Picking The Right Basement Floor Covering

In many houses, a basement is simply a wasted room. But refinishing that basement is a great way to add both value and space to your home. What could you use it for? Perhaps a family or game room, or maybe an extra bedroom would work. Just put that space to good use. But no matter what you choose you're going to have to decide on a basement floor covering.

This can be a bit tricky for several reasons. For starters, basements are prone to moisture. If yours is no exception, you'll need to correct this before you do anything. If your basement has a slab floor then moisture is a reality that any covering will have to deal with.

Take a close look at your foundation. Use any of the available products designed to control moisture. Maybe you need to look into a drainage option. Get this issue taken care of first before deciding on what you will use to cover the floor.

Now consider what you will be using the room for. Linoleum is great for withstanding water, that's why it is used in so many bathrooms. It is also easy to clean. And if you are a do it yourselfer, tiles that adhere to the floor are a breeze to put in.

But if you will be using your basement for an additional bedroom, you may consider wood flooring or carpeting. Be careful here, especially with wood which will buckle or split unless you have completely eliminated all moisture from the area.

Carpeting on the other hand can look good, and help keep the room warmer in the cold winter months. But make sure it's an easy to clean carpet, and consider using an indoor/outdoor variety, although these are generally not nearly as comfortable under your feet. And while not many people use foam padding in their basement under the carpet, it will make things more comfortable.

Just remember that before you pick any basement floor covering, make sure you have all your potential moisture problems taken care of first.