Do you need to install subflooring in a finished basement?

You don't have to install subflooring in your finished basement, but it offers several benefits. One is that it keeps moisture at bay. Without the subflooring, only cement will be in between the ground and your basement. Water and moisture from the soil can easily seep through cracks in the cement and get into your basement, along with mold and mildew and the associated health problems. Another consideration would be increasing the height of your flooring, just in case water does get into your basement. A subfloor will give you a few more inches of dry clearance. A subfloor can provide a measure of insulation between the ground and floor, providing a warmer, more comfortable environment. Having that additional space can also help eliminate that damp, musty smell most cement floor basements have.