Using Hardwood Flooring In Basement

Although hardwood flooring is a timeless choice humidity levels below ground even in dry basements are too inconsistent for this material.

Using hardwood flooring in basement.

What is below grade. While it is possible to nail this into concrete using hilties or sleepers solid hardwood still isn t approved below grade. Most people realize that you need a 3 4 plywood sub floor floor to nail solid hardwood into. The third is not wood but it looks amazingly like wood.

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. Bamboo engineered wood basement flooring this hardwood flooring is layered with different kinds of hardwood and often fitted with a high density fiberboard core. This is a fancy durable moisture proof and informal floor that makes good sense for basements especially. Solid hardwood flooring is a super poor choice for basements.

Most hardwood flooring companies won t honor the warranty if you install their flooring in the basement. 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. There is simply too much moisture present in basements to comfortably install solid hardwood flooring. We ll tell you who it is in a moment.

The flooring is specifically engineered to withstand moisture and is thinner than solid hardwood flooring allowing for the installation of extra insulation. Unlike solid hardwood engineered hardwood can go over concrete under the right conditions like in a condo. 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. Alternatives to solid hardwood.

You do have three alternatives. Aesthetically pleasing and low maintenance hardwood flooring is a popular choice for homes across the world. It looks great rivals any hardwood floor in appearance and installs quick and easy. According to flooring manufacturer armstrong engineered hardwood may be an option in some basements due to its multi ply structure.

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. In addition to using hardwood for ground floors and upper levels many are turning to wood flooring for their basements. 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 something in this case flooring is below grade it means that it is below the earth s surface.

While it is possible to install hardwood flooring directly onto a concrete basement floor by gluing it down it is recommended that a more durable option such installing subfloor first or using engineered wood flooring is considered.