Basement Flooring Options

Posted on: April 19th, 2011 | 10 Comments


John and Matthew breakdown the basement flooring options currently available on the market and recommend the best type to use for a DIY renovation.

  • Brad W

    I would be inclined to install a floating flooring option over the old tile rather than gluing something to it.

  • Terri

    I was wondering about cork flooring. I’ve never installed it myself, but people I know find it ideal in their basement because it feels warmer than tile. The question is, can it be installed over a floor like Mid America Mom’s?

  • http://slowhomestudio.com Matthew North

    Brad W – what type of floating floor were you thinking of? Do you know what the minimum height would be?

  • http://slowhomestudio.com Matthew North

    Terri – cork is also a good option – it is not as forgiving as marmoleum or VCT in terms of being able to handle any uneven surfaces on the old basement slab. It may require some additional floor preparation to have a successful installation.

  • jim baer

    i am a big fan of marmoleum, in concept, but i have always been put off by what i read concerning the maintenance. i.e. periodic stripping and refinishing. VCT seems to generally be less intense.

  • Deb

    I have used a product called ‘Dri-Core’ which is a subfloor for basements. It may not be applicable in Mid-America Mom’s basement due to a concern with height but it has worked well for me. I applied it in our cottage which is a slab-on-grade building and the rooms feel much warmer.

  • Brad W

    Matthew – any click together product, also carpet could work – gluing down sheet flooring would work and be cost effective if the existing tile seem to be well adhered to the basement floor – I do like all of your suggestions – I really think the big wildcard here is the condition of the existing tiles – as well as the site (existing tiles, low height basement) budget is a concern with any choice and flooring cost can really add up.

    Deb – agree about Dri-Core, floor should be level or corrected to level

    John – What is with the big SUV in My Rona Home? Gas prices must still be low in Alberta or these houses must be in the middle of nowhere.

  • Mid America Mom

    HI Jim,
    I had thought to this product but was unaware of maintenance. I will look into that more.

  • Mary

    I hate cold floors, and that is what you have here. I would like suggestions on how to heat a concrete floor without disturbing the concrete.

  • Brad W

    Electric or radiant water heating solutions could work. Your best bet however is a product like Dri-Core – this provides an air gap (a thermal break) between the concrete and the finished floor – you can install vents in the Dir-Core to allow air movement under the floor keeping the area dry. This passive solution will keep your basement floor warm and dry. The reason it was not suggested here were height considerations – Dri-Core is about an inch thick.