I'm about to move into a new house. It is a duplex (up and down) and my unit is below ground level at at about 3-4 feet. It has a subloor, and is carpeted throughout. No signs of water damage on inspections.

In the living room, I would like to put in some hardwood on the periphery and tile in the centre (for future pool table I'm thinking).

The prior tenants deny any humidity problem throughout the year. Since I'll be removing the carpet I could do the garbage bag test for humidity/moisturre problems.

If the test is negative (ie. no humidity), does this mean I could go ahead and put in hardwood. I'm clear a noob and would consider other types of flooring in the living room.

Long winded. Bottom line: If humidity/moisture is not a problem, then am I good to go, or am i missing something, and,

are there other things I should know about hardwood below groudlevel.

BTW: I live in Norther Ontario and traditionally it's cold in the Winter (dry) and dry in the summer. Also, heating is hot watter radiators, which look like electrical baseboard.

If any of your room is below grade, then the recommended wood flooring is an engineered floor. Many good ones out there that one can glue or staple down.

Thanks for the reply Gary. Does it make a difference if I had a subfloor?

PF