How to Choose the Right Basement Flooring For Your Home

When it comes to basement flooring, you need something durable and water-resistant. Luckily, you have several options. Here's how you can choose the right one.

Basements are a great way to add practicality and value to your home, with an up to 70% return on your investment. Sadly, a basement is an often under-utilized space in the home. Sure, they can make good storage spaces, but wouldn't it be great to use that extra space for something else? 

Basements have a ton of potential- they can be your next party space, a full guest suite, or a bonus living room. Whatever you plan to do with yours, picking the right flooring is essential. Basement flooring needs to be able to withstand moisture and daily wear and tear in order to be truly functional. 



If you are interested in replacing your basement flooring, keep reading for everything you need to know to make your plans a reality. 

Considerations When Picking Basement Flooring

Basements are different than other spaces in our home. Moisture is a recurring problem in basements, which causes a lot of damage should it go unchecked. 

The issues stem from basements being below ground, also called below grade by contractors. Water can become trapped in the ground outside, make its way in, and wreak havoc.

Being below ground puts basements at risk of water vapor migration and groundwater intrusion, which can be very damaging. Because basements do not have as much airflow as other areas in the home, cold, damp air can accumulate.

To protect your basement flooring, you need a durable and water-resistant flooring for your basement floors. Fortunately, there are many different flooring options for protecting your basement floors without compromising style. 

Tile

Tile is a great option for damp spaces. We love and use tile in bathrooms and kitchens because of how water-resistant it can be. Especially if sealed with a waterproof coating, tile makes durable and waterproof flooring.

Ceramic tile is ideal for budget renovations. It comes in a wide array of colors, designs, and patterns for any interior design style. Because ceramic tile can absorb some water, it does a great job of combatting moisture and humidity in your basement. 

For an upgrade on your traditional ceramic tile, a porcelain tile is a great option. These 2 options are not very different from one another, as porcelain is a type of ceramic, but porcelain is more durable and can handle heavier usage. 

For the durability of porcelain tile, but the look of wood, porcelain wood tile is a great choice. These durable porcelain tiles are designed to look just like wood planks, but they are much more suitable for basement conditions than real wood. Just like other porcelain tile options, porcelain wood tile prevents water damage and is durable against daily wear. 

Both of these tile options are great for water protection, easy to clean, and eco-friendly. That is not to say they are without drawbacks- tile is not very easy to install without professional help.

In a cold basement, walking on tile can be icy. For a luxury touch, heated sub-flooring can keep your tiles extra comfortable at any time of year. In a cool basement, this can make all the difference in the comfort of your space. 

Vinyl

Vinyl is primarily made of plastic, which is a great material for blocking water. A waterproof membrane over the concrete before installation can give vinyl flooring an extra boost of protection, ensuring your floors remain undamaged. 

The primary vinyl flooring options are sheet vinyl and vinyl plank. Each will work well and has several advantages. 

Sheet vinyl is a large, connected sheet that is cut to specifically fit the space in your basement. This can be ideal for a damp basement as the sheet will avoid any seams that could potentially cause leaks. For the same reason, vinyl sheet flooring is easy to clean and maintain. 

Vinyl plank flooring is considered slightly more luxurious than sheet vinyl. These planks snap together easily, so a beginner can assemble them without much practice. The plank options also help give the vinyl flooring more of a realistic wood plank appearance. 

Vinyl flooring is very durable and is virtually waterproof, making it ideal for basements. It is also affordable, so it can fit into the budget of most projects. 

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a great water-resistant flooring option. Laminate is not excessively expensive compared to other flooring options, but it is a step up from vinyl. Laminate is made with wood fibers bonded together with resin, giving it a realistic look while still being durable. 

Advancements in laminate flooring have created laminate floors that a virtually waterproof. These waterproof designs prevent water from getting under the flooring at all and do not cause any damage to the floor itself. 

Laminate has many advantages. Cleaning laminate is a breeze- spills simply wipe away without staining. Laminate is available in a wide range of patterns and styles, so your ideal flooring can be a reality in your basement. 

Laminate is easy to install, with easy-to-connect pieces. If you are not particularly interested in a DIY project, flooring installation is a great hassle-free alternative. 

Luxurious Basement Flooring

Your basement is ready to become your new favorite space in your home. With the right basement flooring, you can protect your basement from excess water and damage without compromising style. 

Options such as porcelain or ceramic tile can provide durability and water resistance while offering a wide variety of styles, including porcelain wood tile. Vinyl and laminate flooring also offers a wood-like appearance and is lower-cost and easy to install. 

Whatever your flooring choice is, your future guest room, man cave, or family space is sure to be just what your home needs. For more information on redoing your basement floors, reach out to Eagle Flooring West and get a free estimate today.