Finished basements can be a blast, but finding the right flooring for them isn’t always easy. Between moisture, foot traffic, temperature differences, and other what-ifs, what type of carpeting is best for basements?
Why Carpet?
Carpeting is the most comfortable, but it’s also one of the trickiest flooring types to get right in a residential basement. Is it a good idea to put carpet in a basement? The answer, of course, depends on a few important factors. Is your basement floor level? Are the walls and floor treated with a moisture barrier? Other important factors in determining whether carpet is right for your basement include flood risk, age of appliances like water heaters and washing machines, and temperature. Carpeting is a great choice for finished, dry basements because it offers the ultimate comfort level for you and your family. Whether it’s a game room, a home theater, or something in between, a basement carpet can be a comfortable and cozy choice.
What Type of Carpeting Is Best for Basements?
The best carpet for basements has a few distinct qualities that separate it from materials you definitely shouldn’t be using. The biggest part of properly carpeting a basement is the textile used to make the carpet. All carpets are made from natural fibers, synthetics, or a combination of the two. For a basement, the best and safest bet is fully synthetic carpets. These materials allow air to pass through them much better than natural fibers, making them far more breathable. This is important because natural carpets are more prone to trap and hold in moisture, which can lead to mold, mildew, and unpleasant smells that reduce the lifetime of your carpet. And we all know that Nashville can be humid.
Another critical factor in selecting the best basement carpet is the padding that’s installed beneath it. There are a variety of different padding options, ranging from thin to plush, and they can also be made of natural or synthetic materials. First and foremost, you are going to want to select a relatively thick padding for your basement carpet. Concrete doesn’t feel good on bare feet, and this softens and acts as an insulator to keep your feet nice and warm. Ensure that the carpet padding is treated with a moisture barrier or is made to be waterproof. Most polyurethane carpet pads will be waterproof, but it never hurts to ask.
The Bottom Line on Basement Carpets
Still wondering, “What is the best flooring to put in a basement?” You might never find a definitive answer. Basements are all different, and what you need could be totally different from your neighbor’s needs. Is carpeting where our minds first go when thinking of basement flooring? No, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider it as an option.
Basement carpeting can be tricky. Sometimes it might be best to install a moisture barrier and plywood subflooring above the basement floor to protect carpets. This will ensure that your floors are more protected and enables you to select more styles and types of carpet for your basement. A subfloor is the more costly option, but it can really prolong the life of your basement carpet.
Ozburn-Hessey Can Help
If you’re ready to create the coziest finished basement in your home, you’ll want to go with carpet. And if you want that job done right with your budget and needs in mind, you’ll want to call Ozburn-Hessey.
