Smart Options: Basement Flooring
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Rich Binsacca
Reprinted
by: Callie
Johnson, REALTOR®, SRES®; Real Buy, LC
Phone: 801
738 8315; Web: www.UtahHomesToday.com
Keeping your basement dry and free of
condensation is key to installing the basement flooring of your choice. Although moisture problems can be a concern
for basement finishes, there are many types of flooring that are ideal for
basement applications. Although moisture problems can be a concern
for basement finishes, there are many types of flooring that are ideal for
basement applications. The key to successful basement flooring installations is
to ensure that the basement is dry and that there is a smooth, flat surface for
the new finish material. Moisture and Humidity Because the floor of your
basement is below grade and the lowest surface within your house, it requires
special considerations before flooring can be installed. If your basement has
ever been susceptible to water infiltration and flooding, those problems must be
remedied before flooring is installed. Sealing your basement from water and
moisture infiltration can cost from several hundred dollars to a few thousand
dollars or more. Humidity and condensation are other concerns. Because moist,
humid air is heavy, it tends to sink to the lowest part of your house--your
basement. There, warm, humid air can come in contact with relatively cool
surfaces, such as a concrete slab floor, and condense. Keeping condensation in
check during warm, humid months helps ensure that flooring remains stable and
free from mold and mildew growth.
Most likely, your existing heating and cooling system is equipped with a
dehumidifier that maintains relative humidity (RH) levels between 30% and 60%,
which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and building codes recommend
for a healthy indoor environment. A portable, plug-in unit for single-room use
costs about $200 and includes a monitor to regulate the RH level.
Level Floor Surfaces It's also critical to inspect your existing concrete
basement floor and make adjustments for any noticeable slopes or flaws that
might damage the new floor finish or affect its aesthetic appeal. Patch or fill
minor cracks and flaws with an elastomeric sealant made especially for
concrete. A 10-ounce tube runs from about $4 to $10 at home improvement
centers.
Use a 3-foot or longer bubble level to see if any sections of the floor slope
more than a half-inch in 8 feet. Fill in low spots with a self-leveling
compound, available at home improvement centers for about $30 for a 50-pound
bag. For about $60 to $80 per day, rent a concrete sander to reduce high spots.
Tile back board, made from cement or fiber-reinforced gypsum, can be used as a
subfloor over your basement slab to create a smooth, level surface. Backerboard
can be glued down or held in place with concrete nails. Back board costs about
$11 for a 4x5-foot sheet. Allowing for waste, expect to pay about $500 for
enough back board to cover the floor of a 600 sq. ft. basement.
Once you have satisfied all potential moisture-related issues and created a
smooth, level surface, you'll have many flooring choices for your basement
retreat. Carpeting According to the NAHB Research Center's annual survey of
builder practices, more than 28% of basement floors in newly built homes are
finished with carpeting. "Most of our clients want carpet in the
basement," says Sherrille Sabo, operations manager for COS Construction in
Edwardsville, Ohio, a construction company that remodels about a half-dozen
basements per year into finished living spaces. "It's warmer and adds a
level of soundproofing." Low-pile carpets such as Berber or other looped
varieties show less wear than cut-looped or shag-like carpeting and are less
expensive; all or partial nylon blends also are more durable and less costly
than all-natural options.
Wall-to-wall carpeting is among the least expensive and easiest to install
options for basement flooring. A mid-range nylon Berber carpet costs about $1
to $3 per sq. ft. With glued-down perimeter tack strips and a standard pad,
plus professional labor, the cost to buy and install a new carpet is about
$1,200 to $2,400 for a 600 sq. ft. basement.
If you've addressed any moisture issues in the basement but are still concerned
about dampness or the chances that liquid spills or pet accidents may occur,
consider a pad that is made to block moisture from either seeping up into the
carpet or seeping down through the pad to the concrete floor.
Moisture-resistant pads are about 70% more expensive than standard pads. They
may reduce cleanup chores, but they will not solve chronic moisture problems.
Also, consider carpet tiles. Nylon pile 20-inch squares come in a variety of
colors and styles and cost $2 to $4 per sq. ft. Most are made with integral
pads and self-adhesive backings for easy, do-it-yourself installation. Vinyl
Resilient vinyl flooring is durable, moisture-proof, and maintenance-free.
