What Is Vented Cove Base And Why You May Need It?

If you’re planning on installing a new dance floor system, you should consider installing a vented cove base. It both connects your floor to the wall and allows air to circulate under your floating wood subfloor to wick away moisture. Here is everything you need to know about vented cove bases and why you need one.

About Vented Cove Bases

What is vented cove base? Also known as a vented wall base, this technology is designed to accompany wood floating subfloors and is built with vertical, vented panels that get glued or taped along the walls of your dance space. Over the top of the vented panel is a vinyl wall base 4” high with a 2” lip that sits on top of the floor. The wall base is taped or glued to the vented panels. This system allows for air to circulate under the subfloor while hiding the vents.

Other features include:

• Eliminates dust bunnies from gathering at the perimeter of the studio.
• Gives a professional finished look.
• Easy to install.

Benefits Of Vented Cove Bases

The main reason dance studio owners select vented cove bases for their studio is to get air circulation under the subfloor to wick away moisture. If left unvented, wood will absorb moisture, swell and warp over time. When there is better air circulation, you can prevent damage and extend the life of your dance floor.

Cove Base vs. Vented Cove Base

Regular cove base may look like vented cove base, but it does not provide the ability to vent air from beneath the subfloor. Since your subfloor will gap ½’ from the wall, regular cove base will block that gap preventing moisture from escaping, ultimately causing damage. Because you are installing a floating wood subfloor, you are also creating a dead air space between the slab and the wood subfloor. No dead air space, no need for a vented cove base. Conversely, you need the two-part vented cove base if you are creating a dedicated dance space.

How To Install A Vented Cove Base

Here are the basic steps to install a vent cove base:

• You will need one of Stagestep’s Springstep floating wood subfloors installed ½” away from all walls.
• Install your Marley dance to the edge of the subfloor.
• Begin installing the vented cove base at the corner of the studio. Install the 4” high vented panel (it is white) against the wall with cove base adhesive or double sided tape. The bottom of the vented panel should be level to the subfloor.
• Continue installing the vented panels around the perimeter of the room. You will need to cut some of the panels to fit the studio.
• Lastly, install the 4” high vinyl base over the vented panels using cove base adhesive or double-sided tape. The 2” lip of the vinyl base is not attached to either the floor or the vended panels. It floats over the Marley dance floor.

You can learn more about vented cove base installation by checking out the Stagestep Installation Guide.

Conclusion

Are you looking to control moisture and extend the life of your dance floor, then vented cove base is a necessary addition to your dance floor system. The unique construction of vented cove base allows for enhanced air circulation beneath your floating subfloor system preventing moisture damage. If you think it’s time for a flooring system upgrade and a new vented wall base, get in touch with Stagestep. We are happy to answer your questions and provide a no-obligation quote.