Should I put a hardwood floor in my basement?

Answer 1

I agree with the other answers that this is probably a bad idea. Instead, why don't you try staining the concrete? This seems to be a popular decorating idea recently. You actually apply colored stain directly to the bare concrete for a modern, easy to clean floor.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It's not really recommended, since you could have leaks, and basements are generally cooler and wetter than the rest of your house, but there is one thing that really helps with moisture problems. Get a really good and powerful dehumidifyer and run it any time there is high-humidity, rain, etc. This will help to keep the water from soaking into your wood. A friend of mine did this in his basement and it worked wonders; he even used it to dry out a section of carpet that had been under 1" of water for a day and a half.

Answer 3

It depends on alot of variables! Wood swells and rots when exposed to moisture, and basements are alot of the time very very moist. I dont think I would reccommend unless you put down a vapor barrier and even then I think you are looking for trouble long term. If you do decide, keep at least a 1/2 inch on all sides for expansion! When the moisture expands the wood, if you dont have enough room for it to expand it will buckle the floor.

Answer 4

yes i am also a contractor and I would not reccomend it as there is too much inherent moisture and also if you have 4 seasons the basement also will do some seasonal shifting and you will get gaps in the floorboards

Answer 5

plus the surrounding concrete is subject to temperatures, especially cold. this could make your wood shrink and expand and cause warping and gaps - example if you've ever had a wooden front or back door, it sticks in the summertime

Answer 6

Unless you have water leaks, why not?

Answer 7

no what if you have a flood

Answer 8

no