Making the most of every part of the house is important. Every room serves a certain purpose, but even so there are times when there is not enough space available. There are some parts of the house that are not always exploited to their full potential. The attic and the basement are usually the best examples in this direction. Each of them comes with a set of challenges and basement flooring is one of the examples. The comfort in each part of the house has to rise up to a certain standard. This is why cork underlayment should be used to make sure the results get the job done.
Basement Flooring Issues
The basement usually stretches out under the entire sturcture of the house. It is just like having an extra level under the ground, but people do not usually focus on how they can make the most of it apart for storage and technical purposes. Why not make the most of all that space and use it for any purpose just as the rest of the house? Even if it is an appealing thought, there are a few issues that must be considered. Underground basements can benefit from the right finish to make them livable, unfortunately cork flooring cannot go in this type of basement. But for those who have at or above grade basements, some cork flooring, most often floating cork floors, is a great option. From start to finish basement flooring is an option that can go at the top of the list.
The floors in most basements are usually made out of concrete. This material is cold and it retains quite a bit of moisture, making it difficult for any floor covers to be installed properly. What can be done to make the most of this part of the house? What are the solutions people can use when it comes to basement flooring? Before any decision is made, consider what is most important to you, comfort, appearance, functionality?
One of the first steps to be done is a moisture test of the concrete. This will determine what the basement’s moisture content is and whether or not work must be done to bring the basement up to code. Not doing so will pretty much lead to the new floors failure after installation, so do it right from the start for the best results. This is also a useful step for the walls. Since they are made out of concrete as well and people will be exposed to them all the time, it is important to know if there are any practical solutions to make things better. If the tests offer positive results, it is time to think about solutions that can be used.
Ceramic tiles are usually the first option people turn to when they are dealing with a concrete base and a moisture problem. This happens because they are resistant to moisture and they are also easy to maintain, however, they lack comfort and create a cold area simply lacks a welcoming atmosphere. If you are interested in comfort apart from functionality, it is important to remember that ceramic tiles are not the ideal option for this space. Take time to research other materials, it can be worth it.
Start with Cork Underlayment
There are a few features that contribute to the comfort of an area. The warm and cozy feeling of the floor is one of the first aspects to be considered. If you would like to walk on your basement floor barefoot, you can do so with the right flooring material. Most hardwoods are out of the question in this area of the house, but cork is a wood material that can go in this space provided you have the right setup. Take a look at cork underlayment as a underlayment option as well.
Floating cork floors are a great option for at or above grade basements. There are quite a few benefits it presents, but the installation process is important. Before the final floor cover will come into place, a concrete moisture test will determine if a moisture barrier should be installed beneath the cork underlayment and floor. This is going to keep all the moisture away from the surface floor and protect it also from the subfloor. If it is done properly by an experienced cork flooring professional, this space will be transformed.
The thickness of the cork underlayment is an important factor. Concrete is a cold material that can have a direct impact on the temperature in the room, but a good underlayment with a suitable thickness can create a barrier that inhibits the transfer of that cold. The natural insulating properties of cork is its selling point on this factor. Cork underlayment will provide comfort and help manage the ambient temperature you desire, and with a cork floor above it, you double the payback. The best part is that you won’t have to cut corners in terms of design or quality, because there are many cork flooring models to choose from.
To achieve maximum comfort in this area of the house, the walls should be done at the same time. These can have a direct impact on the space just the same as the floor, so also consider cork wall tiles. These can be applied on any wall and they offer a number of benefits such as:
1. Insulation – the natural properties of this material will make the space cozier
2. Design – there is a wide range of products to choose from and one will surely go well with the direction chosen for this part of the house
3. Safety – cork is also naturally resistant to mold and mildew and this makes the basement safer when it is covered with cork on the floor and on the walls
The range of possibilities is endless when it comes to the purpose the basement can serve once it has been improved. If you are interested making a change to your basement and want the benefits cork can bring to basement flooring, the internet is one of the best places for information. This is where you can learn just about anything about cork, be it floors, cork wall tiles, cork underlayment or just about any other cork product. Most suppliers, distributors and sellers have agents or are representatives who are well versed in cork. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, whether it be about installation, the any types of testing that needs to be done and any other step in your cork buying process. This will lead to much better results so you have a much easier time to enjoy the new space in your house.
