Flooring -- can't decide

[drdave]

Good find farmboy.   I think that would be a good idea under the interlocking floor tiles.   I might pick up a roll.   I've thought about this product:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-48-in-x-25-ft-Double-Reflective-Insulation-BP48025/100052556

It offers more R value, but isn't intended to be walked on.   However I did try a small scrap piece under a floor tile and it seemed like it would work.    I think the product you found is probably a better choice.  

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/5999/thread" timestamp="1421246677" author="@farmboy"]Living in Minnesota, we can have cold springs and colder falls.  ( I won't even mention yesterday's ten below)   The suggestions to use rubber or vinyl squares  to make the floors less cold sound  promising.  Any thoughts of using an underlayment under the squares?  I saw this at Home Depot the other day.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Roberts-AirGuard-100-sq-ft-40-in-x-30-ft-x-1-8-in-Premium-3-in-1-Underlayment-with-Microban-70-105/202299502?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-100541278-_-202299502-_-N

We will be making some type of RV decision this spring.   The posts on this site have been very  informative and helpful, both about Camplites and RV's in general.  [/quote][font size="3"]A  few comments:

[/font][ol type="decimal"][li][font size="3"]The specs say R = 0.39 for a 1/8 inch thickness. This equates to R = 3.12 for a full inch thickness which is somewhat less than rubber floor mats and Styrofoam board (R 4 per inch). No free lunch here.
[/font][/li][li][font size="3"]The description lists breathable air flow. This is exactly what you don't want for insulation. Closed cell foam would be best. Moving air flow transfers heat and cold.
[/font][/li][li][font size="3"]The underlayment adds thickness. Be aware that added thickness can interfere with cabinet doors and the slide. 7/8" thickness requires removing decorative corners on the slide. No problem, but just a caution. A full inch would become a problem.[/font][/li][li][font size="3"]If you use separate underlayment and rubber tiles you have to custom cut two layers. Twice the work.
[/font][/li][li][font size="3"]Bottom line: I would recommend true rubber mats at 7/8". Thinner is easier, but yields less insulation.
[/font][/li][/ol][font size="3"]
[/font]

[daplumbr]

And if a tall person will be in the camper, watch headroom with floor covering thickness!

[drdave]

[quote timestamp="1421246677" author="@farmboy" source="/post/5999/thread"]Living in Minnesota, we can have cold springs and colder falls.  ( I won't even mention yesterday's ten below)   The suggestions to use rubber or vinyl squares  to make the floors less cold sound  promising.  Any thoughts of using an underlayment under the squares?  I saw this at Home Depot the other day.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Roberts-AirGuard-100-sq-ft-40-in-x-30-ft-x-1-8-in-Premium-3-in-1-Underlayment-with-Microban-70-105/202299502?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-100541278-_-202299502-_-N

We will be making some type of RV decision this spring.   The posts on this site have been very  informative and helpful, both about Camplites and RV's in general.  

[font size="3"]A  few comments:

[/font][ol type="decimal"][li][font size="3"]The specs say R = 0.39 for a 1/8 inch thickness. This equates to R = 3.12 for a full inch thickness which is somewhat less than rubber floor mats and Styrofoam board (R 4 per inch). No free lunch here.
[/font][/li][li][font size="3"]The description lists breathable air flow. This is exactly what you don't want for insulation. Closed cell foam would be best. Moving air flow transfers heat and cold.
[/font][/li][li][font size="3"]The underlayment adds thickness. Be aware that added thickness can interfere with cabinet doors and the slide. 7/8" thickness requires removing decorative corners on the slide. No problem, but just a caution. A full inch would become a problem.[/font][/li][li][font size="3"]If you use separate underlayment and rubber tiles you have to custom cut two layers. Twice the work.
[/font][/li][li][font size="3"]Bottom line: I would recommend true rubber mats at 7/8". Thinner is easier, but yields less insulation.
[/font][/li][/ol][font size="3"]
[/font][/quote]   I'm curious what 7/8" floor mats you used?   Was it a single piece or tiles?    I didn't see any tiles that thick at the time I installed mine or recall seeing any that thick.    

Here's what I used for floor tile:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003R2CKHO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are only 3/8th thick.    I am happy with my tiles, but I'm thinking this product is an advantage over direct floor contact, adds a sound suppressor, moisture barrier and is a mold/mildew deterrent might be more advantageous any R value gain.    Luckily for me I can use my tiles as a template to quickly crank out another layer despite what product I go with, if any.   

[charliem]

I'm curious what 7/8" floor mats you used?   Was it a single piece or tiles?    I didn't see any tiles that thick at the time I installed mine or recall seeing any that thick.    

Here's what I used for floor tile:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003R2CKHO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are only 3/8th thick.    I am happy with my tiles, but I'm thinking this product is an advantage over direct floor contact, adds a sound suppressor, moisture barrier and is a mold/mildew deterrent might be more advantageous any R value gain.    Luckily for me I can use my tiles as a template to quickly crank out another layer despite what product I go with, if any.   

[font size="3"]I used Tatami tiles from Rubber Flooring Inc. [a href="http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/interlocking-tile/foam/78-tatami-tile.html"]http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/interlocking-tile/foam/78-tatami-tile.html[/a].  They are cheaper than the referenced product and more than twice as thick. Check 'em out.
[/font]

[hdrehder]

With the tatami mats, I didn't have to remove the decorative molding on the slide like Charliem did. I may remove it anyway . Because it's flimsy and we don't like it.

