Best Overall
Pergo Outlast+ Waterproof Laminate Wood Flooring
Best Bang for the Buck
TrafficMaster Residential Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Upgrade Pick
Lifeproof Click Lock Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
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Few things can turn a basement into a finished living outer space like flooring . And since the average size of a cellar ranges between 500 and 1,500 square foot , finishing a cellar can have a drastic impact on a home ’s useable keep quad . Whether it ’s the sophisticated facial expression of vinyl - plank floor for a aliveness room , carpeting for a playroom , ceramic roofing tile for a laundry area , or even paint for a workshop , floor can transform this below - grade space .
However , since basement are located below ground , they are more susceptible to water equipment casualty than the upper levels of a base . This factor makes choosing the correct type of flooring for a cellar crucial . Ahead , see about which different types of flooring are ( and are n’t ) desirable for use in a basement and learn why the products below are some of the expert flooring for basements .
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Flooring for Basements
Before purchasingflooring for a cellar , it ’s crucial to assess the basement to avoid damaging a new floor or creating mold exit . If a cellar periodically alluvion with sonorous rain , then quash using floor that is easy damaged by H2O , which includes real hardwood , laminate , and carpet .
Type
Moisture Resistance
When selecting the best cellar flooring , it ’s crucial to see wet resistance . Shoppers with basement that have periodic flooding will require to avoid materials that are susceptible to water supply damage , such as rampart - to - wall rug and hardwood . Vinyl - plank flooring can resist spill and lowly amounts of urine that may seep in during a rainstorm ; however , it can be damage by flooding that results in fend water .
Purpose
When choosing a type ofbasement floor , it ’s important to consider how the infinite is used . For cellar wash rooms or workshops , often a coating of paint that serves as a moisture barrier is the best pick . Ceramic tile add up a more finished spirit than paint and is still imperviable to urine , making it a good selection for a finished life space or washables room . Carpeting is a good pick for cellar game room as it contribute soften to the hard basement floor while provide a layer of insularism that can make a nerveless basement feel warmer . For cellar aliveness rooms and dens , vinyl - board flooring is idealistic as it can add the racy look of hardwood to the blank space .
Our Top Picks
The list below let in a variety of type of take aback suited for installing in a cellar , whether this quad is used for a formal living area , laundry room , game room , or home gym .
The rainproof nature of laminate floor makes it an idealistic selection for cellar flooring , and of the options that are out there , few can match Pergo ’s Outlast+ product . While it may be one of the more expensive laminate - floor selection on the market , there ’s good reason to pay extra for it . Outlast+ is equipped with Pergo ’s SpillProtect technology , which maintain liquids from seeping through the seams between the plank ( the fact that it ’s rated for steam mopping is telling ) . In add-on to being rainproof , it also has SurfaceDefense protection , which take a leak it ripe than other laminate deck at resisting scratches , dents , and stains .
Outlast+ also does an excellent job of mime real hardwood knock down thanks to the natural - seem unpredictable cracking and splits that give each plank an unquestionable facial expression .
Get the Pergo flooring for cellar atThe Home Depot .
While it may not have the same reliable feeling as vinyl - plank floor , it ’s knockout to argue with the stone - bottom cost of this vinyl - sheet of paper floor from TrafficMaster . It can be installed at a fraction of the monetary value of other flooring while allow for much of the same durability . This roll sheet - vinyl flooring is scuff- and loot - resistant as well as waterproofed .
And since it come up in 12 - foot - wide sheets that are cut to length , it has fewer furrow than vinyl group - plank floor that water can infiltrate . TrafficMaster can also be set up right away onto cement floors with no underlayment and comes in a variety of patterns and style .
Get the TrafficMaster flooring for basements atThe Home Depot .
Lifeproof is one of the most expensive vinyl - plank flooring product on the market , but for those who need the look of hardwood in their cellar , there ’s really no other choice . With an raised surface , Varathane stain finishes , and irregular Grant Wood - grain patterns , Lifeproof looks almost identical to real hardwood floor . But , unlike real hardwood , it ’s toughened enough to endure life in a basement thanks to its 100 percent waterproof construction , scribble - resistant coating , and anti - mold and mold airfoil treatment . This combination of enduringness and beauty make Lifeproof ideal for cellar livelihood rooms for those unforced to give its higher price ticket .
