Installing built-in wall cabinet on carpet

kennelm

I have a finished basement with berber carpet+padding over the concrete slab. I just ordered some Kraftmaid floor-to-ceiling wall units that I plan to install, and I wonder if it would be OK to sit these on top of the carpet? Of course, I will be attaching the wall units to the studs for stability.

Is it preferable to pull the carpet back and sit the cabinets on the concrete slab (shimmed for level; or even raised off the concrete on a thin board)? I already bought the tack strips to do this, but now I am thinking it would be so much easier to just install over the top of the carpet. If I ever replace the carpet, I figure I can just cut the carpet loose with a razor tool and the new floor should be at a similar height relative to the cabinets.

Bob Mariani

yes, move the carpet, install the cabinet, the carpet tack strips and then the carpet up to the kickspace of the cabinet.

ccarlisle

Has the slab been treated somehow or is there a vapour barrier or something to address humidity?

If not, then the weight of the cabinets will cause the humidity to wick up through the carpet and into the boards the cabinets sit on. Berber-weave carpets are mostly polyolefin (a plastic) in basements and will eventually show compression marks; and although water repellant, wicking will still occur. May be long-term but IMO it would be best to remove the carpet and put a barrrier under the cabinets so as to prevent any wood from touching the concrete.

Pink roll foam shims are excellent for that.

rusty baker

Do not, Do not, do not put the cabinet on carpet.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

AtlanticWBConst.

What he said....

__________________
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kennelm

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I definitely need to pull the carpet back, which was my initial thought, but then I had a lazy moment...

kennelm

Not yet. Looking for ideas on the best way to do this. The cabinets are gonna be 12"d x 110"w. So, not a huge area to prepare.

I am not familiar with "pink roll foam shims" Google search was not fruitful. Can you elaborate?

I think I need to raise the cabinet off the concrete and am looking for any and all suggestions of a proper barrier. Something like cement board, for instance. Would that be appropriate?

kennelm

Looking for suggestions on a proper barrier...

beerdog

You could always use the peel&stick moisture barrier that is commonly used when installing exterior doors.

ccarlisle

No, cement board is not appropriate for this. You could look at Dri-Core panels, 2'x2' squares each with OSB on the top and a plastic membrane on the bottom. About $10 each...

I was referring to Owens Cornings 50' rolls of 4-inch wide, 1/4" thick polystyrene....

kennelm

Thanks for the info. I see that Home Depot sells the DriCore panels.

I was hoping for something that will lift the cabinet off the concrete say 1/2 inch, so that it is not sitting too low relative to the carpet. This should do the trick.