The Best Flooring For Basements In 2024
When you are decorating or remodeling your basement, the floor is the most important thing to consider. You should choose the best flooring according to the needs of your basement. The selection of flooring for the basement floor is a very arduous task since you have to consider so many things, like your floor type, groundwater level, basement purpose, and several other aspects.
If you want to choose the ideal flooring for your basement, then this blog will be very fascinating for you because today I am going to discuss all the best basement flooring options you can choose for your basement to make it beautiful and ideally useful, as well.
I am also going to tell you about various other factors that you must consider before selecting the flooring. So continue reading this article and choose the best flooring option for your basement floor to make it more useful.
Things You Need To Consider Before Buying Basement Flooring
Since basements are the most crucial parts of any and every home, their flooring treatments need to be selected real carefully. That’s because the basement space always gets subjected to the most intense wear and tear and since it works as the foundation for the entire structure of the house, it must be equipped with heavy-duty additions.
Here are some of the factors that you need to keep in mind while selecting the right floor system for your basements.
Basement Purpose
Basement purpose is the most important thing that you must know first. For instance, if you want to use your basement as a workout area, then you can use rubber flooring. However, rubber flooring is not suitable for your basement if you want to have a mainstream or particular living space scenario for it. So, do consider the purpose of your basement first and then select the flooring accordingly.
Moisture Level
You should also consider the moisture level of your floors, as the most fundamental factor. Mostly, the moisture level of the basement floors is high, so select flooring that is completely waterproof. You should select that is waterproof from both the upper and lower sides.
If you select a concrete floor, then it is water-absorbent from the lower side, which can be dangerous in the long run. Vinyl plank flooring is an amazing choice in this regard, which is completely waterproof from both sides, so you can use it in your basement even if you have a higher water level.
Radiant Heating System
If your basement has a radiant heating system under the floor, then you have to select a material for your flooring that is safe for such a heating system. Otherwise, your flooring can easily be damaged.
Hardwood and carpets are not ideal for use on such floors. You can either use vinyl or laminate flooring on floors that have a radiant heating system.
Budget
Budget, of course, is the most important thing that you need to consider, no matter what you are going to buy. It’s crucial to keep in mind, so as to save yourself from potentially useless yet expensive purchases. Besides, if you’ve got a tight budget, then it’s best to stick to smart solutions and not go for excessively high-end options just because they are fancy to look at. One notable example in this regard is the choice of Vinyl or laminate flooring with which you can easily enjoy the aesthetics of any given adorable and pricey flooring, such as a real hardwood floor system.
7 Best Flooring Options For Basement Floors
Here is the list of the best flooring for basements in 2024. You can select any suitable one from these perfectly functional flooring options.
1. Rubber Flooring
I am mentioning rubber flooring first because many people use their basement as a workout area, so rubber flooring is ideal for them. Rubber flooring is highly durable and adds an elegant look to your place. It also does not absorb moisture from your basement floor, so you can easily settle for this choice.
Rubber flooring is very versatile, so you can use your basement as a gym, a playroom for children, a yoga space, or an area for other wellness activities. Although there is not a large range of designs and colours available in rubber flooring, still you can easily find a choice that matches your basement.
In addition to the complete flooring, you can also have the choice of larger floor mats, which work similarly to carpet floor tiles. There are many sizes of rubber mats, so you can get them according to the requirement of your basement. The price of rubber flooring is around $8 per square foot and therefore it’s a way cheaper option than hardwood or any other high-end flooring.
Pros
- Low maintenance cost
- Anti slip and provides excellent comfort
- Can Bear high traffic
- Is perfectly water-resistant
Cons
- Installation is time-consuming
- The odour might not be acceptable by some users
2. Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is ideal for basements that have lower water levels. Basements with standing water, like floods, can’t use this flooring because it is not waterproof. Go with some water proof flooring if your basements have increased water levels.
Laminate flooring is a greatly exquisite option when it comes to looks. It can give your floor an amazing hardwood or even a stone floor look. If you like wood floors, then laminate flooring is the best option for you to give you to achieve your desired decor at a minimum price.
The price of this flooring is highly reasonable, as you can buy this flooring for $3 to $8 per square foot. As a result, this becomes the most cost-effective option to choose.
Pros
- Beautiful appearance
- Easy maintenance
- Simple installation
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Unable to refinish
3. Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Here is a 100% waterproof option for your basement floors. Luxury vinyl flooring is completely waterproof and you can easily use this flooring in basements that have moisture problems. It never absorbs water and can easily withstand all the wear and tear, as well.
Some luxury vinyl flooring needs underlayment, so you have to check the description of the flooring before buying. The beautiful look of luxury vinyl flooring makes it unique among all other flooring types.
