DRICORE® Insul-Armor®
Providing the most insulating power in a subfloor yet. It is specially engineered with 100% inorganic EPS foam that is lightweight and doesn’t require power tools to cut it, for an easier install.
Features & Benefits
- Air Gap Technology™ helps protect against moisture, mold, mildew and small water leaks
- Makes finished floors up to 10°C/19°F warmer (R-value 4.1
- Lightweight, easy to cut, convenient 23.25″ X 47.25″ size, with a tongue and groove design makes installation extremely easy
- Eases strain and impact from walking on hard concrete
- Helps promote healthy indoor air quality
- Engineered to support up to 3,650 pounds per square foot
- Specially designed to protect all hard surface floors (LVT, LVP, laminate, engineered hardwood)
- Limited 25 year warranty
Product Overview
DRICORE® Insul-Armor® is the most premium subfloor. With an R-value of 4.1, DRICORE® Insul-Armor® provides one of the highest R-values in the market, meaning maximum warmth and comfort for your family. It’s specially engineered with a high-density inorganic EPS foam that’s durable enough to hold up to 3,650 pounds per square foot but still weighs less than 2 pounds per panel! Plus DRICORE® Insul-Armor® is very easy to install. It can be cut with a knife – no power tools required! Plus the tongue and groove fit together with no gap so no taping is needed!
Basement Science Behind DRICORE® Insul-Armor®
Features and Benefits
Air Gap Technology
DRICORE® has been designed with Air Gap Technology that encourages air flow to help protect against moisture emitted from concrete floors, as well as small water leaks.
10°C/19°F Warmer
Helps make cold hard surface floors feel warm and comfortable to walk on.
Soft
Concrete floor are hard and unforgiving on your body. DRICORE® Insul-Armor® helps cushion finished floors for a greater level of comfort.
Easy to Install
Tongue and groove design makes the installation fast and easy. A 500sq. ft. room can be completed in an afternoon!
Air Quality
Designed with an inorganic EPS foam that helps prevent mold and mildew growth.
Protects Finished Floors
Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Luxury-Vinyl³ (LVT/LVP) ≥5mm, Stone Plastic Composite
Durable
Strong enough to support gym equipment and large furniture, DRICORE® Insul-Armor® will support up to 3,650 pounds per square foot.
Limited 25 Year Warranty
Backed by a 25 year limited warranty, be confident when you choose DRICORE® Insul-Armor®.
Install Instructions
How To Install DRICORE® Insul-Armor®
Accessories and Tools
DRICORE® Leveling Kit – 24 Pack
For sloping or uneven sections of your concrete foundation, DRICORE® leveling shims nest underneath DRICORE® subfloor panels to quickly adjust the height by up to 1/4”.
Tools Required
- Hammer
- Tapping block (piece of 2″x4″ lumber)
- Saw
- Pencil
- Level
- ¼” spacer (example: wood strip)
- Tape measure
- Pry bar or crowbar (optional)
Which Subfloor Is Right For You
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| Floor Temperature | Up to 6°C/10°F Warmer | Up to 7°C/14°F Warmer | Up to 10°C/19°F Warmer | Up to 10°C/19°F Warmer |
| R-Value | 0.9¹ | 1.4 | 2.7 | 4.1 |
| Weight Supported (per sq. ft.) | 6,600 lbs. (2,994 kg) | 6,642 lbs. (3,012 kg) | 3,153 lbs. (1,430 kg) | 3,650 lbs. (1,659 kg) |
| Air Flow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Top | HDPE | OSB | OSB | EPS Foam |
| Bottom | PET | High Density Plastic | EPS Foam | EPS Foam |
| Size | 39.2″ x 25.6′ (99.5 cm x 780 cm) | 23.25″ x 23.25″ x 0.75″ (59 cm x 59 cm x 1.9 cm) | 23.25″ x 23.25″ x 1″ (59 cm x 59 cm x 2.5 cm) | 47.25″ x 23.25″ x 1″ (120 cm x 59 cm x 2.5 cm) |
| Height | 0.28″ (0.7 cm) | 0.75″ (1.9 cm) | 1″ (2.5 cm) | 1″ (2.5 cm) |
| Finished Flooring Options | Free-floating Engineered Hardwood, Laminate and Vinyl Plank (LVT/LVP) Flooring² | Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Carpet, Vinyl, Tile, Stone Plastic Composite | Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Carpet, Vinyl, Tile, Stone Plastic Composite | Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Luxury-Vinyl³ (LVT/LVP) ≥5mm, Stone Plastic Composite |
| Warranty | 25 Year | 25 Year | 25 Year | 25 Year |
*Tested by an independent lab. ¹Based on modified ASTM C518-17 testing with LVT. The test result was 0.879 and has been rounded up to 0.9 for reference. ²For use with laminate and vinyl plank (LVT/LVP) flooring with a click-lock system (5 mm core or greater) and free-floating engineered hardwood flooring (12 mm core or greater). ³ LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) that is equal to or greater than 5 mm in thickness and has a clock-lock edge profile.
