"I was just reading about making sure that your basement can dry to the inside so that moisture is not forced into other areas that won't be able to dry. "

If the basement is waterproofed properly from the exterior this is a complete non-issue. Is this an existing home or new construction? Do you have currently have water issues if this is an existing home? What makes you think moisture may or will be a issue?

New construction. I was reading this:

https://www.buildingscience.com/sites/default/files/migrate/pdf/GM_Read_This_Design_2008.pdf

Here are a few quotes:

from pages 16-18

Walls get wet from both the outside and the inside. And, in many cases, they start out wet due to the construction process. Therefore, walls should be designed to dry. Walls that are designed to dry to both sides (see Figures 19 and 20) typically perform better than walls that are designed to dry only to one side. All walls should be designed to dry to at least one side. Sheet polyethylene is an almost-perfect vapor barrier because it does not allow any moisture in the vapor form to pass through it. This is a great feature during cold winters, but is a counterproductive feature during summers and in climates that require cooling. Although many homes with polyethylene vapor barriers in walls may not be experiencing problems due to trapped moisture, these homes may be at a higher risk for such problems, which can cause mold, than walls that dry more easily.

Pages 18-19

Basements should be designed to dry to the interior (see Figure 22). This principle is often in conflict with some common misapplied energy conservation and moisture control practices — for example, the use of sheet polyethylene as an interior vapor barrier. Sheet polyethylene (or vapor barriers) should never be installed on the interior of interior basement insulation assemblies or on the interior of interior insulation in below-grade wall assemblies in any climate as it prevents drying to the interior. The exception is where drainage is provided between the interior vapor barrier and the assembly (i.e., exterior to the vapor barrier; see Figure 12 and Figure 15).

Thanks in advance for any input!

The concept is "never use a double barrier system". I know it is not specifically stated in the quote, but in building science the 'double moisture barrier' is an absolute no-no. The person who wrote the article knows his/her audience ALREADY knows this.

That being said, this is talking about walls not slab floors. Whomsoever told you not to use vinyl in the basement is not really 'up to snuff' in my humble opinion. The very REASON vinyl was invented was to create water proof material at a low cost. The ORIGINAL water proof product, linoleum, was very expensive (still is) which meant it was out of reach for the average homeowner. Vinyl brought in the idea of water proof for the masses.

Vinyl plank flooring is now WIDELY used in basements. So much so, it is now the go-to product for below grade applications. Why? Because it can survive plenty of issues which makes homeowners more relaxed about putting down a floor in a basement.

And to be clear, a floating vinyl floor will require a vapour barrier underneath it when sitting over slab concrete. So too laminate, and cork, and engineered hardwood. Hmmmm. All floating floors will require a vapour barrier when installed in a basement.

That tells me the person who offered advice is not quite 'up' on their flooring products.

Brandy, I am late to the discussion. What do you ended up doing with your flooring for the basement?

I also have read the same article you had and am worried about putting LVT on concrete floor for our walkout basement. Our house was built in 1937 and there was no vapor barrier underneath the slab. From what I have read, the person who wrote the article is a highly-respected expert on building science. So I am listening to his advice especially since we have had to deal with mold abatement in one of the rooms in the basement.

Thanks in advance, Brandy!

"Impermeable interior floor finishes such as vinyl floor coverings should also be avoided."

Source: Building Science Corp.

The author is Dr. Joseph Lstiburek, the leading building scientist in North America. The finishes Lstiburek is referring to in particular are vinyl tiles and roll vinyl. Damage often shows up as a pink discolouration. Click-together vinyl planks may be another matter.

Martin Holladay, senior editor at Green Building Advisors, recommends foam under LVT in basements.