What Are My Options?
Whether you are remodeling your basement or finishing an incomplete basement, you will have a lot of decisions to make. One of the biggest decisions is what type of floor to choose. Even if you have already decided on hardwood floors, you may be surprised to find out that there are still plenty of options for hardwood floor installation. Ultimately, picking the right type of hardwood floor comes down to your budget, type of use, basement conditions, and aesthetic considerations.
Robar Flooring is your local expert for hardwood flooring in Toronto. We can help you choose the right floor for your basement and even install it for you.
How to Choose the Right Floor for Your Basement
In the basement, it is best to stick to a hardwood floor product or tile. While you may be tempted to use carpeting, basements are damper than other areas of the home (and prone to flooding); therefore, a carpet can become musty or even moldy. Traditional hardwood may add value to your home, but it is porous and may warp or mold over time with the dampness of your basement’s concrete surface.
The two most common types of flooring used in basements are ceramic or vinyl tile and engineered hardwood. Deciding between the two requires a proper comparison.
- Pros of Ceramic Tile – Ceramic tile is unaffected by water or dampness and can be placed on top of the concrete slab of your basement.
- Cons of Ceramic Tile – It is uncomfortable and cold. Because it is installed on top of concrete, you may find your basement floor becomes cold in the winter, which will also affect your heating bills.
- Pros of Vinyl Tiles – These are glued down, can withstand flooding, and are made to look like ceramic and stone.
- Cons of Vinyl Tiles – They can tear and chip, and while they are designed to look like real stone, most people can tell that they are vinyl. They do not add any value to your home either and are still cold and uncomfortable to walk on.
- Pros of Engineered Wood – Engineered wood floors increase the value of your home and are solid enough to withstand the dampness in your basement. You can pick engineered floors in a variety of finishes and they can make your basement look more comfortable, upscale and inviting. It can also add the timeless look of real hardwood floors.
- Cons of Engineered Wood – It is a larger upfront investment, but pays for itself; because it is the only type of flooring to add value. It requires additional steps to install, such as a plywood layer between the floor and concrete. A professional installer can take care of this efficiently and quickly.
Call a Professional for Hardwood Floor Installation in Your Basement
Picking the right hardwood floor is only half the battle. Once you have decided on your floor, you need a professional to install it. Hardwood floor installation in a basement is tricky and requires knowledge of how engineered floors react in a basement environment. Robar Flooring offers professional installation and can ensure the job is not only done right, but that your floor is as beautiful as the day it was installed, years from now.
Planning to redo the floors in your basement? Contact our hardwood flooring experts at Robar to see which type of flooring will meet your needs best. Call 416.822.6184 now or request a quote online.