Basement flooring

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scott_b

Member
Our UP house has a walk out basement with about 1/2 of that being partially finished, all it needs now is flooring and lighting. The house was built in the mid 70's and based on the humidity level down there I would suspect there is no vapor barrier under the floor. The house has never had any issues with standing water in the basement.

I would like to finish the floor in the basement and am thinking of going with a laminate type floor (Pergo). I have ruled out tile as the floor is generally very cold and adding 500 sq feet of under tile heat is cost prohibitive at this time. Is laminate durable in a damp basement? I know a dehumidifier will make the air more comfortable (and I will be getting one) but will this help the flooring as well?

Thanks
Scott
 
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mtb1115

New member
There a few ways to extend the life of laminate installed in an on-slab basement setting. Remember this is a compressed wood product that will swell if gotten wet. You may want to consider a vinyl product (not sure of mfg. name) that comes in strips and looks similar to laminate but will handle any moisture or water issues. It is a glue down product and very DYI friendly and available at Menards with a similar cost per square ft. price. Good luck.
 
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lt250rfd

Member
ever think of painting/epoxy the floor? my parents just recently did this in there basement at the property up north.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
I am by no means an expert, but I am thinking the laminate floor in the basement might be a crap shoot without having a subfloor under it. If that is what your plan is, you should'nt have an issue as long as your basement is just "damp" not wet. As mtb stated, this is a compressed wood product & will swell if it gets wet. When I installed a laminate floor in my kitchen, the home improvement store I purchased the materials from advised that I also put down this plastic sheeting which has a foam back on it, which I did. It serves as a bit of a vapor barrier as well as a cushion/pad for the flooring. The flooring looks nice & has held up real well so far & has definetly added warmth to the previously cold vinyl kitchen floor.-Mezz
 
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garageguy

Well-known member
Manards sells a product made of vinyl, looks like laminate goes together like laminate. 100% waterproof. I'm installing some in a customers house, several rooms including the kitchen and bathroom. Looks nice and is easy to work with. No backing no glue, snaps together.
 
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Magnumb

Active member
They do have below grade real wood flooring at Floor and Decor in Lombard. It's a floating floor butcher block look, worked great for my basement. Biggest floor selection i have ever seen and real decent pricing.
 
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mtb1115

New member
Just remember that all concrete wicks moisture and any natural product such as wood will absorb it and can support mold growth.
 
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scott_b

Member
Thanks for the advise guys. We are actually thinking of cork now, water resistant, cushioned and warm....

Anyone ever worked with cork?
 
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ezra

Well-known member
one of my custermers had a cork floor that got watter dammaged it staind bad and did swell at the joints because it was just like the pergo 1/4 in of cork then layers of pressed saw dust made to click lock like
stain the cement and buy some nice big area rugs worst case u dont like your stain job and u can cover it
 
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Cadillac-Ranch

New member
Ever consider commercial carpet tiles, user friendly, warm on the feet, if it gets wet you can pick them up dry them out and reinstall.
 
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ezra

Well-known member
Cadillac-Ranch said:
Ever consider commercial carpet tiles, user friendly, warm on the feet, if it gets wet you can pick them up dry them out and reinstall.
Click to expand...
i would also look in to this option we put that stuff in my buds motel and rental house would be great for your deal heavy plastic/rubber backing ez to lay and replace spendy but ez to install yourself so saveing on labor

as far as dirt and hydroponic lighting and "grass sead" still ilegal in most states but I think it is a great idea and if u need help harvisting let me know
 
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ditchcrusher

New member
I cant remember the name of it. There is a product you can get at Menards or Home Depot that is 2x2 ft tongue and groove. Particle board on top and ABS plastic on bottom. When installed it leaves about .25-.50 air gap between the concrete and the particle board. We put this on our concrete basement floor and then put carpet in part of the room and then laminate in the office space. If you do get a little moisture it wont be a problem. You can even lay on the carpet in the winter and it is warm as can be. Have had it down for 5 years and have never had a problem. Go to those stores and ask for it, they will know what you're looking for.

DC
 
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polarisrider1

New member
ditchcrusher said:
I cant remember the name of it. There is a product you can get at Menards or Home Depot that is 2x2 ft tongue and groove. Particle board on top and ABS plastic on bottom. When installed it leaves about .25-.50 air gap between the concrete and the particle board. We put this on our concrete basement floor and then put carpet in part of the room and then laminate in the office space. If you do get a little moisture it wont be a problem. You can even lay on the carpet in the winter and it is warm as can be. Have had it down for 5 years and have never had a problem. Go to those stores and ask for it, they will know what you're looking for.

DC
Click to expand...
Depot has it.
 
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