[charliem]

With the tatami mats, I didn't have to remove the decorative molding on the slide like Charliem did. I may remove it anyway . Because it's flimsy and we don't like it.

[font size="3"]The 14DBS slide is different in that it does not come all the way down to the floor. The 21RBS dinette sides on the slide only clear the original floor by about 1". I only had to remove the small 1.5" by 1.5" lower inboard corner trim angles. Nothing really lost. [/font]
[font size="3"]Glad you put the Tatamis in. I think you'll like them.[/font]

[grantnpeg]

we have interlock grey foam rubber tile in basement from Big-Lots.  very cheap and used for 6 yrs /w dogs.  think I will try old stuff first and buy new if works. Thanks all!

[daplumbr]

We went with these 5/8" thick foam interlocking tiles in the dark oak pattern. In addition, for the main traffic area from the door down the middle of the trailer we will have dark brown carpet runner on top of the foam tile. The tiles provide some insulation, are lots warmer floor to the feet, and will look/feel nice. Don't know about about longevity; it's fairly soft foam and we have dogs. But, any damaged tile is a 38 second replacement operation. i didn't want any thicker floor covering because with my boots on I'm already feeling how close the ceiling is! 

http://www.amazon.com/Incstores-Interlocking-Excellent-Conventions-Exercises/dp/B00OBW5M1K/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1427244712&sr=8-13&keywords=foam+tiles

[whoofit]

Think I've decided to go with this from Home Depot with my wifes choice of rigid tiles and rugs. Seems to be best best insulation per thickness, is hard so as to support the flooring well, is very light and is locally available for a great price. Will tape the seams.

It's important for us as we go winter camping. Only 1/2" thick. Has radiant barrier foil backer. Any opinions?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Super-TUFF-R-1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-R-3-3-Foam-Insulation-268413/100322369?N=5yc1vZbaxxZ1z0z6kg

[pinstriper]

Think I've decided to go with this from Home Depot with my wifes choice of rigid tiles and rugs. Seems to be best best insulation per thickness, is hard so as to support the flooring well, is very light and is locally available for a great price. Will tape the seams.

It's important for us as we go winter camping. Only 1/2" thick. Has radiant barrier foil backer. Any opinions?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Super-TUFF-R-1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-R-3-3-Foam-Insulation-268413/100322369?N=5yc1vZbaxxZ1z0z6kg

[p]Um....how does the physics of supporting something by putting something on top of it work ?[/p][p]
[/p][p]I think foam tiles and rugs is the best combination.[/p][p]
[/p]

[billmoore]

We went with this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HFAW4LQ

They call it carpet, but in reality it is the same as the interlockng foam tiles, but with a felt-like fabric surface for a top layer. Looks great, but after two trips I'm already seeing a lot of wear. It doesn't seem to be able to withstand having a motorcycle strapped down on top of it, especially if the tire happens to hit right at a seam.

I suspect that after one season I will be buying a 20 ft long piece of indoor-outdoor carpet and laying that over top of it, at which point it will basically function as underlayment...

[billmoore]

Also, for color, we went with black. Big mistake... looks awesome when clean, and really coordinates well with the interior color scheme on the Bearcat, but it shows every tiny little spec of dirt that gets tracked in. And lots of it gets tracked in when camping...

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/8412/thread" timestamp="1427258569" author="@pinstriper"][quote source="/post/8411/thread" timestamp="1427255732" author="@whoofit"]Think I've decided to go with this from Home Depot with my wifes choice of rigid tiles and rugs. Seems to be best best insulation per thickness, is hard so as to support the flooring well, is very light and is locally available for a great price. Will tape the seams.

It's important for us as we go winter camping. Only 1/2" thick. Has radiant barrier foil backer. Any opinions?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Super-TUFF-R-1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-R-3-3-Foam-Insulation-268413/100322369?N=5yc1vZbaxxZ1z0z6kg[/quote][p]Um....how does the physics of supporting something by putting something on top of it work ?[/p][p]
[/p][p]I think foam tiles and rugs is the best combination.[/p][p]
[/p][/quote][p]Well, there are many ways of doing so I think. Archimedes method is one. [/p][p]
[/p][p]What I don't want is squishy under flexible, semi rigid, vinyl interlocking tiles. I don't want to raise the floor much at all like Merlin said for headroom reasons. I want to maximize the R value. I want it easy to mop. I want it to survive the dogs and the dirt.[/p][p]
[/p][p]This stuff seems rigid enough to do it and has a R value of 3.3 @ 1/2" thickness. The rugs would be  the cherry on top.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Anyone see a problem using this stuff? Outgassing? Deterioration? Flammability?
[/p]

[jeeps]

[quote source="/post/8401/thread" timestamp="1427245287" author="@sandroad"]We went with these 5/8" thick foam interlocking tiles in the dark oak pattern. In addition, for the main traffic area from the door down the middle of the trailer we will have dark brown carpet runner on top of the foam tile. The tiles provide some insulation, are lots warmer floor to the feet, and will look/feel nice. Don't know about about longevity; it's fairly soft foam and we have dogs. But, any damaged tile is a 38 second replacement operation. i didn't want any thicker floor covering because with my boots on I'm already feeling how close the ceiling is! 

http://www.amazon.com/Incstores-Interlocking-Excellent-Conventions-Exercises/dp/B00OBW5M1K/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1427244712&sr=8-13&keywords=foam+tiles
[/quote][font size="3"]This is what we put in also.  We really like it!  Now if only I could figure out how the heck to post pictures in this forum.  [/font]