In 2016, it’s not just enough to have a living room in a home; homeowners and families alike want more than one room in a home as a dedicated family space (or “hangout space,” for those of you with teens). When the option for this additional space is none other than the basement, any old floor won’t suffice. Basement floors need to withstand many elements.
For a basement that’s primarily acting as additional storage space, choosing basement flooring doesn’t need to be a whole process. However, man caves, additional living spaces, game rooms, bars, etc., not only call for a personal touch, but also need to be able to withstand the excess moisture basements regularly see. Because of this solid hardwood floors aren’t the ideal choice for basement floors. Hardwood can be installed by directly gluing it down onto concrete or installed over a subfloor. But because basements are below ground level, wood floors can retain moisture or even be susceptible to water damage.
There are several other basement flooring options that won’t retain moisture and are water resistant, all of which can create the ambience needed for a bonus room.
Carpet
As everyone knows, carpet isn’t necessarily the most water-resistant floor. But, when a liquid spills, acting fast can keep carpeting looking like new. Carpeting comes in tile or cut to fit a specific space. However, because warm air rises, the basement tends to be one of the coldest rooms in a home. Carpeting provides extra insulation that other basement floors don’t. In addition, if carpet tiles do get damaged, you only need to replace the damaged tile, not the whole floor. Browse all of our residential carpeting options for basement floors.
Ceramic tile
One of the best flooring options for an easy cleanup, ceramic tile won’t provide the most warmth for a basement. You can install ceramic tile yourself, so you can create whatever look you want with them. Why does ceramic tile make such a great basement floor? Not only is this flooring choice extremely durable when converting a basement into an additional living space, but ceramic tile is essentially waterproof. While it may not keep a basement warm, it also won’t retain any moisture or be prone to any water damage. Browse all of our residential ceramic tile options for basement floors.
Subfloors
Not the floor you’ll rest your feet on, but if you want to install a wood floor in a basement, a subfloor is a must. Both solid hardwood and engineered wood floors give any basement a classic, finished look. But solid hardwood often — if not always — requires a subfloor when installed in a basement. Engineered wood floors on the other hand, don’t. Engineered wood has the added benefit of having a durable sub-layer typically made of plywood. This extra sub-layer not only gives engineered wood more structure, but it also prevents moisture damage. Browse residential subfloor supplies and residential engineered wood options.
