13 Best Flooring for Basement Options| Pros and Cons of Basement Flooring | Waterproof Basement Floors

3 Best Flooring for Basement Options | Pros and Cons of Basement Flooring | Waterproof Basement Floors

Basement Flooring

A basement is the perfect place for a home theater, a game room, or an office, but it’s not really a good place for anything else.

All that water that seeps up from the wet ground of your backyard doesn’t exactly do wonders for your floors.

You might find yourself wondering what kind of flooring you can use to make the most of this space while also keeping your feet dry and warm.

13 Best Flooring for Basement Options | Pros and Cons of Basement Flooring

We’re here to help you choose the best flooring for your basement. Here are 13 different types of flooring for basements

Carpet Flooring

If your basement is carpeted, it’s probably covered in either wall-to-wall or broadloom carpeting. The only difference between the two is how they’re installed.

Wall-to-wall carpet covers the walls as well as the floor, while broadloom means that you have one wide strip of carpet that goes along the length of your room.

Wall-to-wall carpet is extremely durable and easy to clean, but it isn’t the greasiest. It has a good deal of give to it, so you should be able to roll over it with no consequences.

If you’re worried about getting dust mites into your basement, don’t worry—carpet can handle that just fine.

Broadloom carpeting is much more prone to mold and mildew buildup. If you have it in your basement, you’ll need to make sure the floors are kept relatively clean, and you should probably be wearing a mask during cleanup.

Pros of Carpets

1. Very durable
2. Easy to clean
3. Great durability for a basement
4. Wall-to-wall carpet has a better thickness than broadloom carpeting

Cons of Carpets

1. Pricier than other flooring options
2. Not so good in areas with high humidity levels
3. Can get bunched up if you pile furniture on top of it, causing it to look less attractive

Cork Flooring

Cork is another popular choice for basement floors. Cork floors are relatively easy to clean, and they don’t absorb moisture like carpet does.

Cork also looks nice, but its somewhat-rough texture makes you feel a bit more “down” than you would with other flooring choices.

Cork floors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which helps it fit in with any sort of decorating style. You can even cut them to fit the exact size of your basement.

Many cork flooring options contain rubber or synthetic backing to cushion and protect your floors from damage. The backing can make the floors more difficult to clean, but it also increases their longevity and overall durability.

Pros of Cork

1. Pretty easy to clean up with simple soap and water
2. Durable and easy to care for
3. Can be cut to fit any room
4. Some cork floors contain plastic backing for extra durability

Cons of Cork

1. Can’t be used in basements with high humidity levels, as it can absorb moisture
2. The rubber or synthetic backing can make the floor more difficult to clean
3. Some cork flooring can emit some gases if it is manufactured with formaldehyde, a compound known to cause cancer in humans and animals

Sheet Vinyl Flooring

Sheet vinyl flooring is a popular choice for basements, thanks to it being relatively easy to install. It doesn’t require glue or adhesive, and you don’t need any special tools or skill sets.

Sheet vinyl is also easy to clean, though a bit more difficult than cork flooring. The vinyl can be easily swept or vacuumed off, and the occasional wipe-down with soap and water should make your floors look nice again in no time at all.

Sheet vinyl is also relatively durable and easy to care for, making it a viable option for basements that are looking for something that won’t require much upkeep.

Pros of Vinyl sheets

1. Easy to install
2. Easy to clean
3. Durable
4. Water-resistant

Cons of Vinyl

1. Easier to damage than other flooring options
2. Not exactly pleasant on the feet, which is why they are usually covered with area rugs or carpets!

Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is the kind of flooring that you just don’t see anymore. The wood-based tiles have held up pretty well through the years, but they can be damaged by sharp objects and poor cleaning methods.

Lately, though, linoleum has been making a comeback. People are using linoleum as a flooring solution in their basements rather than the traditional carpet option.

Linoleum is not good at withstanding high humidity levels, so if you want to keep your place dry, that’s one thing you have to work around.

