Basement flooring ideas: Poured concrete and tile floors to finish the basement
Basement flooring ideas
Choosing a basement floor can be a difficult process during a basement finish renovation because of the unique environment of your basement. The primary concern for basement flooring is moisture and some floors are more suited to others when you have to consider moisture and the durability of your basement floor. And now for some basement flooring ideas to suit your needs:
Moisture in the basement
Before you begin the challenge of selecting the best floor for your basement, the first thing to do is to determine whether or not you have moisture in your basement. Addressing this issue is important because basement mold and mildew can easily build up and render your basement finishing project a complete disaster that will cost you unnecessarily and will require another complete renovation or at a minimum, extensive repairs.
Testing for moisture and mold
A good test to determine if you have moisture in the basement is to lay down a garbage bag and tape it to the floor. After a day or two, lift the bag and check for moisture. If there is moisture, you will need to fix this problem before beginning. Another quick way to see if there is a moisture problem is to check for any damp cracks or discolouration in the concrete or foundation. You may also notice a musty smell that can indicate existing mold or mildew in the basement.
Basement flooring options to finish a basement
Poured Concrete Floor:
The best idea for flooring in your basement is poured concrete. A poured concrete floor can look amazing with the various types of finishes that can be applied to give it a textured finish of almost unlimited design style. For added effect, you can also have tiles inlaid into the concrete every few meters for even more pattern options. Some concrete floors can also be inlaid with wood planks to create a stunning, simple look that is both warm looking and durable. Mainteneance of a concrete floor is also very simple, requiring only a broom and an occasional application of wax to keep the floor looking fresh.
Tile Floor:
The other option for a floor in your basement is to use stone tiles. With a vast array of tile designs and textures, there is a tile floor for every style of home. Similar to a concrete floor, tile requires very little maintenance, but it will cost more than a finished concrete floor to purchase the material and have it installed. Basement flooring to avoid:
Ideas to avoid
Hardwood floor
Avoiding a natural hardwood floor is something you should strongly consider. A hardwood floor in the basement will absorb moisture easily, requiring replacement and leading to potential mold and mildew problems down the road.
Carpeted basement: An attractive environment for mold
The same advice should be taken if you are considering carpet in your basement. Carpet in a moist environment becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew and you will have to replace it every couple of years to stay on top of things. An alternative to carpet is to place some area rugs in the basement if you must have the feel of a carpeted floor. This way you will only have to replace the area rugs instead of the entire floor when they become worn out or saturated with mold and mildew. Article by Greg Escott from Contractor Quotes
