Always buy types specifically manufactured to withstand the moisture found below grade.
Laminate floor below grade.
However new manufacturing techniques now can produce lines of laminate that are rated to deal with moist subterranean locations.
Products with higher grades are likely to be more expensive.
You can ensure that a particular laminate is good for basement use by carefully reading the stipulations in the material.
Lay out the unopened boxes of laminate planks in the room.
If you are installing the flooring below grade or in a room like a basement with high humidity or moisture lay down a vapor barrier before you install the flooring.
Traditionally laminates have not been recommended for below grade basement installations due to issues with rising groundwater and flooding.
Basements are susceptible to ground moisture so your flooring choice may be different for a bedroom on the second or third floor.
Use a quality cleaner like zep professional concrete and masonry floor cleaner 27 per gallon.
Some below grade flooring requires a raised subfloor.
That s because the base material of the laminate can be damaged with prolonged contact with water and the top layers may begin to peel if they sit in a couple of inches of water during a flood.
Ask the salesperson about the product s grade.
Good better and best.
Buying the wrong type leads to problems.
Mannington laminate has the most complete line of wood designs that you ll find anywhere and thanks to our proprietary technologies that produce precise embossing and texturing it s like you re getting flooring in high def.
This option uses a wood core and aluminum oxide surface.
Laminate flooring is practical flooring option for damp areas with one caveat.
Is it below on or above grade.
Since flooring experts generally recommend against installing traditional strip or plank hardwoods below grade the six best options for basement flooring over concrete are.
Laminate flooring in a below grade space needs a proper subfloor which sits above the concrete and provides a raised surface to lay the laminate on.
Likewise kitchens and bathrooms are prone to water damage and humid conditions which should be a heavy factor in your decision making process.
Using a glue down floor is an option in above grade installation only since installation below grade requires a plastic barrier on top of the concrete.
Laminate laminate offers beautiful looks that emulate the warmth of hardwood but with the easy maintenance and super durability.
Although cheap it s not the best option because it s.
500 750 square feet of coverage.
If installing laminate flooring it is possible to install it directly on the concrete slab with an intervening layer of foam underlayment.
Some below grade flooring such as ceramic tile can be installed directly on the concrete slab.