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| vinyl flooring |
When
it comes to basement flooring, moisture seems to be the biggest challenge. In the
case of a flood, the moisture from above and the moisture that rises through
the concrete slab presents a challenge. The hard-to-nail-into concrete is the
second biggest challenge, not only is it hard, but also it is likely to get
damp.
Vinyl flooring has your back. It covers both the challenges. You don’t need to nail
down or glue down vinyl, as they are highly resistant to the water damage.
Things to Know About Vinyl Planks
Vinyl
planks are wide strips of flooring snapped together. This creates a continuous
layer and thus the “luxury vinyl” flooring floats over the concrete. When it
comes to installing vinyl planks, it is much easier as compared to the sheet
vinyl. This is because with vinyl planks, you are not working with one big
sheet, but with small pieces instead.
Moreover,
if any part of the flooring is cracked or stained then, you can remove only
that particular area without having to alter the entire plank.
What Makes Vinyl the Right Choice?
Vinyl can be a great choice for covering a
concrete floor, as it is mended closely. This is useful in basements, where, the
water damage can be caused by the moisture seeping up and for protecting those
areas that are prone to flood. After all, the structural integrity of your
house is laid on the basement and if it is not equipped with the ideal flooring and
other precautionary measures then preventing water damage can be next to
impossible.
Since,
vinyl flooring is mostly made of plastic it is water-resistant. You may find
some manufacturers throwing away the word “water-proof” when talking about
vinyl, but those who are cautious, seldom use it, as they know there are hardly
any materials that cannot be damaged by water.
Normal
amount of water on the surface is not something that can damage a vinyl
flooring. In addition, the occasional dampness of the concrete below will not
damage the vinyl flooring. If the water quantity in your house is much higher
than that in your basement. It does give flooding issues a fair chance to occur
and thus finishing your basement with vinyl is the best thing to do.
Next
to tile, vinyl flooring is the best
choice against moisture. The water-resistance that zones out the
moisture issue in your basement are applicable to the flooring itself. If a
little cushioning is added to the floor by installing plywood or other material
under vinyl, your warranty on the flooring might get void. Doing so, you are
eroding the water-resistance of the vinyl.
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| vinyl flooring |
Know the Different Types of Vinyl
Talking
about suitable vinyl for the basements, almost all variants will fit the need. However,
if “floating floor” is what you’re looking for, you have two options: sheet
vinyl and planks. This flooring option doesn’t need any adhesive and can go
directly over the concrete.
Vinyl
sheet flooring floats over the concrete slab nicely with perfection, as it is fiberglass-reinforced.
It will be installed as one big sheet. You can then, cut it to fit the space.
In case, one vinyl sheet is not enough to cover your floor, using a double-sided
tape, you can join the pieces together. Then, this seam can be sealed with the
seam sealant of the manufacturer and thus create a smooth joint that is
water-resistant.
Vinyl flooring covers some major challenges faced with basement flooring and is easy
to install. Therefore, next time you think of a flooring for the basement, you
know the best choice.