When you finish your basement, you’re increasing the value of your home and improving your quality of life. However, finishing a basement is an investment, and it’s essential to choose high quality. long lasting products that work for the space.
Today, we’ll be discussing finished basement floor ideas that we regularly recommend to clients. There are pros and cons to all four options, so keep your personal preferences in mind.
Luxury Vinyl Plank
This is the option we most typically recommend to our clients. It’s versatile, functional, and stylish; we believe it offers the most benefits with the fewest drawbacks.
Pros:
- Low-maintenance material
- High quality look and feel of wood
- Cost effective to purchase and install
- Durable, especially when it comes to moisture
- Easy to clean and sanitize
- Using rugs over vinyl plank increases comfort and style
Cons:
- Not as soft or warm as carpet
- Some flexibility due to the foam rubber backing, but not as pliable under the feet as carpeting.
- Installation generally requires a professional
- Surface must be very clean before installation
Tile Flooring
This option allows you to finish your floors without an additional layer, but it looks clean and polished when completed. We do often recommend tile flooring to clients as well.
Pros:
- Good protection against moisture and flooding
- Easy to clean and sanitize
- Variety of colors and materials (stone, porcelain, or ceramic)
- Variety of textures for various design aesthetics
Cons:
- Can be colder to the touch than vinyl
- Smooth finish can make it slick, especially when wet
- Tile and insulation can be expensive, so determine your budget in advance
- Usually requires professional installation, and may even necessitate concrete to level the floor first
Carpet
Carpet does come with some caveats. If your basement is often at risk of moisture and flooding, this may not be an option for you. However, if you have a solid subfloor system, carpet can work.
Pros:
- Warm and comfortable
- Great sound absorption
- Easy to remove
Cons:
- Often needs to be professionally dried or removed if wet
- Can be expensive, particularly if it needs to be replaced due to unexpected flooding
Concrete Flooring
Don’t worry – a concrete floor in your basement doesn’t have to mean feeling like you live in a garage. Concrete can be stained or painted to add style and visual appeal, and it’s becoming a more popular option for basement floors.
Pros:
- Rugs can be layered on top to increase comfort
- Most protection against moisture is available
- Doesn’t require a subfloor and uses a minimal number of materials
Cons:
- Coldest of the options
- Little sound absorption
- Can be labor intensive to install, sand, and paint
We’re Here for Your Questions!
If you’re interested in a more detailed analysis of which finished basement floor option is best for your home, we are happy to connect with you. Our Modern Touch Construction team has equal measures of experience and skill, and we are confident that you’ll feel comfortable throughout the process. We’ve helped many clients create a finished basement living space they love!
If you’re ready to begin the process or just ask additional questions, let’s set up a consultation to determine the next steps. We are looking forward to meeting you; get in touch.
