What Are Sleepers In Flooring

Install plywood over sleepers at 90 degree angle to direction of finished flooring 1 4 spacing all edges and breaking joints 4.

What are sleepers in flooring. Install maple flooring parallel with main playing court by nailing or stapling approximately 12 o c. You can also use sleepers on a wooden floor frame. Subfloor sleeper are used in basements to protect certain types of flooring such as laminate hardwood and carpet. Sleepers are placed between the deck surface and the ground or slab below it.

Avoid a sleeper layout where the boards are parallel to the joists. Headroom especially in a basement may be at a premium. Acclimation when the site is prepared the flooring can be delivered and stored in each room where it will be installed. A set of sleepers supports the decking and allows moisture and air to flow below it.

Or as demonstrated here you can cover the slab with rigid foam insulation add two layers of plywood and then add the finish flooring. Decking laid directly over packed soil will rot quickly and wood laid over concrete rots as well when moisture is trapped between the two materials. Or as specified by the flooring manufacturer. Flooring is considered acclimated when the moisture difference between the wood and the subfloor material is within 4 for flooring less than 3 in width.

To make low flooring framing that will conserve headroom lay pressure treated 2x4s sleepers flat and cover them with 3 4 inch tongue and groove osb underlayment or exterior plywood. Most basements have concrete floors which have the potential to draw moisture. Measure and cut the sleepers as you would for a concrete floor but position the sleepers in one of two ways. You can attach wood sleepers to the floor fill the gaps with rigid foam insulation and then apply your finish flooring.

There are two ways to handle insulating concrete floors. Nail the finished flooring to the sleepers through the film. Attach with nails or staples 12 o c.