Myth #1: Bare concrete floors are cold and damp

"This is rarely true in properly constructed newer homes because they are better insulated than older homes and today's building codes typically require installation of a vapor barrier under the slab to block moisture migration," according to Jerry Kline and Don Henson of Kline Construction, Elgin, Ill., a firm that specializes in stamping, staining, and overlaying of both interior and exterior concrete slabs. They are seeing a growing trend in decorative concrete interior floors, particularly in upscale homes.

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Read about how this concrete basement transformation, using concrete dyes and stencils, improved the look of the basement and decreased
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To keep concrete floors warmer underfoot in winter, homeowners can install in-floor radiant heat before the slab is poured. Basements are one of the most popular areas to install these systems, which circulate heated water through polyethylene tubing. Some systems can also be retrofit into existing basements by covering the tubing with a self-leveling overlay.

Carpet is not recommended on basement floors
Thinking of installing carpeting over an uninsulated or unheated concrete slab? Don't do it, says the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center, because the carpet will be susceptible to mold and mildew. The basement floor is generally cooler than the basement air temperature, and installing carpet only lowers the temperature even more. If the basement humidity is high enough, the temperature of the floor under a carpet may, in certain areas, fall below the dew point of the air. Under this condition, a small amount of moisture will accumulate under the carpet, making conditions right for mold growth. The moisture formation may be so slight that you won't see it from the top of the carpet. If the basement floor is already insulated or has under-floor heat, then carpeting or area rugs may work.

Some caveats: If you have a basement moisture problem, you need to resolve it before installing any floor treatment, especially carpeting. "Even newly placed concrete slabs should be allowed to cure for at least 30 days before decorative staining, coating, or stamping to permit moisture in the slab to evaporate," says Henson. You can easily test for excess moisture by taping a piece of plastic sheeting to the concrete floor and sealing the edges with duct tape. Leave the plastic in place for 24 hours. If condensation accumulates beneath the plastic, then measures must be taken to alleviate the moisture problem. (Read more about excess moisture-vapor transmission in concrete slabs and remedies for prevention and treatment.)

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