Do you know the feeling you get when you step onto a nice fall? What, exactly, a nice floor is may depend in part on your personal preferences. Some people really like hardwood, while others think carpet is the premier type of flooring. Also, some types of flooring work better in certain rooms than in others. For example, hardwood looks lovely in a dining room but is not the best choice for a bathroom. As you can see, there is a lot to know about flooring. That's why we are proud to offer an array of articles all about flooring right here on this website.
Consider Sound Quality When Choosing Flooring For Your New Basement Media Room
Flooring is the finishing touch for your new basement media room. Choosing the right flooring takes a lot of thought since you need something suitable for a basement and that also enhances the sound quality for your home theater. Here are some options to think about.
Carpet Is Best For Controlling Sound Quality
Soft flooring is best at preventing reverberations and improving sound quality, and the softest option is carpet. Carpet is the ideal flooring for a home theater as far as sound control goes, but it may not be the right option for a basement floor or if you have sensitive allergies. If you opt for carpet, be sure to waterproof the basement first so it stays dry. You'll need to put a vapor barrier under the carpet, and you may want to choose carpeting with synthetic fibers that don't hold dampness and grow mold as easily as natural fibers.
Engineered Wood Is An Option For Allergies
Softwood flooring is a possible choice in an upper-level home theater when you need to avoid carpet for allergy reasons, but wood floors aren't suitable for a basement environment. Instead, you'll need to choose engineered wood that can withstand the expansion and contraction that comes along with humidity changes. Engineered wood doesn't have problems with warping, but it will probably distort the sound a little.
This problem can be solved by using area rugs when you're watching movies. You can roll up the rugs and cover them when the media room isn't in use so they don't collect dust and mites that trigger your allergies. Look for engineered wood that doesn't contain formaldehyde if formaldehyde is an allergy trigger for you.
Vinyl Flooring Is A Good Choice For a Basement
Vinyl is also a choice to consider when you don't want carpet. Since it isn't as soft as carpet, it will cause some reverberation, but like with engineered wood, this problem can be solved with area rugs or acoustic tiles. Vinyl tolerates dampness and moisture a little better than wood, but you'll still want to waterproof the basement well to protect the flooring and your electronic theater equipment.
The harder the floor you choose, the more trouble you'll run into with the sound quality of your home theater. While ceramic tiles or porcelain planks are attractive and well-suited for a basement environment, they have a bigger effect on sound quality. You will probably need to use rugs and acoustic tiles on the walls to get the best sound, and you may need professional help to make the right sound adjustments.
While carpet is ideal for a home theater and it makes a nice surface for kids to snuggle up on the floor, it may not be the right choice for you if you dislike carpeting. You have other flooring options, just be sure you understand how each option affects sound so watching movies is a thoroughly enjoyable experience for your family.
For more information about flooring, contact a company like Panel Center.