Smart Choices for Basement Flooring

With the many flooring options available, choosing a floor is already a difficult process. Basement flooring is even worse as it more often than not represents a moisture problem that may render some flooring options unviable. If you have a serious moisture problem, you may need to address this before any flooring is laid.

Identifying Moisture in Your Basement

The easiest way to check on the moisture level of your basement floor is to take a non-porous material—a trash bag works well—and seal the material with tape to a couple different places around your basement floor. Wait for 24 hours and then check underneath the material. If you can feel any condensation build up, you should get your moisture problem taken care of first.

Recommended Basement Flooring

Even the driest of basements often have more humidity than the rest of the house. For this reason, two flooring materials come more highly recommended than the rest for basement floors and include concrete and stone tile flooring. Concrete floors are generally the best option and are usually the cheapest route. They can be stained or painted to any color you desire and can also be insulated to make them as warm as virtually any other flooring option.

Stone tile flooring is a popular choice for homeowners who want something a little more special than plain concrete floors. Caution should be exercised, however, when choosing softer stones as they may not hold up to the demands of a basement floor. Natural hard stones such as slate are the preferred choice, but can quickly become cost prohibitive.

Basement flooring options that should be approached with caution include:

• Engineered basement flooring is layered with different kinds of hardwood and often fitted with a high density fiberboard core. The flooring is specifically engineered to withstand moisture and is thinner than solid hardwood flooring, allowing for the installation of extra insulation.
• Laminate flooring is composed of a wood core and aluminum oxide surface. Each laminate is slightly different and some are not designed to be used in basements so do your research.
• Ceramic and vinyl tile will work for basements, but only if the sub-flooring remains dry enough for the adhesive. Take extra care preparing the sub-flooring before you start installing the tile.

Basement Flooring Options That Should be Avoided

Unless you live in the driest of climates and have ideal basement circumstances, two types of flooring options are generally not recommended for basements. These options include solid hardwood flooring and carpeting. Hardwoods may become swollen and warped with prolonged exposure to the moisture that is almost certain to be present in basements. With solid hardwood flooring being so expensive, there is really no way to justify the cost for a below grade installation.

Carpet is also a very poor choice for installation in a basement and is the most common mistake homeowners make with regard to basement floors. Carpet will trap moisture and is especially susceptible to mold and mildew. If you feel strongly about liking the feel of carpet, it may be better to simply throw down some large area rugs and plan on having them replaced every few years.

Choosing the Right Basement Flooring for You

Even though some materials should never be installed in the basement, there are more choices available than some may realize. The most important thing, however, is to make sure your basement is not overly moist and remedy the problem if it is. Doing so will ensure you get the most life out of any flooring material you choose to install.

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