Basement Flooring Options
It comes a time for most home owners to decide whether they should sell up and move to a larger home or extend up, down or outwards. Some of these projects can run into thousands of dollars but one of the simplest ways to make your home more useable is simply to convert the basement. Basements are usually pretty horrible cold and dark places that you wouldn’t want to spend much time in. However if you spend a bit of time and thought you can easily create a very comfortable and inviting room.
By converting and finishing your basement you aren’t just creating a room you and your family can make use of now; you are also helping to increase the value of your home when you go to sell it. Realtors all agree that one of the best things you can do to make your home more desirable is to finish the basement. The only other rooms that are more important in terms of décor and potential future buyers are your kitchen and bathroom.
When it comes to finishing off your basement, choosing a floor covering is an important step that shouldn’t be overlooked. Although concrete can work really well and can be acid etched to make it look amazing, there are other options available to you if you so desire. Carpeting is a very popular choice within the home as it is warm and cosy, however with a basement you may want to choose a flooring type which is water resistant. Even if you have been really careful to insulate and seal your basement, there is still the potential for flooding or damp setting in. In these circumstances you would want basement flooring which is water proof such as ceramic, rubber, marble or engineered hardwood.
Although hardwood flooring looks really beautiful, lasts for almost ever and even improves with age, you probably will want to avoid installing it in your basement because of moisture. Because most basements have a problem with moisture content you will find that hardwood can warp. If you have your heart set on hardwood, by all means have it installed, however you should install a vapor guard under the floor. To do this you should lay a high density polyethylene sheet which has dimples that are 3/8″ tall. This will create a gap of air that traps moisture between the concrete and your sheeting preventing moisture from rising up into your hardwood flooring.
An alternative to real hardwood flooring is engineered flooring. This is made up of a few layers of hardwood with high density fibreboard core. Due to the fact that it’s made up of layers, the flooring is more resilient against moisture. Another benefit to engineered flooring is that it’s thinner, allowing you to increase the amount of insulation you install. Don’t worry about the appearance of engineered floors either because they have a top layer of real hardwood so no-one will ever guess that it’s not solid wood.
Concrete flooring in basements are probably the most common type of basement flooring. Concrete is ideal if you abuse your basement by storing lot of stuff down there, using it as a workshop and generally create a lot of traffic. You might think that its only purpose is functional and that you couldn’t possibly live with it on an everyday basis whilst watching TV, reading a book or playing snooker. The truth is that concrete flooring can be very plain and dull looking, but it can also look amazing if acid etched. So if you discounted concrete before, think again, you might find yourself surprised.
Ceramic Tiles are ideal if you really don’t like the idea of concrete, and just like concrete, ceramic tiles can withstand a lot of abuse and traffic. It’s very easy to clean as you only need a broom and a wet mop. If you are using your basement as a utility room to house a clothes washing machine, ceramic tiles will be able to cope with moisture and any flooding that could occur. You will find that high moisture is a problem in basements and if you haven’t properly insulated your basement or use a dehumidifier you could be upset by seeing your floor become damaged. Before buying your floor tiles it’s always a good idea to ask if they are suitable for basements just to be on the safe side.
Rubber flooring is great if you’re looking for something which is cheap, functional but also looks great and comes in a variety of colors. Because they are waterproof, you don’t have to concern yourself about mold and mildew. Another interesting benefit is the fact that it’s also great for sound insulation so if you like to make a lot of noise, this will help prevent sound from travelling about the rest of your home. If noise is an issue in your basement, for instance you might be using a lot of heavy machinery, you can increase sound insulation by installing acoustic insulating materials in your walls and ceiling.
Although carpeting is not the best basement flooring choice if you plan on storing lots of boxes or working with heavy machinery, you might really want carpeting if you plan on using your basement as a living area. The main problem with carpeting in your basement is the moisture content and mold. If you have carpeting installed, make sure that your basement is well insulated and has a dehumidifier on to keep humidity levels down.
Whatever basement flooring option you choose you should always ensure that you have prepared you basement correctly. You need to repair any cracks in the walls and floors, install insulation and use a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels normal. If you don’t prepare you basement correctly you could end up with serious mold problems and damaged flooring. You really want to prevent this happening in the first place because rectifying the problems can cost a lot more stress and money in the long run.
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