Yes, but only if the flooring is engineered hardwood. Solid hardwood floors should not be installed below grade. Excessive moisture that typically accumulates in basements will cause the flooring to contract and expand.
Engineered hardwood has the appearance of solid hardwood on the surface, but is made from
a relatively thin layer of hardwood veneer bonded over a substrate, which has several layers of
high-quality plywood.
These layers allow the plank to be less effected by moisture, and more dimensionally stable. If a
wood plank is wider than 5 or 6” it would most likely be engineered hardwood. Engineered
hardwood is ideal for areas involving moisture such as kitchens, basements and bathrooms if
you are looking for the solid hardwood look.
Establish a consistent cleaning routine recommended by the manufacturer of your hardwood
flooring. Use a cleaner specifically formulated for hardwoods, using rugs and adding
protective elements to your furniture are all ways to preserve the life of your hardwood.
Hardwoods require any spills or water to be cleaned up quickly, since it will be affected
by moisture. It’s not recommended to use a steam mop on hardwood floors.
Hardwood is a natural product that cannot be controlled like other types of flooring. All
grades of hardwood have some color variations present, but some types may be more noticeable than others. Also, over many years, direct sunlight can cause the finish on
the floors to lighten.