Floor choices for your basement

Published: February 7, 2013

A finished basement is an excellent way to add more living space to a home. It can also be one of the trickiest spaces in your home for flooring. As the lowest space in your home, the basement is often susceptible to water problems or moisture from humid air. Often times the basement is used as a rec room which brings concerns about wear and tear on flooring. Add to those the common concerns about stain resistance, look and feel… and you’ve got a flooring challenge.

Here are a few recommendations from the flooring experts at Kermans Flooring:

Tile

Moisture, traffic wear, spills, and maintenance are never a concern with tile. Ceramic tile in particular is easy to install over a concrete slab (the likely sub-floor in any basement). We recommend you look for glazed ceramic floor tiles with an anti-slip finish. Concerned about noise or the feel of tile on a cold winter day? An area rug is the perfect way to tie the room together and give your feet a little something cozy. Learn more about tile in our online Tile Buyer’s Guide.

Engineered Hardwoods

Hardwood is not a good choice in most basements simply because of the potential for water damage. However, today’s engineered hardwoods are a different story. These laminate floors offer the look and feel of a solid wood floor but withstand temperature and moisture fluctuations without warping. They can be installed over a concrete slab and come in a variety of options. Learn more about engineered hardwood in our online Hardwood Buyer’s Guide.

Carpet

Sometimes you just want the comfort and sound-reducing qualities of carpet. You may want to consider carpeting part of the basement instead of the entire space. We also recommend you ask about moisture resistant padding to help counteract humidity issues. If your basement is also used as a rec room – be sure to check out carpets that stand up to lots of activities, those with short piles or loops such as Berber are great choices. Learn more about carpet options in our online Carpet Buyer’s Guide.

Visit the Kermans showroom in the Castleton area of Indianapolis to see these flooring options and more. Talk to our free designers about your home style and explore our many options for your basement.

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