Advice for choice of basement flooring

dgates · 09-22-2008, 09:03 PM

We have a basement floor in a vacation home that currently has vinyl covering in good condition. We'd considered several products (Allure, laminate, etc.) but all seem to have a draw back of some kind. Since this space is not kept heated in the winter all the time, apparently the Allure won't be advisable. Can anyone give advice as to a good product that can be put over the current roll vinyl and not be affected by the temps dipping to maybe 40 in winter? We have no moisture problem now and keep a dehumidifier running year round. Thanks for any helpful advice!

ccarlisle · 09-23-2008, 06:16 AM

Well, that's sort of like asking us which car you should buy...it depends a lot on what you want for your floor. For example, there's carpetting. If you want warmth on your toes, then that's one option but humidity may be issue although you say you don't have one at this point. Commercial grade made of nylon is good.

How about tiles? Resistant when put down properly, but costlier.

I wouldn't suggest nay hardwood floor options due to moisture problems. And vinyl? maybe.

What happens if you don't run the humidifier? does the RH go up over 55%?

dgates · 09-23-2008, 07:11 AM

Moisture level goes up to above 55 if dehumidifier isn't run. It's a walk-out basement done about 40 years ago. We've turned water away successfully since owning it but worry about using laminate click-down of any kind after reading others have had problem with mold or self-stick glue. We've considered commercial tile or going back with sheet vinyl. The vinyl down now has curled as the edges, maybe because no quarterround was ever done at the walls. (And a previous owner hadn't done much to divert water so probably had some water issues.) We've come to the conclusion that a completely adhered product may be our best bet to avoid any possibility of mold and glue failure. Is there anything we can do to assure more vinyl won't curl at the edges? We'd looked at a product by Konecto (I think) that's a sheet vinyl with a 'fibermat'. Do you know anything about it? It lays flat at the edges and can be glued or put down loose with taping at seams. We keep going back to commercial tile put down by a tradesman rather than trying to do it ourselves. The self-stick we'd be comfortable doing......but is it a risk that the glue won't hold given we don't heat the place and there are temp swings? Appreciate your thoughts.

dieselcake · 09-24-2008, 01:21 PM

Air step from Congoleum
or Armstrong cushionstep

both are a vinyl floor with a fiberglass cushion underneath .
Floor can be layed without adhesive(except seams) doulble faced tape or pressure sensative adhesive.
So if there is a moisture problem you can roll it right up, and it will dry out.
The cushion backing makes it a nice under foot feel than regular vinyl.

Or you could go with Konecto or allure and throw your money out the window

dgates · 09-24-2008, 04:37 PM

The Armstrong Air Step looks interesting. The only thing I'd read is temperature and humidity fluctuations can cause buckling in loose-lay fiberglass backed products. Have you had any experience with the product in that environment? We're in SC so temps inside don't go below 45 usually in the basement unheated space and the dehumidifier keeps the air at 55. Apparently that product could be glued down and maybe side-step the buckling issue? The product is in 3 different grades......thinking the mid-grade might be fine for a vacation place that doesn't see constant wear. Thanks for your suggestions!

dgates · 09-24-2008, 04:50 PM

Ooops! I meant Armstrong Cushion Step.

dieselcake · 09-26-2008, 04:10 PM

you can actually tight fit, no glue over concrete
that's what my Armstrong rep said most of his dealers do
If water is an issue (flooding) I would not glue ( just around the edges maby)

It's a great product
Congoleum make one called Air-step
Same thing different patterns and looks

dgates · 09-26-2008, 04:29 PM

Thanks! We're going to look at some this weekend and maybe try first in a bathroom. It will be a few months before we're ready for the main area. That will give us a test run and see if we have any water issues. Also see how difficult it is as a diy project. Appreciate all your advice!

SM1 · 09-29-2008, 12:47 AM

You could float a cork floor. They have a clean look and are pretty moisture resistant....not much expansion etc.

09-22-2008, 09:03 PM	#1
dgates Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6	Advice for choice of basement flooring We have a basement floor in a vacation home that currently has vinyl covering in good condition. We'd considered several products (Allure, laminate, etc.) but all seem to have a draw back of some kind. Since this space is not kept heated in the winter all the time, apparently the Allure won't be advisable. Can anyone give advice as to a good product that can be put over the current roll vinyl and not be affected by the temps dipping to maybe 40 in winter? We have no moisture problem now and keep a dehumidifier running year round. Thanks for any helpful advice!

09-23-2008, 06:16 AM	#2
ccarlisle Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,792	Advice for choice of basement flooring Well, that's sort of like asking us which car you should buy...it depends a lot on what you want for your floor. For example, there's carpetting. If you want warmth on your toes, then that's one option but humidity may be issue although you say you don't have one at this point. Commercial grade made of nylon is good. How about tiles? Resistant when put down properly, but costlier. I wouldn't suggest nay hardwood floor options due to moisture problems. And vinyl? maybe. What happens if you don't run the humidifier? does the RH go up over 55%? __________________ “Recognizing obesity as a disease will help change the way the medical community tackles this complex issue that affects approximately 1 in 3 Americans,” To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-23-2008, 07:11 AM	#3
dgates Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6	Advice for choice of basement flooring Moisture level goes up to above 55 if dehumidifier isn't run. It's a walk-out basement done about 40 years ago. We've turned water away successfully since owning it but worry about using laminate click-down of any kind after reading others have had problem with mold or self-stick glue. We've considered commercial tile or going back with sheet vinyl. The vinyl down now has curled as the edges, maybe because no quarterround was ever done at the walls. (And a previous owner hadn't done much to divert water so probably had some water issues.) We've come to the conclusion that a completely adhered product may be our best bet to avoid any possibility of mold and glue failure. Is there anything we can do to assure more vinyl won't curl at the edges? We'd looked at a product by Konecto (I think) that's a sheet vinyl with a 'fibermat'. Do you know anything about it? It lays flat at the edges and can be glued or put down loose with taping at seams. We keep going back to commercial tile put down by a tradesman rather than trying to do it ourselves. The self-stick we'd be comfortable doing......but is it a risk that the glue won't hold given we don't heat the place and there are temp swings? Appreciate your thoughts.

09-24-2008, 01:21 PM	#4
dieselcake Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 32	Advice for choice of basement flooring Air step from Congoleum or Armstrong cushionstep both are a vinyl floor with a fiberglass cushion underneath . Floor can be layed without adhesive(except seams) doulble faced tape or pressure sensative adhesive. So if there is a moisture problem you can roll it right up, and it will dry out. The cushion backing makes it a nice under foot feel than regular vinyl. Or you could go with Konecto or allure and throw your money out the window

09-24-2008, 04:37 PM	#5
dgates Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6	Advice for choice of basement flooring The Armstrong Air Step looks interesting. The only thing I'd read is temperature and humidity fluctuations can cause buckling in loose-lay fiberglass backed products. Have you had any experience with the product in that environment? We're in SC so temps inside don't go below 45 usually in the basement unheated space and the dehumidifier keeps the air at 55. Apparently that product could be glued down and maybe side-step the buckling issue? The product is in 3 different grades......thinking the mid-grade might be fine for a vacation place that doesn't see constant wear. Thanks for your suggestions!

Advice for choice of basement flooring