While floating floors in a basement will not be attached to your concrete, they are still susceptible to expansion. While they can get expensive, having to reinstall a floor due to water problems is even more costly!įloating Floor Basement Example – Hardwood Doesn’t Need to be Nailed Downĭon’t forget, most engineered floors can be floated.
Some versions also include crack suppressants and sound reducers. When urethane is cured, it forms a moisture barrier between your concrete slab and your flooring. These adhesives will be urethane based, instead of water. How Does Basement Hardwood Fight Against Moisture?Īnother way to control the effects of moisture on your hardwood basement floor is to choose special glues with moisture barriers. If the floor you chose loses the fight, you can expect to see planks “cup” and curl into each for an unflattering look. A more stable floor can fight against moisture or expansion and win. As a general rule, the more plys in an engineered board, the more stable that floor will be. Both can be devastating to a solid wood floor, or even a low-end, cheaply made engineered floor. What Do You Want From Your Basement?Ĭupped Hardwood Floor From Moisture Damageĭo you remember kryptonite from Superman? Moisture generates a contraction and expansion effect in the floorboards, depending on whether the moisture levels decrease or increase. How old is your house? Is there a history of basement plumbing repair? Was basement molding a problem during the life of the home? These questions will help measure the need for a completely waterproof floor or the need for a water-resistant one. The newer floating vinyl floors are inexpensive, click together for easy installation, and virtually indestructible. Moisture is to most flooring like kryptonite is to Superman, so if you have moisture issues, your best bet is a waterproof floor, like luxury vinyl planks or luxury vinyl tiles. One obstacle to a floor installation is a moisture issue that needs to be fixed. However, we know all too well how home improvement projects can take longer than planned.
If you plan to have a professional float your floors, you can rest knowing it’s possible they can get it done quickly. The following questions below should be raised about moisture levels, home maintenance history, and the DIY-friendly float installation options. First, are there any moisture issues, or is there potential for moisture issues? Secondly, is your basement an extension of your main living space, or a dungeon that is perfect for sugared-up kids, or somewhere in between? There are 2 big questions to ask when we are helping a customer select a basement floor. Stained Concrete The Big Basement Floor Questions We will talk about these options and more in our video and our continued post below.Ģ.3 Do You Want a Hardwood Basement? Watch for its Kryptonite!Ģ.4 How Does Basement Hardwood Fight Against Moisture?Ģ.6 Will your Basement Floors See Action?ģ.1 Radiant Heat Application for Vinyl PlankĤ.1 Radiant Heat Application for Carpet Tilesĥ.1 Radiant Heat Application for Ceramic TileĦ. Many people use their basement floor to entertain guests, make a man-cave, or have a special purpose for the room like a library. You may want your lower level to match the design of your living room.
These features offer a one-size-fits-all option to lay on a concrete basement floor.Įngineered hardwood flooring is another option for those who want a beautiful hardwood floor look in their basement. LVP is waterproof, durable, and relatively inexpensive. We recommend luxury vinyl plank for most people. So, what is the best flooring for basements? Even though the best basement floor is a subjective idea, we still want to answer this question with the general population in mind.
We try to break down this topic in an unbiased frame to give you the best information possible. We have a video below explaining some great basement floor options for your home. However, when dealing with basements, the best answer is easier to come to. Talk about a loaded question! Anytime I hear someone ask a question that starts with “best,” it scares me! Everyone’s opinion is different. Last updated on August 15th, 2022 at 07:16 pm What is the Best Basement Floor?