Basement flooring
by
Rockbiter
+17
I have searched high and low and for some reason come up with nil when trying to figure out the type of flooring to put down in my basement room. it is an unfinished basement with one finished room. Issue is the obvious moisture issue which has to be tackled before anything get's installed. I would love carpet again, (the current carpet is going to crud buggers due to element deterioration) . If that is not ever a good choice informing me of such would save a lot of hours searching for this. if a professional is hands down the best fool proof way for this then that info will be helpful to know as well. Just seeing if a DIY can be done to save money. Sometimes with my skills PAP would be the less expensive way sadly..
12 answers
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Have you considered staining the concrete and using rugs were you want comfy feet? The the slab can breath and water vapor can come through but you get some color and even a cool design or theme with stencil like action..just a thought
Moxie
on Apr 10, 2015
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Awww shucks thanks Rockbiter lol - it won't effect the climate : ( I can only suggest some fun furry slippers : ) been to a remodeled JC Penny lately? these are commercial stained floors! You can hit stain mfg sites that often have picture galleries and information, google stenciled floors to really open your thinking on possibilities and the hit youtube and search for concrete staining..they have a bunch - this one shows the commercial process called diy but I like the preventative tips they give on testing for sealer, etc. https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0LEVvSm6ChVGTEAc4cnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTB0N25ndmVnBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1lIUzAwNF8x?p=diy+stained+concrete+floors&tnr=21&vid=5A322C7171ACC29EE8425A322C7171ACC29EE842&l=522&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DWN.mGOJ8QT2%252f84UiFv2D4Lteg%26pid%3D15.1&sigi=121i2ikp3&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DLDMIQW-xIII&sigr=11bou4508&tt=b&tit=How+To+Stain+Concrete+Floors-Concrete+Stain-Do+It+Yourself+...&sigt=11ub1566g&back=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fyhs%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Ddiy%2Bstained%2Bconcrete%2Bfloors%26hsimp%3Dyhs-002%26hspart%3Dmozilla%26ei%3DUTF-8&sigb=137jsq99j&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-002
Moxie
on Apr 11, 2015
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As a retired builder "mostly tired" I used to but a product that was 2 parts. first clean the floor good and let it dry. then you put down a clear sealer. and then the finish product was small flakes different color, just take your hand and throw around the room and don't complete cover just the cover you like . This product was small things about the size of your little finger nail real then then after it was dry add another coat to seal. looked great. sorry I can't remember the name of the product maybe a floor covering company might know . didn'y help as for as warmth.
Ray Phillips
on Apr 11, 2015
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Another option that would both serve as a day project and have similar cost is vinyl planks or tiles. They are water-proof and come in both glue down or inter-locking styles. They are warmer than concrete or ceramic. Again, I would put a rug on top as Moxie suggested. Many carpet stores offer binding on a carpet remnant for another affordable option to buying a large rug. I run a carpet store and around here, this option suits many situations. Good luck!
Gil1473751
on Apr 11, 2015
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I plan to do a paint/speckled on my concrete floor...I'm not going to fight nature. My basement has been dry for the almost 30 years I've been here..but it still is a 50s/60s basement..and a tad musty...I think fabric (carpet, etc) hold smells. My personal opinion...lol...and there are succcccch cool ideas out there!! The stain, too...just gonna keep it simple
Marie R
on Apr 11, 2015
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Loose lay vinyl flooring. Just cut and lay. Some look like hard wood flooring and others look like stone tiles. Watch for sales and do your homework via the Internet for the pros and cons. My research found that it is an all purpose flooring for a DIY.
Carole
on Apr 11, 2015
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Carol is right I put down vinyl flooring it is great easy to clean and looks nice. Its called Allure country style
David Ogden
on Apr 11, 2015
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Carole & David I am with you, I had all my carpet taken up and a Light Ash Timber Vinyl Plank flooring put down it is so modern so easy to keep clean I love it, looks like the real thing.
Maureen Roberts
on Apr 12, 2015
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I know people that have laid the loose lay and their was no prep work involved. It can go over concrete and is moisture proof. Like I said do your homework and pick every sales person brain. Let us know what you decided and the finish job. Good Luck!
Carole
on Apr 12, 2015
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The edges don't curl, as they do in sheet-vinyl floors, but still need some protection in doorways..but the second photo shows the edge of the vinyl plank exposed at the back door...I've been meaning to add a wider transition molding but it's been 3 years and I haven't yet..very durable flooring, and the range of color and grain are expanding
Pete Wells
on Apr 13, 2015
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I lifted up the base molding with a flat pry bar, enough to slide the flooring under..a few taps of the hammer tightened it up-I didn't lose any moldings..
Pete Wells
on Apr 19, 2015
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@Rockbiter I have been right where you are. We removed the 8 year old carpet in our basement last summer with the intentions of staining it and adding area rugs. It was painstaking and I would never suggest doing it yourself. That said, the reason ours took so long was the existing carpet was glued to the concrete and there were glue stains that penetrated the concrete that we tried everything to remove. We abandoned worrying about the glue marks and stained and sealed the concrete in the basement bedroom and bedroom closet to practice. It turned out beautiful, but as our remodel progressed, it was shockingly delicate. Even after adding the proper topcoats. Additionally, it made the basement much colder. We have a walk out/daylight basement and it was freezing over this winter. We stopped at the bedroom and have decided we'll probably do tile. Laminate floor isn't a good solution because most laminate has a cardboard like tongue and groove, so if there is moisture in the basement, almost always is, the cardboard can swell and mess up the floor. I hope that helps. I have pictures of my blog of our cement floors, but I won't write a tutorial because I just don't think it's a practical flooring solution like I once did.
Holly Prim
on Apr 23, 2015
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