Flush Mat

[Holtzeeeeee]

My wife thinks I’m crazy and I probably am cut a 7’ by 4’ rectangle in my basement floor so I could have my fiberbuilt flush with the rest of the floor. Will have green carpet tiles all around that continue to impact screen. Every inch counts right?!?

[Carl Johnson]

OMG! I have been contemplating the exact same thing for months! I too want my FB flush with the floor by cutting out the concrete. Plus, I could use a bit more ceiling height for driver swings by moving the mat into the floor. Q: are you going to re-cement the cut-out area or leave it gravel/dirt under the FB mat? Any concerns with footings nearby? Please keep us updated on your progress!!!!

[Holtzeeeeee]

Yeah that’s why I did it to get my driver swing height. The flush / finished look is an added bonus. Also going to be reinforcing my ceiling joists with 2x6 so I can cut 2x10 flush and get another ~4 inches. I plan to put down a 2 inch foam insulation piece on top of the pebbles and then mat on top of that so it is flush with the concrete / rest of the floor. I don’t want to hit a worm burner into the concrete in front of me. No concerns with footing nearby as it was a relatively small amount of space and I was 2 feet off the wall. Then carpet tile around and up to the impact screen for a nice finished look ... pretty excited!

[SkeetShooter]

I really would love to do this in my garage so I could not have to drag out my hitting mat each time but I don't know what it would feel like standing on non-padded carpet on concrete.

[Carl Johnson]

Brian, I totally understand what you mean about making sure the mat is level/flush with the rest of the floor. If you are below the 'cut' edge of the concrete and do hit a worm burner - that could be rough! Bullet! Please update with more photos if you do not mind. I am likely doing this very thing over the winter. I have already cut out from the ceiling as much as I can - hoping going into the ground several inches will get me just enough height. I can scuff a portion of my ceiling where a LVL comes down on my follow-through with driver ... I am looking to get rid of that issue ... forever. Skeet Shooter - that is another concern I have - no padding if I just cut/chip away some of the concrete. But if you cut out all of the concrete floor, you can then add a foam insulation piece or other padding to ensure there is sufficient 'give' under the hitting area. I assume you could even install a few pieces of seat gel padding and have that under the FiberBuilt hitting strip instead of foam insulation.

[Holtzeeeeee]

Happy too! I’m not too concerned about the mat sitting on the pebbles ... 1 because of the foam insulation board that will be under it but also because 2 the FB mat weighs a ton! And the rubber pieces give it a nice solid base. Any other mat though I agree could be more problematic.

[Holtzeeeeee]

Oh and btw I had someone do this for me. Took quite a bit of calling but found a company that does it although they typically do commercial jobs ... but he took interest in the project cost me $600 which I thought was pretty reasonable. They just cut it I carry out the pieces and dispose of it ... getting one of those dumpster bags.

[Carl Johnson]

Okay, thanks. Was not sure if you did it yourself or had someone do it. $600 seems reasonable to me! Disposing of those pieces will not be bad - those heavy duty bags should work fine. thanks for all of the details!

[Holtzeeeeee]

Got all the blocks out ... about 50 trips up and down so I’m glad I skipped my workout this morning! Went to Home Depot and got some rolled faced insulation to put down first with paper side up. Then got a 2inch piece of 4x8 insulation board that I’ll cut to fit. Hoping the rolled faced insulation will help fill in the gaps of the stone and the board. Expect it will take some time to get the area as level as I can. Any other ideas / suggestions?

[Carl Johnson]

That looks great! What about buying a bag of stone dust or paver sand to level off the gaps in the stone?! You shouldn't lose any overall height - it will just level things for you. Just a thought!

[richerod]

Just curious...does this have any impact on a resale of your home?

[Holtzeeeeee]

So I raked the stone and used a big level to get it close. Still needs a little bit of additional tweaking. Then put a two inch insulation board that is sold in sheet of 4x8 so had to cut a foot off. And then mat on top. Little bit of creaking that I think will go away / get better with use but really sturdy! Got super lucky that the two inch board + mat = exact height I needed! Resale of home ... if the guy is a golfer it wont! If they aren’t I’ll have to spend a couple grand to fill in the hole with concrete. But I’m not moving for at least ten years.

[Joedirt]

Is that a five foot enclosure how far are you hitting away from it? In my garage I’m currently building a platform and have a 7x4 fiberbuilt mat on order. I have two by fours strung across if I set the fiberbuilt mat on top will that be enough or will I need a piece of osb. Right now I’m on pace to be able to match the height of the putting area but if I have to add a piece of osb it could throw off the height.

[Carl Johnson]

That looks great!! Exactly what I had in mind for my room also. I would imagine it would be relatively easy to add concrete back into the hole if you sold the house. It may also impact someone with a radon system, as most radon fans pull the air across [under] the concrete floor, then up the pipe and out of the attic/roof. But, with the insulation board, then hitting mat installed into the hole - that likely will seal off the air so the radon fan is not puling air from the 'hole'. I likely need a foundation company to review where I want to cut my area out. I will be within 3 feet of an outside wall and roughly 4 feet from a major footing. I would assume that is far enough away but better off asking a professional before I have it cut out!!!!

All in all - great job! Now it will be my turn.

[Holtzeeeeee]

Here is the finished product. Got some small pebbles to 1 fill in some of the gaps of the stones and 2 to build up some areas. With the 2 inch insulation board I was close to flush but needed just a bit more. I had measured an additional ~1/4” around each side of the mat for the carpet that folds over and that was the exact right number and I’m glad the guys who cut it hit the line and gave me a perfectly straight cut ... because the mat is in there pretty tight!

[fortner28]

That looks great. Very clean look. What is your current ceiling height?

[Gawlfa]

Great job. Looks fantastic.

[Stetson]

Looks great. Love the fridge too!

I told someone I want one of those old style ones in my sim room

[Holtzeeeeee]

Thanks! I got the fridge from Home Depot believe it or not!

[Carl Johnson]

That looks fantastic!!!!!! Thumbs up!! Do you feel you gained significant ceiling clearance by doing this? Or, was it only a nominal gain?!

[Carl Johnson]

If you can either sandwich some 2x6s against the current 2x10, then trim. Or, there was one or two guys on here who installed LVLs but I assume the cost to do that would be far greater than just adding some extra 2x6s! I have a beam LVL to my left so I unfortunately, cannot do what you are planning. My only option is to go downwards!

[Holtzeeeeee]

Sorry but what is LVL? Yeah my current plan is the sandwich approach

[Carl Johnson]

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) - used a lot in residential homes for main supports or if you want a large open span. A structural engineer will figure out based upon load, distance, etc. which size LVLs you need for various things; e.g. to avoid extra lally columns in a basement or to allow for a large opening/doorway, etc. The 'sandwich approach' with 2x6s will be much easier and far less costly for sure!

[Pickled]

Depending on your area... the major concern with cutting a basement floor is ground water. So for all those interested in doing this should make sure they won't have an issue. I will be doing the same in my new home construction but I'm doing it to cut holes for putting cups and to save the pain in the ass of adding a subfloor.

Looks great!