Though basements are the bottom floor of your home, it doesn’t mean that they have to be cold and dingy. Many basements, finished or unfinished, have a concrete floor. Though concrete is strong and durable, it tends to be cold and difficult to maintain. Homeowners are often confused when it comes to adding flooring to their basement. Carpet, tile, laminate… there are SO many choices! Don’t fret. By learning about the advantages and disadvantage of various types of flooring, you will be able to make the best choice for your basement.
Carpet
Advantages: Carpeting is a common option for many homeowners. This low cost flooring is soft, sound muffling, provides warmth – important during the winter months – and comes in a variety of styles and colors. Carpeting is also quite easy to install and could make a good weekend DIY project.
Disadvantages: Though carpeting is one of the most frequent choices for basement flooring, it still has some disadvantages. It has a tendency to trap dust and allergens, which can be difficult for those with respiratory issues. Carpeting must also be vacuumed regularly, is susceptible to stains, and has a lifespan of a few years.
Tile
TileAdvantages: Tile is another standard options for homeowners adding flooring to their basement. Whether the tile is man-made (i.e. porcelain, ceramic ) or natural (i.e. granite, marble, slate), there are a variety of choices, and it is durable, affordable, and easy for many DIY enthusiasts to install over a few days.
Disadvantages: Tile can be a little difficult to work with if it is your first time. It is fragile and can easily break. Though tile is waterproof, it does become slippery when wet, which can cause a potential hazard. It also reflects a lot of noise, which is something to keep in mind if you use or plan to use the space as a playroom for the kids.
Hardwood
Advantages: Hardwood may be, by far, one of the most eye-pleasing flooring products. It is easily cleaned and maintained, while adding warmth and comfort to nearly any space. By choosing hardwood as a flooring option, you are telling everyone that you are not cutting corners when it comes to your home.
Disadvantages: While hardwood may be one of the most beautiful flooring options for your basement, it still comes with a few difficulties. First, it is definitely one of the most expensive choices and may need to be installed by a professional, adding an extra expense. Hardwood is also very susceptible to moisture, which can lead to warping and buckling. When investing in hardwood flooring, be sure to know the risks you are taking in the rooms where you want it.
Flooring can be one of the most important yet confusing choices made by any homeowner, especially when it comes to your basement. By installing the correct flooring, you can turn your basement from a mere storage area or laundry room into added living area for you and your entire family.
Ameri-Dry Waterproofing Company
With over 30 years of basement waterproofing experience, Ameri-Dry offers patented, permanently dry systems that are backed by a full lifetime warranty. For more information about Ameri-Dry and Ameri-Dry Guy, visit their website at ameri-dry.com.
Photo credits: © Larry Malvin / Fotolia.
This guide seems like it would be good to use now that I’m looking for new flooring that would help make my basement more waterproofed. It’s good to know that tile can be a good option for my basement since it’s durable and waterproof. You said that it can be slippery when wet, so is there any way that I can make it less slick if my basement gets flooded? I want to be sure that it’ll be safe to walk on if I have to wade through water if there’s ever flooding in my basement.
I’ve always wanted to put hardwood in the basement, but I know our basement isn’t sealed very well. We often have wet patches in our carpet and have to use a carpet cleaner to get the water out. I think I would definitely need to have some waterproofing done before I changed floors so I don’t warp the wood!
Thank you for listing out the pros and cons for using all of these flooring types. I was looking for an article like this because I am afraid of the effects of water damage and I heard that my area is susceptible to flooding. The article says that tile is waterproof, so I think that I will lean toward that option.
My wife and I are wanting to finish our basement later this summer, so thanks for the help choosing a flooring. I like your point about how hardwood is susceptible to moisture though. If we get hardwood floors installed, we’ll be sure to take extra waterproofing measures.