Common Pitfalls

• Unlike storage cabinets in the rest of your home, those in your basement should be waterproof and large enough to store plastic bins. Even if you do not live near a body of water or do not experience floods in your geographic area, you can still experience flooding from heavy rainfall, a broken sump pump or a leaky pipe. When such incidents occur, the basement is generally the room that experiences the most flood damage. In a flooded basement, cabinets made of materials such as oriented strand board, or OSB, can swell, warp and split. Placing your items inside a plastic bin with a lid inside a basement cabinet can help prevent damage from moisture, which supports mold, and pests.
  
  

What to Seek

• Basement cabinets made of stainless steel are least likely to experience warping, Another good option is purchasing or making wooden shelves made from pressure treated lumber and CDX plywood. An additional alternative can include installing basement cabinets that hang from the floor joists because the cabinets do not touch the basement floor.
  
  

Comparison Shopping

• While stainless steel cabinets in a basement can look sleek and can withstand water damage better that most other materials, they can be expensive. Wooden cabinets are generally more affordable. CDX plywood is proportionally as strong as stainless steel, but is lighter in weight and less expensive. AAX, ACX and ABX plywood are also good options for basement cabinets, as these materials are often used for boat interiors. However, the A-series of plywood may be more difficult to find and can be more expensive than CDX plywood.
  
  

Considerations

• Before installing cabinets in your basement, you should repair any water and mold damage. Failing to do so can shorten the life of any cabinet you install, as mold can spread to the storage unit. If the room is humid, purchase a dehumidifier to help control the moisture level in the room and lengthen the life of the basement cabinet and its contents.