The only carpet in our 34' is in the bedroom and it's dirty and worn. I have carpet to replace it but am uncertain about carpet pad. Previous threads seem to indicate NOT to remove original pad since it apparently has special sound and heat insulating properties.
Is this true? Simply install new carpet on top? Add any additional pad?
Thanks
Randy,
When we replaced the OEM bedroom carpet in our coach, we told the installers to leave the original insulating pad in place (for the exact reason you mentioned), and to lay the new carpet directly over it. Which is what they did. I have never been totally happy with the way the new carpet "feels" under foot. It feels too hard and unyielding to me. If we had it to do over again, I would've requested a layer of new high quality padding between the OEM sound deadening pad and the carpet. I think this would make the new carpet feel softer and more comfortable, and also might extend the life of the carpet.
Just my opinion, of course. You could place the carpet down loosely with and without extra padding - see which you like better.
FOT replaced my carpet - they suggested either repacing the padding with very expensive SOund deadening padding, or leaving the OEM padding and adding a layer of new high quality (non sound deadening) padding under the new carpet.
I opted to add the layer of new less expensive padding over the OEM padding and LOVE the feel and how it worked out, plus saved a nice amount of $$$
I am replacing the entire flooring this winter. Probably going to put in Cali bamboo cork flooring. In the bedroom I will but in a double layer with cork first, then the cork flooring on top. At least that is the plan today.
I will be replacing all the engine insulation with Sounddown. That will be enough imo. Will see.
We replaced the carpet with bamboo and removed the old soundproof insulation for the install. We haven't noticed and difference in the noise or temp in the bedroom area. If we were to have used carpet I would remove the old insulation and put in a new style top quality carpet pad. Reworking our engine house insulation helped more with noise than anything.
Mike
We have cork flooring throughout the coach. Never hear any engine noise from the drivers seat. I can't imagine trying to sleep back there while underway, no matter what type of insulation is there.
Bob, I used Wicanders cork in the bed and bath area of my '93 Newell. I also added an electric heating mat under the cork in the bath. Nice! Loved it! So much that when we built our house a couple years ago we used cork in the master bedroom.
Do you plan to glue it down or lay it loose?
That's one of the upgrades I'm planning for our FT, but it'll be a year or 2 before I can start that project. Just had surgery to remove a bad hernia mesh so gotta recover from this first.
Free floating and caulked at the perimeter. Keep in mind that cork is a natural material that will expand/contract based upon humidity conditions. Ours has been down 8+ years. It has held up fine to traffic, but will start to contract in desert conditions. We try to keep an inside humidity of 30%+ in the desert. Additionally avoid imported flooring as they use formaldehyde in the manufacturing process. Ours is US Floors scirocco cork flooring.
Cali cork flooring (https://www.calibamboo.com/product-faux-wood-floors-silverwood-inspired-cork-7809002001.html)
is what I plan to use at this time. I have some samples on the way. I originally thought to use vinyl plank, we have it in our house and it looks great, wears well, but the cork sounds like a better way. Don't want to glue it down. But I am going to pull the captains chairs including the base and reinstall it over the floors I think. Looking at January to February to do this. I have to many projects this winter......
Bob we used a vinyl plank flooring that had cork backing on it-- so far we like it very well
chris
Did you use a barrier under the flooring? Rubber? Fibreglass?
jk
It was installed directly over the plywood.
Since I still do a lot of flooring work, I would suggest that anyone considering replacing the floor in their coach take a look at LifeProof flooring. It is 100% rubber and locks together like laminate. Easy to work with. They suggest you can mark it with a sharp razor and snap, but I use my miter saw to cut it. Available at most home improvement stores. A little pricey, but practically indestructible. I still like carpet in the bedroom area, but bath and galley are great places for this product. Hope this helps some out there!