Basements are that part of the house that are not visible to the world. They are private space that is accessible only to their respective homeowners for perusal. Often when we hear the word basement, we may end up getting visuals of a room that is dark, unkempt, full of cobwebs, or even ghosts! That is not how it is in reality.
Basements are utility-specific rooms for most homeowners. For some, it may act as a storage room that homes all the extra, unused or barely used things; for some, it may be a parking lot; for some, it may be a recreational room or even a home manufacturing unit for their home business. Either way, it is important to not undermine the potential of this room and give it the importance that is due.
When we talk about a good basement, it means that it needs to be in good shape. And just like any other room, the most important aspect that lays a strong foundation, even in the basement, is the flooring.
What defines good basement flooring?
Identifying whether your basement flooring is a good one depends upon a number of factors that you may need to know.
Hard Material:
It is crucial that the basement flooring is made of hard material for it to have good health. Defects in the flooring can cause some serious problems like seepage and can cause dampness in the basement. Basement floor plans need to incorporate hard materials like tile and concrete work best with the basement compared to soft materials like carpet.
Inorganic Materials:
Basements do not usually do well with organic flooring materials like carpets. Unless there are windows and excellent ventilation, basement flooring is likely to get damp and moist. This is when inorganic materials come to the rescue. Tile, concrete, and vinyl are all inorganic materials as they do not deteriorate despite any exposure to mould.
Fewer Layers:
In the case of basement flooring, less is more is quite apt. Single-layered flooring is perfect for basements that do not have enough air circulation. One best example of single-layered flooring is concrete. Not only is it inorganic, but its single layer also does not allow water to seep.
Some of the below-grade basement floorings may require a raised subfloor. You can install one in the form of a subfloor system or build a traditional system built from scratch out of plywood. A layer of laminate on a raised subfloor will enhance its performance.
De-moisturizing Solutions:
Water in basements is an evitable reality for most homeowners. But moisture in basements can be kept under control through dehumidifiers. This is a great way to maintain the life and health of your basement flooring.
What basement flooring options and materials are the best?
1) Luxury Vinyl Plank or Tile:
Vinyl plank flooring is a great choice for basements. It is solid, resilient, unbreakable and flexible. They are easy to interlock, thus making installation very easy. They are also reasonably priced, which makes them a value for money. There are plenty of styles available in Vinyl plank flooring that suit everyone’s needs. They can be installed as basement flooring over concrete or over a subfloor. You also get Vinyl sheets in the market, but planks are easier to install compared to sheets, and they can be easily repaired, too, in case of damage.
2) Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Flooring:
If we were to pick the best flooring options for a basement as a winner, it would be tiled. Tiles are the most durable and versatile choice for basement flooring as they have far too many advantages. To begin with, they can be installed easily. They are priced very well which makes them an affordable choice. They are great for single-layer flooring as they work as a finished surface that can surmount all the challenges that one may face with basement flooring. They prevent water from seeping which means the flooring will never degrade or rot.
3) Carpet Tiles:
Whilst this may not seem to be the best option when it comes to basement flooring, it is still an option for those who wish to have it. Carpet tiles are easy to install and easy to repair in case of any damage. It is the maintenance of these tiles that is the tricky part. Basements are famous for trapping moisture beneath surfaces, so if you have carpeted basement flooring, there is certainly going to be trapped moisture which could start deteriorating over a period of time. Carpet flooring also needs to be layered on tiles or concrete.
4) Epoxy Flooring:
Epoxy is a liquid coating that is used as a sealer and as a flooring design, two in one. Epoxy is ideal for places like garages or workshops, which undergo wear and tear due to excessive usage. Epoxy is a substance that remains unaffected due to the weather. It is a layering kind of flooring which comes on top of concrete slabs or tiles. You can consider epoxy for the basement flooring as it is affordable, durable and an easy-to-clean and maintain kind of flooring.
5) Hardwood & Laminate Flooring:
When it comes to basements, the less wood, the better. Basements are rooms that are prone to humidity and moisture, which is why wood may not be able to hold up for long. Warp and twist in the flooring, mould will be common and inevitable in your basement flooring. Installing wooden flooring is very expensive and imagine spending all that money on something that is unsuitable.
