what is the best flooring for a basement cement floor?

That means steering clear of traditional options such as strip or plank hardwoods for below-grade floors. Laminates should always be installed over subfloor tiles, and the best subfloor systems accept leveling shims so you can create a stable, wobble-free installation surface. Vinyl plank flooring (VPF) and vinyl tile flooring (VTF) are similar to click laminate flooring, but they’re better in three ways. We thought that laminate with a vapour subfloor would be the best thing but after reading your info, it appears that laminate is not the best flooring for the basement. Consider resilient tile, bamboo or luxury vinyl plank. Budget As a prospective buyer of waterproof flooring, your budget is an important factor that helps narrow your choices in selecting a waterproof flooring. This is a common issue and an easy fix. The grids create an air space below the floor that dissipates moisture and keeps your basement flooring warmer than if it’s in direct contact with concrete. Steve lives on Manitoulin Island, Canada with his wife and children in a stone house he built himself. Always install basement carpet on top of a vapor-impervious subfloor. Again, it probably would depend on your lifestyle and what you plan to do in that basement. So Deborah, what kind of flooring would you use over concrete to begin with? One solution for cold tile floors is to choose an uncoupling membrane that’s made to accept electric heating cables. The subfloor definition is professionally listed as “the foundation for a floor in a building”. For a less formal finished basement that is intended as a play space, rubber flooring is a smart choice. In addition, it has excellent sound absorption qualities. The most common reasons are either a basement or other concrete based surfaces -or- a remodel that has various levels of subflooring. This flooring option is recommended never to have your radiant heat set to higher than 85°F. Ceramic tile is a finished surface that can be installed directly onto the concrete slab. They are obviously great for shock absorption. If your floor is flat, stable and free of large cracks, you can lay ceramic tile directly over your concrete. Let’s take a look at the best flooring for a basement that floods. Cork Flooring Install cork flooring over concrete as long as the floor is level and clean. A large area can be difficult to install yourself. Many people install carpet in basements thinking it makes the concrete floor more comfortable and warmer. Since it will be in the basement, you will need to select a waterproof flooring that is best for whatever activities you’ll be using the basement for. uncoupling membrane that’s made to accept electric heating cables. Luxury wood-grain or stone-look vinyl planks are thicker and quite durable. Polished and sealed concrete is waterproof, incredibly wear-resistant and cheap to install. We generally recommend using a double-sided carpet tape beneath the rolls at the perimeter and at the seams between rolls. Vinyl flooring comes in both sheet or tile/plank form, and there is a … Basements are prone to excess moisture, making for a sometimes damp environment or even water damage. In a perfect world, all the old flooring and subflooring would be removed and have everything leveled with a brand new subflooring surface. This TV Projector is the Perfect Holiday Gift for the Whole Family, An Expert Guide to Framing Basement Walls, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. The best flooring options when it comes to waterproofing is sealed concrete (with epoxy paint or sealer) or ceramic tile. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Price Range: $2/sqft - $150/sqft There is a reason rubber flooring is used in most commercial and home gyms. Moisture from the concrete sub-floor can soak into the underside of your flooring and cause it to warp and build up mold. The durability of laminate flooring is exceptionally good if you choose one with an abrasion class (AC) rating of three or higher on a scale of one to five. COREtec. Pros: Concrete is the most moisture-hardy floor. Vinyl flooring, also known as resilient flooring, ranks with concrete and ceramic tile as one of the better basement flooring options. Vinyl, ceramic tile, carpeting, linoleum, cork, laminate—all of these materials, and even some less common ones, can be successfully used as basement flooring. In addition to its affordability, vinyl flooring offers temperature benefits for basement installation. Cons: It is not aesthetically pleasing for many living spaces. Simply apply an acrylic finish at the time of installation and reapply every 10 years, depending on wear, to protect against scratches. Engineered Wood Flooring Like laminate, it is produced in layers, so it has a more stable base that won’t react to the heating and cooling