Discussions

I am in the situation to replace my basement flooring. Not my choice but at least insurance is covering it. Previously we had kanga backed berber. It was fine. But last couple years it smelled musty. It was about 20 years old.  
 
What would be your choice in flooring based on your experiences? I like carpet for it feeling warm, but we have pets and I’m wondering if vinyl plank would be better.  
 
Please give me advice!!  
 
Thanks.

Just did it and we are disappointed.  
Stick with carpet if you enjoyed it. Other types of flooring like laminate or click LVP might require extensive=expensive concrete preparation. Many laminates and click LVPs have a higher tendency to come apart on concrete plus they contract/expand with change in temperature.  
Glued LVPs might be another option but again, you pay extra for concrete repairs.  
Make sure you trust your sales person. Nice and honest are 2 different things.

my question is what do you use the basement for. is it living, sleeping or storage. if your using it as living/ sleeping i would say carpet but also get a dehumidier. if your only usuing at living that vinyl plank would be good and its easy to do yourself. other wise storage might just paint it

Check out Mohawk Airo (or Air.O) carpet.  
Sent you a PM.

I will look into that

Put down a dricore subfloor first and then you should be able to put any kind of floor covering. This gives you the air space so a little moisture from the cement can go under and a breathing space. This adds to the cost but way better and more cost effective over the long term.  
 
Otherwise there is a vinyl plank flooring that comes with a rubber on the bottom (acts like a dricore subfloor). This flooring just drops into place and the rubber/friction holds it where it suppose to be. If you did get a flood it is very easy to pop up, dry off and put back in place. Not sure of the price, but also a very nice product.  
 
Edited by PaulieCracker, 2023-08-07 08:50:47

Highly recommend: well worth the investment!

My plan was to put down DMX 1-Step and then some LVP with some good backing, and then just accept it might be wonky in some places. This Air.O stuff interests me, but kind of sounds too good to be true for a basement.