And if moisture is a concern for you, stick to plain linoleum instead of the tile-like variety. Go for the plain white color of paper instead of one of the many patterns available.

Pros of Linoleum

1. Good durability
2. Good at withstanding high humidity levels
3. Easy to clean

Cons of Linoleum

1. Not good for areas with high humidity levels
2. Pricey
3. Not very attractive in the basement
4. If you want a patterned floor, stick to plain linoleum instead of tile-like linoleum

Tile/Wood/Stone Look Vinyl Tile Planks

Luxury vinyl flooring is a more contemporary form of resilient flooring than the traditional variety that is fastened to the subfloor with glue. Instead, luxurious vinyl is joined piece by piece in the style of a floating floor.

Another significant distinction is that luxury vinyl flooring can appear strikingly similar to the substance it is imitating, whether wood or stone.

Wood-look luxury vinyl is available in 6 inch by 48 inch planks. Because it is relatively thick, it can be thoroughly embossed for a more authentic wood grain texture.

Stone-look luxury vinyl tile attempts to mimic the appearance of slate, travertine, marble, and other popular stones, but in the shape of a vinyl tile.

Stone-look premium vinyl is available in square forms measuring 16-inch by 16-inch or smaller.

Vinyl Tile Planks flooring is good for areas with high humidity levels, and it’s great for the basement because it can handle spills without getting damaged.

You really don’t have to worry about your floor in the basement looking attractive, and you can expect your THV installation to last for a very long time.

Pros

1. Very durable
2. Good at withstanding high humidity levels
3. Easy to clean
4. Can handle spills without getting damaged
5. Good for areas with high humidity levels

Cons

1. Expensive
2. Not a very attractive flooring choice
3. Not very good at retaining heat in the wintertime, which is when most basements tend to be cozier than usual
4. Difficult installation, as it needs to be installed on a flat surface
5. Not very good for areas with high humidity levels
6. Not the kind of flooring that fits well in a small space
7. Not good for areas where there is a lot of traffic, such as a home theater room

Hard Wood Flooring

If you prefer hardwood floors rather than linoleum or carpet, you’re probably familiar with the look.

Hardwood floors are handsome and they fit well into a modern decor, but they can be expensive and time-consuming to install in your basement. Here, you have two choices: engineered and solid.

Engineered hardwood flooring is the cheaper option. It’s made from a combination of wood scraps and sawdust, which are pressed together to form one piece of wood.

The finished product has such high durability that you can practically walk on nails on it without making a dent.

It’s easy to clean, too, but it can’t handle moisture or water spills very well, so be careful when cleaning up after an unfortunate event.

Solid hardwood flooring is the more expensive option. The wood planks that are used to make this type of flooring are milled from solid pieces of wood, unlike engineered hardwood flooring.

Solid hardwood floors are easier to maintain than their engineered counterpart, but they’re still not exactly the best option for a basement.

If you don’t have any problems with moisture buildup and you’re ready to spend a lot of money replacing your old floors, then go for it.

Pros of Hard Wood Flooring

1. Very durable
2. Beautiful, eye-catching look
3. Easy to clean
4. Can handle water spills without getting damaged
5. Good for areas where there is a lot of traffic
6. Very affordable

Cons of Hard Wood Flooring

1. Hard to maintain due to the high cost of replacement planks and the difficulty of keeping the floor from being damaged by moisture buildup (especially when it’s in a basement)
2. Expensive for what you get, especially if you don’t live in an area with lots of humidity3. Hard to install in a basement
3. Not very easy to repair
4. Not good for areas with high humidity levels
5. Not good for areas with lots of traffic rotations (the floor will get damaged if people are walking all over it all the time)

Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is probably the simplest and cheapest way to cover your basement floor, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best option.

The tiles are easy to clean and they’re great at withstanding high humidity levels, but they aren’t the most attractive option.

A basement floor is usually hidden under a bunch of other stuff, so you have to ask yourself if it’s worth it to spend a lot of money on tile installation.

