The challenges of basement flooring
The challenges of basement flooring
Basement renovation is not the same as any other room of the house. Basement flooring comes with its own set of challenges, given the location of the basement within the house’s structure. Today, the flooring options are endless within the market; but then choosing the right flooring for your basement does not have to be a mammoth task, despite its challenges.
Let’s talk about the challenges one faces while choosing the right flooring option for the basements. These challenges might seem like a deal breaker, but they don’t have to be.
Moisture and humidity
Kitchens, bathrooms, and basements are known for their humidity and moisture content. Since basements are usually made out of concrete, more often than not, basements are majorly used for storing unused items, mementos, and sometimes, even food. Since the basement is in the foundation of the house, it is often quite cooler than the rest of the house. Even though concrete is one of the most durable materials around, it is highly porous and allows vapor to enter through the slab and the foundation walls. This water can seep into sensitive hardwood flooring and even fiberboard. In order to curb this issue, one needs to install a vapor barrier right over the top of the slab flooring.
Uneven flooring
Uneven flooring is yet another issue with basement flooring. So what can one do, when they have uneven flooring within their basement? One can try to use a self-leveling cement to create a subfloor between the installed flooring and the slab. This will help create even flooring throughout the basement.
Flooding threats
No matter how many efforts you put in to secure the basement, chances of flooding will always remain within this area. If you have had a flooding problem in the past, it is important to call a basement waterproofing expert to waterproof the basement flooring and walls. Make sure the foundation of the house is secure and all the leaks have been repaired. If flooding is a common issue, you might need to invest in a sump pump in order to redirect the water outside before it enters the basement.
Low ceiling heights
Basements usually have low ceilings, especially if they have air ducts. Before adding the flooring, and creating the level of your flooring, make sure you take into account the air ducts, in order to create an appropriate height level within the basement. This way, there will always be enough space for you to walk around, whenever required.
The final word
Basement flooring is equally important, and it needs to be well thought of, before narrowing down on an option. There are some options which can be considered at the time of shortlisting the flooring for your basement. Some common options include engineered oak flooring, stone flooring, tiles, and vinyl, among many others. Each of these floorings is water resistant, which is often considered as flooring options for areas with high moisture content in the air.
