How To Install Basement Flooring

While you can t install solid hardwood floors in the basement or below grade you can install engineered hardwood floors.

How to install basement flooring.

This basic tutorial will help you evaluate your basement s challenges and weigh each material s pros and. Basement flooring 101 a surprising number of materials are suitable for basement flooring. Fortunately tiling a basement floor isn t much different from any other floor in the house. So tile is not a cheap flooring option unless you are doing the work yourself.

Most properly installed types of flooring can stand up to damp conditions and high humidity. On average installation cost ranges from 2 6 sq ft. This will determine the amount of flooring you need. When it comes to choosing basement flooring there s good news.

Vinyl tile and vinyl plank flooring are easy to install thanks to interlocking joints. Sadly moisture will ruin a floor unless necessary precautions are taken. Engineered hardwood flooring is design in perpendicular layers so that there is less expansion and contraction. Most traditional laminates are made with a waterproof surface layer a decorative layer and then fiberboard backing this backing is what is susceptible to moisture and if it comes in contact with liquids it can warp twist rot and start to grow mold and mildew.

Measure the width of the room by the length to get the square footage of the room then add 10 more to account for any waste or mistakes. What you should know before. Basement floors are notorious for becoming damp. This is a fancy durable moisture proof and informal floor that makes good sense for basements especially.

Exceptions are solid hardwood flooring and laminate flooring made. This basement flooring option offers great value for the money. Laminate basement flooring precautions. You can also use our flooring calculator to estimate the square footage of laminate needed.

Choose the right materials. What s more you can get these materials in an amazing variety of styles. For most homeowners understanding the cost to install vinyl flooring whether it s vinyl plank or vinyl sheet is essential. Always install basement carpet on top of a vapor impervious subfloor this will raise the temperature of the floor in winter make your carpet more pleasant to walk on and most importantly prevent humid air from cozying up to the concrete and triggering mold growth.

If the basement slab has large cracks especially cracks that move it s a good idea to install an uncoupling membrane under the tile. If you do take those precautions you may end up installing multiple flooring options and spending thousands of dollars. Almost any kind of flooring is okay to install in a below grade basement.