Basement Flooring Options

There are plenty of options to consider when redoing your basement floor. You do have to be mindful of the fact that basements are more susceptible to moisture, but this hardly limits your choices. Basements tend to be damp, and this moisture can encourage the growth of mold and mildew. If you have the wrong kind of flooring, the floor is susceptible to rot, which may even extend to any wooden furniture you have on that rotting floor.

Mold and mildew are also bad for your health, and if you plan to spend any time at all in your basement, you want to make sure mold and mildew don’t have a chance to pop up, and you may need basement waterproofing.

Option 1: Floating Floor

Mold and mildew can be avoided by installing a floating floor. These are not glued or nailed to the subfloor, and this space allows the subfloor to breathe. It also allows for the installation of a moisture barrier on the subfloor. It is important the floating floors are sealed correctly, or else moisture, mold, and mildew can still seep through. Some options for floating floors are cork flooring, laminate, and carpet tiles. In addition to proper sealing, it would benefit you to look for materials that are already waterproof, or at least highly water-resistant.

Option 2: Floor Tiles With a Vapor Barrier

Another flooring option that puts space between the flooring and subfloor is floor tiles with a vapor barrier, which have molded plastic bases. These are easy to install, easy to clean, and easy to cut for areas where a whole tile won’t fit. They are also affordable, and can be carpeted or mimic stone.

Option 3: Ceramic Tile

A third option is ceramic tile. These are extremely durable and water-resistant by nature. As long as your tile has been properly glazed, it is waterproof. Tile is naturally not susceptible to mildew, but the grout between your tile might be. Cleaning it with special cleaner every so often will remedy this.

Option 4: Epoxy Sealed Concrete

If all of these options sound too costly, an epoxy seal over your concrete floor might be the answer. In addition to being affordable, it’s low-maintenance and easy to install. It is also unaffected by water, resistant to germs and bacteria, and immune to cracks and stains. It also works with the concrete you already have in your basement! One downside to epoxy is that your floor will be hard and cold, but that can be fixed with area rugs. Another downside is that the prep is very labor intensive, and the epoxy itself has a strong smell.

A professional painting company can help you. They will be experienced in garage and basement epoxy floors. They can help you sort through the many color and pattern options to consider when choosing epoxy, and of course if you hire them you won’t have to do any hard work.