Basement Flooring: Types and Recommendations

An essential aspect of basement renovation is the flooring. Choosing the type of basement floor depends on how you utilize your basement, how much moisture it’s exposed to, your budget, and your property’s age. There are many factors to consider when buying flooring for your basement. Most above-grade floorings are suitable for basements today because of technological advancements, so you have many great options. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of basement flooring as well as the pros and cons of each to help you pick the kind of flooring that best suits your needs.

Types of Basement Flooring

There are several flooring alternatives for basements on the market. We’ve cut them down to the top choices based on popularity, advantage, cost, and simplicity of installation. The following are some of the most frequent types of basement flooring:

Basement Flooring: Types and Recommendations

Laminate Flooring

Laminate floors are the most popular type of basement flooring. And for good reason! Laminate floors are aggregated wood particles that are subjected to high pressure to form sheets. These laminate sheets have a photorealistic image of wood or stone added to the top, which is then covered with a wear layer.

The wear layer—a durable, thin, clear plastic sheet—is the linchpin between the delicate lower layers and exterior elements such as moisture, UV rays, and scratching.

Laminate floors are a popular option in basements because of their durability and aesthetic appeal. The great features of laminate floors make it a bang for the buck. By installing laminate floors in your basement, you’re getting a fantastic design and durable installation for an amazing price.

Installation: Laminate flooring may be installed directly upon a moisture barrier on a concrete slab, although certain items need underlayment or a sleeper. Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that your flooring is water-resistant.

Price: In terms of pricing, laminate basement flooring costs $5 per square foot, including the material, installation, and underpaid.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl floors are 100% synthetic and made of plastic, making them highly resistant to moisture and dampness. Vinyl floors are durable and require very little maintenance. These features make it a wonderful option for legal secondary suites because you don’t have to worry about a tenant damaging your basement floors.

Nonetheless, one of the disadvantages of vinyl is that it tends to be cold. And not ideal for homeowners in Canada, especially during the winters. If you plan on installing vinyl flooring in your basement, you may want to consider insulation.

vinyl floors

Installation: Vinyl tiles and planks can be installed over your concrete slab with a moisture barrier. Underfloor heating may also need to be installed.

Price: Vinyl flooring is more expensive than other kinds of flooring. On average, vinyl floors cost around $7 per sq. ft. to install.

Flooring tiles in basement

Tile Flooring

Depending on your preference, budget, and purpose, you can opt for ceramic or porcelain tiles. Basement experts recommend porcelain flooring because of its efficiency. It’s highly resistant to dampness and needs little maintenance in the long run.

Ceramic tiles are made of sand, clay, and other natural products and are therefore more porous than porcelain. Its composition makes it susceptible to mold and mildew. So if you wish to install tiles in your basement, porcelain is usually the way to go.

Installation: Any sort of tile you put in your house will necessitate floor leveling, regardless of whether your house is brand new or not. Your contractor will level the concrete floor to provide an even, smooth foundation for the tiles.

Price:  On average, tile flooring and installation can cost $19, including materials, labor, and prep work.

Finished Concrete Flooring

If you want a contemporary appearance or use your basement as a workplace or studio, concrete slab finishing might be the way to go. This flooring option is durable, low-maintenance, and easy to clean.

However, since it does not provide warmth or insulation, you may want to complement it with softer furnishings. A concrete overlay and radiant heating can be added to your foundation floor, giving a surface for stamping or scoring.

Installation: Concrete finishes can either be simple or complex and require polishing, staining, painting, or dyeing. The installation process for concrete floors is labor-intensive and requires a certain level of professional know-how; therefore not a DIY project. You’ll need to hire a contractor to pour the concrete and do the finishing for you.

Price: The materials used to finish concrete floors are not particularly costly. Therefore the cost is mostly labor. The average cost is $2-$30 per square foot for materials and installation.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood is your best bet if you want real wood in your basement. Engineered hardwood is a layer of hardwood or bamboo placed over a more durable base like plywood. It simulates the look of solid wood but won’t expand and buckle in moist conditions (unlike solid hardwood).

