Home » Flooring » Basement Flooring Options Different Types for the House
Basement Flooring Options for the House

Basement Flooring Options Different Types for the House

by Dylan Johnson

Choosing the right flooring for the basement can be challenging, but with these candidates of basement flooring options can help you.

By viewing at these lists, you can narrow down your pick and then opt for the one that you feel the most appropriate for you.

These floors are considered perfect for basement, which often poses unique condition and whose condition is quite humid and moist.

Vinyl Sheet

The vinyl flooring is quite resilient, sharing similar quality and benefits like the ceramic and concrete tiles. The surface is relatively water resistant, which can be useful for areas prone of water spills.

The first thing to like about this floor is its ability to repel the moisture and water. After all, basements are prone to humidity and moisture. Moreover, the floor is quite affordable if not inexpensive.

In most cases, you may spend less than $1 for a square foot. And the next thing to like about this floor is its warmer setting.

It feels warm, especially when compared to concrete or ceramic tiles.

On the negative sides, the floor isn’t considered valuable. A lot of homeowners think of it as a cheap fix or a cheap alternative.

They even doubt installing the floor at home because they are afraid that the floor would compromise the look and value of the property.

Second, the floor requires perfectly clean condition of the surface so adhesive can stick well. Moreover, you can’t really have a DIY installation project with this floor.

Read Also: Bellami Laminate Review

Porcelain or Ceramic

It’s one of the basement flooring options that can hold up moisture and water quite well.

Unlike concrete, it comes with a finished surface with its attractive finish and aesthetic appeal. And unlike concrete, ceramic or porcelain doesn’t require extra treatment.

The good thing about the floor is the quality. You won’t have to worry that it may rot.

Second, the floor dries out pretty well. It won’t even damage in case there is flooding.

Moreover, the floor is perfect for a DIY project, especially when your basement is pretty small.

But on the negative side, the floor has its own negative side. If your basement has a temperature issue, then you may need extra heating.

Second, the floor doesn’t exactly have good sound absorption quality. Moreover, if your concrete slab is in imperfect condition, you will have to repair it. It means significant repair job.

Engineered Wood

Wood is naturally porous because it is organic. It doesn’t do well with prolonged moisture.

If you want to have a beautiful finish of hardwood floor for the basement, and yet you want a sturdy and solid option, then you need to choose the engineered wood type.

Engineered type is completely different from natural wood, so you can enjoy it. This is one of the best basement flooring options with tough construction.

On the positive side, the floor is pretty resistant to moisture up to the mild amount of it.

Moreover, the floor has a pretty nice sound absorption feature so you can rest assured that you can enjoy quiet setting and atmosphere.

Third, engineered wood is one of the most beautiful and gorgeous flooring types for the basement.

However, let’s not forget about the negative side.

First, this is one of the costliest flooring types that you can have for the basements.

Next, you require a certain subfloor type to make sure that the floor will attach properly and correctly.

And finally, this is a complicated floor in case of water damage.

If it is flooded or heavily soaked, you will have a confusing repair work because the floor is generally stapled or nailed to the existing subfloor.

Luxury Vinyl Tile or Plank

Luxury vinyl is the higher end of regular vinyl flooring. Whereas regular vinyl floor is using adhesive for the subfloor, the luxury vinyl is installed in floating manner. It has a fit-and-click mechanism.

Not to mention that luxury vinyl can imitate the look of whatever material being replicated, either it is the stone or the wood.

If you want to have a hardwood look without actually installing wood, then you have picked the right type.

As one of the most perfect basement flooring options, this floor comes with thick (wear) layer.

This alone means that the floor has better durability than those in vinyl tile or conventional vinyl sheet.

It also means that the floor has warmer feature than the regular vinyl flooring. And this floor can imitate the look of natural stone or wood just perfectly.

You won’t be able to tell the difference!

However, such flooring won’t affect the value of your property. Unlike hardwood, the luxury vinyl floor is considered less valuable.

Moreover, luxury vinyl flooring is pricier than the regular vinyl floor.

And third, the luxury vinyl flooring isn’t exactly water proof. Since it uses seams, it is still prone to moisture leak.

Concrete Flooring for Basement

Concrete is basically tough and sturdy, but then again, it isn’t exactly the most beautiful or the most artistic type of basement flooring options.

When talking about concrete, homeowners tend to think about driveway or garage flooring.

But modern concrete flooring has a more appealing look where you can actually create patterns with the stamp.

You can even paint the surface!

When compared to other flooring types, this one is the most perfect when against moisture and water. Even when flooded, you won’t have to worry about the damage.

This is also the flooring requiring the least materials, so you won’t have to hurt your wallet.

Another cool thing about the floor is the absence of subfloor. When compared to others, you won’t need one.

However, when you have this one, you need to realize that it is the coldest floor ever available. You won’t be able to install any extra heat or whatsoever.

Moreover, it doesn’t have any insulation feature, especially against the sound or thermal.

So, you can’t expect a basement that is soundproof or thermal proof.

One of the biggest downsides is the fact that it requires more labor work you will have to scour and clean it intensively before you can actually paint it.

Plank Tile Flooring for Basement

Porcelain floor with plank tile types are great to create beautiful finish on the basement. The floor is relatively resistant to moisture. The surface is pretty durable and it is perfect for high traffic areas.

On the positive side, the floor is able to deliver beautiful finish. It creates aesthetic finish that is absolutely perfect and gorgeous.

Aside from the waterproof quality, the floor comes with rectified edges.

It means that you only need to deal with smaller and narrower grout lines. And the plank is gaining higher status now, affecting the value of the property.

However, those perks do come with downsides. The planks are generally costlier than the regular sized tiles.

Not to mention that it feels cold considering that it is actually a type of ceramic tile.

You can always have (radiant) heating mats underneath it, but it would mean that you will deal with extra expenses and spending.

Carpets Flooring for Basement

Carpet isn’t the most popular basement flooring options because of its nature. It doesn’t dry fast enough because of its natural absorption nature.

That’s why carpet is a bad choice. However, it depends on your basement, really. If your basement is completely dry, then you can consider having carpets.

Plus, if there is very minimal possibility that your basement will deal with water-based disaster (such as broken pipe or floods), then carpets are okay.

Carpets can make the room feel warm. If you have one at home, you don’t need to have any heating system or whatsoever.

However, carpets are generally costly. If you choose the premium ones with thicker pads and piles, be ready to spend more.

Another positive thing about carpet is the fact that it has natural insulation quality, especially for the sound.

And if you have kids who will spend most of their times playing in the area, then carpets would be ideal.

But then again, mold tends to grow on carpets. You will need industrial-quality drying services equipments to clean it thoroughly and properly.

Read Also: Best Cheap Flooring Options that Won’t Hurt Your Wallet

Laminate Flooring for Basement

Today’s laminate floor is more attractive than before. Unfortunately, it still shares the same sensitivity to moisture and water.

Although the top surface has thicker layer and protective layer, the underneath area is still prone to moisture.

On the positive side, laminate floor is one of the warmer basement flooring options, thanks to the foam underlayment.

If you choose the one without any wood content, you won’t have to worry about your floor swelling or warping.

Moreover, the floor is good for DIY installation project for homeowners who want to save money for the cost. When it comes to sound insulation, the floor is quite good.

However, the floor is prone to static electricity build-up. And it is a must that you have proper subfloor installation.

If you skip this, you will have to deal with bigger risks of damage. Not to mention that the floor has this hollow feel under your feet.

In the overall end, these are some of the options when you want to deal with your basement flooring.

Of course, feel free to choose among these basement flooring options and be selective of your decision.