Basement Flooring Options For Your Hamilton Home

Hamilton homeowner comparing flooring samples on basement floor

The basement is considered to be the most versatile area in the home. That being said, it may function as a storage space, work space, gym, wine cellar, etc. It can even serve as a living space extension.

Be it unfinished or finished, this bonus space can offer a lot of value to your home.

The downside is that the basement is tricky to renovate. Once you dive into renovating your basement floor, you will face some unique challenges.

It’s quite likely that you will encounter moisture problems during the floor remodel.

The basement floor is the lowest surface in the home. That makes it susceptible to latent moisture, flooding, and water infiltration.

Aside from creating a favorable environment for mold and mildew to grow, dampness can also decay or rot your floors.

That can completely ruin floor covering. It’s critical to address those problems before starting a floor installation.

Be sure to get it right. Putting in an inappropriate flooring can indirectly affect your health. So be careful when choosing the flooring for your basement.

Luckily enough, there is a huge selection of flooring options available.

Most Popular Choices on the Market

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tile works pretty well in any basements. It is a water-resistant, durable flooring that comes in many colors and varieties. So, you’ll have plenty of options to pick from.

Best of all, it isn’t prone to mold growth since the water can’t penetrate such a flooring.

This is particularly true for the glazed tile floors. Nevertheless, the grout is often vulnerable to mildew. That is why you should treat it with a watertight sealant on an annual basis.

ceramic tiles for basement flooring

You are advised to install ceramic tiles directly over your concrete slab. Steer clear of a plywood subfloor. It can warp and get bent out of shape when exposed to water.

Even though your ceramic tiles hold up well against moisture and water, you should consider installing an extra barrier layer between the tiles and subfloor.

That will provide added protection to your basement.

Okay, we’ve seen all the benefits of ceramic tiles, but what’s the catch? They are cold and hard.

If you plan on using your basement frequently, put down a few rugs in the high traffic areas. It’s also a good idea to install a radiant floor heating to warm your toes. It’s worth the extra cost.

Vinyl Tile

There are many good reasons to choose resilient vinyl flooring. It is maintenance-free, highly durable, waterproof and moisture-proof. Vinyl tiles are capable of holding up to foot traffic and spills.

Vinyl easily installs over an existing concrete slab. The surface must be perfectly smooth, though. Any imperfections and even the slight bumps can damage your flooring.

Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are very popular with DIY enthusiasts because they are easy to install. Sheet vinyl accommodates usual lengths and it’s sold in standard 12-feet wide rolls. It virtually eliminates unsightly seams.

There is an extensive range of styles and color options to choose from. Some high-end options resemble stone or wood.

That can make your basement feel more luxurious. The thicker vinyl is generally more expensive and of better quality.

Carpeting

In newly built houses, basement floors are often finished with some kind of carpeting. Why many people want carpet in their basement? Simply because it is warm and soundproof.

Low-pile and looped varieties of carpets are less prone to wear and tear than shag-like or cut-looped carpeting.

Additionally, they come at considerably lower price points. Nylon carpets are cheaper yet more durable than their all-natural counterparts.

You might also want to consider choosing the wall-to-wall options for your basement finishes. They are easy to install and fairly priced.

Engineered Wood

Solid wood tends to change dimensions with humidity and temperature fluctuations. This increases the chances of floor cracking and warping.

Engineered wood floor, on the other hand, provides a more immutable substrate for planks. It delivers the feel and look of a solid wood flooring at the same time. Style choices are vast.

Essentially, this is a solid wood veneer that’s laminated to a plywood core. The plywood is used for the backing because it is dimensionally stable compared to solid wood.

It makes the floor planks withstand any moisture and temperature changes without warping.

Depending on the design, there are two ways of installing these planks. Some engineered wood varieties are meant to be fixed to the floor with industrial adhesive glue.

basement flooring using Engineered wood floor

Others are designed to “float” over a foam sheeting layer. In this case, the planks are fixed by means of interlocking edges and ends.

Epoxy

If you are looking for something easy to install, inexpensive, and low maintenance, you should consider applying an epoxy sealer to your basement subfloor.

Coating a concrete foundation in epoxy can make it durable and waterproof. If you want to apply another flooring type in your basement later on, it can be installed over the epoxy with ease.

In the event of water damage, all the water will stay on the top so that you can easily remove it with a vacuum cleaner or mop.

Aside from this, epoxy is resistant to bacteria and germs. It will also protect your flooring from stains or cracks. There is a downside: your floor will remain cold and hard.

Laminate

Like engineered wood, this type of flooring combines a plywood core with a veneer. The difference is that the veneer contains plastic resins on the top. This provides an extra layer of protection.

Furthermore, some varieties offer mold and moisture resistance. They are convenient for damp basements in particular.

Laminate flooring is often deceiving. It can resemble a variety of natural materials like stone, real wood, or ceramic tile.

Bottom Line

No matter what flooring option you choose, moisture will be your top concern, especially for the Winter. In fact, it will be the decisive factor in your decision.

Sealing the basement from moisture and water infiltration can help you keep humidity and mildew away from your flooring. However, this job can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Remember that no single flooring option is ideal in every situation and for every home. At Honest Renovations, we’re dedicated to helping you create the home of your dreams. That’s why we have examined several ideas and suggestions that are suitable for basement applications.

That should help you make an informed decision and select the flooring that works best for your basement!

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