Because engineered hardwood is manufactured with scraps and can be refinished a few times if the veneer layer is robust enough, it is an ecologically friendly option. That being said, engineered hardwood is more expensive, has the same surface vulnerabilities as solid wood, and is only appropriate for basements without too much exposure to moisture.

Installation: Floors made of engineered hardwood are generally glued to one another, with the edges sometimes reinforced. Engineered hardwood requires a moisture barrier in addition to foam underlayment for optimum comfort.

Price: Engineered hardwood typically costs $4-$16 per square foot, plus around $6-$15 per square foot for installation.

Subfloor Options

The bottom layer of flooring, commonly known as the subfloor, is called the underlayment in an unfinished basement. The term may also refer to a moisture-resistant insulation layer between the concrete slab and the finished floor covering and serves as a level surface for your flooring material. A subfloor is a layer of flooring built between the bottom-most floor (typically concrete) and your desired floor covering (laminate, tile, carpet, etc.). While not always necessary, subfloors are beneficial.

Subfloor is the best option if you want a basement that’s warm and usable, especially during colder months. However, if you don’t plan to spend a lot of time in the basement or use it as much, then concrete or tile are good enough. These are typical choices for uninhabited basements. There are also flooring options that do not need a subfloor, such as vinyl tiles, because they already add insulation and cushioning to basement floors. For most types of flooring, however, having a subfloor is recommended.

If you’re still undecided on having a subfloor installed, here are some considerations:

Moisture Levels

Even if you don’t think there’s a risk of flooding, dampness may enter your basement in various ways. Water vapor can slowly travel upward through concrete basement flooring and condense after it has permeated into the ground—the reason why so many basements have flooding problems. As a result, basement subflooring should provide a decent barrier against moisture that may migrate from below.

Ceiling Height

If the basement subfloor is about 8 to 10 inches thick, it will stay dry even if your home’s foundation leaks. However, this is not viable because basement ceilings are often low. Full 8-foot tall basement ceilings in older homes are uncommon, with 7-footers more popular. So, the basement subfloor and ceiling are inextricably linked. By raising the subfloor, you’ll have lower ceilings. Even a few inches of elevation of your foundation can make a significant difference, so your subfloor shouldn’t be too thick.

Types of Subfloor

There are several options to choose from:

  • Floating Plywood Subfloor: Floating plywood is the most cost-effective basement subflooring due to the absence of a barrier between the concrete and the plywood, except for plastic sheeting. Thin and simple to install, this type of basement flooring has several advantages.
  • Rigid Foam Insulation Subfloor: Rigid foam is an excellent basement subfloor choice because it serves as a thermal barrier between the concrete and the flooring.
  • Specialty Premade Subfloor Systems: Subfloor systems use only one layer, unlike other types that are multi-layered. The layers are then fused into tiles or panels, making installation easier and quicker. However, the only downside is that these systems are naturally more expensive.

Ready to Renovate Your Basement Flooring?

While some homeowners opt to install basement flooring themselves, it’s still best to seek the advice of a professional. Because basements are extremely prone to flooding and high humidity levels, consulting a professional can make a big difference, saving you a lot of money in damages and repairs in the long run. A basement flooring professional will evaluate your home and offer appropriate recommendations for flooring alternatives that are long-lasting, free of dampness, and will increase the value of your home in the future. Call us today at 647-559-5182 for a free consultation, or fill out a contact form to get a FREE quote.

When you work with Reno Duck, you’re guaranteed the following:

  • A FREE 3D Floor Plan On Day One
  • Detailed & Accurate Estimates
  • Guaranteed Completion in 18 Days
  • Dedicated Project Managers
  • Licensed & Insured Professionals
  • Top Quality Materials
  • Post-Renovation Support
  • Permit Acquisition (On Us)

Get in touch with us now – we would be happy to help you with your basement flooring needs!

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