozy down there.

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

On Jul 20, 10:02�am, Tony Hwang wrote:
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

Hi,
My house has fully developed basement with proper heat/cooling duct work
and gas fire place. Floor is think rubber underlayed carpet. Even in
winter(temp. ~-30). it is pretty cozy down there.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

carpet will feel warmer but, in a non AC space it may develop a odor /
mold. from presence of excess moisture

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

Kevin wrote:
....
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.

That doesn't make any sense--if a slab has an effect but changing the
slab to something else doesn't, then that fact "has figured 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.
....

And, it'll be exactly the opposite effect when the cold weather arrives.
Of course carpeting has an insulating effect; just how big an "R"
factor it is depends mostly on how think the pad used is; the carpet
itself is a lesser (but not totally negligible) amount.

--

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

bob haller wrote:
On Jul 20, 10:02�am, Tony Hwang wrote:
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
Hi,
My house has fully developed basement with proper heat/cooling duct work
and gas fire place. Floor is think rubber underlayed carpet. Even in
winter(temp. ~-30). it is pretty cozy down there.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

carpet will feel warmer but, in a non AC space it may develop a odor /
mold. from presence of excess moisture
Hi,
Here our climate is very dry. We need humidification during winter in
the house otherwise you are going to have bloody nose(too dry!)

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

bob haller wrote:

carpet will feel warmer but, in a non AC space it may develop a odor /
mold. from presence of excess moisture

I do have heat in that area. As part of this project, I installed two new
heaters, one for each level, but I only installed a/c for the upper level.

Carpet certainly does have a percieved warmer feel, but my question is, will
the moderating effect that masonry has on actual temperature and rate of
temperature change, be negated by installing carpet.

Kevin.

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

dpb wrote:
Kevin wrote:
...
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.

That doesn't make any sense--if a slab has an effect but changing the
slab to something else doesn't, then that fact "has figured into the
equation".

What I meant, but perhaps didn't say very well, is that a exposed concrete
slab would be figured into the calculations, and would have an effect that
would help me meet the title 24 requirements. However if I specified carpet,
then it wouldn't be considered.

Kevin.

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

Kevin wrote:
bob haller wrote:

carpet will feel warmer but, in a non AC space it may develop a odor
/ mold. from presence of excess moisture

I do have heat in that area. As part of this project, I installed two
new heaters, one for each level, but I only installed a/c for the
upper level.

Carpet certainly does have a percieved warmer feel,

Because the warm in your feet isn't being sucked out by the slab. They are
being *INSULATED*.

but my question
is, will the moderating effect that masonry has on actual temperature
and rate of temperature change, be negated by installing carpet.

Negated? Who knows. Affected? Yes. Carpets and rugs insulate. So does
any padding.

How much? Depends on the material, thickness and type of the carpet and
padding. Big difference between glued to slab, skimpy, low pile commercial
carpet and a densely woven, high pile wool carpet on a thick foam pad.



--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

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.

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

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

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

Winter time, I find cement floors to be killer cold. I've
not heard of insulating under slabs, though it makes good
sense.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"fftt" wrote in message
...
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

Insulating effect of carpet vs linoleum.
 

fftt wrote:
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



Or have a really deep basement, and insulate the heck out of the side
walls. When it is subzero outside, that 50-degree dirt 10 feet down
looks pretty good.

That is the basic premise of earth-berm houses, after all....

--
aem sends...