One of the most essential aspects of basement renovation is the flooring. Choosing the type of basement floors 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 you want to buy flooring for your basement. And we have broken down the types of basement flooring, the pros and cons of each, and what kind of flooring best suits your needs.
The Most Popular Options for Basement Flooring
There are many flooring options for basements on the market. We have narrowed them down according to popularity, benefit, pricing, and ease of installation. Here are some of the most common types of floors for the basement:
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. This image 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.
The reason why installing laminate floors in basements is so common is its durability and aesthetic appeal. The great features about laminate floors make it a bang for the buck. In terms of pricing, laminate basement flooring costs $5 per square foot, which includes the material, installation, and underpad. By installing laminate floors in your basement, you’re getting a fantastic design and durable installation for an amazing price.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl floors are 100% synthetic. It is made of plastic, making it highly resistant to moisture and dampness. The thing about installing vinyl floors is that it’s very durable and requires 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. Vinyl is just that durable!
Nonetheless, one of the disadvantages of vinyl is that it tends to be cold. And for homeowners in Canada, this isn’t an ideal situation. Therefore, installing vinyl floors in your basement requires insulation to make it suitable for winter.
Vinyl floors cost a little more than other types of flooring. On average, vinyl floors cost around $7 per sq. ft. to install.
Tile Flooring
Tiles can either be ceramic or porcelain depending on your preference, your budget, and how you use your basement. 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, however, are more porous than porcelain because it’s made of sand, clay, and other natural products. Its composition makes it susceptible to mould and mildew. So if you wish to install tiles in your basement, porcelain is usually the way to go.
Keep in mind that unless your house is brand new, any type of tile you install requires floor levelling. Leveling concrete basement floor gives an even, smooth base onto which we install the tiles. All in all, tile floors cost $19 to install including the materials, installation labour, and floor levelling.
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Once You’re Ready to Renovate…
Although homeowners can install flooring themselves in most cases, it’s always best to consult a professional. A basement flooring expert will evaluate your property and give you recommendations for flooring options. This way, you guarantee your floors are long-lasting, your basement is safe from dampness, and your house’s market value is improved.