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Are you looking for a way to spruce up your basement? Adding hardwood flooring is an excellent option. Hardwood flooring is not just attractive; it also provides benefits such as resistance stains and easy cleaning. If you don’t want to deal with dusty, musty carpets in your finished basement, hardwood flooring could be the perfect solution.
Read on to understand the pros and cons, critical considerations for installation and maintenance, and the ideal type of hardwood for your finished basement floor.
There are several benefits to hardwood flooring, such as:
Finished basements are often used to makeover older homes, add recreation space, or provide a place for kids to play. Adding hardwood flooring to your basement is both functional and stylish, allowing you to transform the look and feel of this room into whatever design you desire. And opting for hardwood floors instead of treated concrete or tile is a luxurious upgrade that can be warned up by adding throw pillows and other comfortable decor accents rather than dealing with throw rugs that are difficult to clean.
If you’re a busy homeowner, hardwood floors will require less time and effort during routine upkeep. In North Carolina, basements tend to see a lot of traffic from your outdoor space, which can mean tracking in more dirt and moisture. You won’t have to spend time deep cleaning carpets or pulling up throw mats, and you can simply sweep, dust, and mop your hardwood floors effortlessly.
Adding luxury to your basement is only half the battle; you also need to ensure that your space can hold up to the demands of today’s lifestyles. Hardwood flooring provides a durable surface that is perfect for active families and busy households.
Basements are usually prone to dampness and can attract mold and mildew if not properly sealed and/or ventilated. In such cases, waterproof hardwood floors are a perfect choice. They prevent moisture from seeping into the material and are typically more resistant to stains and scuff marks.
Hardwood flooring can be a real investment into your home – especially when considering waterproof options. The total cost will depend on the type of material you choose and the square footage of your space – which can be large in basements. However, more economical options like a luxury vinyl plank share all the benefits of natural hardwood floors at a lower cost.
Depending on the type of subfloor you currently have in your basement, your options for natural hardwood flooring might be limited. If there is already a subfloor installed in your basement from previous carpet installation or other flooring, it is easier to install natural wood. However, you’ll need to choose a pre-finished engineered wood plank if your subfloors are concrete so that they can be glued down during installation.
Natural hardwood floors are prone to wear and tear. If children or pets will be spending a lot of time in your newly finished space, it is likely they will cause damage to your flooring with time. For example, pet claws may scratch and dull the finish of your hardwood floor. If this is the case, hardwoods are certainly still an option, but we recommend choosing a sturdier material – like oak.
The best type of hardwood for a finished basement is one that is selected based on several considerations. They include:
In most cases, homeowners opt for natural or stained hardwood due to its resistant exterior and various color variations. Suitable choices for finished basements include pine, oak, maple, or birch. You can also select from multiple colorful shades, including light brown, dark walnut, and honey oak.
However, considerations like high traffic, the type of subfloor, or exposure to a lot of moisture could limit your options.
At 12th and Oak, we have a variety of options to fit your flooring needs and are at the forefront of technology and innovation in the space. For this reason, we have managed to set the bar for creating long-lasting finishes for any area. For more information about our products and services, contact us to answer questions or to discuss your next flooring project.