Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Carpeting in Basement for Home Theater

Since you guys are so good, I'd ike to keep the momentum going...

My theater is going in the basement. I was planning on a nice carpet pad with a berber wall to wall carpet. I am pretty confident that my basement is leak proof, although there have been some filled cracks. Initially I am not planning on heating the basement, but I am relying on heavy insulation. I live in New Hampshire, so this plan may have to be revisited after "beta testing" this winter.

I have heard about some material that resembles tiny egg cartons that can be used under a carpet pad that serves the following purposes:

1. It has air pockets which would allow water & air to flow through. The idea would be that the leaks could dry without serious carpet damage.
2. It would add insulation to the basement
3. It would be "cushier" to walk on
4. It would help the acoustics.

Does anyone know what this stuff is, have an opinion on it, and/or know where I could get it?

Many thanks in advance!

may need to cover the floor with plastic first. then i would suggest a sub floor to put the carpet on. don't forget, in the warmer month (s) in NH, there may be condensation if you open the windows to the basement. foam or felt would just retain the moisture.
dan

Our winters are similar to yours and I wouldn't place any carpeting below grade without heating or humidity control.
I'm not saying it can't be done but I would talk to a local contractor first to get some practical advice.

My Home Depot has a product that might be what you're talking about. It is a subflooring system composed of 2' X 2' fiberboard over top a plastic "egg-crate" shaped bumps that keep the wood off of the floor and allow air and water to circulate under it. Its rather expensive if I remember.

There are ways to tell if you need to worry about moisture in your basement (i.e., ways to tell if you have a moisture problem that is coming from condensation or seepage through the concrete) and how to deal with it. Do a websearch or look in a few self help books.

I didn't have a problem and put carpet down in part of my basement but I went with a cheap capret just in case.

drmurray,

Sorry to digress... But just in case, you are planning on a front projection system, right?

Haha...Sometimes I think Sushi is sponsored by the "front projector makers of America".

Having said that, he only had to drop the idea in my head and I'm now convinced...

-Nick

No, I thinks it's called the NAFPLA: North American Front Projection Lovers Association.

I'm originally from NH. Be VERY careful about dampness/water/humidity in the basement. Is the room going to be fully finished, or just carpeted?

I had my setup in the basement for less than an year, and my speaker stand began warping. New England basements are really damp. The carpeting will help, but I'd HIGHLY recommend adding a de-humidifier in the room as well.

Thanks for the responses.

Yes I am planning on a front projection system.

I am planning on furnishing the room & we do use a dehumidifier. Our basement has no trace of mold or that musty smell some basements have.

My carpeting contractor is I guy I know and trust. He has installed thousands of carpets in NH without anything but a pad. The carpet & the pad are both synthetic. He has had a very small few install the egg carton stuff (a low tech term) I am describing. Only about half of the basements that he has installed have been heated.

The tip about checking for seepage is great, will do.

Apparently no one has heard anything either way whether this egg carton stuff is worthwhile. I was also wondering about its acoustic value.

You're correct, I haven't heard if the egg-crate stuff is worthwhile. I used a pad only and have no complaints. One thing I did do as a precaution is build a 3-1/2" platform at the end of my room where all my components are sitting. I had the carpet wrapped up and over the platform. Of course, I used pressure-treated 2x4s to frame the platform. On the front edge, I added a piece of 1/2-round trim (over which the carpet was also wrapped) to make the finished edge look a little better. My wife was leary about the platform, but thinks it looks great now.