- 1). Measure the distance between the slab floor and the ceiling. You will need to leave approximately 7 1/2 feet to comply with building codes. The subfloor will subtract 2 inches from your measurement, and any flooring you will put on top will also subtract from that measurement.
- 2). Clean the surface of the slab completely. Any dirt or debris left on the slab will get caught in the insulation.
- 3). Place 6-mil polyethylene sheeting on the slab to protect the insulation and wood from moisture. Be sure to overlap each sheet by 6 inches and securely tape the seams. Adhere the edges of the sheeting to the concrete slab with caulking to prevent moisture from getting in.
- 4). Lay out 2-by-4 sleepers around the edges of the room. Fasten them to the slab with 2 1/4-inch masonry nails.
- 5). Lay out additional 2-by-4 sleepers in one direction across the room and spaced 16 inches apart on centers. Drive a 2 1/4-inch nail at the end of each board and every 4 feet after that. Make sure that the sleepers are level before nailing them in. Use shims to ensure a level surface.
- 6). Place the rigid foam insulation between the sleepers. Cut the insulation to ensure an exact fit since compressing the insulation will result in a loss of performance.
- 7). Place the plywood sheets on top of the sleepers and insulation. The sheets should run in the opposite direction from the sleepers. Drive 6d nails every 6 inches along the ends of the panels and every 12 inches into the sleepers under the plywood.
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