Do you have a neglected basement that you think of bringing back to life by covering and decorating the uneven concrete with a very appealing basement option? You have come to the right place for the updated information.
In this piece, we’ll unveil the crucial details about the different basement flooring options, exploring their costs, benefits, and drawbacks. This hopelessly should be of immense assistance when deciding on the best option.
Contents
Basement Flooring
The basement of your building is a part that is either partially or wholly under the natural ground. To the belief of many, basements are characteristically barren, dark, and dreary compared to other major sections of the building. People usually use their basement buildings for utility purposes based on their respective needs, including storage, office, parking, indoor games, or small manufacturing unit.
The first thing that runs through the mind of anyone that lives in a house with a basement is how to ensure it is clean and neat for everyone in the house to be safe and to keep it properly ventilated.
Generally, basements are unfinished, and most of the related issues can be traced to the imperfections of uneven surfaces.
One vital step to take to provide your basement with the glory it deserves is to install the flooring professionally and durably.
Flooring Options for Uneven Basement Concrete Floor
While you’re thinking of installing befitting and suitable basement flooring, you should try to research the different available options of basement flooring for uneven basement concrete floors.
You should know that some factors do affect basement flooring. Good basement floors are expected to be strong, well-insulated, and water-resistant.
To save you the trouble of endlessly searching around for the variety of options you can choose, we have selected some of the right flooring options that can suit your basement. Check out some of them below:
1. Engineered Wood flooring
Engineered wood flooring is very close to plywood in its composition. It comes with a thin layer of original wood bonded to other composite boards or woodpiles. As a type of flooring made in planks with interlocking edges, it features a durable and factory-applied finish.
This flooring stands as a means of creating an aesthetically pleasing, elegant, and warm atmosphere in your basement. What makes it an attractive option for uneven concrete is its floating installation method. This implies that your floor will be offered an even finish. And because of how strong the wood is, the unevenness below the floor will hardly be felt. Besides, this option provides an incredible structure, which will not dip or bend.
How much does it cost?
The price of engineered wood flooring falls within the range of $6 to $20 per square foot ( depending on the chosen veneer wood, its thickness, and other considerable factors such as extra wood and the removal of the old flooring)
What we like
- Low maintenance
- Classic appearance
- More cost-effective than hardwood
- Durable
- Different design and patterning options, including tiles and planks
- Multiple options of wooden veneers
- Promote the resale value of your property
What we don’t like
- Noisy
- Susceptible to warping with moisture
- Complex installation
- Water-absorbent
- Prone to scratching and scuffing
- Must re-finish every several years, but not often
- Requires old flooring removal
2. Laminate Floating Floor
Laminate flooring is an excellent option for basements. It’s easy to install and exceptionally durable. As a floating floor, the flooring clips into itself instead of attaching to the floor surface. This offers an even-looking layer on top of the uneven concrete in your basement.
How much does it cost?
As a very cheap flooring option, its cost falls within the range of $3 to $8 per square foot ( including labor and materials). Notes that DIY ( installation) will cost less.
What we like
- Durable
- Affordable
- Easy installation
- Easy to clean and low maintenance
- Scratch-resistant
- Waterproof and water-resistant options
- Comes with a protective layer to prevent scuffing, staining, and fading
- Can be installed over old flooring
- Can withstand areas of high traffic
What we don’t like
- Has an artificial appearance
- Requires floor preparation
- Last two to three decades at most
- Two days acclimatization for the laminate
- Not as valuable for resale of the house.
3. Floating Vinyl Flooring
Floating Vinyl Flooring comes with a protective layer and core layer. The former helps prevent scratching, while the latter is water-resistant and helps avoid denting.
With this type of flooring, you can offer your basement floor an even appearance. Nonetheless, if the vinyl is not thick enough, the unevenness may still be felt underfoot.
One of the reasons the flooring option is great is because it can be laid over old flooring. By installing this extra layer, you will see how incredibly the uneven concrete is disguised due to the levels.
How much does it cost?
The cost of floating vinyl flooring ranges from $3 and $10 per square foot ( depending on if you’re using planks, sheets, or tiles and choosing luxury products)
What we like
- Affordable
- Durable
- Water-resistant or waterproof
- Installation over an old floor
- Low maintenance
- Numerous patterns and colors
What we don’t like
- Susceptible to fading ( if exposed to sunlight)
- Stickiness if not properly maintained or installed
- Prone to scratching and tears due to softer surface
- Difficulty removal if glued
- No resale value-added.
4. Rigid Carpeting
Rigid carpets are characterized by stiff inflexibility, which helps create an even surface and hold their shape. It’s a hard and synthetic type of carpet that can cover uneven concrete. Its thickness makes it ideal for a home-gym area and not a family room.
The padding and the thickness of the carpet will determine if you will feel the uneven texture of the floor under or not. Besides, the carpet baseboards support by providing a good structure.
How much does it cost?
The cost of installation, excluding labor, ranges from $1 to $8 per square foot.
What we like
- Affordable
- Durable
- Less noise
- Mold and mildew-resistant
- Provides floors with warmth
- Stain-resistant ( depending on color and material)
What we don’t like
- Susceptible to wear patterns ( busy areas)
- Difficult maintenance and cleaning
- Easily stained ( depending on color and material)
- Carpet replacement for wear occurring in uneven areas
- Attractant to bugs
- Carpet replacement may require baseboard replacement
Challenges and Solutions: Installing Basement Flooring
Below are some of the major challenges you may experience when installing basement flooring:
Uneven Flooring Surface
Older basements are often seen to have uneven concrete surfaces. This can be a challenge when installing any of the novel flooring options. So, you should ensure that the professional installer uses a self-leveling compound with gypsum before installing the new flooring. This will effectively help fight moisture creating a level surface for the flooring.
Ceiling Height
If the height of your basement ceiling is low, installation of a floating floor could subtract one or two inches, which can be a violation of the local building codes. According to the city code in Chicago, the threshold is 7’6” of ceiling height. So, in case you have a ceiling height under that threshold, you may expect it not to count as compliant occupancy square footage but would be seen as storage space). To maintain compliance in a particular area, you may want to inquire from the local government about the basement living codes.
Basement Moisture
No homeowner will love seeing their basement in a wet, musty, old state. And it would be highly disappointing spending on new flooring, but only to see how it has been affected by mold, water, and musty scent. Therefore, before you engage in basement finishing projects, it’s advisable to observe your basement for a year (if you’re new to the home) to see if it’s free from flood. Besides, below are some standard precautions you may need to take to have a dry basement:
- Ensure walls and pipes are appropriately insulated in the basement
- Make sure you plug racks and holes in the foundation
- Ensure the foundation is free from water (make downspouts and gutters) and let the earth slows down and away from the building.
- Try to use a sealer ( UGL Drylok Extreme Masonry Waterproofer) on the basement wall.
- Let a vapor barrier stays between the new flooring and the concrete floor
- Get a working sump pump (with a battery backup) to prepare for a power outage.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the article has been able to offer invaluable detail about basement flooring options over uneven concrete. Ensure you take this content as a guide when looking for a suitable flooring option for your basement. With any of these, you should be excited to show people your basement.