Opinions on vinyl wood floor for basements? (Chicago, Lombard: wood floors, rent)

[cbsmom]

This being Chicago, I'm guessing a lot of people have experience with basements flooding. We live in a duplex down, and have had water (seepage mostly, though we were the unfortunate victims of our condo building's pipe's back up flooding our basement). Carpet seems silly at this point -we've already pulled it up twice (once before when we were just renters, and second time recently after we purchased).

My husband thinks the vinyl flooring that looks like wood is the way to go, since it's waterproof and looks pretty decent. Does anyone have opinions on this? How will it affect our resale value, if at all? He also says the guy at Home Depot told him to forego the pad underneath, since it will cause issues if we get more water.

Any reco's on installers? Home Depot? Other places?

Thanks in advance!

[Avondalist]

I think the faux wood looks cheesy. Is it out of your price range to install ceramic tile?

[cbsmom]

No - it just seemed ceramic tile is really cold, and I thought the wood flooring would be more preferable? I was just using redfin to look and see what other duplex downs were doing (outside of carpet), and saw a lot more faux wood floors than tiles.

[ParkerP]

If you like the look, you could just stain the existing concrete. Do a google search for stained concrete floors and see if you like them. You could have a pro do it or diy and rent the tools from home depot. Then use area rugs for warmth and softness and easily remove them if there is a prediction of heavy rains.

[chet everett]

First, I cannot emphasize strongly enough NOT to use Home Depot or any other "big box" chain for installation. They have a TERRIBLE record of using truly incompetent subcontractors. The "bad apple" subcontractors know how to game the big box referal networks, changing the name of their little service to remain in the system even when they have done horrible work.

Second, if you have not fully addressed the potential for either storm water seepage or sewer backup with appropriate systems it is foolhardy to invest in either tile or vinyl; the "water damage restoration / cleaning services" will attest to the fact that the grooves from grout or the embossed surface of vinyl / seams are impossible fully clean and you will have "sewer stink" to deal with forever. If you have any doubts about water infiltration / sewer backup the only sane option is to get the concrete stained and sealed. Of course older homes are not easy to do, as the process involves an acid etch and epoxy that cannot be cured without odors. Once it is cured you can use area rugs and/or remnants that have been professional bound and laid over appropriate pads to provide more "cold feet isolation" than any tile or vinyl while still being fully removable / cleanable / disposable.

If you have fully addressed any water issues you can consider real wood. An appropriate engineered flooring, that uses real wood veneer over an core that is compatible with direct concrete contact OR if you can spare the headroom, true hardwood flooring can be applied over an appropriate subflooring that isolates the flooring from the concrete -- DRIcore® Products | About DRIcore®

[cbsmom]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies!
And Chet - thank you, as always, for your frank and thoughtful response! This is very helpful. We have addressed the seepage as much as we can (sealing, back flow valve, etc.), but I will check with my husband to double make sure we haven't missed anything!

[ToriaT]

The only thing that makes sense for a basement is the old fashion vinyl tile due to water issues. I have done a lot of research into this and although others may have something different its not a matter of if their basement will leak or get some water its when. I have lived in numerous houses in the Chicago area and all have gotten water in them from a couple of feet to a puddle. Its called VCT tile. Vinyl composition tile. It does not come in wood. The next grade up is something called luxury vinyl tile. It comes in a variety of patterns. I suggest you go to a reputable installer who knows what he is doing. I just had my basement laundry room done by a place in Lombard and the guy did a flawless job, cutting around all pumps, washer, dryer, furnace, etc. This tile is applied directly to the cement with a kind of glue, or mastic. I am not sure what it is I call it mastic but it might not be that. If it does not come in wood I do know it comes in a stone kind of appearance that is pleasant. You can't really be concerned with high end or what might seem cheesy in a basement as you have to go practical.

[ToriaT]

By the way there aren't really any seams on mine. If water gets on it, you simply sanitize by putting a little bleach or pine sol and mop it up. Or use a shop vac to remove puddles. The minute dampness gets on real wood or engineered wood, it will all have to be ripped out.

[cbsmom]

Thanks, ToriaT! This is very good to know. I'm going to pass this along to my husband. I know we considered the tile, as well.

[jwaiter]

I hear Lumber Liquidators have some fine imported flooring from China, with extra deadly chemicals for the kids.