Basement Flooring Question

[darklord700]

I'm developing my walkout basement. 1/2 of it will be covered by carpet. I see shaggy carpet is making a come back but I don't really like the shaggy look except the basement will feel warmer in it. I used to like berber but now berber seems dated. Any suggestion on the type of carpet for basement?

The other 1/2 will be covered by hard surface. I'm thinking of bamboo but my contractor says bamboo will warp if there's moisture so he suggested float in wood like laminate. There's also cork but I don't quite like cork. Some people suggested tile+area rug so that if the basement is flooded, the tile will be preserved.

I want the basement to feel vibrant and I'm going to paint it light apple green so I would like the flooring to add some colour to it. Persoanlly, living in the NW and with a walkout,I don't think flooding or moisture is a big concern.

I'm pulling my hair so any suggests are welcome. The two areas are both about 200 sq ft each so material costs are generally not too much of a concern.

[puffnstuff]

If you go with tile, which I did, put down the in floor heat. Best Decision Ever.

[undercoverbrother]

Cork flooring is warm. Putting down tile, can really be a pain especially if it is an area that kids will be playing in. If a kid drops something and a tile brakes it can be a pain. Also as stated above, it's freezing unless you stick in some heating undernear.

We went for some type of loose shag carpeting. Kind of a cross between berber and full on shag.

That being said, my wife is an interior designer.......I just wrote cheques.

[Bigtime]

Walkout or not, living in the NW or not you will need a moisture barrier before you put any type of laminate, cork, or engineered floor down there.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

you will need a moisture barrier before you put any type of laminate, cork, or engineered floor down there.

Of course, vapor barrier is a must and that brings out the point that some people say laminate is just as bad as wood in the basement. I'm not sure. Maybe I should go with cork?

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Of course, vapor barrier is a must and that brings out the point that some people say laminate is just as bad as wood in the basement. I'm not sure. Maybe I should go with cork?

you can get quality laminate that has a cork underlay built into it as well.

[Ashartus]

If your carpet will be directly on concrete, then you'll want something relatively thick to provide some cushioning, as well as a thick underlay. I'm not sure shag would actually be that soft to walk on if it's directly on concrete. I have a thick berber and it's just fine. Don't cheap out on either the carpet or the underlay or you'll regret it.

[photon]

I put a thick laminate in my walk-out basement (thick as some engineered hardwoods), and underneath I used this:

http://www.cosella-dorken.com/bvf-ca...roducts/fl.php

Creates the vapor barrier, and also creates an air gap that serves as insulation so my floor doesn't feel cold. Not as good as in-floor heating, but better than having it right on the concrete pad.

Combine that with a cork underlay laminate for even more insulation. I personally didn't like the cork floor when I finished, but now they've got cork that looks like anything but cork.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by photon

I put a thick laminate in my walk-out basement (thick as some engineered hardwoods), and underneath I used this:

http://www.cosella-dorken.com/bvf-ca...roducts/fl.php

Creates the vapor barrier, and also creates an air gap that serves as insulation so my floor doesn't feel cold. Not as good as in-floor heating, but better than having it right on the concrete pad.

Combine that with a cork underlay laminate for even more insulation. I personally didn't like the cork floor when I finished, but now they've got cork that looks like anything but cork.

Interesting -- do they sell that stuff in Calgary? We used dri-core in a previous basement but would be open to considering other alternatives.

Related flooring question (not trying to hijack) -- the concrete in our basement is fairly flat, with the exception of a few peaks and valleys near the bottom of the stairs (it's enough to be noticable). Ceiling height is already quite low so want to avoid building a full subfloor down there; anybody have any experience with self-levelling concrete (i.e. to try and even things out)? Any other suggestions?

[photon]

I'm pretty sure I got it in Calgary, but that was years ago so I can't remember where exactly. DRIcore is basically the same thing expect in tiles with plywood already on it. More expensive (I would assume) but would make sense if you were going to put down tile instead of laminate.

[vtec260]

I am starting to think about developing our walkout basement. I have in-floor heating with hot water tanks supplying heat via plastic pipes. Do you recommend putting dri-core then tile/hardwood/carpet? I am leaning towards tile in main area, carpet exercise room.