which is a better flooring option for a below grade basement - laminate, cork, or carpet?

Public Comments

1. My personal preference is CARPET! Makes it more homely and comfy. If you want the hard floor look though go with laminate.
2. It depends on if it is prone to water or not. If so, I'd go with the laminate. If not, I'd go with the carpet so that it's not as cold on the feet when you go down there.
3. Depends on what you're going to put down there. If there are pets, then laminate. Otherwise carpet. Skip the cork.
4. Go for tile or concrete. I lived in a below ground basement apartment that had a leak in the corner and carpeting. Once they fixed the drainage issue that was causing the leak, they pulled out the carpet and the padding and replaced with Spanish tile. Easy clean up if it leaks and you can use rugs that are washable to cut out the cold factor.
5. tile with area rugs. probably the most expensive but definately cheaper long term.
6. first you'll need to do a moisture test on the slab to determine what type of floor to put down.start their first
7. I prefer carpet. Basements get cold and carpet is nicer to walk on when it is cold.
8. go laminate. cork i don't think will do you any good and carpet has many problems. if it floods occationally it will get soaked and after awhile it will smell, get stains when you spill somthing on it. you see many problems. go with a nice laminate floor and put down decorative scatter rugs to make it look nice. and remeber to put down subflooring first! :) hope this helps. :D
9. If you got the bucks then go for it with cork or hardwood. Carpet will always be the warmest and does not require anything special for a below grade application. If there is a chance of water, then you can count on it destroying laminate. Water and laminate do not go well together. The only thing special for below grade is a moisture barrier between the flooring and the concrete. Most descent laminate underlayments include that in them. Good luck and have fun.