Is Cork a Good Flooring Option for the Basement?
When choosing the right type of flooring for the basement, the main element you will want to make sure to consider protecting against is moisture. Even in the relatively dry region of Texas, the underground location of the basement is often a breeding ground for mold and mildew growth due to the high-moisture content in this area. It’s a no-brainer that the hardwood flooring and carpet flooring Spring TX has available is not the way to go for your basement flooring; but what is an effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to these flooring options?
The cork flooring Spring TX offers can tolerate exposure to water much better than regular hardwood flooring; however, cork is still considered a wood and is therefore not completely moisture-resistant. For this reason, you will want to correct any moisture problems in the basement that may leave your flooring vulnerable to moisture damage. These problems should be corrected no matter what type of flooring you choose, since leaking pipes, poor insulation, and other problems are bound to cause complications later on down the road no matter which flooring type you choose.
You should consider installing a moisture barrier beneath the cork flooring Spring TX offers because this will provide a moisture-resistant foundation to the flooring that can prevent damage in the future. Sealing your tiles is another important step to take to prevent moisture damage to your cork flooring. Use a water-based polyurethane sealant with low VOCs and apply three to four coats to ensure the flooring is secure and all cracks are completely filled. If you’re looking for a more environmentally-friendly sealant solution, look for a beeswax-based sealant. The beeswax-based sealant is effective, but not quite as much when compared to the water-based polyurethane sealant, which means you’ll want to monitor this more closely.
Although there are alternative basement options for flooring Spring TX has available, cork flooring is superior in its durability, environmental efficiency, and unique expansion properties. These qualities, among many others, give cork a higher appeal and significant advantage over alternative flooring options for better resilience in the basement. In addition to superior protection against moisture and general wear and tear, cork flooring is also economically-friendly for homeowners on a budget. Furthermore, cork flooring also offers plenty of advantages in terms of design and comes in many different colors and styles, depending on the image you want to create for your basement.