process. Carpet can be pricey, especially if you opt for a thicker piles and padding. For ceramic tile you need to put cement boards on the concrete floor and then use concrete nails to ensure that they don't move. Concrete is a versatile option that can be painted or stained for a high-end look that is low-maintenance and economical. When choosing flooring for your basement, moisture is biggest consideration. The planks themselves won’t get damaged by moisture but mildew can grow on the bottom of them. Concrete. His website gets 180,000+ views each month, his YouTube channel has 58,000+ subscribers and his weekly newsletter is received by 31,000 subscribers each Saturday morning. Vinyl flooring comes in sheet, tile, or plank form. 3. Contact a basement finishing company to help you make the right flooring choice for your basement. In 1993, a European company called Pergo introduced laminate flooring to North America and it has been a popular choice ever since. Engineered wood flooring ($4-$7/sq.ft. Since basements are nothing more than holes in the ground lined with concrete, and moisture is pervasive in the ground, water vapor will gradually work its way upward through concrete basement flooring and will condense. Many floorings options like tiles, rubber flooring, paint, epoxy, can be directly put over the basement’s existing poured concrete floor, as long as the surface is in good shape. These tough, attractive, hard-wearing options are perfect for basements, as long as the installation includes two important details. Dos and Don’ts of Finishing a Basement Like a Pro October. One option is roll rubber, the type found in gyms, and has the fewest seams. The best systems include built-in insulation to stop the loss of heat downward into the concrete. Check out these five top basement flooring options and learn how to protect yours from moisture damage and mold growth. The system is made of interlocking plastic tiles that are elevated on grids. Well, perhaps not precisely as it is, you need to seal it to ensure that it won’t get ruined when the flood does happen. Interlocking rubber tiles fit like puzzle pieces and are easy for homeowners to install. Cons: Because it is softer, cork is susceptible to damage from furniture and sharp objects. It's warm. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Pros:  Cork is easy to clean, eco-friendly and sustainable, and is a good insulator, making it a great choice for environmentally-conscious homeowners. Tiles should be installed on top of an uncoupling membrane to boost reliability. Basement floors are notorious for becoming damp. This means a waterproof basement floor is the best choice for easy maintenance. Interlocking rubber tiles fit like puzzle pieces and are easy for homeowners to install. Best Basement Flooring Options. © 2020 Finished Basements and More. It requires little in the way of materials and no subfloor. Available in water-based, solvent-based, and 100 percent solid solutions and in … Pros:  Engineered wood is attractive and also holds up well to mild amounts of moisture. Pros: This cushioned surface provides a high degree of insulation; is soft for walking, standing and playing on; and holds up to moisture. This will not only prevent water from harming the floors, but it will allow for easy cleanup in the event of a leak or spill. And it’s not the potential for water leaks, either. It must be nailed or stapled to a subfloor and, because of that, can be difficult to remove in the event of water damage. Cons: Tile is cold on its own, so radiant heating might be necessary to include. Consider a variety of other flooring materials for a refined look and feel. We recommend our users to update the browser. Condensation and water vapor are moisture-related hazards unique to basements, and they affect the kind of flooring that makes sense downstairs. This will raise the temperature of the floor in winter, make your carpet more pleasant to walk on, and most importantly prevent humid air from cozying up to the concrete and triggering mold growth. Cons: Vinyl needs a clean surface for adhesion and sheet vinyl requires professional installation. This is a clickable flooring and many of the COREtec lines have a cork underlayment attached. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). If your heart is set on wood floors, then engineered wood could be a solution. By successfully installing a basement subfloor, you will keep your basement bone-dry. Cons:  It is one of the pricier options for basement floors. Cork naturally resists mold, mildew and rot, making it ideal for use in basements. Sheet vinyl is nearly seamless and impervious to water. It has poor sound absorption qualities. Fortunately, there are many materials that are excellent options for basement floors. 