Any type of flooring affected by moisture is a bad choice for a basement. Basements are often humid. They are subject to floods, plumbing leaks, wall and floor leaking, and condensation. Concrete basement floors may not be level–making it difficult to install some types of flooring.
Carpeting
Installing carpet directly onto concrete in a humid basement is a bad idea. Carpet gets dirtier quicker and is difficult to clean. Adding more moisture by using a rug shampooer only makes things worse. Wet carpets and underlayment grow mold which often leads to health problems. Carpets installed on concrete have a shorter lifespan than those installed on wood in main living areas.
If you are determined to carpet the basement, build a wooden subfloor with a vapor barrier on the concrete. Use 2 x 4 sleepers, insulation and plywood. Then put down the carpet. Install a dehumidifier to keep basement humidity below 60%. Mold does not grow in basements with low humidity levels.
Solid Hardwood
Installing solid hardwood in a basement often turns into an expensive mistake. Costly to install and costly to replace. Basement temperature and humidity fluctuations can cause hardwood to buckle as it absorbs moisture. It shrinks and may crack when it warms up and dries out. Many manufacturers refuse to warranty hardwood installed below grade.
Hardwood needs to be nailed down, so a wood subfloor and vapor barrier are needed for proper installation–which increases costs. A basement flood will likely ruin any hardwood. It has to be replaced. Site-finished and prefinished hardwoods have all of the same problems.
Laminate
Laminate flooring has a core made of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). It is a combination of sawdust and glue. MDF absorbs water and swells. Even if it dries out, MDF remains swollen and never regains its original shape. Even small amounts of water can make the floor uneven and bumpy. As with carpet and hardwood, a flood means complete replacement.
Flooring That Works For Basements
Here are some types of basement flooring that work well on heated basement floors.
- Tile – Ceramic tile glued onto concrete is impervious to moisture.
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF) – The entire plank composition is waterproof. A minimal amount of water may seep through the joints to the subfloor.
- Sheet Vinyl – 100% waterproof with few seams to allow water penetration.
- Concrete – Painted, stained, etched, or epoxy basement floor coatings are attractive and mold and mildew resistant. Flooding causes minimal damage.
