What type flooring over concrete

Here are a few tips on choosing the best flooring for concrete slab foundation. Flooring experts generally advise against installing traditional plank or strip hardwoods below grade.

This article discusses your best flooring options for concrete slab foundation which include: wood, rubber tile, ceramic tile, vinyl tile, carpet, and laminate for your whole house. The ideal way to put down a wooden floor over concrete slab foundation is to start by putting down pressure 2-byinch sleepers. Alternatively, you can put lengths of wood on the floor, each spaced 16 inches apart on center.

Cover the plywood with pound roofing felt before installing the laminate or engineered floor. You can glue or nail engineered wood floors to the plywood subfloor. Many people are hesitant about using carpet flooring on a concrete slab foundation due to moisture concerns.

Nonetheless, you can lay a carpet in the same manner as wood. They typically come as snap-together or tongue and groove.

However, they can be placed directly on the slab if the concrete slab is always dry. Vinyl is convenient, beautiful and works well for any basement. Apply mastic directly to the plywood and skip the pound felt.

If the concrete is uneven, consider a thicker grade to prevent people walking from feeling the bumps beneath the tiling. Tile floors are not for the faint of heart or casual DIY fan. Vinyl flooring is made to be waterproof, not just water resistant. It can literally be exposed to wet conditions for days and obtain absolutely no damage.

This makes it a great choice for areas where there might be a tendency for dampness to form, like in basements. If flooding in your basement is a concern, vinyl is the material you want. Overflowing tubs, spilled pet water dishes, and leaking dishwashers or toilets are no match for it. Laminate flooring is water resistant, to a point. If water pools and remains on top of laminate, it will eventually cause swelling and damage. If water pools on linoleum, it can penetrate the material and cause it to peel away from the floor underneath.

As far as quick and clean installation goes, plank flooring is hard to beat. This makes installation much less work than most other types of flooring. Planks are a great choice if you ever plan on changing or replacing your flooring, or if you plan on selling your home.

Future inhabitants of the home will have no trouble replacing the floor because they can easily remove it piece by piece. This is also a good thing if you ever need to make repairs. One damaged plank can be swapped out for an undamaged one. You just have to unlock the tiles by the wall, then unlock each one leading up to the damaged one. With other flooring, you might actually cause more damage trying to replace the section of flooring unless you hire a professional to do the repairs.

This may be nice if you live in a place that stays hot all year round, but for chilly nights when you want to use your basement, you better wear your slippers if you have ceramic.

Vinyl feels warm underfoot, and it cushions the bottoms of your feet better than ceramic tile too. The top layer of engineered hardwood is made of real wood, which is porous, and the backing below the top finish layer is made of plywood or a similar material. Vinyl plank flooring is more durable than either cork or bamboo, making it a great choice if your basement floor gets a lot of foot traffic.

Installing the wrong kind of flooring over consistently damp concrete may encourage warping and wear over time. Fortunately, a variety of flooring materials are water-resistant enough to function well over a concrete slab. When you pair resilient flooring types with additional protective measures such as waterproofing membranes or barriers, you can set your flooring up for success. Even slight variations in grade can be exaggerated after flooring installation.

To help guide your flooring selection process, check to see if your concrete slab is level. If you notice uneven areas, it may be wise to consider a more forgiving flooring like carpet or vinyl. Schedule Your In-Home Consultation. With moisture and unevenness concerns in mind, you can select a flooring that will fit both your concrete slab and your design goals.

Other important considerations include the location of your slab, the amount of water it receives and your flooring preferences. The following are some well-suited flooring options to include in your line-up. Natural hardwood flooring offers undeniable beauty and durability. But if natural wood is exposed to too much water, it can begin to warp and disrupt your floor. When it comes to water resistance, engineered wood is better equipped to handle moisture while presenting a stunning wood floor look.

Engineered wood owes its water resistance to its unique structure. Each engineered board consists of thin strips of durable wood compressed onto high-grade plywood. These layers enable the wood to remain rigid and resist contracting and expanding when moisture is present.

In tandem with its durability, engineered wood incorporates the charm of natural wood. This can transform your basement into an impressive, inviting space to use for entertaining or relaxing. Engineered wood is also more affordable than natural wood, which makes it a budget-friendly option. As a longstanding choice for kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl has a reputation for extreme water resistance.

Like engineered wood, vinyl harnesses the power of layers to increase its durability. This includes backing, top design and protective layers. In addition to its affordability, vinyl flooring offers temperature benefits for basement installation. Many basement concrete slabs are cold underfoot, especially during the winter.