6) Sheet Vinyl Flooring:
Sheet vinyl flooring comes in large vinyl rolls that you have to just roll over on your flooring with glue. The easiest, do-it-yourself kind of basement flooring is Vinyl sheet flooring. Easy to clean and durable, these attributes are definitely what we look for in our basements. However, installation of these sheets is complicated as those large rolls need to be cut to size to be able to fit well on the floor. Also, they need to be installed as a subfloor else the roughness caused by single layering may appear evident and may not look good in your basement flooring.
7) Concrete Flooring:
Generally, the most widely used basement flooring is concrete. It is economical, durable, efficient and long-lasting, which makes it the perfect choice for basements. If you are someone who uses their basements as a manufacturing unit then this is the best choice for you. You can decorate it with tiles or sheet flooring per your choice to make it look attractive.
8) Wall-to-Wall Carpeting:
Wall-to-wall carpeting may be looked down upon if we are talking about basement flooring. Carpeting takes time to dry and develops mould and mildew. Unless you are certain that your basements are a safe spot and will not be exposed to any water-prone catastrophes and your basements have a solid subfloor system in place, you can choose to go for carpeting. The biggest drawback of wall-to-wall carpeting is that in case of a mishap, the entire carpet will have to be ripped apart to replace new ones. A better alternative to wall-to-wall carpeting would be to install carpet squares in your basements. Carpet squares are basically the size of tiles but in carpet form. In case of an event where there is damage, you can selectively excise those portions of ruined carpet out and keep the rest, which will be a huge cost and effort saver for your basement flooring.
9) Laminate Flooring:
Conventional laminate flooring can work well in the basement if the subfloor systems are robust. The laminate acts as a preventative layer on the subfloor against water vapour coming from the ground up. But laminate as a single flooring is still finding its way to its audience because it cannot endure the forces of nature single-handedly. Even though there are some amazing designs and graphics available in laminate flooring which look great and can make basements look great, underneath, they are still susceptible to moisture, and they will swell if they come in contact with water for a prolonged period of time. That damage is irreversible as no amount of drying will help the swelling of the laminate to come down. Instead, we will slowly see layers peeling off. The only way to salvage this problem would be to completely replace the laminate. Hence, only if there is a strong subfloor system in place, then choosing laminate as your basement flooring would make sense.
10) Rubber Flooring – Tiles or sheets:
When we talk of rubber flooring, the first thing that comes to mind is gyms, workout studios or children’s play areas. But the question is, can rubber flooring be used in the basements?
If your basement is a play space for the kids or an informal space for your workout, then this option is good. But in general, it is not advisable to install rubber flooring in basements and here’s why.
Rubber sheets may be easy to install as they are seamless. The only tricky part would be to make them fit the size of your basement. But rubber tiles need interlocking, which, if not done correctly, will have open gaps, which is an invitation to water and dust seepage, thus leading to mould. Not to mention how you will lose the aesthetic of the basement flooring as well.
FAQs
1) What is the best flooring to use in a basement?
There are quite a few options for basement flooring for you to choose from, depending upon the extent of use of your basement and your own personal preferences. But some of the most dependable options are concrete, porcelain tile and sheet vinyl flooring.
2) How to finish a basement floor?
Again, there are several ways in which you can finish a basement floor. You can use epoxy, vinyl sheets, carpeting, or engineered hardwood, depending on your preferences and requisites for your basements.
3) How to install vinyl flooring on a concrete basement?
Vinyl flooring can be added directly on the concrete floor as a subfloor. Typically, vinyl sheets are glued to the floor with a strong adhesive, whereas vinyl plank flooring flats above the floor without any underlayment.
4) When do you need a subfloor in the basement?
If you need a layer of flooring to make the basements look good and comfortable, you will need a layer of the subfloor. A subfloor helps to protect the flooring from moisture and acts as an insulator. If you plan to install carpets, laminates and cork flooring, then it is best to have a subfloor installed.
Mannika Mitra brings a wealth of experience to her role as Digital Content and Marketing Manager at Orientbell Tiles, having been associated with the company for the past 5 years. With a total of 12 years in the industry, Mannika holds an Arts degree from Delhi University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. Her journey has seen her excel as a digital producer at esteemed news agencies like ANI, NDTV, and Hindustan Times.
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