General Contractors Advice - The Perfect Basement Flooring
Regardless of where you live, soil pretty much always contains more moisture than the air above ground. This leaves many homeowners with the constant threat of invasive moisture. Pretty much, the worst case scenario is a constant influx of water ruining anything you put in your basement and best case, without proper barriers and ventilation you will have elevated moisture that will put your basements structure at a risk for long term damage. Because of this you have to consider what the best flooring material is for a moist environment.
Concrete - The major benefit here is that it’s already there in your basement. Not only is concrete the most moisture-hardy type of floor you can manage but it requires the least amount of materials to finish and requires no real subfloor. The primary work will be in fixing cracks before you paint or seal it.
Concrete does have its drawbacks as it requires some pretty labor intensive cleaning before you can do any painting or sealing. Also if you stick with the existing concrete floor you are in for some chilly feet as there is no way to properly warm the floor.
Custom Tile - Of all the options for finishing your basement with a nice floor, tile gives you the best of all the worlds. It’s is the most durable finished surface you can install and will stand up to water almost as readily as concrete. Tile dries easily and, can be fixed right to the concrete (no subfloor) and as such gives you the ability to install in-floor heating to keep your toes cozy.
The downside with installing tile is that if you don’t install in-floor radiant heating (a costly option that contributes to energy costs) you still have a cold floor. Likewise, you will need to level and repair your concrete floor before you fix tile to it or you risk tiles breaking loose under walking weight.
Vinyl Flooring - Another fine option is vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring can be installed as either tiles or in rolls that you would cut to fit. The benefit to vinyl flooring is it is one of the least expensive flooring options and still has a durable finish that can weather time and is water proof. With vinyl flooring installed as a roll, you will have a virtually seamless floor that is easily installed, cleaned and maintained.
But again there is the inevitable down side. The concrete floor will have to be cleaned extensively and leveled or you run the risk of having the vinyl separate from the floor or in extreme cases be cracked or torn if installed over a defect in the floor that can cause shearing.
Carpet - Carpet can be an excellent choice in a basement for comfort. It is quite warm and much easier on the feet. It is an excellent way to maintain continuity throughout the home. It is also quite easy to install.
So, what’s the hitch? Carpet tends to absorb moisture. What that means is a significant risk of fungal growth and mold problems. If your carpet does get wet you need to dry it quickly to avoid a musty basement and moldy carpets.
Another point to consider when planning your basement remodel with your general contractor is that you are not confined to just one flooring type. If you have multiple areas with different functions you can choose multiple flooring types, such as a carpeted play room and vinyl flooring or tile in the utility room. Your contractor should be very knowledgeable about the various flooring options and their input could be invaluable during the planning stages, don’t be afraid to ask them for advice.
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