Audience Pixel
HomeBlogWhat is the Best Flooring for Basements?

What is the Best Flooring for Basements?

HomeBlogWhat is the Best Flooring for Basements?

What is the Best Flooring for Basements?

When deciding to finish or remodel your basement it is important to choose materials that can withstand the moist environment of a basement. Choosing a flooring to install in your new lower level can be difficult with so many options being available. In this post we will be covering what is the best flooring for basements, especially for the humidity of the Midwest, as well as the other options available!

Similar to any material being used in your finished basement, the most important factor of the product should be water resistance. Not only is your basement very humid, it is also extremely prone to water events such as flooding and leaking. When such an event occurs, you do not want to have to throw away all of your flooring, that would be a big time and monetary expense. Think about what will happen to your flooring if your sump pump overflows, a pipe bursts, or your washing machine overflows, these are all very common occurrences in basements.

What basement flooring options and materials are the best?

The best type of flooring for basements is luxury vinyl plank. Vinyl plank flooring looks nearly identical to hardwood and stone products with the added benefit of being waterproof. Vinyl flooring can be made from a plastic-wood composite or a plastic-stone composite making it durable and waterproof. An additional benefit of vinyl basement flooring is the durability, since it is made of inorganic materials unlike wood, this makes it great for high traffic areas! Vinyl plank can be installed directly on your sub floor making installation faster and less expensive.

One of the common misconceptions of vinyl flooring is that it has a look and feel similar to old-style rolled linoleum. This was so your Grandma’s flooring!! Over the last few years, the design and construction of vinyl flooring has improved drastically. There are now endless colors and patterns, and the options make finding the perfect style for so easy.

We install luxury vinyl plank in every room of our customer’s homes today, including basements, due to the ease of care, the durability, the beauty and the waterproof properties. Giving our homeowners the peace of mind that their floor is safe from water damage is a big plus! Vinyl plank is also a floating floor meaning it is not attached to the sub-floor, so it can be more easily removed and replaced if repairs are needed.

Top Benefits of Vinyl Flooring:

·       Waterproof

·       Durable

·       Large variety of colors and styles

·       Plank construction

Examples of luxury vinyl plank basement flooring:

Blog WhatIsTheBestFlooringForBasements2
This basement had daylight windows which let just enough light to make this Copano Oak luxury vinyl plank flooring the highlight of the room. This waterproof flooring looks and feels like hardwood, but with none of the worry of wood, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Blog WhatIsTheBestFlooringForBasements3
This basement family room got even larger with the addition of Refloor Smart Choice Finnish Pine luxury vinyl plank floors. The sonic cell cork underlayment makes this floor quiet and cushioned underfoot – great for afternoon football games!

Pros and Cons of Basement Flooring Materials

Carpet for Your Basement

Carpet is another option for finished basements that many homeowners choose. Although it does not offer the waterproof and mold proof attributes of vinyl, some prefer it for its coziness – but when any fluctuations in temperatures happen and humidity sets in, or any water events happen, mold and mildew will develop quickly, and carpeting will have to be replaced to keep your home healthy. We recommend adding plush area rugs to finish luxury vinyl plank flooring. A great area rug will define a space, anchor the furniture and give a soft feel under the bare feet of summertime.

Blog WhatIsTheBestFlooringForBasements4

Pros:
·       Cozy feel
·       Can make for a quieter space
·       Offers great cushion for hard basement floor
Cons:
·       Not Hypo-Allergenic
·       Not water resistant
·       Can mold if left moist
·       Stains easy if spilled on
·       Allergy Trigger


Hardwood & Laminate Flooring for Basements

When it comes to basement flooring and basements in general, the less wood the better. Basements are a very humid and water prone environment where wood will not hold up well. Wood based flooring when placed in a basement will begin to warp and twist. Even without flooding, your basement foundation will have moisture leaking through which will form condensation underneath the flooring causing damage to the wood. Installing and replacing hardwood flooring can also be very costly and time consuming for homeowners as well.

Blog WhatIsTheBestFlooringForBasements5

Pros:
·       High-end look and feel
Cons:
·       Extremely prone to water damage
·       Will warp and twist
·       Prone to mold


Ceramic Tile for Basement Floors

Ceramic tile is a viable option for basement flooring, although it has some drawbacks. When glazed, water cannot penetrate the tile making it a good choice for water resistance and stain resistance. Ceramic tile also comes in a large variety of sizes, shapes and colors to go along with any design. A big downfall of ceramic tile in the basement is the temperature and cost. Ceramic tile is adhered directly to the foundation making it very cold for basements. The cost and time to install ceramic tile is also much higher than most other flooring options.

