Carpet or laminate in the basement?

Question

I recently had an issue with the basement flooding in a property of mine. I tore out all of the carpet that was in it. I fixed the issue which caused the basement to flood and verified through the last few rainfalls that it is no longer flooding. I am ready to put back in flooring but I am not sure if I should take this opportunity to go with Laminate instead of carpet? This is a rental property so the durability of laminate may be a good thing but I always found it appealing to have carpet in the basement (upstairs is hardwood). Any thoughts?

Kody Thompson · Answer

Id go with LVP. If you put carpet in then you are going to have to replace it in 5 years anyway. Why not just go with LVP and never worry about it again.

JD Martin · Answer

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) for the win. 100% waterproof, floats, and in the event of a flood can be taken up and reinstalled. If you're worried about the floor being cold let the tenant put down an area rug on top.

I would *never* put down W2W carpeting in a basement that has flooded these days.

Marcia Maynard · Answer

The best solution we've found for a basement is a commercial grade sheet vinyl flooring with a loose lay. We purchase a good quality nice looking wood look-a-like vinyl. The tenants place an area rug on top. Best of all worlds. Durable, withstands moisture, inexpensive, quick and easy to install, flexibility to change out as needed, and the tenants like it.

John Underwood · Answer

Neither, use vinyl strip flooring similar to LVT.

Zack Unruh · Answer

@Jacob Compton

I would go with laminate flooring over carpet every time. Not worth the headache of keeping carpets clean in my opinion.

Brendan F. Nagle · Answer

I did a nice laminate and an underlayment, thinking it waterproof and it looks better. Its cold... Go with carpet. warmer and quieter.

Carpet or laminate in the basement?

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