Different Ways to Carpet a Basement That Has a Concrete Floor

Damp Basements

• Damp basements often have persistently moist concrete floors, which supports mold growth that can ruin carpeting. "The Family Handyman" magazine recommends installing several layers of material to protect carpeting in damp basements. A layer of dimpled polyethylene should lie directly on the concrete floor, because the "dimples," or cavities, create an air space between the floor and polyethylene that allows moisture to dissipate beneath the carpet. Add a layer of 1/2 inch thick plywood on top of the polyethylene and secure it with concrete screws that are about a foot apart. Place a carpet pad on top of the plywood and install your carpeting.

Dry Basements

• You may not have a problem with persistent dampness in your basement, but some moisture usually accumulates on unsealed concrete floors. Small amounts of moisture can be kept from migrating into flooring materials by laying 6-millimeter plastic sheeting directly on top of the concrete, instead of dimpled polyethylene, according to the "The Family Handyman." Top the plastic sheeting with plywood, carpet padding and carpeting in the same manner that the magazine recommends for dimpled polyethylene.

Carpet Tiles

• Consider installing carpet tiles if your basement is relatively dry. Carpet tiles are similar to vinyl floor tiles that have an adhesive backing that sticks to concrete. Some carpet tiles also come with padding attached that eliminates the need to install a separate layer of carpet padding. Flor is one of several companies that manufacture carpet tiles. Flor instructs customers to install its tiles over smooth concrete, but the company recommends applying a sealer to the concrete before installing the tiles. Concrete sealers help block moisture that may seep through the concrete to the tiles.

Considerations

• A reduction in headroom might be a concern when installing carpet in your basement if the basement has low ceilings. For example, "The Family Handyman" notes that the carpeting options it recommends raise a basement floor by 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. That might result in losing a significant amount of headroom in a basement that has low ceilings. Consult with a building inspector to determine if any local building codes will affect such issues or any other aspect of your project.