When completing your basement construction, one of the important decisions you will need to make is what type of flooring you will opt for. Careful consideration should be given to the flooring in the basement, as it has different requirements to the rest of the house given that it is partially or completely below ground level. There are plenty of options for your basement flooring. We outline some of the best flooring choices.
Dealing with Moisture in Your Basement Construction
It’s recommended to install a moisture barrier in your basement, as this will help prevent any moisture from penetrating the floor.
How Will You Use Your Basement Construction?
Before thinking about flooring options, you will need to have an idea of how you are intending to use the space, as the purpose of your new room will have a big influence on the choice of flooring. You are likely to want different flooring if the basement is going to be playroom for young children than you would if it’s going to be a guest bedroom or a home gym or perhaps a utility room. All of these rooms would have different flooring requirements, so do think carefully about how the basement will be used before you rush into buying flooring.
Basement Flooring Options
Painted Concrete Basement Floor
An inexpensive flooring option, and also DIY-friendly, paint can be a good choice if you’re going to use your basement as a utility room, gym or workshop. As it will be cold underfoot, it may not be the best choice for a family room or bedroom. Choose paint specially formulated for concrete floors, and always follow the guidelines for surface preparation, application and drying.
Laminate
A popular choice for basements, laminate is one of the cheaper options, but if you are planning to lay conventional laminate flooring, a decent sub-floor should be installed to help prevent damage from moisture.
Engineered Hardwood
Modern engineered wood floors look fantastic, are durable and let you enjoy the warmth of a real wood floor whilst offering moisture resistance due to their construction. They are able to handle changes in temperature much better than real wood flooring.
Luxury Vinyl Planks
Luxury vinyl planks, or LVP, are a suitable option for anywhere that moisture might be an issue, so they are perfect for basement constructions. Coming in a range of styles and finishes, LVP is also extremely durable so is an excellent choice for heavy-use areas. They are worth considering if your basement is to be used as a playroom, for example.
Carpet
Carpet provides warmth underfoot and helps to create a warm and cosy atmosphere, so is an appropriate choice if you’re planning to use your basement as a bedroom or cosy snug. Carpet can be laid over all varieties of sub-floor and can be a good choice for disguising imperfections in the floor.
As you can see, there are many options to consider when choosing flooring for your basement. By looking at flooring options that can be laid over moisture-resistant sub-flooring, you can find the perfect choice for your space, whatever you are using your basement for.