Are you finishing your basement floor? You may think that wood flooring is out of the question. After all, basements tend to have more moisture than other areas. Since moisture and wood are not a great match, you may dismiss the idea of basement wood flooring. So, in this blog, we will explore wood flooring alternatives for your basement. We will also discuss when wood is a good alternative for your basement.
Concrete is the number one choice for wood flooring alternatives for your basement. Your current subfloor is probably concrete. Concrete handles water seepages, making it ideal, even if you have a basement prone to flooding. Not happy with the look of the concrete? You can always consider staining the concrete to provide a better look.
Ceramic and porcelain are the best choices for basement flooring. Both of them can handle wet areas. So, if you do get flooding, they will dry out. You can also use disinfectants on them, which can be critical if you have basement flooding. They come in a variety of styles and designs. You can even get tiles that provide a wood look, which can help warm up the basement floor’s appearance.
Luxury vinyl and sheet tiles are the third-best options for basement flooring. Many people believe that these options are waterproof. Many products are waterproof and some are water resistant. They are water resistant. Water “resistant” floors can handle about 24 hours of standing water without damage. That may not be enough, depending on the conditions in your basement It is always best to have a consultation before selecting.
Of course, if you have a properly sealed basement, wood can still be an option. Moisture is the main reason that people avoid wood flooring in basements. However, wood can warm up a basement and make it feel cozy and inviting. Before installing wood in a basement, you should have a humidity barrier, a dehumidifier, a graded yard that moves water away from the house, secure pipes, and an operational sump pump. However, even with those precautions, a more water-resistant alternative would be a better investment.