Discover The Best Available Finished Basement Flooring Options

A beautifully finished basement can add value to your home and increase your family's enjoyment. Like any home remodeling project, you'll need to make many decisions regarding finishes and materials to create the perfect space to meet your family's functional and aesthetic needs.

One key element is your finished basement flooring. Choosing the best flooring for a basement can be tricky because there are many considerations and potential trade-offs. Basements are typically dark, damp, and cold and can sometimes get wet or worse. They can flood. The typical basement is built below or partially below-grade (ground level), and most are built on a concrete slab, the majority of which are uneven. For all of these reasons, you are somewhat limited in your choices of finished basement flooring that will work.

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Most homeowners choose to spend less on their basement flooring than the rest of the house. Ironically, the most appropriate basement flooring options can cost more because flooring options that work on a concrete subfloor are limited. The prep can also add to the cost. The result? Many homeowners are unpleasantly surprised when they are given a flooring estimate that is much higher than they anticipated.

That being said, with finished basement flooring, the primary concern, and the reason it can be costly, is that it must be able to deal with the moisture found in most basements, not only how well it deals with it but also how well the floor dries out if it becomes wet.

Here's our list of the best-finished basement flooring materials for your remodeling project.

First, A Few “Below Grade” Flooring Basics

When we refer to the flooring as “below-grade,” we're not referring to its quality. Below-grade is a term commonly used by builders to refer to flooring installed at or below ground level. Everything that is installed at or below-grade is potentially at risk of water vapor damage and mild flooding.

Here are some considerations when choosing a basement flooring material.

Hard materials like tile or concrete will outperform softer materials like carpet.
Inorganic materials tend to work better than organic materials in the basement. Materials like tile, vinyl, and concrete are mostly inorganic. Solid hardwood is hard, but it doesn't work well in basements because it's 100% organic. Inorganic material can grow mold, but it can be dried out, cleaned, and will not deteriorate. Organic materials, like hardwood, will grow mold, can warp or bow, and when subject to water over time, can begin to rot away.
One-lay systems like concrete are easier to dry out than layered flooring. Not only is it hard and inorganic, but it also doesn't have multiple layers that can trap water.
Some materials like ceramic tile can be installed directly on the concrete slab. However, when installing laminate, it can be installed on an intervening layer of foam underlayment.
Some below-grade flooring materials require a raised subfloor. Carpeting and laminate both benefit from this type of installation.

The Best Finished Basement Flooring Materials

Before you choose your flooring material, consider how you will use the space. Will it be a playroom for the kids? Will they be sitting on the floor or running around? Are you converting the basement into a home gym or using it as your home office?

Ask yourself some of these questions and spend some time considering what you're looking for. Also, figure out your budget and the type of subfloor before you decide. There's no “one-size-fits-all” solution.

luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is used for this finished basement with wet bar.

Here are some popular materials to consider:

Engineered Vinyl Planks or Tiles

This is an excellent material for fished basement flooring. It's waterproof, comes with cork insulation for cushioning, installation, and sound absorption. Engineered vinyl planks (also called luxury vinyl plank) is a relatively new flooring type and is available in several realistic-looking wood and stone patterns. If you're looking for a material that will hold up to moisture and water, and look great doing it, consider engineered vinyl.

Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles and Plank Flooring

this finished basement uses ceramic tile on the basement floor, and the matching tile on the face of the fireplace.

Ceramic tile is water-resistant, and porcelain is waterproof, so they're a great choice for the basement. However, they can be cold on bare feet and are also hard on your feet. Tile is durable, easy to clean, and can last a long time, and they are available in a wide range of styles. Tile flooring can be expensive due to the labor and prep involved. It's excellent for installation on a level concrete or cement board underlayment to avoid cracking due to temperature and humidity changes.

Rubber Flooring / Rubber Interlocking Gym Tiles

Exercise flooring has become more popular in recent years, and these types of tiles are a great option, especially if you're planning a gym or playroom in the basement. They are waterproof, and interlocking so you can install them, and if there is flooding, you can pick them up, dry them out, and reinstall them easily. Because they are thicker, they can also work to hide any imperfections in your subfloor.

Carpet

Carpet is often the least expensive option, so if budget is your biggest concern, this might be a good option. Carpet is flexible and forgiving. It can work overall subfloor types and can also work over areas that are not smooth or level. Carpet is softer and warmer than many options and is a great (and the safest) option on stairs.

There are some drawbacks to consider with carpet. They can get dirty and are harder to clean than other options. They also show wear faster than other materials and will need to be replaced. Of course, carpeting isn't waterproof, so if your basement is prone to flooding, it's not the best choice. However, if you have minor moisture issues, upgrade your carpet cushioning to include a moisture barrier.

Stained or Acid Etched Concrete Flooring

acid etched concrete flooring was used for this contemporary basement finish.

Stained concrete is trendy, stylish, durable, and beautiful. Acid-etched floors offer a luxurious radiance that can't be replicated. Unlike paint, stain permeates the concrete to create translucent tones that vary throughout the space. Staining and or acid etching concrete gives you the ability to create a neutral-colored floor or a fun, colorful one. You can use different colors in different sections or create unique designs.

Engineered Hardwood

While solid hardwood floors are not really a good choice below-grade, engineered hardwood is a good option. Because engineered hardwood is made in perpendicular layers, it is less prone to expansion and contraction. Engineered hardwood flooring can be glued or floated on a concrete subfloor, but it must be even and level. If you glue down the planks and the subfloor is not smooth, the planks will pop up with humidity changes. If you float the floors and they're not level, they may bounce. While engineered flooring is better than laminate, it might not be the best option if you get consistent moisture problems.

Some Final Thoughts on Basement Flooring

When making your decision on your finished basement floor, choose the option that best fits your needs and budget. There are always trade-offs, and you need to decide what functions and factors are important to you, then weigh your budget options. Always make sure to consider both long and short-term costs.

Remember, choosing finished basement flooring can be challenging. Some unique conditions will prevent you from installing more “traditional” materials like solid hardwood, laminate, bamboo, and cork. Before you begin, using a moisture meter can help you to monitor moisture levels more effectively and help you make the perfect flooring choice.

If you have questions or are unsure, speak with a design-build professional. They can help you understand all of your options and the pros and cons of different flooring materials.

If you're planning a basement remodeling project, and want to explore all of the possibilities, give our award-winning design team a call at (608) 846-5963. We're always happy to talk to you about our process and show you what's possible!

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