How to choose basement
flooring
Most types of flooring you can use in other parts of the house
are also great options for basements. Whether you're using carpet,
tile, laminate, or some combination of these or other types of
flooring, you'll want to think it through to ensure you end up
with the right type of basement flooring for YOUR lifestyle.
Before you install any type of flooring in your basement, make
sure you don't have any wall leaks or other moisture problems!
If you do, see our basement
waterproofing topic, or our sections on repairing
cracks and repairing
rod hole leaks.
Carpeting a basement
Carpeting is great for a basement because it keeps it warmer in
the winter, and is much softer to walk on than a tiled or concrete
floor. Also, it will deaden the echo in your basement which should
help make your home theater sound much better!
Indoor/outdoor carpeting can be used, but you may like the look
of Berber or other 'regular' carpet better. Go with a good thick
padding and try to get a moisture resistant pad with some type
of vapor barrier. When you go shopping, make sure you let the
salesperson know that it's for a basement. He or she will be able
to guide you away from products that won't work on your lower
level.
Using tile in a basement
 If
you're putting in a bathroom, wet bar, or kitchen, you'll probably
want some tiled areas too. Remember that tile will reflect sound
and wreak havoc on your room acoustics. Also, when you have your
'loud' friends over, they'll be that much LOUDER! If you have
large areas of tile, you may need to offset it with carpeting,
area rugs, or other treatments to 'deaden' the sound.
Since ceramic or stone tiles are difficult to install, vinyl
tiles or linoleum may present a good compromise. They offer some
of the cushion of carpeting, and absorb some of the sound in a
room. If you go with linoleum, you'll probably want to have it
installed for you. One bad cut can ruin the whole room- you may
not want to take that chance!
Choosing laminate or wood flooring
There are a variety of laminate floors on the market that will
give you a look of real hardwood floors in your finished basement.
Many laminate floors are 'floating' floors which means you won't
need any glue or nails to insall them. Whatever type of floor
you choose, MAKE SURE it's approved for use below
grade! Most (if not all) laminate floors can be used in a basement,
but most (if not all) hardwood floors are NOT.
You will find some 'engineered' hardwood floors that can be used
below grade, but check to make sure. Engineered hardwood flooring
contains a thin layer of real wood over a plank made of the same
materials used in laminates.
 
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