what flooring??

10 years ago

Hi, I'm trying to select flooring for our daylight walkout basement. The main level is all 9" wide-plank light-colored engineered hardwood (see photo), and so will be the stairs leading down to the lower level. Our builder said we can't put the same wide plank flooring in the lower level because the concrete holds moisture and will make the wide planks buckle at some point (he said thinner are fine). I'd rather not do tile down there - too cold (there's a finished bedroom, vestibule, and office). And my husband isn't too keen on carpet. Luxury vinyl is an option - but do we match it to the hardwood or select a contrasting color? Or maybe thinner (3") traditional hardwood downstairs, installed unfinished and stained to match the upstairs??

Featured Answer

Beth H. :

10 years ago

its fine to go with something different in the basement. transitioning from the stairs to something else on the lower level is fine. Pick whatever you think will work best. What about cork? its warm, absorbs sound and is soft to walk on. They have planks or squares and might even have a large roll out piece similar to the vinyl.

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Comments (17)

muffn
Original Author
10 years ago
I considered cork, but I feel like our large dog will destroy it with her nails. That happened to some friends of ours. It looked terrible!
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muffn
Original Author
10 years ago
here is a photo of the stairs leading down (upstairs hardwood and railing not installed yet) ...and then a view from below. Not sure it's necessary to see, but in any case...
Beth H. :
10 years ago
continue the wood down on the landing and then use whatever else you think is appropriate for the basement floor. Anything you choose will be fine
muffn thanked Beth H. :
muffn
Original Author
10 years ago
on the right is the "luxary vinyl" we're using in our bonus room area above our garage. It's called Vivero by Armstrong. On the left is our hardwood. So you think these butting up together look fine?
Tessaroo
10 years ago
What is the hardwood color/brand you are using? It's lovely.
Beth H. :
10 years ago
I think it would be fine. Honestly, it's a basement,,,if it would help, do your stairs in the wood and then on the lower landing, start the vinyl. That way it will be a smooth transition when you step down. And if you really want to get OCD, you could find the vinyl in a darker color that matches your wood. But seriously, it will be fine!
Rawketgrl
10 years ago
They look great together, just make sure the hardwood is on the stairs/landings etc. The basement floor can be different.
PRO
Seifert Kitchen + Bath
10 years ago
Go with the contrasting floor in the basement and continue the light down the stairs and on the landing. Looks great so far!
muffn
Original Author
10 years ago
Tessaroo its ADM flooring in "sunset". We LOVE it!
muffn
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks everyone. Gonna go with the combo in the photo I posted. The light hardwood goes all the way down the stairs and onto the landing. The darker wood-looking vinyl will go on the basement floor!
Jennifer Havin
10 years ago
looks good!!
T T
9 years ago
Muffn,

I found your post and want to ask for your opinion on the ADM floor.

Any problem since you have it? Does it scratch easily?

We are looking for the same color.

Thank you
muffn
Original Author
9 years ago
So far no problem - no scratches. Hoping it holds up. It's beautiful.
T T
9 years ago
@muffn Thank you
Pj
8 years ago
Same. Strongly considering adm. is it carb2? Can’t find that on their site.
felizlady
8 years ago
Any flooring is a long-term investment. I would stay away from any kind of gray flooring since it is a current trend and not a classic choice. Whether it is real wood or luxury vinyl wood-look, wood color such as oak or pine will not go out of style. Gray's fad/trend clock is ticking down to bye-bye!