Nothing makes a finished basement look more polished than a wood floor. However, traditional solid wood flooring may not lend itself to this application. As the concrete of the foundation absorbs moisture or dries out, the changing moisture levels can cause the wood planks to expand and contract, creating gaps. The solution to this problem involves installation of “floating” laminate flooring with the look of wood. Instead of being fastened directly to the subfloor as in a traditional solid-wood floor installation, a laminate floor is laid directly over a moisture barrier and is pieced into place over the concrete floor beneath it. Unlike solid wood, laminate flooring is com-posed of layers of stable materials that resist shrinkage, swelling and warping.
If you’re interested in laminate in your home, then you should come to LIBERTY CAR-PET. Our knowledgeable and friendly sales staff members will be happy to help you choose the right flooring option for your space, whether that’s a finished basement or your living room. We also of-fer a large selection of vinyl, hardwood and carpets, including Bliss Healthy Touch and Bliss Magic Fresh. Drop in to our showroom at 628 Main Street, Hallstead. Or you can call 570-879-4567 to learn more. We’re open Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30, Sat., 9-4, or by appointment.
HINT: To allow for expansion, a floating laminated floor incorporates a half-inch gap around its entire perimeter, which is concealed by baseboard trim.
