What Sort of Wood Is Used in Basements?

Panels

• Wood paneling for basements gained a reputation as an inferior basement wall finishing material due to the cheap appearance of imitation composite panels that were prevalent during the second half of the 20th century. Newer types of wood panels, however, give a more stylish look to basement walls. One option, raised wood panels, mimics the classic character of colonial American design. Knotty pine panels, another good choice, give a finished basement a rustic appearance derived from the Old West and usually comes as tongue-and-groove boards.

Engineered Wood

• Hardwood floors, which many homeowners find desirable for their traditional look and comfortable feel underfoot, don't usually make a good choice for basement flooring due to their vulnerability to moisture and the dampness of an average basement. A newer wood product called engineered wood help solves this dilemma. Engineered wood comes in multiple plies that expand and contract with temperature and moisture changes, making it less susceptible to damage than regular hardwood. The product works best when installed on a subfloor.

Plywood

• Another wood product frequently seen in basements, plywood, typically comes in three, five or seven plies, with the layers glued together with water-resistant or waterproof adhesives. The construction method helps the finished product resist moisture damage. Plywood is often used as the top layer of a subfloor. Although you can place the plywood directly on top of the concrete, the preferred method is to nail it over a base of two-by-fours.

Pressure-Treated

• Most basement foundations consist of either poured concrete or concrete blocks, so it may come as a surprise that you can construct a viable foundation from wood. Only pressure-treated wood, wood injected with chemicals to help it resist decay, will work for this type of construction. Untreated wood rots when it contacts the soil. A wood foundation has several advantages. You can install it in any type of weather, it's easier to install an interior wall on a wooden foundation wall, and, since it's thinner than a concrete wall, it adds to the available space for a basement remodel.