Flooring on cement for warmth

[Karen Sanders]

I am putting together the final budget on my first purchase. This is two houses on one property and the house I am looking for help with is the one I will live in, not the rental.

The garage was converted years ago into the garage but the cement was just covered with glued on indoor/outdoor carpet. I am going to make it a bedroom/craft room. I plan on putting plywood floors where I have the plywood cut in 4-8 in. strips then staining them to bring out the grain and then cover with with poly? What do you suggest I put between the plywood and the cement to help keep the floors from transmitting the cold like the carpeting did. I

The house is located on the Oregon Coast so it is very rare that the temp gets below 32. The house was built pre-1953 and is rock solid.

[Jim Adrian]

@Karen Sanders

I would look for a wood floor underlayment product.  Home Depot as a foam product click here, but its more for sound. It would give a thermal break.  I have no experience with this product.

I'm not sure there is a good solution to your problem without spending lots of money.   Idea 1 = put 1/2 or 1" thick insulation down that has a  1/2" plywood backing on it.  This will allow you to glue or nail your new flooring to it.  It will also cause issues at doors due to height change.   Idea 2 = install radiant floor heating.  This provides heat to the space but you will be tearing up the concrete floor to install the system.  Again not sure you are looking for this.  Btw... this one is costly.