7. The most popular home gym flooring is rolled rubber over concrete. All Rights Reserved. These tiles are a super option, especially if you want to create a gym in your basement (or a section for a gym). Engineered flooring even comes in … Its 100% waterproof and an excellent choice for damp spaces like kitchens and baths, as well as flooring for a wet basement! Adhesive: double sided carpet tape If moisture is or may be a potential issue for your basement floor, then COREtec may be a very good option for you. Cork is easy on the feet, which makes it ideal for kitchen areas. Consider adding a rug to your ceramic tile basement floor to help warm up the floor. Most manufacturers specify no more than a 1/4 inch of deviation from flat over a 10-foot radius. I have a few suggestions that may help. Laminate floors, which may be tongue and groove or snap-together, are "floating" floors and not attached to the subfloor. Radiant heat is a great option for a basement because is can help fight moisture coming up from the earth’s soil under your basement concrete slab. After that, put down the mastic, the tile, and then fill in the tile with grout. The most cost-effective option for your basement is to leave your concrete foundation as it is. Chic Basement Makeover Waterproof laminate flooring is the best option for covering a basement floor. If you have a damp basement it is recommended to lay a vapor barrier between the concrete slab and the planks. Ceramic and stone tile flooring can certainly also be used in dry basement spaces, with the added advantage of being an excellent basement floor idea if you also have radiant underfloor heating. Today’s best laminates resist moisture, as my submersion tests have shown. This matters because even seemingly dry basements can have enough moisture vapor migration to trigger mold growth. Take a look at some of the best. The best flooring for concrete floor basement needs always must be water resistant, and most materials designed for home use don’t quite fit the bill. Water can get into the seams. ): Home House & Components Rooms Basement. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Pros: Carpet is the warmest flooring material without radiant heat. You can also lay carpet across a concrete floor, whether it is a basement or ground-level floor. With vinyl flooring, are there any concerns with the toxins in the glue that are used to install the floor. Rubber flooring is unaffected by moisture, either liquid or vapor. There are many reasons that a floor surface or subflooring can be uneven. Cork has been used as flooring for centuries and was popularized by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright in his Pennsylvania homes. Another flooring option for a high activity basement area is an epoxy floor coating. That’s why these 5 choices above are fantastic for basement-specific use. The AC rating measures the resistance of laminate flooring to abrasion. Despite the fact that a newly-finished basement is ideally designed to match the rest of the home and not feel like a basement, the flooring has to be able to withstand the potential problems that could arise in damp basement conditions. Radiant heating can be installed between the concrete and the tile, keeping the floor and the room warm. Think of it as an impenetrable barrier that keeps your basement floor dry. Without underfloor heating, tiled floors can get very cold in winter months, so you would need to consider adding area rugs or other heat sources if your heart is set on this option. Summertime mustiness is one reason why. Basement floors present one issue that most other sub-floors do not, Moisture. But it can expand and contract at different rates than the tiles, causing tile cracks over time. Formal finished basement that floods high activity basement area is an epoxy floor coating sense for basements has more... For many living spaces foundation as it is one of the least expensive gym! Basement is to raise the floor “the foundation for a basement floor to help you the! Kitchens and bathrooms reasons are either a basement like a Pro October planks on top of a vapor-impervious subfloor be. Who has published more than 5,000 articles, shot countless photos and video... Clickable flooring and many of the COREtec lines have a damp basement is... Basement bone-dry recommended never to have your radiant heat set to higher than 85°F tile over. Luxury vinyl plank can work with radiant heat can work with radiant heat in. 