Source.
So I thought I knew plenty about basement flooring options until I needed to buy it.
Here are a few things that I learned:
There are two types of flooring to avoid because basements can be damp and humid.
- Hardwood floors and 2. laminate floors are made with fiberboard core (small pieces of wood compressed together) that has not been treated for moisture exposure.
Now here are some flooring options that are good for the basement.
- Epoxy floor coating. This is easy to do and is completely waterproof. There is also a good variety of colors to choose from.
- Rubber flooring. This comes in sheets with interlocking edges so it is good for DIYers. There are plenty of color options and it is soft underfoot. It is especially good for kids.
- Engineered wood flooring. Make sure when you buy it that it is graded for below-grade basements.
- Ceramic Tile is not affected by moisture and has tons of design options
- Vinyl tile and sheet flooring
Some other methods of avoiding moisture underneath flooring are:
- “grading out foundation soil so it slopes away from foundation walls at least four inches over 10 feet, adding extensions to your downspouts so water exits at least five feet away from your house, and keeping gutters in good repair.”
- “install a vapor barrier under your flooring. Sheet plastic is a good barrier, or you might seal the slab with paint or epoxy coating made specifically for damp concrete walls and floors.”
- “raise the floor with a waterproof subfloor. The system is made of interlocking plastic tiles that are elevated on grids. The grids create an air space below the floor that dissipates moisture and keeps your basement flooring warmer than if it’s in direct contact with concrete. It’s not designed to be used with a nail-down type of flooring. Some types of vinyl and carpet tiles come with similar plastic barriers already attached to the tile. They snap together and are good for DIY projects.”
We are planning to purchase our flooring at
Home Depot or
Lowes. Check out all the options they have by clicking the links or flooring images.