I just wanted to add one more vinyl floor variant that you should consider for a basement installation if you are already considering a click lock floor.
Does your floor need to be able to breathe.
When it comes to insulating homes sealing them and providing proper ventilation a number of myths and old wives tales persist.
You say so your self in your foil faced polyisocyanurate example.
Breathe easier about your flooring.
A flooring professional should be able to help do the research.
2 walls have to breathe.
Unless you re in a one way climate like minneapolis or miami putting plastic in your walls will trap moisture and grow things.
If the subfloor is new it may need longer especially.
Houses don t need to breathe but they do need to be able to dry out when they get wet.
The other answers hit the nail on the head wood floors in basements or anywhere subject to moisture is generally a bad idea.
Nor will putting a rug over your floor.
Most folks who say walls need to breath mean moisture needs to be able to dissipate sufficiently to avoid mold and rotting issues in the wall cavity.
I highly recommend loose lay vinyl tile.
This low level of air leakage allows the home they say to be properly heated and cooled and to provide.
Choose products with little or no formaldehyde.
Most walls do need to breath from one side to allow any moisture from dew point condensate to dissipate.