The 15 Best Ideas For Basement Flooring Over Concrete
We have chosen the best ideas for basement flooring over concrete. So when it’s time to upgrade, you’ll know which are the best options that are DIY-friendly and best suit your family’s needs.
But knowing which is the best type for your home, budget and will also meet is the balancing act, and we’re here to help.
Read on to get the facts on basement flooring and a list of amazing ideas you can do yourself.
Considerations For Basement Flooring That Goes Over Concrete
Here are some things to consider when choosing new flooring for your basement space.
A concrete slab will feel better if there is some cushion between it and your feet.
Some flooring materials are much better at warming the floor than others. These options are also the ones that are more sound-absorbing.
Flooring is sold by the square foot, so before you go out shopping to select your materials, be sure you know the length and width of your room.
To determine the square feet, multiply the length by the width. Also, remember that you will need to purchase an additional 10% of the material.
This is due to losing some material when making cuts at the room’s edges.
A basement is susceptible to moisture, so you need to know how vulnerable your basement floor will be and make that a key factor when making your decision.
And finally, many types of flooring require that the floor be flat, so some leveling may be required.
Best Concrete Floor Upgrades For A Basement
Luxury Vinyl Planks
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is an excellent option for high-traffic areas. It looks like hardwood floors without the high cost and better durability.
Best of all, it’s waterproof, though you will need a vapor barrier to help prevent moisture issues in subterranean-level rooms.
It’s also available as a luxury vinyl tile, which looks like tile rather than wood.
This is an easy type of flooring to install, take it from me. I did our 600 sq ft basement.
You can find out more about our vinyl plank project, including the required leveling of the concrete floor, here.
Carpet Tiles
Wall-to-wall carpeting may not be the best option if it’s a room with potential moisture problems, but carpet tiles are.
The reason for this is that carpet tiles are replaceable. Often when a basement gets wet, it’s only in one area.
Removing and replacing a carpet tile is easy. As you’ll see in our basement flooring ideas list below, you can even dry them!
Rubber Flooring
One of the best benefits of rubber flooring, aside from the softness under your feet, is that they work well with a non-smooth or uneven floor.
They come at a reasonable price point and in a variety of colors.
Peel and Stick Vinyl Planks or Tiles
These look similar to luxury vinyl plank flooring, but you install them using adhesive tape. The installation is quicker and easier than LVP, and the material costs less.
One drawback is that it won’t be as durable because the adhesives will break down over time.
Laminate
There’s debate around laminate because historically, laminate floors- like the plank type, were only resistant to water and not waterproof.
This is because the core is made from MDF wood. Some brands now use PVC plastic or extra resins in the wood core to make it “waterproof.” Is the laminate brand you are researching genuinely waterproof?
It’s something to be aware of. However, they are at least very water resistant.
They have an authentic look of wood, much like vinyl plank, but typically come at a slightly lower price.
Paint
Using paint to spruce up the basement floor is a cheap and quick fix.
Its long-term durability will depend on the type of paint and sealer you use and if there will be any moisture issues.
If the concrete floor is prone to moisture problems, it’s best to skip the paint.
Epoxy Coating
Epoxy is a perfect choice for a completely waterproof basement floor.
It comes in a wide assortment of colors, is inexpensive, and can even be done as a DIY.
Other Flooring Ideas For Your Basement
Area Rug
An area rug can make a big difference in a basement space. It has a pleasing look and will warm the floor and help absorb sound.
It just may be a great solution, especially in a smaller space.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles make our list the best choice for basements vulnerable to water damage.
However, they require a very level floor and need to absorb sound better.
Sheet Vinyl
Sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles are straightforward to install and inexpensive.
It is waterproof, but vinyl tiles have a seam that can allow water to get through.
These aren’t good options for a concrete surface that isn’t smooth, as you will feel each imperfection under your feet due to it being thin.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors are gorgeous, and if moisture isn’t present, maybe a good choice.
They will require the concrete subfloor to be level, and you will need to dig deeper into your pockets than you would for most of the other flooring options.
The winner for the best basement flooring is luxury vinyl plank. This is due to being best for low maintenance, aesthetics, and price.
For other inspiring remodeling ideas, check out these amazing tutorials for making over your fireplace!
The Best Basement Flooring Ideas Over Concrete
Here’s a list of basement flooring ideas over concrete, as well as helpful information to help you choose the best material for your space.