Get the LifeProof flooring for basements atThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Tile
Marazzi Montagna Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile
While there are many type of floor roofing tile suitable for installation in the basement , Marazzi ’s tougher construction sets it asunder from other tiles . Since it ’s rated for outdoor use , it ’s a bully option for basement that may experience occasional flooding .
The roofing tile is slip - resistant , which is essential for floor that can sometimes get dampish , while also being resistant to scratches , grease , and dents . With its 24 - column inch - long by 6 - in - wide plank shape and Ellen Price Wood - grain intention , Marazzi tile is an attractive choice for basement living room , dens , or even a ruined laundry elbow room .
Get the Marazzi floor for basements atThe Home Depot .
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Best Carpet
Home Decorators Collection Trendy Threads II Carpet
While the warmth of rug marks it an ideal choice for a parky basement floor , many carpets can quickly get destroyed in a moist basement environs . That ’s not the case with this carpet from Home Decorators Collection . The synthetic material is care for to contain up to human foot traffic while fend grease and soiling , helping it endure longer on basement trading floor .
In addition to being durable , it also provide sizable cushioning thanks to its 0.8 - inch pile meridian , making it a good option for basement playroom . Trendy Threads carpeting is also available in a potpourri of designs , making it suited for cellar employment as well .
Get the Home Decorators Collection flooring for basements atThe Home Depot .
Photo: homedepot.com
Best Paint
Rust-Oleum Epoxyshield Basement Floor Coating
While there are many floor paints desirable for a basement , Rust - Oleum has staying king . Similar to other basement or garage level pigment , Rust - Oleum is an epoxy , which provides splendid immunity to substructure traffic and water . It comes in a tan base color with decorative chips and a satin finish , cook it suitable for everything from a cellar shop to a finished life area .
While its two - part covering process does make it trickier to use than other nonepoxy level paints , Rust - Oleum Epoxyshield will last much longer than received latex paint - establish floor paints . It also uses a water - found formula that produces low fumes and makes post - painting cleanup easier . Rustoleum Epoxyshield comes in a 120 - oz. size , which is enough paint to cover 250 square foot .
Get the Rust - Oleum pigment dump for cellar onAmazon .
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Best Rubber
American Floor Mats Fit-Lock Rubber Flooring
These easy - to - install rubber floor mats are a great choice for basement workout room or even a rumpus room or laundry region . With their 0.375 - column inch heaviness , these tiles bestow cushioning to heavy basement floor . Unlike other level tiles that use a squashy material , these are made exclusively of rubber that wo n’t ingest water , making them suited for wet or damp basement .
mesh terminate on each tile make them easy to put together or organize to fit the shape of the cellar . American Floor Mats flooring also add up in a full set of size , ranging from 4 feet by 4 feet up to 20 feet by 40 metrical foot , and are uncommitted in four colour options .
Get the American Floor Mats flooring for basements onAmazon .
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Best Peel-and-Stick
Achim Nexus Self-Adhesive 12-Inch Vinyl Floor Tiles
These Robert Peel - and - stick floor roofing tile are another good option for those take care for an affordable and easy - to - install option for their cellar floor . Each tile has adhesive backing that allows the user to install them simply by squeeze them to the concrete floor . They be a fraction of the price of other flooring pick and derive in a miscellanea of patterns and colouring material to suit dissimilar tastes and styles , include stone , parquet oak tree , white marble , and brick .
Each pack includes 20 roofing tile and cover 20 hearty animal foot . While they resemble ceramic tile , these self - adhesive tile are n’t ideal for basement that flood , as standing water can penetrate the seams between the tiles and break down the adhesive agent that holds the roofing tile to the floor .
Get the Achim floor for basements onAmazonor atLowe ’s .
