Basement Flooring

Deciding on basement flooring comes with several things to think about - how will you use your basement? What if the basement gets water? Which flooring is easiest to repair? 

To make your decision-making process a little smoother, think about your answers to these questions: 

• How will I use my basement? You might use the space as an extra living room, movie room or playroom for your kids. Maybe you have a bathroom or laundry room downstairs too. Perhaps you’re looking to use your basement space for exercise and want to uphaul it into a sweet home gym. The options are endless!
• Is my basement prone to flooding? If so, you’ll definitely want to look for waterproof or water-resistant flooring. You’ll want flooring that can easily be replaced or repaired without costing you a fortune.
• Who will install my basement floor? If you’re a DIY-type of person, this may affect how you choose your basement floor. Some floors are easier to install than others.

Once you’ve thoughts about these answers, consider the most popular basement flooring options we’ve compiled below. Check out their features to decide which basement floor works best for you.

Vinyl Basement Flooring

Vinyl flooring is great for basements that act as an extra living room, workshop or have a laundry room. With beautiful wood and stone looks, vinyl flooring for basements is both beautiful and highly functional as a durable floor. Whether you decide to choose a vinyl tile or plank, vinyl is among the best flooring for basement installation. 

Features of Vinyl Basement Flooring: 

• Floating floor type installation can be put down without the need for messy adhesives. There are even easy-to-install jigsaw puzzle type floor tiles. These can be easily removed and put back in place in the future if a flood does occur. These tiles also allow air to flow underneath them, giving the concrete subfloor space to breathe.
• Attractive and realistic stone looks
• Vinyl is incredibly durable and comes in a variety of different wear layers so you can choose the right one for your needs.

Waterproof Vinyl Basement Flooring

Take vinyl flooring up a notch with this waterproof basement flooring. Waterproof vinyl flooring is the latest in luxury vinyl and one of the most durable flooring types around. 

Waterproof vinyl flooring typically features a four-layer construction that includes a waterproof core. This core is what sets this luxury vinyl apart from the rest. It is high density and won’t swell or contract no matter what liquid it’s exposed to. 

Features of Waterproof Vinyl Flooring for Basements: 

• Ultra-durable: WPC is known for being the best of the best, showcasing the thickest, most durable luxury vinyl with the thickest wear layers for optimal scratch protection.
• 100% waterproof: The ultimate basement flooring for flooding
• Perfect for imperfect subfloors: Because waterproof vinyl plank flooring is so thick and durable, it can hide an imperfect subfloor. Waterproof luxury vinyl plank and tile flooring, you likely won’t have to drop a bunch of extra money leveling your subfloor out.
• Low maintenance: All you need is the occasional vacuum and damp mop to keep your WPC looking fabulous.

Tile Basement Flooring

Due to its impermeability, tile flooring is an excellent choice as a waterproof basement flooring solution. It holds up well in moisture-prone areas and comes in beautiful wood and stone looks. 

While tile has waterproof abilities, keep in mind that it can be difficult to replace or repair. It is durable but not damage proof. If a tile is to get damaged badly to the point that it needs to be replaced, that can be a more difficult process that replacing other types of flooring out there. 

Features of Tile Flooring for Basements: 

• Durable: Tile can withstand the everyday wear and tear that comes with a busy household.
• Budget-friendly: There are many low-cost tile products available to choose from. Seriously, you can get a gorgeous stone-look tile for, like, $1 per square ft or the hot new wood looks for just over $2 per square foot.
• Appearance: Tile comes in many beautiful wood and stone looks that are comparable to the real thing.
• Waterproof basement flooring: Because tile’s durable surface prevents liquids and moisture from getting through, this is an excellent choice for basement flooring for flooding.

Carpet Tile Basement Flooring

If you’re looking to use your basement for a movie room, living room or even playroom, carpet tiles are the way to go. They’re soft and comfortable, allowing you to create a cozy hideaway in your basement. 

A carpet tile or carpet square is literally exactly that. Usually 2′ x 2′ in size, an entire room can be made up of a bunch of different little carpet pieces, rather than a large piece that is connected from wall to wall. 

Features of Carpet Tile Flooring for Basements: 

• Budget friendly: Very low cost per square foot helps to keep the overall cost low
• DIY friendly: Easy peel-and-stick tile options are available. You can also install carpet tiles using small sticky tabs that basically keep the four corners together. If your floor were to flood then you’d be able to remove the tiles, dry them and put them back later.
• Easy to replace: If a permanent spill or damage happens, simply pull it up and replace with a new one.
• Not easily ruined: If you have minor flooding, carpet tiles can actually be set out to dry and then be reinstalled.

Waterproof Tile Basement Flooring

Take carpet tiles up a notch with this waterproof basement flooring. With Shaw’s patent RX2 technology and Lifeguard backing, nothing penetrates their waterproof carpet. 

RX2 is a stain and soil repellent that protects carpet fibers from dirt and spills. This resistant system has total fiber coverage and offers complete protection of the whole carpet fiber. 

Lifeguard is the backing that seals the deal when it comes to waterproof carpet. This backing is made from 100% thermoplastic commercial grade backing. No liquid will penetrate that. 

Features of Waterproof Carpet Tile Flooring for Basements: 

• No mold and mildew worries: Relax, this carpet has got you covered.
• 100% waterproof: Your subfloor and your carpet are protected by this technology, making waterproof carpet great as a basement flooring for flooding.
• Stain resistant: Bye, bye stains. Soiling and staining is a thing of the past.

Rubber Basement Flooring

If you want to use your basement for a workout area or home gym, rubber flooring is the way to go. Rubber is a great floor for exercise because it’s shock absorbent, serving to protect your subfloor as well as your joints as you throw around heavy weights. It is also sound absorbent, so all the clinking, clanking and jumping around won’t disturb your housemates. 

Additionally, rubber is one of the best floors for basements that flood. It’s water resistant and easy to clean and replace. 

Features of Rubber Flooring for Basements: 

• Durable and shock absorbent: Perfect basement flooring for home gyms.
• DIY friendly: Available in tiles that interlock so you can put them together like puzzle pieces, then remove them if any flooding occurs.
• Portable: Rubber tiles and rolls can be easily removed and used in any future home if you move
• Water resistant: Rubber is among the best flooring for basements that flood.
• Slip resistant: Here’s a fun fact: The slip resistance of rubber increases when wet (which is why your car tires keep increasing traction when it is raining… the more you know).