Renovated basement with epoxy flooring

6 of the Best Flooring Options for Basements

May 29, 2020

Damp… dark… cold… musty… sound like anything you know? For most people, the basement is a frustrating space to design and remodel.

One of the first questions a homeowner asks when redoing that elusive room at the bottom of the stairs is: What is the best flooring option for my basement?

If you find yourself in the process of making that decision, you’ve come to the right place.

Before you can call up your local installation company or bust out the old toolbox, there are a handful of things to consider when choosing the flooring for your basement. Take some time to answer the following questions:

  1. What kind of basement space best fits your family’s needs? Are you envisioning a cozy gathering place for movie nights, a clean office space for working from home, a home gym, or a dog-friendly enclosure with room for storage? Take a moment to cast the vision: What kind of atmosphere or theme are you looking to create downstairs?
  1. How do you want your flooring to feel under your feet? When you imagine stepping off of that last stair, is your foot hitting something cold and smooth, or soft and warm? Determine this beforehand so that you’re not disappointed if the basement has a different feel than you were dreaming of.
  1. Who will be in your basement regularly? Will there be babies and toddlers crawling around, children running and playing, or elderly folk making their way across the floor? Think intentionally about the safety and comfort of those who will be traversing across your basement floor.
  1. What is the budget for your flooring project? Are you prepared to break the bank for your basement remodel, or are you scraping from the bottom of the barrel, as it were? Establish your budget before deciding on a flooring option.

As you begin to ponder the direction and focus of your basement project, let’s discuss the best flooring options available so you can make an educated decision.

Engineered Vinyl Planks or Tiles

Engineered vinyl planks being coated

Engineered vinyl planks or tiles are a highly popular choice for homeowners for a handful of reasons.

Here are the pros:

  • Looks like real hardwood
  • It’s waterproof (unlike laminate flooring)
  • Offers cushioning and insulation
  • Can help absorb sound (thanks to insulation)
  • Affordable
  • Durable
  • Quick and easy installation (no wait time!)

If you’re in the market for something that will hold up well to moisture but look aesthetically pleasing, engineered vinyl flooring may just be a no-brainer.

However, this flooring option doesn’t work in all basement situations and layouts.

Check out the cons:

  • Doesn’t work well if your subfloor is uneven
  • More expensive than other vinyl options (but installation is cheaper)
  • Propensity to dent/be damaged by sharp objects

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring with boxing glove

Increasing in popularity thanks to home gyms across the country, rubber tiles and rolls are a viable option for whole-room flooring solutions, both in residential and commercial settings.

The pros:

  • Durable, long-lasting, resilient to a plethora of activities
  • Affordable
  • Cushioning and shock-absorption
  • Soft and comfortable under the foot
  • Varying thickness and densities
  • Easy installation

This all sounds great, but there are some drawbacks to consider:

  • The flooring won’t appear seamless
  • Water can seep in and through the cracks
  • Can become slippery when wet
  • May have a rubbery odor for some time after installation

Carpet

Carpet flooring unrolling

One of the more classic flooring options now comes in an increasing number of styles, textures, and colors to fit practically any home design. Other than for comfort, what are some reasons homeowners choose to install carpet?

Check out the pros:

  • Inexpensive (compared to other permanent flooring solutions)
  • Offers quietness, softness, and warmth
  • Low-maintenance (hides dirt, can be hypoallergenic)
  • Easy to install
  • Versatile (all the colors of the rainbow…)

Yet, despite so many awesome pros, many people are straying away from the classic renovation choice of carpet installation.

Here are the downsides to this flooring option:

  • Shows wear and tear
  • Can absorb and collect moisture, leading to odor and health issues
  • Requires regular cleaning
  • Needs periodic replacement
  • It’s hard to choose the right length

Stained or Polished Concrete

Concrete flooring in basement with a chair

This isn’t your grandmother’s flooring solution. Concrete might seem like an edgy choice for a basement remodel, but when done well, it can be beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.

Concrete comes with a handful of benefits:

  • Low-maintenance (durable, easy to clean, and care for)
  • Beautiful and versatile design options with stamped concrete
  • One-of-a-kind dyes and finishes
  • Can be heated (your feet will be thankful for landing on something warm)

Before you think concrete flooring is “too good to be true,” let us level the playing field.

Concrete flooring solutions have a few unfavorable qualities:

  • Hardness (may not be ideal for small children or the elderly)
  • Moisture (doesn’t fare well in basements with water problems)
  • Potential for cracking (even when expertly installed)
  • Environmentally unfriendly

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring getting cleaned

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular flooring solutions homebuyers ask for when shopping for their dream house. Why? Because hardwood is one of the most classic, beautiful options on the market.

But the benefits don’t stop there:

  • Durable, long-lasting
  • Versatile (works with many different interior design styles and layouts)
  • Adds resale value to the home
  • Easy to maintain and clean

What are the disadvantages of hardwood flooring? Check it out:

  • Expensive, compared to other flooring options
  • Intensive installation and costly labor
  • May require regular refinishing

Epoxy Flooring

Yellow epoxy flooring with cart on top

This up-and-coming flooring solution is your fix-all for a basement remodel.

Since basements notoriously gather moisture and humidity (hence the complaints of dampness and mustiness), you need a floor that will withstand all seasons and moisture levels. Additionally, you want to create a space that is aesthetically pleasing, safe for all ages, and versatile for a myriad of gathering situations.

Enter: Epoxy flooring.

Normally applied over pre-existing concrete, it’s budget-friendly, environmentally conscious, and unique!

The pros:

  • Resists water and stains
  • Cost-effective (won’t break the bank)
  • Beautiful, high-gloss finish
  • Quick and easy to install
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Low-maintenance (easy to clean, little erosion)
  • Safe for children (non-toxic, food-safe)
  • Environmentally-friendly
  • Unique finishes and styles available
  • Can be customized to fit the needs of your home (you name the color and texture!)

There are some cons to be noted, as you consider this flooring solution for your basement installation:

  • Tedious installation process involving toxic fumes
  • Slippery when wet (if you don’t have the addition of a texture application)
  • Long curing time (for large surface areas only)

Conclusion

All of these are great flooring options, but which one you end up choosing entirely depends on the theme of the room and its purpose.

If you have weighed all the information and know that epoxy flooring is the best option for your basement’s needs, Epoxy Colorado is the team for the job. We specialize in basements, garages, patios, kitchens, and commercial spaces. Your epoxy flooring will be beautiful, installed quickly, durable, and guaranteed to last!

Epoxy Colorado is based in Colorado, dedicated to customer satisfaction, and promises the best service you’ll find, with a lifetime guarantee.
Epoxy flooring isn’t something we do, it’s all we do! Reach out today, and let us prove it to you.

Get in Touch

Send Us a Message

If you have any questions, would like to get a free estimate, or would simply like to learn more about the Epoxy Colorado difference, please fill out the form below.
Copyright © 2023 Epoxy Colorado — A Partner of All American Garage Floors. All Rights Reserved. Design & Hosting by Beyond Blue Media
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram