hardwoods in the basement?????
 

we are in the beginning stages of finishing the basement

approx. 1100 sq ft

having a hard time with making a decision on the floor.

tile....too cold

vinyl....too cheap looking

looking at prefinished hardwood/floating floor (looking at bamboo)

the basement is dry...never any water as we have 4 commercial little giant sump pumps
in each corner of basement

obviously, every basement has moisture

so, has anyone used or have prefin hardwoods in the basement, and how do they like them

I would suggest play safe, moisture barrier, foam and synthetic (pergo or=)
Plus a built in dehumidifier or two

This hit the nail on the head so to speak....:)

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/install...ts-214I65.html

In my day I had gone into 1st floor houses that had full basements, that hardwood floors had curled...in the summer they would curl and winter would lay down...they will difinetly do it if U use particleboard.

I researched this a bit when we did our basement a few years back and didn't like the solutions. If you have the headroom you can put down a subfloor with an air space but I didn't like that either.

Given our situation and potential for water we went with epoxy right on the slab.

-spence

OOPS!! I would seal the concrete basement floor

http://www.ardexamericas.com/en-us/P...s/MCULTRA.aspx


one more thing...go to a building supply and pick up a radon test kit...cheap...any reading above a four is a problem...may have to put in a remediation system....U be surprised how many houses with finished basements have high radon problems...we sell a lot of real estate and some homes have to have the system put in in order to sell...cost approximately 1,200 bucks for a contractor to install...good selling feature if U ever go to sell...most installers guarantee them.

I used this article as a basis for finishing my basement. It has worked great for me. If you have forced hot air heat/AC connect a zone for the basement that will regulate the humidity during the summer when the A/C is on. I went with carpet on top of the plywood, but could have put hardwood if I wanted.



http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...ent_FHB169.pdf

Curious too see more feedback. We're doing ours in the next couple months
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Same here - thinking about mine this winter.

Jim,,,, Remember, not all basements are the same. Here on CC (sand bar) the hydraulic pressure against and below the basement is much less than a foundation in gravel ( less impervious ). Are those sumps to protect against water table fluctuations or just the usual spring time rains and is water always visible at the bottom of them. In either case a wood floor doesn't sound like a good idea given your situation (IMO) 2 cents worth :uhuh:

thanks guys for the help

sumps were installed for any water arising from ground level

there is not water in the hole

a lot of options out there....pergo is what we were going with but now starting to reconsider.

flooring companies are saying anything less that 4% water/humidity you are covered
might get the test done first

Berber carpet. Could also put down sleepers, foamboard insullation and plywood subfloor before berber carpet.... Less expensive than wood flooring and easier/cheaper to clean or replace IF you ever get water.
I would also look into remnants at the carpet stores. Can have them sized and bound. Add a lot to give more finished feeling over a bare or epoxied concrete floor. Finish of walls and ceiling (ie lighting) are going to have a major effect on the finished feeling. Insullate/soundproof the ceiling if possible.

:uhuh: antimicrobial/vapor barrier pad below and a 70 pint dehumidifier.

Glue down carpet with 4" holes for putting :uhuh: ⛳️

I put berber in my basement,it has worked out great. tile in the bathroom

concerning Radon
 

i used to be an installer.........

Radon gas is like having a cigarette smoker in the house
where you are inhaling second hand smoke so it's
considered to be just as carcinogenic ....

to lower Radon Gas 4 points you can core thru the cellar wall
with a 4 inch bit and then install a fresh air inlet because even the furnace needs oxygen... if your only a few points away from the goal
then re-test

As far as floor materials go ...consider your worst case scenario.
there is a foot of standing water down there.... now what?
what will it take to get back to normal and how fast.

keep in mind that carpets often have chemicals like formaldehyde
in them when your comparing different floor coverings for price.

Raven: I always told people to leave a basement window opened.

people can crawl thru an open basement window

but they won't get in thru a 4 inch hole

I did carpet/pad directly on the concrete. Got water a couple of times and just hit it with a shop vac....dried out nicely with no musty smell. can't guarantee that with a sub-floor.