Using Hardwood Flooring In Basements

The third is not wood but it looks amazingly like wood.

Using hardwood flooring in basements.

Wood floors may warp in time as water vapor evaporates from the groundwater in the soil beneath the concrete slab. Bamboo engineered wood basement flooring this hardwood flooring is layered with different kinds of hardwood and often fitted with a high density fiberboard core. The flooring is specifically engineered to withstand moisture and is thinner than solid hardwood flooring allowing for the installation of extra insulation. Most people realize that you need a 3 4 plywood sub floor floor to nail solid hardwood into.

For instance many existing homes in northern climates have traditional 2 red oak strip flooring above basements in the main living area. While it is possible to nail this into concrete using hilties or sleepers solid hardwood still isn t approved below grade. Similar to plywood in its composition this type of flooring has a thin layer of genuine wood many different species are available bonded to other wood plies or composite board. Then leave them for three days.

Unlike traditional hardwood flooring nearly all armstrong flooring products are 100 waterproof and ideal for basements. If it has your basement may be too moist for a laminate flooring installation. While solid wood flooring isn t suitable for use in basements some types of engineered wood flooring will work just fine. Should you consider installing hardwood floors in a basement.

More homeowners are deciding to use hardwood flooring in their basements despite the risks of damage from the water vapor that may not be apparent until sometime later. Whether you are looking at rigid core luxury vinyl tile vinyl sheet or engineered tile you will have no problems finding a flooring option that can withstand potential basement moisture. You do have three alternatives. There is simply too much moisture present in basements to comfortably install solid hardwood flooring.

Cut plastic garbage bags into squares and then tape them to the floor in various places around the basement. 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. The first two are made from wood but considered to be more moisture stable than solid hardwood. Solid hardwood flooring is a super poor choice for basements.

According to flooring manufacturer armstrong engineered hardwood may be an option in some basements due to its multi ply structure. At the end of that time lift the squares to see if moisture has accumulated on the bottom of the plastic.