Ensure the concrete subfloor is properly levelled before installation. Always check with manufacturer for below grade installation of hardwood.DRICORE® Subfloor R+ and DRICORE® Insul-Armor® are only available online and in-store at select stores.
Project Calculator
Enter Square Footage
Formula
Length × Width = Square Footage
Square Footage ÷ 6.6 = Number of Recommended Panels
Note: Actual panel dimensions are 23.25″ × 47.25″
* This calculation includes an allowance for
obstacles and off-cuts.
* Note: DRICORE Insul-Armor is sold in boxes of 10 panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Color variances are due to varying levels of die used during the production of DRICORE® Insul-Armor™. There is no performance impact based on color and slight variations may occur based on the production run of the panel.
DRICORE® Insul-Armor® has also been designed with Air Gap technology that encourages constant air flow and evaporation of surface moisture emitted from your basement concrete floor.
Most basement floors, even in new homes, are damp. Concrete is a porous substance and requires air circulation. As temperatures in the basement fluctuate, it creates the perfect environment for moisture to accumulate between the underpad and concrete. This is where mold can begin to germinate which can lead to poor indoor air quality. A subfloor ensures there is an air gap between the finished floor and the concrete to help protect against moisture, mold and mildew.
Yes, all DRICORE® Subfloor panels feature a 25 year limited warranty.
No. DRICORE® Insul-Armor® is designed for easy installation using basic hand tools. A utility knife, hammer, tapping block and saw are typically all that’s needed, making it ideal for DIY projects. Please refer to the “Tools Required” section on this page for the full list.
No. DRICORE® Insul-Armor® is DIY-friendly and can be installed by homeowners. Clear installation instructions help deliver professional-looking results.
Yes. DRICORE® Insul-Armor® is ideal for basements, helping improve insulation and comfort while providing a protective layer between concrete and finished flooring.
Yes. The insulated construction of DRICORE® Insul-Armor® helps provide insulation from the cold concrete, making finished floors feel warmer and more comfortable.
DRICORE® Insul-Armor® is compatible with many finished flooring types, including:
Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Luxury-Vinyl³ (LVT/LVP) ≥5mm, Stone Plastic Composite
Always follow the finished flooring manufacturer’s installation requirements when installing over DRICORE® Insul-Armor®.
³ LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) that is equal to or greater than 5 mm in thickness and has a clock-lock edge profile.
Yes. DRICORE® Insul-Armor® panels can be easily cut with a utility knife to fit around walls, posts, doorways, and other obstacles.
Please contact us directly to discuss your installation requirements. You can reach DRICORE at 1-866-767-6374, and our team will be happy to assist you.
You cannot glue the flooring directly to DRICORE® Insul-Armor®. The panels are not designed to accept a full-spread glue application.
DRICORE® Insul-Armor® is a high-performance insulated subfloor designed to improve comfort and durability under finished flooring. It helps protect floors while adding insulation, moisture protection, and a more comfortable feel underfoot.