Basement Carpeting Options

Style

• Avoid Berber carpeting unless you plan to be very careful with your basement. It snags easily and isn't resilient, making it a bad choice for people with children or pets. Frieze carpet, on the other hand, has strong, densely-packed fibers that are less likely to show footprints or other pressure marks. Looped pile carpet is more likely to snag than cut pile carpet. Any carpet with a high pile density and a tight twist construction should hold up to high-traffic and lots of wear. Choosing a carpet suited for outdoors helps to reduce wear on the carpet but makes it less comfortable to rest on or walking barefoot over it.

Fibers and Backing

• Carpets with natural fiber will not hold up well to strong cleanings or high-traffic stress. A carpet with olefin face fiber can stand up to chemical washings. If the basement is exposed to a large amount of water, olefin face fiber will be refreshed after a strong cleaning.

  Avoid jute backing, common on inexpensive carpets. The weave is like that of a potato sack and will not inhibit moisture from leeching onto the carpet. A carpet with synthetic backing, especially a strong polyurethane backing, will keep water out more reliably. Polyurethane backing also offers anti-edge raveling and bonds to nylon fibers, which will keep your carpet from wearing thin in high-traffic areas. Put an antimicrobial pad under your carpet, whatever kind of backing you select to help keep it safe from moisture and mold.

Color

• Selecting a dark-colored carpet for your basement can help it feel more intimate. Light or bright carpets tend to expand the space of a room, which is helpful if your basement is small. If you plan to change your decorating scheme on a regular basis, select a neutral color for your carpet so it will continue to look nice when you change your basement furniture.