Tips for Installing Vinyl Plank Over Concrete Floors
Installing vinyl plank as a homeowner is a very doable project. This tutorial has excellent tips for getting through an installation quickly and painlessly. And please remember that a basement floor will require a moisture barrier, as mentioned in her instructions.
Paper Bag Floors; A Step by Step Tutorial
It is shocking to know that these floors are made from paper. Their appearance is that of a polished, stained concrete floor.
This is definitely a basement flooring type to consider, especially given its price tag.
Stenciling a Concrete Floor
One of the easiest ways to makeover a concrete basement floor is to paint it with a tile stencil. You can do this Moroccan tile makeover in a weekend.
Basement renovation on a budget: how to for under $600
I learned how durable carpet squares could be when I read this post. A hurricane caused water to enter their basement after the homeowner had put in carpet tiles.
You have to see how easily they revived them and avoided water damage! The article describes their basement renovations, and the entire thing is worth the read.
But if you prefer, you can skip to the flooring part here.
in the next list item below, there's a tutorial for how to work with peel and stick carpet tiles.
Installing Peel and Stick Carpet Tiles On Concrete DIY
This couple chose to use carpet tiles because their basement had just previously flooded. They wanted warmth under there feet, but since carpet tiles are so easy to replace, this solution makes a lot of sense.
Check out the nicely detailed tutorial for how to install peel and stick carpet tiles over concrete.
Yes, You Can Carpet over Tile Floor!
If you currently have tile flooring, you may wonder if you can skip removing the tile to put in carpeting instead.
This article shows you it's possible with a thick carpet pad. Take a look!
Smart, easy basement flooring idea
Consider using rubber flooring tiles for a kid-friendly basement flooring idea over concrete. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to install these and what underlayment to use.
This DIYer chose black tiles, but these also come in a variety of colors and patterns. Rubber is also a great choice for home gyms.
Hexagon Faux Cement Tile Painted Floors
This painted basement floor mimics actual tile. What a difference paint makes! Paint is a good option for a basement that doesn't get a lot of moisture.
If it does, get latex paint resistant to water. Otherwise, you may experience peeling.
However, paint is one of the least expensive ways to freshen up basement flooring.
Loose Lay Vinyl Plank Flooring Installation
Loose lay is a term you hear less often and is slightly different from the more well-known click-and-lock type of vinyl plank, which is a floating floor.
The loose lay method is another term for peel-and-stick tabs. However, there are some forms of loose lay that only use the tabs to place the planks around the room's perimeter.
Then the remaining vinyl planks are laid loosely- without click and lock, around the remainder of the room. This makes it a quicker install than click-and-lock LVP.
This tutorial has lots of details to get you through it quickly.
How to Paint a Floor Stencil {Laundry Room Week 2}
They updated this concrete flooring for just $19! Granted, it's a small space since it was the laundry room. But it shows that you can make a big impact on a small budget.
LVP Floors - Are They A Good Choice
Here's another great inspiration for using luxury vinyl plank for your basement floor. This article will take you through the benefits and whether it's the right fit for your project.
Peel and Stick vinyl tile for our basement renovations- not your grandma's vinyl
You can get the look of vinyl plank on a lower budget and a quicker installation by using peel-and-stick vinyl tile.
This is a good option for a game room or gym rather than a basement family room.
This is because the peel-and-stick type of vinyl is a bit thinner, and you will feel more imperfections under your feet. Look at how easy this was to install and how nice it turned out.
How To Install Laminate Flooring on Concrete
Laminate floors have come a long way. These laminate plank floors look just like vinyl plank. This project turned out some great results.
Check out the tutorial to see how DIY-friendly installing laminate basement flooring is.
Best Ways to Remove Glued Wood Flooring – DIY Steps & Video
This isn't necessarily a flooring idea, but this is important to know for almost any concrete flooring project you will take on.
Chances are that if you plan to remodel your basement floor, there's glue underneath the existing floor.
Whether it currently has carpet, tile, or hardwood, then it's likely it's covered in glue.
This tutorial primarily shows you how to remove glued hardwood from the floor and remove the remaining adhesive.
How to Level a Concrete Floor: For Vinyl Plank
Here is another project you may need to tackle in preparation for making over your basement floor. Rarely is a concrete subfloor going to be level, and at the very least, there will be a spot or two requiring some leveling.
You may not need to level it if you are painting it or adding carpet, but you will for most other types of flooring.
This is a very detailed explanation of how to level your concrete floor, as well as whether you should hire this one out or if you can do it yourself.
Though it's written for vinyl plank floors, the information will help regardless of the material.
Don’t forget to Pin it for later!
}