Blog WhatIsTheBestFlooringForBasements6

Pros:
·       Water resistant
·       Durable
·       Long lasting
Cons:
·       Cold to touch
·       Hard on your feet
·       Not design friendly


Epoxy Flooring for Basements

Epoxy flooring in basements is becoming a bit more popular than it used to be. It can offer a unique design choice while being easy to maintain and durable. One major drawback to epoxy flooring in basements is the temperature, like ceramic tile. epoxy flooring is very cold and hard on your feet. Depending on your uses for the basement a more padded flooring could be a better option. Epoxy flooring can be a great way to give your basement an industrial design.

Blog WhatIsTheBestFlooringForBasements7

Pros:
·       Water resistant
·       Durable
·       Long lasting
Cons:
·       Cold to touch
·       Hard on your feet
·       Not design friendly


Things to think about when picking basement flooring:

1. Moisture Resistance

When choosing any materials for your basement, it is always best to ensure they are capable of handling moisture.

2. Durability

Depending on how you will be using your basement you may want to see how durable a product is. A playroom for the kids may need different flooring than a custom bar.

3. Comfort Level

Basements can be used for everything from an extra living room, home theater, or even a custom bar. Choose a flooring that is most comfortable for your specific needs.

4. Warmth

Keep in mind the temperature of your basement. The cold foundation will make for a colder floor if you choose a ceramic tile or epoxy.


Whether you are finishing your basement for added living space, an extra bedroom, an extra bathroom, a laundry room, playroom for your kids or even a custom kitchen or bar area,  you will want to protect your investment by picking materials that will last for a lifetime. Research the materials being used for moisture resistance, durability and comfort level. Finishing your basement is no small task and requires lots of planning, research and help from the professionals. Luxury vinyl flooring is, by far, the best choice and best investment for your basement flooring remodeling projects. It has zero drawbacks and with Refloor’s 4-Part Lifetime Guarantee, you will enjoy your basement floors for life. They will increase the value of your home as you will be able to use them as a selling feature if you ever sell your home. If you are interested in new flooring for your basement, our specialists are here to help. We offer Free In-Home Consultations , bringing the store to you to see samples and colors to compare with your cabinetry and décor in your own homes lighting. We are your one stop shop to transform your basement floors and give your family a brand-new space for family celebrations and memory making!

Scroll to Top

For A Limited Time Only Get The Lowest Price Guaranteed* + 0% Interest & NO Payments for two full years!**

Save BIG on New Flooring during our Overstock Sale!

Hurry - This Limited Time Offer Won't Last Long!

Ready to Get Started?

*Lowest Price Guarantee: If within 30 days prior to your quote from Refloor and at least 5 days prior to your scheduled installation, you receive a lower price for the same product, installation and guarantees from a licensed national retailer regularly doing business in our market area, Refloor will beat that price. To qualify, the offer must be presented to Refloor on the letterhead of the licensed national competitor and must include product name and price, product weight, style type, thickness, plank width and length, wear layer thickness, all in-home measurements specifically listing all dimensions and transitions of each area to be covered, all prep charges, and an itemized listing of applicable warranties and/or services for comparison. Refloor has the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether the written estimate qualifies for the offer. Refloor will not match a competitor’s bonus or free offer, special offer, rebate, financing offer, clearance, discontinued or closeout price, or installation special. Subject to change.

**If the amount financed is paid in full before Promo Period expires. Monthly payments are not required during the Promo Period. Any unpaid balance and amounts owed after Promo Period will be paid over 84 monthly payments. For example, assuming the full credit limit is used on loan approval date and no payments are made during Promo Period, for every $1,000 financed at a fixed interest rate of 24.99%, 24 monthly payments of $0 followed by 84 monthly payments of $28.29. This example is an estimate only. Actual payment amounts based on amount and timing of purchases. Call 866-936-0602 for financing costs and terms. Financing for the GreenSky® consumer loan program is provided by Equal Opportunity Lenders. GreenSky® is a registered trademark of GreenSky, LLC, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs Bank USA. NMLS #1416362. Loans originated by Goldman Sachs are issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch. NMLS #208156. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Previous orders excluded. Limited time offer subject to change.