Discover the Best Basement Flooring Options in Ontario

Choosing the best flooring options is essential when decorating or renovating a basement. Whether you want to turn your basement into an extra bedroom or living room or use it as a utility room or for storage, the flooring you choose can enhance and protect the space.

What to look for when shopping for the best flooring options for your basement?

The best basement flooring options should be waterproof or at least moisture-resistant. Flooring materials can be chosen if they are suitable for basement use. For example, you can't use solid wood in a basement because fluctuating moisture levels can cause the flooring to crack or split.

Experienced professionals at Happy Construction Company have helped you prepare a list of the best basement flooring options. Could you read this article to learn about them?

Best basement flooring option: Waterproof interlocking vinyl flooring

Our top pick for the best basement flooring option is a luxury vinyl plank that is entirely waterproof and scratch-resistant. You can use it on various floors, including concrete, vinyl, tile, and wood. Although this flooring is vinyl with a protective urethane layer, it has a realistic grain pattern that can quickly look like natural wood.

This type of smooth board may not be skid-resistant, but it has a glossy finish that doesn't make it slippery. Spills are easily removed from this flooring, and it is also stain-resistant. Vinyl flooring can have a micro-edge that easily snaps pieces together for simple installation, even in basement flooring that may be a little thick. The boards fit securely together and snap into place.

You can choose different colours of this flooring, such as honey oak, dark oak, and gray oak. Remember to buy from a manufacturer that offers a warranty.

Vinyl tile:

Vinyl tile flooring is one of the best options for basement renovations on a budget. Not only is it rapid and easy to install, but it also absorbs sound. To install it, stick the tiles to the floor. You can even cut it to your desired size using a box cutter and a steel ruler to achieve beautiful tiling.

You can install this vinyl tile on concrete, vinyl, and tile. Although not completely waterproof, it is water-resistant so that any drink spills can be easily cleaned up with a regular floor cleaner. This basement flooring option does not require underlayment, which makes the total cost of refinishing your basement even lower. Remember that there are long-term warranties for this product.

Another great thing about installing vinyl flooring is that if a tile or an area is damaged, you can remove and replace that piece in one. It has a realistic wooden look and is available in various finishes, such as white, beach sand, and gray wood.

Carpet:

There are better basement flooring options than carpet, but with its happy designs, this floor can do the job with flying colours. The carpet has a waterproof backing that ensures no water seeps through and into your basement below, alleviating any concerns about structural damage.

Since carpet is your choice for basement flooring, if you plan to use the basement as an extra bedroom, playroom, or living room, it provides a non-slip surface and creates a more cozy space. You can easily cut this roll to your desired size using a cutting tool, and you only need carpet adhesive or tape to stick it in place.

You can use a vacuum or wet/dry cleaner with a shallow construction for easy stain removal. The affordable carpet is made for use on large decks, so it can take its fair share of spills and remain intact and durable.

Slate tile:

Although designed for use in the main home, such as a kitchen or bathroom where you can display them in their full glory, slate floors and wall tiles are an excellent basement flooring option as they are entirely waterproof and very durable, with materials that are built and offer a stone instrument with low moisture absorption.

Slate tile can be found in dark colours that provide a bold look to any space and is suitable for underfloor heating. The lightly textured finish makes it skid-resistant when properly installed. This tile may have a limited warranty, shorter than other options, but it still gives you plenty of time to be convinced of its durability.

This product is a type of tile, so it should be installed by a professional installer, such as the skilled team at Happy Construction Company unless you have experience using a mortar and wet saw to cut tiles. Since this product is made of natural stone, it must also be sealed with a penetrating seal.

Laminate:

Another product that looks great in your main living space, thanks to the natural look of hardwood, is laminate wood flooring. If you plan to turn your basement into an additional living space, entertainment center or personal cave, laminate flooring has a warm yet stylish look. Therefore, you can use it as one of the best basement flooring options.

Even if you have pets and kids, the floor will stay intact thanks to its superior scratch resistance. It has a lifetime warranty for residential use (seven years for commercial use), and installation is simple. A click-lock mechanism and a slot mechanism along the long end of the board allow the pieces to fit together like a jigsaw. They stick securely and require no glue.

Although it looks like natural wood, it requires no polishing, varnishing, or waxing that hardwood requires. You must install an underlayment before installing these boards, but they are compatible with any type of underlayment, including concrete, cork, plywood, and vinyl. You can even place them over underfloor heating.

Engineered wood:

Hardwood floors are one of the best flooring options for basements using waterproof technology. This flooring option is durable and scratch-resistant, so you don't have to tread carefully.

The boards require underlayment, but you can install them on any subfloor. Installation is simple by simply clicking the parts together thanks to their interlocking design. I also recommend finishing the installation with a waterproof perimeter seal to cover any expansion gaps.

Cork:

Choosing cork flooring brings you many benefits. For starters, it provides sound control and prevents heat from escaping, potentially helping you save on your electricity bill. Cork, by nature, is slip-resistant thanks to its textured finish, and it's also a sustainable option because it's made from natural, eco-friendly materials.

Cork floor tiles are produced in different natural cork shades to suit your style and can be easily installed on top of concrete or wooden basements using glue. Although not the cheapest option, these cork tiles offer unique flooring that will appeal to you. They are also comfortable and almost squishy enough to walk barefoot.

Since cork is often used as an underlayment, these tiles do not require an additional subfloor. They are scratch and stain resistant and not susceptible to mildew. As an added safety feature, they are fireproof. Although covered with a protective coating, they are not waterproof, so any leaks should be dealt with immediately.

If you need more advice on choosing the best basement flooring option, contact the experts at Happy Construction Company today.