Temporary basement floor

[GreyingJay]

My new home will close in mid January, and the builder will include a typical unfinished basement with blanket insulation, no studs.

My plan is to follow conventional wisdom and wait a while before finishing the basement, and when I do, it will likely be by removing the blanket insulation, studding a wall out from the concrete and applying spray foam insulation. For the floors, I was thinking of using something like Barricade subfloor or applying DeltaFL or DMX 1 step, followed by a floating floor such as laminate.

I was thinking I might buy the flooring materials in advance and set up a temporary installation of the subfloor and laminate, so I can start using some of the basement space before I get around to properly finishing (and getting permits for such). If I lay down the laminate without cutting or trimming boards, I can take it apart again and redo it "properly" when the walls are in.

Thoughts? Anyone foresee any issues or recommend doing something different?

[good2know]

Yes you can - lock click laminate can be taken apart easily. You go in reverse direction to the installation - so last in first out.

Delta floor is a good idea too - it creates an air gap. It too can be installed and easily rolled up and reused after the temporary floor.

[GreyingJay]

Thank you for your input. I think this will be my plan then. It also may give me an opportunity to test out whether the Delta or DMX 1 Step by itself will provide enough warm underfoot with just laminate over top, or whether I will need to set up a plywood or OSB subfloor underneath. Hoping to avoid the extra effort...

[good2know]

There are a couple things that will influence the comfort test.

The builder 'insulation' and air sealing will be far less effective than the future foam will be. So lots of cold air will be going into the basement. The top of the floor will match the temperature of the air just above the floor.

A cold air return setup will range between none (vent at ceiling perhaps) and minimal - small diameter pipe near floor level. Result is that cold air will puddle at floor level making the floor feel colder. An open stairway will also contribute to this.

So suggest the plan include a step to increase the return vent capacity in the finished space. Probably will want to add 1 or more supply ducts as well.

The r value of osb or plywood is minimal - not worth the cost imo regarding floor warmth.

[GreyingJay]

This is great advice, thanks!