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Best Engineered-Hardwood
Bruce Hydropel Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Most engineered - hardwood flooring is susceptible to water system damage . This blow out of the water from Bruce is an exception . It uses what the manufacturer calls Hydropel engineering to cater protective cover from spills ( or water that seeps into the basement after a heavy rainfall ) for up to 36 hours , making it one of few engineered - hardwood base ideal for below - grade installation .
In gain to protecting the floor from water , the extra coating also provides an add roadblock against dents and scar . Bruce Hydropel floor come in a multifariousness of hardwood finishes , making it a great alternative for finished basements that do as animation area . Just keep in mind that this flooring is one of the most expensive basement flooring choice on the market .
Get the Bruce flooring for basements atThe Home Depot .
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Best for Wet Basements
Drylok Dover Gray Concrete Floor Paint
If the goal is to make a rainproof stamp on the cellar floor ( and possibly the walls too ) , then Drylok is the way to go . The pigment creates a roadblock that varnish concrete to forestall oozing through the floor or the paries , help to keep the cellar juiceless .
The rubber-base paint - based paint is self primer coat , so it ’s easy to apply and does n’t involve mixing like an epoxy rouge . The culture is also nonslip and resists scuffs . With its limited coloring material options , Drylok is design mainly for unfinished space ( it wo n’t add much to the esthetics of a cellar ) ; however , it ’s a great affordable pick for those looking for a barrier to keep water system out of basement utility areas and laundry rooms .
Get Drylok paint coldcock for basements atThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Our Verdict
ThePergo ball over for basementsis a top - notch flooring that offers waterproof protection while also reckon most identical to hardwood , have it one of the good floors for basements . Those look for an low-cost yet attractive choice for their basement should consider theTrafficMaster floor for basement , which comes in attractive patterns while offering comprehensive protection from water .
How We Chose the Best Flooring for Basements
Basements are unparalleled parts of the home due to the fact that they are below level and hence susceptible to piss harm . Even a few gallons of urine that rule their way into the basement is enough to damage a floor and cause mildew outgrowth . With that in mind , we opt ball over that ’s either water - immune or waterproofed . Since basements can attend a variety of pauperization , we include a diverse range of flooring option to befit dissimilar type of rooms . And , since flooring can be a costly addition to a basement , we include budget options as well as premium dump options .
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Flooring Options for Basements
There are many good reasons to lend flooring to one ’s basement . The summation of flooring can boom a nursing home ’s livelihood distance dramatically by giving it a ruined aspect . It can also create an append stratum of insularism , help to make a basement feel cozier . Flooring such as rug or rubber can also help to make a hard concrete floor more forgiving to walk or crawl on . In addition to improving a finished cellar ’s esthetics , this eccentric of floor can also provide sealing tribute .
FAQs
If you ’re wonder which types of flooring you’re able to install directly onto concrete or whether laminate floor is well than vinyl radical , then take on for answer .
Q. What is the best flooring for a basement?
Vinyl is the good floor for a cellar . This material is completely waterproof and can be establish over concrete clean easy . Since it look like hardwood , it can translate the look of a basement floor .
Q. What is the best flooring for concrete basements?
Since it does n’t require any variety of underlayment ( the underlayment is typically built into the underside of the plank ) , vinyl group floor is the best basement flooring over concrete . Ceramic or porcelain tile can also be instal straight off onto concrete , although it ’s more labour - intensive to set up than vinyl flooring .
Q. What is better for basement flooring: laminate or vinyl?
vinyl radical flooring is beneficial for cellar flooring because it is waterproof , whereas laminate basement floor is only water - immune and can be damaged should the basement flood .
Q. What do you put under vinyl flooring in a basement?
Most vinyl flooring does n’t require any underlayment as the material is made almost entirely from plastic and typically has an affiliated carpet pad on each plank .
Q. Can I put vinyl flooring over concrete in a basement?
you may add vinyl group flooring directly to a concrete floor . Vinyl - shroud floor can typically be glue to the floor while vinyl radical - plank flooring typically float above the floor with no need for underlayment .
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