Best Carpet for Basement

The most important thing should be said right away: No single carpet reigns supreme in basements! Nevertheless, there are excellent carpet options, primarily synthetic ones, which, with the observance of certain rules and instructions, will be resistant to the problem of mold and mildew that can easily appear in the basement. 

Carpet in the basement? Many people would think that this option is not possible at all. But basements are no longer just dark and damp places where old and unnecessary things are stored. They can be nicely arranged and be places for work, exercise, socializing and rest. Of course, the storage and disposal function will never go away. 

It is important to choose a floor that will be suitable for the special conditions prevailing in basement rooms. So, for those who are dubious about buying carpet for basement flooring, we’ll first look at the pros and cons of such a choice.

Pros and cons of carpet in the basement

Carpet is an excellent choice for covering the floor in the basement, especially since it does not require a completely flat surface. Other substrates such as vinyl, tile and laminate would require pouring a concrete screed and leveling the floor. Carpets are flexible and easy to install on uneven surfaces. We can install carpet tiles ourselves and save a significant amount of time and money.

Carpets are pleasant and comfortable, they give warmth and softness to the floors, so the basement can be easily turned into a living room, a home gym or a playroom. They can improve the thermal insulation of a space that mostly has a concrete base underneath. They are easy to install over existing concrete, especially with a quality base.

On the other hand, basements are places of high humidity. Thus, there is a great possibility of the creation of mold and mildew on the carpet. Basements are also susceptible to unforeseen issues like burst pipes or floods. Changed conditions in the room over a long period of time can also contribute to a change in color.

All this can be overcome by choosing certain synthetic fibers with low flora and choosing a good synthetic substrate. And before all of this, we have to get rid of the moisture.

Moisture and its removal from the basement

Basements are the most humid location in the home. We know how much basements can smell of moisture, especially after rain. Their position underground affects the general humidity, and besides, there is no air circulation or sunlight that would contribute to its evaporation. The best basement flooring must be able to handle a certain amount of moisture.

That’s why the first advice does not refer to the choice of carpet for the basement at all, but rather to determining the condition of the substrate, which is mostly concrete, and to preventing moisture. If moisture is present to a greater extent, it can be a limiting factor for certain types of floors.

In addition to moisture, basements can also experience flooding or leaks. Water usually passes through the concrete floor and into the carpet. A large amount of water destroys even the most durable carpet. All these problems must be solved before installation to avoid permanent damage and unnecessary costs.

Moisture and mold can be solved by good ventilation. It is important that the basement is as dry as possible. If we often use ventilation, especially one that has air dryers, it will circulate the air, extract moisture and reduce the likelihood of mold or mildew in the carpet. It is also recommended to maintain a certain temperature, because cold air can create water particles and thus create humidity.

It is important to properly prepare the substrate. This includes sealing the concrete with a waterproof coating, filling cracks to prevent moisture penetration, and possibly installing a plywood underlayment. It is also necessary to inspect and repair all pipe installations in order to prevent flooding.

If we fulfill these conditions and install a suitable carpet, maintenance is relatively simple. Regular vacuuming will preserve the fibers of the carpet. Periodic deep cleaning is also recommended to remove deep impurities.

Best carpet for basements and its fibers

Carpets made of natural materials such as wool are not a good choice for a basement floor. Although their structure is great for filtering air, moisture is a problem they cannot deal with. Natural carpets will absorb all the water and become a base for mold and mildew. Those with high flora are especially not recommended because they take longer to dry and retain moisture.

Synthetic carpets are the best choice for basement carpets because of their ability to not retain moisture. Their fibers repel water and are more resistant to moisture damage. There are several types of synthetic fibers and each has advantages and disadvantages. These are nylon, polyester, Triexta and polypropylene. 

The main disadvantage of synthetic carpets is that they fade easily in sunlight, but since most basements get little or no sun, this is not a problem.

The best type of basement carpet fiber really depends on what you plan to do with your basement. The right type of carpet fiber depends on the purpose.

Triexta is the latest addition to the world of carpets and is an exceptional choice. Triexta carpet is the best choice if you plan to use your basement for entertainment or other events. 

It is especially good in combination with a polyurethane or rubber base. Trieksa is the overall best synthetic carpet available on the market. It has the durability of nylon and the moisture and stain resistance of polyester. 

Triexta carpets are much softer than other types of synthetic carpets, and this is important because of the hardness of concrete. They have one drawback and that is the price. It is high compared to other carpets, but its quality in the long run compensates for that investment.

Nylon carpet is also a great choice, and a cheaper alternative to the more expensive Triexta carpet. The price is better, but the flexibility is less. It is also suitable if we plan to use the basement for entertainment and other high-frequency activities. They can be a good choice on stairs as they usually require a more durable carpet to stay in good condition.

Although nylon carpets are durable, they are not resistant to stains and moisture, so if there is a problem with moisture or the risk of spillage, it should be avoided. Especially if small children and pets are involved in the activity because they simply “don’t get along well” with the nylon carpet.

Polyester has the least flexibility. It should be avoided except for a basement that will be used as a storage space with minimal use. They have the lowest price of all carpets, which makes them a tempting offer. 

It is one of the best choices for stain resistance. You can choose between “solution-dyed” and “acid-dyed” polyester carpets. “Solution-dyed” is the definite choice when it comes to stain resistance because it is less absorbent.

With a polyester carpet, you get exactly what you pay for. It is a flat and very thin carpet, usually thinner than nylon or Treekst. It will basically feel like walking on a concrete carpet because of the concrete under the basement carpet. 

If that doesn’t bother you, then polyester could be the right carpet for you, especially since its low price is suitable in case of water problems in the basement, because destroying a polyester carpet is not as much of a financial blow as destroying a Triexta carpet.

Olefin, also known as polypropylene, is another great choice for basement flooring. It is developed to withstand water and is one of many excellent options for outdoor flooring. It is very easy to clean and maintain, it can be installed directly over concrete, so we consider it one of the best basement carpets.

None of these carpet types require a carpet underlay. However, the carpet underlay provides insulation from the cold concrete and prevents moisture from penetrating the carpet. 

Polyester carpet is thin, so an additional carpet pad will add some softness. Nylon carpet has a lower resistance to moisture, which means the underlay will help prevent mold or mildew problems. Triexta has some moisture resistance and is a fairly thick carpet, so underlayment may not be completely necessary.

There are two types of carpet underlays, polyurethane and rubber. Some have an odor protector, so it may increase the costs a bit, but it’s worth it if we want to additionally protect ourselves from unpleasant odors.

Conclusion

Choosing a basement carpet requires something more than a good look and comfort. We need to find one that, in addition to looking good, solves the unique problems that arise in the basement and fits its purpose.