Flooring Ideas for Your Basement

Many people neglect the important living space that their basement could offer.

Many people neglect the important living space that their basement could offer. With a little creativity and time you should be able to turn your unused space into a great family room or den. When it comes to your basement flooring both moisture and warmth are an issue. Even if your floor looks dry, take a closer look for cracks or other opening that could allow moisture to enter and get trapped beneath your new flooring. You have many options for your basement floor depending on your personal style and budget.

Engineered Hardwood Floors Three to five layers of various hardwoods are used to make this flooring. Each new layer is placed at a 90 degree angle to the layer beneath it. This prevents a lot of the issues that are associated with moisture such as expansion, contraction, and warping. To create a tight bond between each layer they are glued and then laminated under heat and pressure. These floors are easy to maintain and add a sense of beauty and warmth to your basement space.

Slate and Ceramic Tile While both these materials can be cold to the touch, a few well placed throw rugs should fix that. It is easy to install ceramic tiles over your existing concrete floor. Like concrete, your ceramic tiles are vulnerable to the conditions underneath them. You will need to take measures to protect your tile from the impact of any cracks in the floor. A basement floor that has steel rods running through the concrete will help protect your ceramic tiles from the cracks and fractures that movement can cause. Another great idea is to have the concrete floor and the tiles move separately by installing a crack isolation membrane under your tiles. Staining or painting your concrete sub-floor is another option.

Carpeting You can definitely add warmth and beauty to your basement with the addition of carpeting. To help them resist microbes your carpet will need to be regularly cleaned. Those with asthma or allergies may wan to think twice before installing carpet in their basement as it can cause irritation. While dehumidifiers will reduce basement floor condensation they will not get rid of it entirely. Area rugs are a great alternative for those who want to avoid the risks posed by installing carpet. Area rugs can be much more easily cleaned on a regular basis.

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