Maybe hardwood floors will work out instead. Here’s what you should know as you decide what to do.
If you’re planning on renovating or remodeling different parts of your home, you might be wondering what to do with your basement. For instance, you could have a tile or laminate floor that you’re unhappy with because of how slippery it is. That’s why you’ve experimented with rugs and carpeting, but you found that wasn’t to your taste either. Maybe hardwood floors will work out instead. Here’s what you should know as you decide what to do.
The Natural Approach
Although you love the look, feel, and the smell of natural wood, it doesn’t belong in your basement. Sadly, this is due to the moisture factor that you might have seen affecting the bricks on your fireplace or the furniture in your basement rec room. Because your basement is underground there will be problems caused by water vapor and groundwater seepage. Your hardwood floors could start to warp, buckle, or curl due to this damage. It’s also possible it can suffer irreversible water damage or encourage the runaway growth of mold and mildew.
Building a Better Basement
In that case, you should try an alternative solution. Building a better basement starts with a different type of hardwood flooring. Engineered hardwood could be the solution you’re looking for; it is a mixture of synthetic wood and real hardwood. As a result, it withstands exposure to moisture much better, and they still look like their all-natural counterparts. Let’s say your primary concern is the budget for your project – if that’s so, then you might find that engineered hardwood is more affordable than natural hardwood.
Getting Ready to Start
Once you have decided which hardwood floors you want in your basement, it’s time to get started. Find out whether or not your home has gravel-based substructure. That’s because gravel will help soak up any water in the soil beneath the foundation of your house. Then you’ll need to make sure that a concrete slab is laid over the substructure as an intermediate layer of protection. Let the concrete sit and cure for a month, minimum. This gives enough time for any residual moisture to dissipate. Once that’s taken care of, you’ll be ready to install your new hardwood flooring.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? You Can Trust John K Eareckson & Co.!
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co., Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come; from a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also look for us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.