This is an excellent solution!
CR&T’s library/layout room floor has durable commercial tile on cement. The interlocking foam mats will be perfect for a walk-in aisle.
Since the layout is u-shaped – Foam mats can easily be trimmed right up to the layout itself and its skirting. The u-shaped walk-in can easily be added and perfectly trimmed – While the space beneath the layout will remain tile-only due to sliding bookcases, etc. – Not to mention easy cleaning in the aisle or beneath the layout.
I used to install carpet, I dont like the static it creates. I use the hair padding, it comes in 6 feet wide by 20 feet long or they sell it in 12 foot wide by however long you want it and has a moisture barrier on top. It cuts with a large pair of shears or a very sharp utillity knife with a board underneath. You can also get the foam padding in forty yard rolls that is easy on the feet and they both can be disposed of easily. It also has a moisture barrier. jim.
That is a rather large/ long room. What is the existing floor or flooring? Plywood subfloor/ underlayment, finished vinyl tile? Almost sounds like a space in commercial building, previous office or storage space. It is a considerable amout of sq ft to completely finish. If existing flooring is satisfactory, just use carpet or pads for the isles and any other open traffic areas.
Train room of LION is on third floor of library building. Was classroom, is now train room. Old black asphalt tiles over concrete floor. Some tiles are broken and trip the LION when he walks on them.
Interlocking foam pads sound like a plan, LION will have to examine these and the horse blanket. What the heck, if the horse blanket does not work, you can always eat the horse.
ROAR
We covered our club layout concrete floor with black interlocking rubber mats purchased from Lowe’s, the same things as the colored kindergarten mats. Even open house visitors comment on how comfortable the mats are to walk on.
I’m planning on using carpet tiles (I haven’t decided if regular carpet padding could be put down first, for extra comfort) in my basement because it flooded once (due to heavy rains during spring thaw and roots blocking the flow). Since it flooded once, I’m assuming it will flood again (plan for the worst and hope for the best!) and don’t want to worry about tearing up carpet on my concrete basement floor (if padding is cheap, I might not mind sacrificing that…I’ll have to think about it before I do it). Carpet tiles stay down nicely but can be removed tile by tile in case disaster strikes. A frind had that same problem and took them all to the coin operated car wash and they all cleaned up nicely (but took a couple days to dry outside). If you think you’ll move in the next 10 years or so, I’d consider the resale value the floor covering may add to your house. Carpeting might increase the value of the house, or make it more appealing to potential buyers (if it’s done correctly and looks nice…no repurposed 70’s shag or wild colors). Standing on a concrete floor is uncomfortable…I briefly considered a 2’x12’ anti-fatigue mat (from many places, I imagine, like Uline, Grainger, etc) but the high cost made me reconsider.
I agree with cacole and others on this. The interlocking mats are also what I have planned here in the aisles over the concrete floor. Another local layout has these down and I was very impressed. Don’t go too cheap, as I’ve seen super thin ones that probably won’t hold up or lie down flat very long, as they’re too light and easy to move around underfoot of adults.
The horse mats are very effective – and very heavy. Bring an able-bodied friend along to get them back home and into their final resting spot. Once they’re down, you’re not going to want to move them.[;)]