Types of Basement Flooring

[minisoji]

Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is one of the best flooring types you can have for your basements. Vinyl surfaces are waterproof and therefore ideal for basement floors. They can be purchased in rolls as well as tiles, so practically you can install them everywhere. Moreover, their installation is simple, as you all that you need to do is attach them to the floor with the help of a special adhesive. Vinyl matches well with original wooden flooring, as the surface texture is almost the same as hardwood flooring. Moreover, they are not very expensive.

Stained Concrete Flooring
This is one of the simplest basement floor options that can rejuvenate the dull, boring look of the concrete completely. Stained concrete imbues your concrete with a huge variety of colors. Concrete staining is not the same as adding pigment to wet concrete. Concrete staining is done on cured concrete, and it can be done by the homeowner. Concrete stain kits are available at your local hardware store. Staining should be done on a warm and dry day, as the acrylic paint needs lot of time to cure. Since the temperature of the basement would remain cold always, you will need a couple of rugs to keep the place warm.

Ceramic Tile Flooring
Ceramic tiles are durable and low maintenance materials that can be used in almost all parts of the home. From slippery bathroom tiles to your kitchen walls, ceramics are everywhere. Ceramic tiles come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. You can use one single pattern and color for the entire floor or you can combine a number of colors, sizes and designs to enhance the visual appeal of the flooring. The best feature about the tiles is that they can be easily cleaned and are best suited for basements, which are exposed to high foot traffic. However, ceramic tile flooring is an expensive option and can cause a heavy dent on your pocket.

Subfloor
Subfloor is one of the best options that you can employ for basement flooring. These floors are generally made up of plywood or oriented strand board with a corrugated, waterproof underside. Subfloors are available in 2-foot-square components to be assembled over the concrete. Once installed, any other type of covering can be laid on top of subfloor.

[minisoji]

Ideas For Cheap Basement Floors



Stained Concrete
Undoubtedly, stained concrete is one of the best, cheapest and easiest flooring options to grab on. Available in assorted colors, designs and patterns, the best part about stained concrete flooring is that they can be easily installed without the use of any specialized tools. Furthermore, the numerous application techniques available can be applied to get your desired look of flooring. However, the major problem with using stained concrete flooring is that it is too hard and cold. Besides, it demands high maintenance and has to be resealed frequently.

Tiles
Right from cheap ‘peel and stick’ vinyl tiles to the ceramic ones, the tile industry offers a huge choice for choosing tiles for your basement flooring. Not only are they inexpensive, all tiles can be easily installed and removed as and when you need to give your basement a remake. Amongst the numerous options available, ceramic tiles are the most preferred as they withhold the growth of mold and mildew. Moreover, they can be easily cleaned and do not require frequent maintenance.

Painting
For all you guys who have a dry basement, painting is the cheapest flooring option that you can place your hands on. Concrete or epoxy paints, pattern paints, simple latex paints, the list is numerous to give your basement a trendy and chic look. Additionally, styles and patterns can be created using sponge paint techniques that imitate natural stone or granite. However, in case you have a bare cement underneath, it is better to first get it etched and then proceed towards painting.

Carpet
You can also pick up carpets for flooring your dry basements. Apart from being cheap and soft, carpets are highly effective in creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. Nonetheless, do not install your carpet on a damp basement as it is likely to hold a lot of moisture. Plus, it would attract loads of mold, mildew and dust mites.

Rubber Flooring
Found in a large variety of colors, rubber flooring is cheap, functional and exudes an impressive look. Soft, shock absorbent and water proof, rubber flooring can be easily installed even in a kids’ playroom. The best advantage of choosing rubber flooring is its resistance to mold and mildew.