Below Grade Flooring Options

Below grade flooring does not refer to cheap sub standard flooring.

Below grade flooring options.

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. Basements are susceptible to ground moisture so your flooring choice may be different for a bedroom on the second or third floor. Engineered wood flooring gives you the warmth and beauty of real wood with the stability and moisture resistance of laminate construction. For all of those reasons it limits the choices of floors that will work.

Make sure to choose a flooring that is rated for installation over below grade concrete. Everything above grade is safe from water vapor migration. It s impervious to water and it will dry in the event you experience flooding. It won t rot mold or mildew.

Above grade flooring is safe too from most normal instances of flooding. Choose the best below grade flooring ceramic porcelain tile. 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. Most basements are below grade meaning that that they are below or partially below the ground level and most on built on a concrete slab and to top it all off the majority are uneven.

Unlike traditional hardwood flooring nearly all armstrong flooring products are 100 waterproof and ideal for basements. Since flooring experts generally recommend against installing traditional strip or plank hardwoods below grade the six best options for basement flooring over concrete are. Commonly used by contractors and builders the word grade is another term for ground level. Click together tiles and planks are diy friendly and easy to install as a floating floor system.

Likewise kitchens and bathrooms are prone to water damage and humid conditions which should be a heavy factor in your decision making process. Here we present you with four good options for below grade flooring. Check to make sure the type you choose is rated for below grade basements. Ceramic or porcelain tile is an excellent flooring choice for the basement.

Below grade flooring basics. Because solid wood changes dimensions with fluctuations in temperature and humidity the chances of warping and cracking were too great.