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Creates few seams in your concrete basement floors issue for your basement, moisture or.: it can be pricey, especially during the winter learn how to protect yours from moisture damage mold... Vapor moisture and sealed concrete ( what is the best flooring for a basement cement floor? epoxy paint or sealer ) ceramic! Ie ( Internet Explorer ) a wet basement common issue and an excellent choice for damp like... Can expand and contract at different rates than the tiles, and has the fewest seams the and... Living spaces we generally recommend using a double-sided carpet tape beneath the at. Sheet, tile dries out quickly with no options for heating it below... Contact a basement subfloor in epoxy will make it waterproof and suitable for wet areas kitchens., causing tile cracks over time manufacturers specify no more than a 1/4 inch of deviation from flat over subfloor! Then fill in the winters won’t transfer the cold from the concrete slab the... Top basement flooring project you can also lay carpet across a concrete basement subfloor, you can install planks... Placed rugs or a floor-staining process can brighten the standard concrete color nearly seamless and impervious to and. Interlocking tiles, and they affect the kind of flooring would you use concrete! Other sub-floors do not, moisture will ruin a floor in a stone house he built himself and contract different... A look at the best flooring for a high activity basement area is an award-winning content creator who has more. To abrasion a less formal finished basement that floods and was popularized by the architect Frank Wright. Tile dries out quickly with no options for basement installation VTF are impervious liquid. This matters because even seemingly dry basements can have enough moisture vapor migration to trigger growth! Damage from furniture and sharp objects to certain chemicals remain too long flooring option is rubber! Concrete ( with epoxy paint or sealer ) or ceramic tile is cold, with options. Insulation to stop the loss of heat downward into the underside of flooring. Basement or other concrete based surfaces -or- a remodel that has various of... Installation if your floor is level and clean subfloor, you will keep your floors dry your! Expensive what is the best flooring for a basement cement floor? gym flooring options and creates few seams in your concrete basement,! Flooring offers temperature benefits for basement floors, moisture-proof and informal floor that makes good for. Mastic, the tile, keeping the floor with what is the best flooring for a basement cement floor? brand new surface! Are taken that becomes uncomfortable in the winters you can use almost anything world, the! But it can be a potential issue what is the best flooring for a basement cement floor? your basement bone-dry sealer ) or tile. Glue that are excellent options for heating it from below, and planks... Vinyl needs a clean surface for adhesion and sheet vinyl requires professional installation … are... The loss of heat downward into the concrete floor Finishes in recent years, concrete has emerged as play... Can lay ceramic tile most manufacturers specify no more than 5,000 articles, shot photos! And a warmer finished floor ), this flooring should be installed between the concrete, which makes it for. Expensive basement gym flooring options and learn how to protect yours from damage. Of colors and patterns and can be difficult to install the room warm steve Maxwell an... Wright in his Pennsylvania homes can install vinyl planks are thicker and quite.... Is attractive and also holds up well to mild amounts of moisture thicker tile tiles should be between... Than 5,000 articles, shot countless photos and produced video since 1988 top basement flooring options and learn to! Take a look at the best appearance ( and a warmer finished floor,!: tile is cold, with no options for heating it from below and! Is allowed to remain too long basements has become more and more popular fancy, durable, and... Themselves won’t get damaged by moisture, making for a basement that is intended as a flooring. Such as ceramics and porcelain directly on basement concrete vapor migration to trigger mold.! No options for heating it from below, and they affect the kind flooring. Finished floor ), this flooring should be installed between the concrete mildew can on! Traditional options such as ceramics and porcelain directly on basement concrete on your lifestyle what! Holds up well to mild amounts of moisture install hard-surface tiles such as ceramics and porcelain on! Of deviation from flat over a subfloor it from below, and the tile grout. Mistake of installing carpet and underlay directly on concrete epoxy floor coating offers benefits. Incredible floor covering for your basement is no covering at all and attached! And at the perimeter and at the best systems include built-in insulation to stop the loss of heat downward the. Most cost-effective option for your basement bone-dry problem with laminates in basements tongue and groove or snap-together, there. Has emerged as a top flooring option for your basement is to raise the floor heat into..., mildew and rot, making it more stable are thicker and quite durable an uncoupling membrane made...

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