suggestions for basement flooring

[Anonymous]

Cork underlayment with marmoleum on top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We are doing a home renovation and I'm having trouble figuring out the basement floor which is quite large.
It will be a playroom for older kids/guest space. The builder recommends wall to wall carpet but I'm having trouble getting excited about that.
I love the wood-look ceramic tile but he thinks that will feel too hard and cold?I wish we had under-floor heating down there but we don't.
I plan to have a large rug on the tile but not sure if that will be enough to make the area feel cozy.
The builder suggested luxury vinyl tile over ceramic if I insist on tile as he thinks it has a softer and warmer feel.
Has anyone put tile and regretted it? Any advice?

It will feel like ICE! Your builder is right.

We have a laminate tile in our basement and it is cool in summer and too cold to walk on in winter!

We love the porcelain tile we put in the basement. The TV area has a large wool rug in it and it works fine to warm things up.

We live in a pretty temperate climate. I like the coldness of the floor from about April to October, and in the other months it doesn't bother me.

[Anonymous]

It is going to be freezing in the winter. Seriously. The owners here did it and we had to add huge area rugs. It sucks the heat out of the area, too. Eventually we will put carpet down or replace with laminate or cork. Do not do it. We will not buy another house with tile in the basement.

[Anonymous]

We did commercial grade laminate. It's much more durable than residential stuff, comes with a lifetime warranty and looks great.

$5sq/ft i seem to recall. We bought from abet USA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much water do people actually get in their basements that it impacts flooring choices? I always read that basement flooring should be able to handle water, but we haven't ever had water in our basement, neither have my parents who have been in the same house for 30 years.

Doesn't take much water to destroy wood or carpeting, but carpeting is cheaper to replace. We have had carpet in our last two basements even though rest of the house is hard wood. I agree with your builder, it warms the floors, and space up and relatively inexpensive to replace. If you don't want carpet, I would look at vinyl.

[Anonymous]

we have laminate planks that look super nice for our basement that has no water issues, and really easy to clean with my stick vacuum. Carpet seems danky for a basement.

[Anonymous]

We did a concrete stain. Very popular right now and easy to maintain. Can add rugs for warmth.

[Anonymous]

We did engineered hardwood and we love it. Make sure you don't have water issues though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much water do people actually get in their basements that it impacts flooring choices? I always read that basement flooring should be able to handle water, but we haven't ever had water in our basement, neither have my parents who have been in the same house for 30 years.

Doesn't take much water to destroy wood or carpeting, but carpeting is cheaper to replace. We have had carpet in our last two basements even though rest of the house is hard wood. I agree with your builder, it warms the floors, and space up and relatively inexpensive to replace. If you don't want carpet, I would look at vinyl.

I've been wondering this too. We've never had any water issues but any bids we receive seem to go on and on about water and flooring choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much water do people actually get in their basements that it impacts flooring choices? I always read that basement flooring should be able to handle water, but we haven't ever had water in our basement, neither have my parents who have been in the same house for 30 years.

Doesn't take much water to destroy wood or carpeting, but carpeting is cheaper to replace. We have had carpet in our last two basements even though rest of the house is hard wood. I agree with your builder, it warms the floors, and space up and relatively inexpensive to replace. If you don't want carpet, I would look at vinyl.

I've been wondering this too. We've never had any water issues but any bids we receive seem to go on and on about water and flooring choices.

You can get dampness come up through the slab, even if the bsaement is dry.

[Anonymous]

Look up what people are doing with Marmoleum. You can choose a warm, woody color, or go with one of their brights, which are really pretty. It's naturally insulating, and lasts forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much water do people actually get in their basements that it impacts flooring choices? I always read that basement flooring should be able to handle water, but we haven't ever had water in our basement, neither have my parents who have been in the same house for 30 years.

Doesn't take much water to destroy wood or carpeting, but carpeting is cheaper to replace. We have had carpet in our last two basements even though rest of the house is hard wood. I agree with your builder, it warms the floors, and space up and relatively inexpensive to replace. If you don't want carpet, I would look at vinyl.

I've been wondering this too. We've never had any water issues but any bids we receive seem to go on and on about water and flooring choices.

You can get dampness come up through the slab, even if the bsaement is dry.

Isn't that what the moisture barrier under laminate and hardwood is for?

[Anonymous]

PP who used concrete stain - can you recommend the person who did this for you? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Marmoleum is fantastic, but the sheet Marmoleum (not the plants) is what is recommended for basements--and the price would be the equivalent of nice hardwood. If you are over budget, Marmoleum is not an inexpensive alternative.

I would look at luxury vinyl planks. We have it in our laundry room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Marmoleum is fantastic, but the sheet Marmoleum (not the plants) is what is recommended for basements--and the price would be the equivalent of nice hardwood. If you are over budget, Marmoleum is not an inexpensive alternative.

I would look at luxury vinyl planks. We have it in our laundry room.

PLANKS.