It can be hard to choose the best flooring for concrete floor basement applications. Basements present a unique environment that can be susceptible to moisture, flooding, and other issues that are not present on upper floors of homes.
So it’s a good idea to get a good understanding of the best flooring for concrete floor basement needs, and we’ve put together a list of the top 5 basement flooring options on the market. We’ll discuss their details, advantages, and drawbacks to allow you to pick out a great concrete flooring solution. Read on, and find out the details about the best flooring for concrete floor basement projects.
1. Epoxy Floor Coatings
If you already have an even concrete floor installed in your basement, an epoxy floor coating is a great way to ensure that the flooring for concrete floor basement you use will last a long time, and remain intact despite the harsh conditions of the basement.
Epoxy comes in a huge variety of colors, and can be used to totally seal a concrete floor in a basement, protecting you from moisture, as it’s totally waterproof. This makes it a great choice for the best flooring for concrete floor basement needs, as it’s simple to apply and inexpensive.
Epoxy is a great choice because it addresses the primary drawback of a concrete basement slab – it’s nonporous, so you don’t have to worry about moisture collection on your floor.
2. Vinyl Tile And Sheet Flooring
Vinyl tile and sheet flooring is a great choice for a basement. Vinyl flooring is very water resistant, and can even resist minor flooding with no ill effects, making it a great choice for our list of the best flooring for concrete floor basement projects.
This is in contrast to materials like laminate flooring and carpet flooring, which will be totally destroyed by the moisture of flooding.
Vinyl tile and sheet flooring also offers a softer surface than tile and cement, so you can have a bit of cushioning underfoot, rather than a solid, unyielding concrete surface.
Finally, high-quality vinyl and tile sheet flooring can mimic the look and feel of higher-cost flooring for basement solutions, like real ceramic tile, stone, and wood. If you need a robust, water-resistant solution at a good price, vinyl tile and sheet flooring is a good way to go.
3. Ceramic Tile Flooring
Ceramic tile is the “Cadillac” of tile flooring solutions, and if you’re looking for the absolute best flooring for concrete floor basement projects, you’ve found it – though you’ll pay a pretty penny for a high-quality ceramic tile flooring solution.
Ceramic tile is completely resistant to water, and is available in hundreds of different colors and styles. If your concrete flooring is already smooth and crack-free, it’s perfect for the application of ceramic tile flooring.
The only drawback of ceramic tile flooring is that it can be quite expensive – and if you live in a very moist area, you may need to re-grout it eventually.
4. Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring is a fantastic low-cost choice for a basement. It’s especially great if you’re building a playroom or another sort of area that requires more cushioning compared to a concrete floor, as it’s nicely cushioned and available in a huge variety of colors.
Rubber flooring can also be installed without a professional’s help – interlocking sheets and DIY tiles are available that can allow you to install your entire flooring solution on your own, making it a great low-cost option, and certainly the best flooring for concrete floor basement projects that are on a tight budget and need to be child-friendly.
5. Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood flooring is a high-tech alternative to above-ground hardwood flooring. Even the most durable hardwood flooring has issues dealing with the moisture of a basement – this can lead to cracking and warping.
Engineered wood flooring is crafted of multiple layers of high-quality wood, sandwiched between clear-coated, laminated hardwood veneer. This construction provides better moisture resistance, allowing engineered wood flooring to be used in basement applications.
However, engineered wood flooring still doesn’t hold up well to excessive moisture or flooding – so make sure your basement is dry before considering engineered wood flooring.
So while it can be a great choice for the best flooring for concrete floor basement applications, you need to make sure that your basement can tolerate a less water-resistant flooring solution.
Your Flooring Needs To Be Water-Resistant
You may have noticed a common theme among our choices for the best flooring for concrete floor basement applications – water resistance. 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.
That’s why these 5 choices above are fantastic for basement-specific use. They are all water resistant, durable, and tough, giving you a long-lasting basement flooring solution that’s more comfortable and attractive than bare concrete.
So if you’re in the market for the best flooring for concrete floor basement projects, look no further than our above 5 material choices. Though the specifics of each differ, they’re all water-resistant, durable, and surprisingly affordable.
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Thanks for the informative post Illinado. What’s your opinion on Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) as an option for basement flooring over a concrete base? The two main reasons I’m interested are because of the waterproof nature and the option of having Embossed in Register (ER) texture. The natural waterproof nature of LVP seems really appealing, especially if your basement floor opens out to a pool area. The Embossed in Register technique I mentioned is also pretty neat. I’m a huge fan of the hardwood floor look and ER captures every wooden grain of detail from the original board on to the new plank. It even works for wood knots. It makes it so you can have the same look but at a much cheaper option. The added texture also decreases slipperiness, giving you more grip for your shoes. This again sounds like a solid basement option depending on where its situated. Thanks!
Thanks for the post Illinado. What’s your opinion on Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) as an option for basement flooring over a concrete base? The two main reasons I’m interested are because of the waterproof nature and the option of having Embossed in Register (ER) texture. The natural waterproof nature of LVP seems really appealing, especially if your basement floor opens out to a pool area. The Embossed in Register technique I mentioned is also pretty neat. I’m a huge fan of the hardwood floor look and ER captures every wooden grain of detail from the original board on to the new plank. It even works for wood knots. It makes it so you can have the same look but at a much cheaper option. The added texture also decreases slipperiness, giving you more grip for your shoes. This again sounds like a solid basement option depending on where its situated. Thanks!