Sheet vinyl comes in 12-foot-wide rolls that virtually eliminate seams.
Self-sticking vinyl tiles are ideal for do-it-yourself installations. There are
an enormous variety of colors and styles from which to choose. In general, thicker
vinyl translates to higher quality and cost. Thicker vinyl can feature a
textured surface, and some types have the appearance of real stone and wood.
Vinyl installs easily over a concrete slab, but it's critical to make sure the
surface is smooth, as imperfections are sure to show through and possibly
damage the flooring. A thicker (and more expensive) grade of vinyl flooring may
help hide slight bumps in the concrete.
Sheet vinyl and vinyl tile can cost $1 to $5 per sq. ft. Figure another $1 to
$2 per sq. ft. for professional installation, depending on the complexity of
the basement configuration. Ceramic Tile Ceramic tile installs readily over a
concrete slab and the many styles and colors available make it a good
designer's choice. Properly installed and maintained ceramic tiles should last
as long as your house. In some below-grade applications, condensation may occur
on the surface of ceramic tiles, making them slippery. If ceramic tile is your
primary choice for your basement but condensation is a concern, consider glazed
ceramic floor tiles with an anti-slip finish. Look for tiles that meet
slip-resistance standards specified by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Costs for ceramic tile varies widely, depending on size, shape, and pattern. A
standard domestic 12x12-inch ceramic tile might cost 80 cents per tile at home
improvement center, while a highly decorative tile from Mexico or a porcelain
stone tile from Italy can cost $10 per tile or far more. Professional
installation adds $5 to $10 per sq. ft. Engineered Wood Until the advent of
engineered hardwood flooring, few builders or remodelers would recommend or
risk installing a hardwood floor over a below-grade concrete surface. Because
solid wood changes dimensions with fluctuations in temperature and humidity,
the chances of warping and cracking were too great. In addition, there were few
reliable options for installing wood flooring without traditional nails or
screws. Engineered wood floors, however, provide a more stable substrate for
the planks while delivering the look and feel of a solid wood floor. They
feature a thin veneer layer of solid wood that is laminated to plywood backing.
Plywood is more dimensionally stable than solid wood, allowing the planks to
withstand temperature and moisture fluctuations without warping.
Engineered hardwood planks are installed one of two ways. Some varieties are
designed to be glued to the basement floor using an industrial adhesive. Others
are "floated" over a layer of thin foam sheeting; the planks are held
in place by a system of interlocking ends and edges.
Engineered wood planks are priced from $2 to $20 per sq. ft. Their
factory-finished veneer is virtually maintenance-free. Installation is about $4
to $5 per sq. ft., regardless of whether the planks are glued down or floated.
Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring has similar construction to engineered wood
flooring, but the top veneer is a layer of tough film covered with plastic
resins. Laminate flooring mimics the look of wood, stone, and ceramic tile. The
core layers of laminate flooring are dimensionally stable; some varieties are
treated to resist moisture and make good choices for basement applications.
Laminate flooring planks and tiles "snap" together and float over the
concrete floor on a foam pad. The flooring sells for $3 to $5 per sq. ft. at
home improvement centers; installation adds $4 to $5 per sq. ft. Concrete One
of the simplest and least expensive options for finishing a basement concrete
slab is to paint or stain the slab. A one-gallon can of either coating option
is about $30 and covers about 80-100 sq. ft. If you elect to use paint,
consider an acrylic formula with slip-resistant surface finish. Assuming the
basement concrete slab is unsealed and still porous, a colored stain will likely
penetrate fairly well and hold its color for several years before
reapplication. A concrete paint probably will show wear in a high-traffic
areas, and will require a reapplication every 3-5 years.
An epoxy coating system, which combines a solvent-based adhesive coating with
decorative (and slip-resistant) color chips, is far tougher than a concrete
paint or stain. It costs about 3 times as much as a gallon of paint or stain
but covers four times the area and leaves a tough, industrial-looking finish.
Another option is to cover the concrete slab with an additional, thin layer of
concrete that has been pigmented with color. A thin-coat can also be stamped
with a pattern to resemble brick, flagstone, and even wood planks. Because the
color is throughout the coating, it will never wear away. Expect to pay $2 to
$3 per sq. ft. for a thin-coat installation.
