Carpet in the basement is beneficial as carpeting any other room of the house. So, choose a carpet for the basement wisely. When Berber carpet for a basement is installed, it brings a comfortable walk and cozier in the space. As most basements are underground, don’t also forget to install carpet for basement stairs. It makes flooring to be super affordable than using other flooring options.
An added advantage of having carpet for basement and pets is the fact that it’s breathable and easy to dry out when there is flooding or leakage in the basement. The basements also tend to be wet and humid during some seasons of the year. When you have a breathable flooring will help to reduce mold and mildew growth.
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Why Basement Requires Carpet
With different floor coverings options, it’s hard to decide on what you’ve to put on the floor like a carpet for the basement and pets. Some people are wondering whether the carpet will be holding advantages over other types of flooring materials.
Basement carpeting is essential because of the following benefits:
Style
Most basements are made of concrete or hardwood but with carpet, it’s good for styling. Carpets are usually having the style of their own. They are elegant and luxurious when installing in the basement giving a different feel.
Comfort
Do you notice that after some time walking or standing on concrete floors or ceramic tiles make you feel achy and sore? It’s that with hard surfaces. You don’t expect any flexibility under the door and therefore lack shock absorbers and therefore, that’s the reason to have a carpet in your basement.
Warmth
Carpet is an excellent insulator for a basement space, especially to hard surfacing materials. However, thicker carpets are better in providing insulation factor.
Health
There has been a debate on whether installing carpet in your basement will alleviate or aggravate health problems like allergies and asthma. However, carpets are helpful in providing warmth and prevent health problems. If it keeps the floor dry, there won’t be the growth of mold and mildews that are health hazards.
What Type Carpet Is Best For Basement
Many people are wondering about the type of carpet they need for their basement. There are many types of carpets to concise for their basement. However, it becomes confusing because some are better for an underground living but others don’t suit the basement. The major concern is because the basement moisture levels will be higher compared to those of rooms above-ground. Here are the types of carpet you should choose: Choose a synthetic carpet for the basement.
For fiber carpets, they will be classified as natural fibers and synthetic fibers. In your basement, choose a synthetic fiber carpet because they tend to be more “breathable.” So, a synthetic carpet will not retain moisture like natural fiber carpets.
In the basements, they are usually damp because they are located underground. The reason is that the moisture level is high after it seeps through walls and concrete floors.
The carpet for basement stairs you choose or for basement need to have the ability to withstand increased moisture levels. So, you don’t need a carpet that will hold moisture. That’s why synthetic will be the best option. It has the capacity to release the high moisture available in the basement and therefore avoiding the risks of mildew or mold growing under your basement carpet.
In the market today, you will find most of the synthetic broadloom. These types of carpet for basement and pets usually have synthetic backing material. It’s something crucial in carpets because it offers the synthetic carpet ability to breathe. So, it’s something you have to double-check before purchasing the carpet. The backing should be synthetic and not other materials.
However, avoid installing that carpet wall to wall or use a material meeting manufacturer’s recommendation. The gaps you maintain will help with air circulation. So, the carpet should not absorb moisture. And most importantly, the basement should be clean while installing the carpet.
How To Choose Carpet For Basement
If you want carpet for your basement, consider these tips:
Material
When considering the carpet you need for your basement, opt for a synthetic carpet for basement one instead of natural ones. No matter the situations or options you will have for a carpet, you will ultimately come across either human-made fibers, synthetic and natural.
We can appreciate numerous benefits of having a natural carpet fiber, but the bottom line of that is where you need to choose a synthetic fiber carpet.
The role of synthetic fiber is because it breathes better, and that means that it will hold much moisture than the natural fiber. But, why does it matter? It matters because the basements have ways of seeping into.
Style
After having chosen the material of the basement carpet to be synthetic, the next thing to consider while you want to choose carpet for a basement is your style. So, any type of residential carpet style that you like will work in your finished basement.
It means Berber carpet for basement having loops is also suitable for use. All you need is pay attention to the carpet warranty because you have to ensure it covers when used in the basement. Besides, there should be no exclusions that will be related to moisture damage because the underground basement is at great risk to moisture no matter how it will be sealed.
The underground floor that you want to install the carpet shouldn’t be the same because the ground-level floor won’t risk bursting pipes, roof leaks, or barring flooding.
Padding
When installing a residential carpet in your basement, most come with a pad at the beneath. So, the carpet that you want to install, it should come with a soft pad. The pad is there to bring comfort and warmth. Remember that the basement is the coolest room in the home because the room is insulated from the sun’s heat.
The underpads will be good in your basement as long as you are using synthetic fiber. Polyurethane foam pads are also good to use in the basement but for rubber pads, they aren’t suitable because they lead to delamination. If you will experience delamination, it means that you are prone to future mold issues and that is a health hazard. Some carpets come with attached pads and are recommended more than those backed by rubber.
Condition Of The Floor
Avoid trying your carpet on unfinished, flooding or insulated basement. It feels perfect when you are having a carpet in a dry and finished basement.
A basement that isn’t insulated or leaking won’t work. The carpet fiber doesn’t matter whether the basement is flooding regularly because the warrant won’t be worth. For such environments, it good you stick with concrete or old cement floor. In case you have to cover the floor, it might be better you look for water resistance carpets.
Easy to Vacuum Cleaning
Your basement carpet should always be ready to keep it dry. For it to be free from moisture, soiling, and staining, it’s best when you choose a carpet that is easy to vacuum clean.
If you want to rely on vacuum cleaners, it’s not all that can help you because they won’t make it fully dry. However, you should have a good sump pump to help you prolong the carpet’s life.
Choose a carpet that you can keep free from spills and residues that can cause soiling and staining. Besides, the carpet cleaner you choose should also be one with power and reliability to ensure your carpet gets an extended life.
Basement Carpeting: FAQ
How long do I have to vacuum my basement carpet?
When it is about maintaining the basement carpet, focus on the traffic areas. When vacuuming will be neglected, then you should expect dirt, sand and other materials to attach the carpet fibers. They’ll also settle at the base of your carpet.
How soon shall you walk on the basement carpet?
It’s not wrong to walk on damp carpets when wearing socks or on barefoot but don’t use the street shoes or allow pets into your basement until the moment it’s completely dry.
Also, be mindful because of the slipping hazards after stepping on the damp carpet.
Conclusion
Basement carpeting has a great aesthetic but it’s not for everyone. However, no one doesn’t like to have a cozier feel, softer when trying to turn the basement into an apartment. If you chose to install it in your basement, don’t forget to take the required responsibilities of keeping it dry and clean.