Basement Flooring - Decide What's Best For You

When homeowners think of adding an addition to their home, they usually either go up or out. There is no need for such large projects when you want to add space to your home, you can finish your basement. When you choose to finish your basement, part of the job is already done. You just need to add a few tweaks to make your basement a place where the whole family wants to spend time.

With all the 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. 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.

There are special circumstances you will have to consider before you choose basement flooring that will not only be economical but also look and last for a good long time.

Even the driest of basements often have more humidity than the rest of the house. These are the flooring options that seem tailored for basement floors:

Concrete Flooring-this should be, by far, your first option. Concrete floors can be stained and or painted to almost any design and look. In almost all circumstances, concrete floors are the cheapest choice you can make. Good insulation can make concrete flooring nearly as warm as any other flooring option.

Stone Tiling-not every stone material is a natural for basement flooring, but more durable stones, such as slate are a popular choice for basements. The problem is that softer, faux stone may not hold up in basements and tougher, natural stone is often cost-prohibitive.

If you've determined that your basement is for the most part dry, here are some additional flooring options to consider:

Engineered basement flooring-this hardwood 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. Nonetheless, even engineered flooring can become warped and damaged with too much moisture.

Laminate flooring-this flooring is composed of a wood core and aluminum oxide surface. Each laminate is slightly different and some are not good in basements. Check with the manufacturer and make sure your basement doesn't have a moisture problem; damaged laminate flooring is nearly impossible to repair.

Ceramic and vinyl tile-these tiling options 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.

Avoid at All Costs

Unless you live in the driest of climates and have ideal basement circumstances, these flooring options are generally not recommended for basements:

Solid hardwood flooring-There's really no way to justify the cost of a solid hardwood flooring for a below grade installation. Engineered hardwood flooring looks and feels nearly identical to its solid hardwood counterpart and will hold up under basement conditions much, much better.

Carpet-these most common mistake homeowners make is installing carpet in their basements. 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

Summary: One of the choices you will have to make is what type of material to use for your basement flooring. You no longer have to settle for a cold concrete floor; these days you have many different options you can explore. Carpeting is always an option, but you may want to use basement flooring that will be water resistant. Even the best-insulated basements can experience flooding. You may not want to take the risk of damage, so your needs may be best met by installing basement flooring like vinyl flooring, ceramic or other type of tiles or an outdoor carpeting to minimize the risk of any water damage.