If you plan to finish or remodel your basement, flooring is one of your most important decisions. After all, when you place a floor on concrete you run the risk of moisture absorption, and this can wreak havoc with some floor types, especially carpeting. So what’s the right choice for flooring and how should you install it? Here are some basement finishing options to consider.
Vapor Barrier
Vapor barriers protect against high humidity and moisture penetration. You can install plastic sheets over concrete, and they make special waterproofing materials you can paint on.
One of the easiest options includes vinyl or carpeting tiles which have a built-in vapor barrier. They are not hard to install, and each tile is about one-foot square. When you install them, they interlock so you can remove them if you get a flooded basement in the future.
Floating Floors
Floating floors are excellent basement finishing options. Many types of hardwood and engineered wood floor planks fit together, and there’s no need to attach them to the floors or walls. In other words, you don’t use nails or adhesive for installation. This is where the term “floating flooring” comes from.
Before installing a floating floor, it’s a good idea to put down something like a vapor barrier. This protects the flooring and gives you a little insulation too. With some floors, they use styrene material for an underlayment. This helps to prevent cold floors during winter.
Making the Right Choice
There are hundreds of excellent flooring products on the market today. For example, ceramic tile is often installed directly on concrete. Some people choose to install a radiant heat system before putting down floors. If you want to explore all your options, talk to experienced basement finishing professionals. They’ help you make the right choices.
