Choosing Basement Flooring

Selecting basement flooring can be a daunting task. Not only is the basement the most humid part of your home, it is also the most susceptible to flooding from leaking pips and outdoor seepage. Most basement flooring options involve some sort of trade-off, but knowing your options is the best place to start.

Before You Choose Basement Flooring
Before you enter the world of basement flooring, take some time to understand the unique needs of your basement. If your basement floor is currently bare concrete, now is the perfect time to test for moisture problems.

To test your floor, pick three or for spots spread around the entire floor. Cover these spots with a 3' by 3' plastic sheet-cut open trash bags will work fine. Tape down the edges of these sheets with duct tape so that the plastic forms a seal over the concrete floor.

After waiting 24 hours, lift the sheets and inspect the concrete underneath. If the concrete is damp, then you'll need to have the floor treated to seal out moisture before you can think about adding any type of flooring.

Basement Flooring Options
Assuming you have a dry basement (either naturally or after having moisture issues treated), you can begin to consider your flooring options. Here are a few of your choices:

• Wood - Probably the least viable of your choices, wood flooring tends to buckle, warp and rot under the overly moist conditions found in most basements. Creating a water resistant sub-floor will significantly add to the cost of an already pricey flooring material.
• Carpet - Although carpet can be inexpensive, it is also prone to mold and mildew issues-especially if leaks or flooding are a problem. Carpet padding with anti-microbial lining can mitigate some moisture issues, however.
• Tile - Tile is a decorative and water-resistant option, which can be installed directly on to a concrete floor that is consistently dry and in good repair. A water resistant sub-floor will be required in other instances.
• Laminates - Laminate flooring can give you the look of wood with a higher resistance to moisture. Laminates are floating floors, meaning they don't attach directly to the sub-floor. If you do have problems with laminate flooring, however, repairs can be cumbersome.
• Synthetics - Several new products on the market are made of PVC material, yet mimic traditional materials like wood and tile. These interlocking elements create a floating floor that is simple to install.
• Concrete - You have a concrete floor already; why not take advantage of it? Concrete can be painted or stained to look like other flooring materials. With a few easily replaceable throw rugs, you could have worry-free basement flooring.