Complete Your Basement With the Best Basement Flooring

Things To Consider When Choosing Basement Flooring

There are many factors you should consider to ensure you buy basement flooring that is high quality and will work well in your space. Check out our key factors to keep in mind when shopping for new basement flooring.

Types of flooring

• Roll-out flooring

Roll-out flooring is an excellent option if you are not confident in your DIY skills. This type of flooring doesn’t require any adhesive to stay in place. Roll-out flooring is a type of vinyl flooring that is waterproof and also great if you have a low budget. It comes in many different designs, and often has the appearance of tiles or wood.

• Tiles with vapor barrier

Basements are notoriously damp and often have a build-up of excess moisture. Raised basement flooring tiles combat this issue. They usually have a built-in vapor barrier that prevents moisture from becoming trapped. This is because there is a gap between your flooring and the concrete. 

This type of flooring allows good airflow, which allows excess moisture under the flooring to dissipate. This means you do not need to remove your flooring every time you experience a moisture buildup.

• Floating floors

Floating floors are placed above old flooring or rough concrete, so you don’t need to do as much work by pulling old flooring up. You simply need to place a rubber underlay before you install the floating floor. A floating floor is fast to install and can be cost-effective. 

An issue that many people find with floating floors is that they become bouncy. Of course, this is not meant to happen, but it is a common problem.

• Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles look beautiful in a basement. There are many colors and styles to choose from. They have the benefit of being waterproof. However, they will feel cold underfoot. You may want to combine ceramic tile flooring with some plush rugs.

• Epoxy-sealed concrete

Epoxy is a type of resin. If you want to epoxy your basement, you must ensure the concrete floor is cool and dry. Once the epoxy dries, it will be hard and thick, providing a durable and waterproof finish. 

An epoxy is a good option if you are turning your basement into a workshop as it is super tough and won’t ruin the aesthetic if it receives a scratch or two.

• Engineered hardwood

Engineered hardwood is not regular hardwood. It is made by combining layers of hardwood and plywood. It can withstand the moisture and dampness that is typical in a basement. There are a lot of colors and styles available.

Design

If the aesthetics of your basement floor aren’t important, but waterproofing and durability are, you can save yourself a lot of money by opting for a plain design. However, if you know you want an aesthetically pleasing floor, you might be interested in checking out some of the following styles.

• Wood floor designs

There are several wood floor designs, including horizontal stripe patterns, mixed-width patterns, diagonal strip patterns, herringbone parquet, chevron parquet, 3D parquet,  square basket patterns, and painted wood floors. There is surely a wood floor design to match any basement aesthetic. 

• Horizontal strip patterns 

Horizontal strip pattern flooring can make a basement look larger. This is the cheapest of the wood patterns to install. Floating floors often come in this style. Horizontal strip patterns are the standard pattern for most wood alternative flooring, offering a cheaper option than regular wood flooring.

• Mixed-width patterns

A mixed-width pattern looks similar to a horizontal strips pattern, except the boards are, as the name suggests, mixed widths. A mixed-width pattern wooden floor is easier to install with nails or glue than a click-together installation.

Alternatively, opt for full sets of stick-together mixed-width pattern wood flooring from an engineered wood flooring company to ensure you get a batch with matching click-lock mechanisms.

• Diagonal strip patterns

Diagonal strip patterns are angled at 45 degrees to the perimeter of the room. Installing a diagonal strip pattern is as easy as installing a horizontal strips pattern but will make your basement look a little more unique. 

If your basement space is small, a diagonal strips pattern floor will make it seem bigger. This design is available in natural wood as well as laminate. It is an achievable look no matter your budget.

• Herringbone parquet

Herringbone parquet looks as if two pieces of wood are touching to make an arrowhead, creating a 90-degree angle. Herringbone parquet is challenging to install, so if you choose a natural wood herringbone parquet floor, you will need to get a professional to install it in your basement. Herringbone parquet looks exceptionally stylish when it is made from bamboo.

• Chevron parquet

Chevron parquet is similar to herringbone parquet, except the arrowhead shape creates a 45-degree angle instead of a 90-degree angle. This type of flooring is difficult to install, and it is not recommended to install it yourself. Chevron parquet is an expensive option because it requires someone with a lot of floor-laying experience to install it. It also requires great precision to cut the wood at 45-degree angles.

• 3D parquet

The illusion of 3D flooring is striking and will bring style and elegance to your basement. Unfortunately, this flooring option is expensive because it requires an expert installer, takes a lot of time, and uses a lot of wood. This wooden flooring style lets you incorporate different types of wood, allowing you to match it with a variety of furniture.

• Square basket patterns

Square basket patterns are also known as checkerboard patterns. The style consists of sets of small rectangular pieces of wood placed horizontally and alternating vertically. Unfortunately, click-together wooden square basket patterns aren’t readily available and are difficult to install. In addition, real wooden square basket designs are expensive. For this design, consider buying laminate flooring to replicate the wooden effect in your basement.

Painted wood floor

As the name suggests, a painted wood floor changes the color of the wood flooring using paint. Black and white are popular painted wood colors.

How We Chose the Best Basement Flooring

To choose the best basement flooring, we considered whether or not it would stand up to regular use, how easy it is to install, if it is waterproof, how fabulous it looks, and if it offers good value for money.

Basement Flooring Price Range

The price range of your basement flooring greatly depends on the size of the floor you are looking to cover. When choosing basement flooring, look at the price per square foot or square inch to ensure you are getting a good offer. Basement flooring can cost as little as 66 cents per square inch and as much as $5 per square inch.