Best Basement Flooring Options

Previously, hard cement floor was the most common option for basement flooring. Since, people have become more conscious about their own comfort and the interior design, cementing is no longer the most preferred option for basement flooring. You can select from a wide variety of basement flooring options, depending upon your personal choice, budget and the purpose of its usage. For example, if the basement area is to be used as a home office, then you may prefer a more durable floor cover.

Best Basement Flooring Options

Some of the basement flooring options include tile and cement, carpet and laminate, hardwood or engineered flooring. While choosing a flooring for the basement, you should always consider the problem of unwanted moisture. A good basement flooring should be plush and soft, easy to clean and durable. Have a look into the details of some basement flooring options available in the market.

Carpet: Carpet is the most preferred option for the basement flooring due to its low cost, softness and sound muffling quality. It is comfortable to use and provides warmth in winter. Carpet comes in a variety of color, texture and design. Carpet usually retains dust and other allergens and carpet cleaning is a bit difficult task. This is the main drawback of using a carpet in the basement flooring. Another disadvantage of carpet is that it wears out after a few years.

Concrete Floor: Concrete flooring, also known as cement flooring, is a popular choice for basement. In fact, it is the most affordable and durable materials till date. Concrete floors are available in various colors and designs. Most homeowners and designers prefer concrete flooring, as it is easy to maintain and change. Concrete flooring can be a good alternative to carpets, especially for the hypersensitive people. The main disadvantage of concrete flooring is that it is hard and cold underfoot and needs regular cleaning and maintenance.

Hardwood Floor: Hardwood flooring is is beautiful, warm and easy to maintain. It can last for decades with regular refinishing. As hardwood floor does not retain dust and allergens, it is mostly preferred by people with respiratory problems. Painting and staining adds more style to match the interior design and furniture. However, hardwood flooring has some disadvantages such as high cost and vulnerability to moisture. Sometimes, hardwood floor becomes very slippery, and make it difficult to walk on it. Hardwood floor should be installed by a professional.

Laminate Floor: If you are using the basement area as a space for household chores such as laundry or a playground for toddlers, then you can opt for laminate flooring. Major advantages of laminate flooring are its low cost, superior durability and unlimited designs. Laminate floors can be easily installed and some don't even need glue for installation. Its only drawback is that unlike hardwood flooring, the top layer cannot be stripped off for refinishing.

Tiles: There are two types of tiles such as natural and man-made used in basement flooring. Natural tiles include porcelain and ceramic tile flooring, whereas granite, marble and slate come under the category of man-made tiles. They are affordable, easy to install, durable and resistant to scratches. Tiles also come in a wide variety of colors and designs. Speaking about disadvantages; tiles are fragile, hard, noise reflective and slippery when wet.

So, these are some of the most popular basement flooring options. If you are thinking of remodeling the basement, first check whether the basement floor is good enough or not. You can take the help of a professional for checking the usability of the basement floor. In case, there is a problem of moisture accumulation or major cracks in the basement floor, it is better to repair and resolve it before making your actual plans.