Pros of tile flooring

1. Very durable
2. Easy to clean
3. Good at withstanding high humidity levels

Cons of tile flooring

1. Not the best-looking option available
2. Not good for areas with high humidity levels
3. Not very good at retaining heat in the wintertime, which is when most basements tend to be cozier than usual
4. Expensive to install
5. Cuts and scrapes show up easily

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is the perfect option for those people who want something that looks nice but doesn’t cost a fortune.

Bamboo flooring is premium-grade wood flooring that’s made from only the finest bamboo. It can withstand high humidity levels and spills, so it’s perfect for basement use.

Bamboo flooring has been gaining popularity in recent years because of its unique look, and because so many people are trying to cut down on their carbon footprint by going green.

If you’re looking to achieve a modern style in your basement, bamboo is definitely the right choice for you.

Pros of bamboo flooring

1. Beautiful, eye-catching look
2. Easy to maintain
3. Cost-effective
4. Good at withstanding high humidity levels
5. Won’t warp when exposed to moisture
6. Can be installed in basements and even bathrooms (as long as you don’t have a lot of water spills)
7. Easy to install yourself if you purchase the right kind of bamboo flooring that comes with an adhesive backing for self-installation
8. Hardwood look but cheaper than hardwood flooring

Cons of bamboo flooring:

1. Not good for areas where there is a lot of traffic
2. Not very good at retaining heat in the wintertime, which is when most basements tend to be cozier than usual
3. Not very easy to repair

Concrete Flooring

Concrete floors are good for basements because they’re very resistant to water damage, which makes them good at handling spills very well.

The most attractive thing about concrete flooring is its durability. There aren’t any cheaper linoleum or tile options that can compare to concrete in that area. It’s also easy to clean and maintain with normal cleaning supplies.

Pros of concrete flooring:

1. Very durable
2. Very affordable
3. Easy to maintain with everyday cleaning supplies
4. Good at withstanding high humidity levels
5. Not very good at retaining heat in the wintertime, which is when most basements tend to be cozier than usual
6. Easy to clean

Cons of concrete flooring:

1. Not good for areas with a lot of traffic rotations
2. Not easy to install yourself
3. Not good for areas with high humidity levels

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a great option for basements, especially if you have a family or pets that are prone to damage.

Laminate flooring is cheap, easy to install, and it’s great at resisting moisture damage. You can find the best laminate flooring for basements in stores and online.

Ideally, you should choose laminate floors from local stores because they’re normally cheaper than online purchases.

Pros of laminate flooring

1. Very affordable
2. Easy to maintain with everyday cleaning supplies
3. Good at withstanding high humidity levels
4. Easy to install yourself or have it installed for you
5. Can be installed in basements and even bathrooms (as long as you don’t have a lot of water spills)
6. Hardwood look but much cheaper than hardwood flooring
7. Not good for areas where there is a lot of traffic rotations (the floor will get damaged if people are walking all over it all the time)

Cons of laminate flooring:

1. Not very good at retaining heat in the wintertime, which is when most basements tend to be cozier than usual
2. Hard to install in a basement
3. Not very easy to repair

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is a great option for basements because it can withstand moisture exposure and high humidity levels with very little chance of damage.

Your basement will be one of the only rooms in your house that could actually benefit from rubber flooring, making it an excellent choice for anyone with a basement.

Rubber is also easy to clean, maintain, and install. Most rubber flooring comes pre-attached to some kind of backing board, which makes installation easy.

Pros of rubber flooring:

1. Durable
2. Easy to maintain with everyday cleaning supplies
3. Good at withstanding high humidity levels
4. Easy to install yourself or have it installed for you
5. Can be installed in basements and even bathrooms
6. Hardwood look but much cheaper than hardwood flooring
7. Good for areas where there is a lot of traffic rotations

Cons of rubber flooring

1. Not very good at retaining heat in the wintertime, which is when most basements tend to be cozier than usual
2. Hard to install in a basement
3. Not very easy to repair
4. Not good for areas with high humidity levels
5. Can be slippery

Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy flooring is an excellent choice for those people who want a durable, hard-wearing basement floor.

