Using Hardwood Flooring In Basement
In addition to using hardwood for ground floors and upper levels many are turning to wood flooring for their basements.
Using hardwood flooring in basement. And some people say it can also be installed below grade too in a basement for. Most hardwood flooring companies won t honor the warranty if you install their flooring in the basement. It looks great rivals any hardwood floor in appearance and installs quick and easy. What is below grade.
There is one company that allows for basement installation and it won t affect the warranty as long as you ve installed it per their instructions. Solid hardwood flooring is a super poor choice for basements. You do have three alternatives. Most people realize that you need a 3 4 plywood sub floor floor to nail solid hardwood into.
There is simply too much moisture present in basements to comfortably install solid hardwood flooring. Bamboo engineered wood basement flooring this hardwood flooring is layered with different kinds of hardwood and often fitted with a high density fiberboard core. Constructed with perpendicular layers of wood engineered wood is more resistant than traditional hardwood which is typically one solid layer to moisture damage and the warping caused by. We ll tell you who it is in a moment.
The third is not wood but it looks amazingly like wood. Although hardwood flooring is a timeless choice humidity levels below ground even in dry basements are too inconsistent for this material. If something in this case flooring is below grade it means that it is below the earth s surface. The flooring is specifically engineered to withstand moisture and is thinner than solid hardwood flooring allowing for the installation of extra insulation.
Because a basement is a below ground level space it is susceptible to moisture and leaks making water damage a common problem for basement flooring that is not waterproof. While it is possible to nail this into concrete using hilties or sleepers solid hardwood still isn t approved below grade. This is a fancy durable moisture proof and informal floor that makes good sense for basements especially. Of course the practicality of a material that s completely impervious to water can t be overlooked which makes it a great option for bathrooms too.
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. Aesthetically pleasing and low maintenance hardwood flooring is a popular choice for homes across the world. Whether you re looking to simply cover your concrete slab or turn your basement into a bonafide living space vinyl is the best choice for your basement floor. According to flooring manufacturer armstrong engineered hardwood may be an option in some basements due to its multi ply structure.
Unlike solid hardwood engineered hardwood can go over concrete under the right conditions like in a condo.