If you want to use your basement as a guest room or living room, then you must use this flooring to make the space more attractive and useful. The price of this flooring is almost the same as the laminate flooring as it from $3 to $10 per square foot.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Easy maintenance
- Can be easily repaired
Cons
- Inconsistent quality
- Hard to remove
4. Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood flooring is ideal for damp places, so you can use it in basements with higher levels of groundwater, but it is not ideal for basements with standing water. Also, it can be used for floors that have radiant heating systems.
If you want to use your basement as a living room, then this flooring is best for you. The appearance of this flooring is exquisite, and you can use it in your basement for a more presentable approach.
Over and above, there is a large range of designs available in engineered hardwood flooring because it has the origin of both domestic and exotic wood species, similar to the widest design spectrum of Parquet Floors. Some of the commonly used options are Maple, Oak, Hickory, Walnut, Pine, Acacia and Pecan. The price range of this flooring is quite versatile because it ranges from $1 to $150, depending on the quality of the wood.
Pros
- Temperature resistant
- Most stylish flooring
- Adds value to your place
Cons
- Color can fade
- Hard to maintain
5. Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Sheet vinyl flooring has many qualities. Some varieties are very durable and waterproof, and some don’t have thick wear layers, depending on the price of the sheet vinyl flooring. This is one of the cheapest flooring options, as its price ranges from $1 to $2 per square foot.
This flooring is completely waterproof, so you can easily use it in your basement if you have flooding issues. It is one of the most versatile basement flooring options because it has a wide variety of designs, styles, and colours from which you can choose according to the theme of your place.
You can easily get this flooring in a stone look, wood look, or any realistic pattern on it. The price and versatility of this flooring make it ideal for basements.
Pros
- Water resistant
- Highly affordable
- Wide varieties
Cons
- Difficult to repair
- Prone to Discoloration
6. Ceramic Tile Flooring
This is one of the most elegant options for your basement because of the finishing it gives your floors. You can get a wide variety of ceramic tiles with unique designs, styles, patterns, and colours. If completely locked, these tiles make an entirely waterproof floor system for your basement.
If you want to make your basement a laundry room or bathroom, then these tiles are best for your floor. You can also install these ceramic tiles in your basement to use them as a living room. However, if you are going to have heavy stuff, such as workout machinery in your basement, then this is not for you. Ceramic tiles can easily break when heavy things fall on them.
The price of ceramic tiles ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot. You will also have to hire a professional for the installation of these ceramic tiles.
Pros
- Give very fine look
- Versatile
- Cost effective
Cons
- Difficult to repair
- Can’t bear heavy objects
7. Wall To Wall Carpet
Wall to wall carpet is another ideal option for basements that are used as living spaces. If you want to use your basement as your bedroom or kids’ room, then a wall to wall carpet is best for you. They are not water resistant, so if your basement has a high water level, then never use carpets in it.
Wall to wall carpets give an adorable look to your place, fulfilling all the needs of your interior. There are a wide variety of carpets from which you can choose any design, style, and color according to the theme of your basement. Carpets are available in every size, so you can get your basement carpet according to your requirements.
The price range of wall to wall carpets starts at $2 to $8 per square foot. You can install carpet in your basement on your own if you don’t want to hire a professional.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Easy to maintain
- Easy to install
Cons
- Retain moisture
- Not waterproof
Conclusion
Now you know all about the Best Flooring for Basements in 2024, so now you can easily select any of the best flooring options for you. All the above-mentioned floorings are useful and favourable choices for the basement spaces. All you need to do is figure out the exact requirement(s) of yours, in addition to, of course, the type of your basement subfloor, and then go for an option accordingly.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are multiple amazing flooring options that can be considered in this regard, with the major ones being Tile Flooring, Epoxy Flooring and Rubber Flooring. Such floorings are relatively easy to deal with, particularly when you want a floating floor system atop a poured concrete subfloor.
Epoxy Flooring is one of the most durable choices you can consider for your basements. It not just works as the perfect flooring system atop the concrete subfloor, but also is a great way to even out all the crevices, cracks and depressions present in the poured concrete. Also, if you’ve some decorative purposes, you can also get the best of those as Epoxy flooring comes in versatile color choices.
For the everyday cleaning of your basement Vinyl Flooring, you simply need to carry out a thorough damp mopping which will maintain the floor’s beauty. Besides, you can also make use of commercial Vinyl Flooring cleaners occasionally. Also, some homemade cleaners such as the solution of Apple Cider Vinegar and water work wonders in this regard.
Yes, sealing the subfloor is absolutely important, prior to the Vinyl flooring installation. However, you might as well, need to put a little effort into properly sealing your floor, so that the sealer and the adhesive from the Vinyl flooring don’t come in contact with each other and cause any mess.