Epoxy flooring is one of the best options available if you have pets or kids. If your basement has a lot of traffic rotations, you might want to avoid epoxy floors because they’re not very good at retaining heat in the wintertime and are less durable than other options.

Pros of epoxy flooring:

1. Very strong, durable
2. Very good at withstanding high humidity levels
3. Good at retaining heat in the summer, which is when most basements tend to be colder than usual
4. Great for areas where there is a lot of traffic rotations
5. Hardwood look but much cheaper than hardwood flooring
6. Not very easy to repair if it gets damaged

Cons of epoxy flooring:

1. Less affordable than other types of basement flooring options
2. Not very easy to install
3. Hard to repair

 

 

Flooring for basement FAQs

1. What is the best waterproof flooring for a basement?

Epoxy paint and sealed concrete are two of the greatest basement waterproof flooring solutions.

Both are not only inexpensive, but they are also long-lasting and provide adequate waterproofing.

Epoxy paint dries thick and firm, giving the essential durability for maintaining a basement floor. You can also go with cork, vinyl, or rubber.

2. What is the best hardwood floor for a basement?

Hardwood floors are the best choice for basements because they’re the best at resisting moisture damage, which is something basements experience most often.

3. Why should you go with rubber flooring for your basement?

Rubber flooring is excellent at resisting moisture damage, but it’s not as good as concrete or epoxy floors. However, it’s one of the best basement flooring options you can go with because rubber is very durable and affordable.

4. What is the best linoleum for your basement?

Linoleum is the worst basement flooring option you can go with because it’s cheap and easy to install, but it’s also quite easy to damage with heavy traffic rotations.

5. How do you make your basement the quietest?

Basements can be the noisiest rooms in the house because they’re usually subjected to a lot of different noises.

To make your basement as quiet as possible, first you’ll need to insulate your basement’s walls and ceiling. Second, if you want to make your flooring quieter, consider using rugs or carpeting.

6. What is the best flooring for a basement in cold weather?

The best way to keep your basement warm in the winter is to insulate the basement’s walls and ceiling.

7. what is the best flooring for a basement in hot weather?

The best flooring for a basement in hot weather is tile. Tiles are easy to maintain and won’t be damaged by the humidity in humid weather.

8. how do you keep the moisture out of a basement?

To keep the moisture out of your basement, first you need to make sure that your basement is well insulated. Second, you need to make sure that the room has good ventilation so that air doesn’t stagnate.

9. What is the best flooring for a basement cement floor?

Ceramic tile is the designer’s option, as it comes in a variety of colors and styles. It is unaffected by moisture and can be applied straight to smooth, crack-free concrete.

Vinyl tile and sheet flooring can also be installed directly over prepared concrete and will not be damaged by mild flooding.

10.  How do I choose which type of carpet or flooring to use in my basement?

There are certain things to keep in mind when choosing which type of material to put down. The first thing we have to consider is whether you want more warmness or a nice look.

If you’re looking for a space that’s cozier, than hardwood floors would be the best choice because they’re less expensive than tiles and they can withstand high humidity levels.

11. What is the cheapest way to finish a basement floor?

A complete basement remodel is the cheapest way to finish a basement floor. You may choose to install vinyl or tile as floors. You would then need to buy carpeting as the top surface.

12. What is a good waterproof basement floor for people with kids in the house?

The best one that you can find is epoxy paint, which would be totally waterproof and resistant against humidity and temperature changes.

Nonetheless, for the people who have kids at home, they should look for the protection of the basement.

13. Which water resistant flooring is better for a basement?

The best option that you can use is rubber flooring because it is one of the most reliable products available.

In fact, it’s also known as a garbage bag flooring. However, if you are planning to go with vinyl or sheet flooring, then you will need to make sure that this particular type of floor is rated as waterproof score 60 or higher.