I’m finishing my basement. Drain tiles, drainage crush, delta wrap, and rubber membrane will be done on the outside; rigid foam exps insulation on interior of all concrete walls and slab to keep the condensation out. So, in theory, everything should be dry. A question for the flooring options:
I want to keep the now 7 1/2′ ceilings as high as possible so I don’t want to build a ton of floor. My plan was to build a 1/2″ subfloor on top of the 1″ foam insulation (no wood will be in contact with cement).
Is there any reason, apart from cost, you can’t use hardy planks (fiber cement 8″ x 12′ long planks) to simulate wide plank wood flooring in the basement? My thinking is, if you are putting a few area rugs down, you could have that rustic barn look without the threat of warping wood in the basement if something did leak, burst or other disaster.
Thoughts anyone?
Replies
concrete can warp too, not just wood.
You should read the material sheet from the manufacturer that details useage and what not to do with it. There are composite materials designed for flooring.
My bet is that traffic pressure would rapidly degrade the surface and the structural integrity pretty fast.
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yeah ... I'm thinking I'd use flooring for my floor.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
The hardiplanks are basically cement, so why cover cement with cement? I think you can just stain the existing basement floor, unless it was too rough, and maybe put some design in it, and then use the rug. My basement project has about the same height and I plan to use glue down vinyl that come in strips to look like wood planks. My floor is a bit bumpy but I don't want to lose anymore in height, and I don't want to use anything that mold may like, even the glue. I also think vinyl may best survive the smallest chance of flood. Use the cheapest rug that your taste will allow and use two instead of one big one. This way, if rug starts to smell moldy you can either wash or replace it. Anyway, these are my ideas and I hope this helps.