{"id":1779,"date":"2022-04-06T10:12:25","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T10:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/?p=1779"},"modified":"2023-04-14T13:26:13","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T13:26:13","slug":"what-flooring-is-waterproof-for-a-basement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/what-flooring-is-waterproof-for-a-basement\/","title":{"rendered":"What Flooring Is Waterproof For A Basement?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
When you start renovating your basement, the best place to start is with the floor. Basements are notorious for harboring moisture. Because concrete is very absorbent, it attracts and soaks up the moisture in the ground surrounding it. I wanted to install basement flooring that would be durable and withstand moisture. So, I wondered what flooring is waterproof for basements?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waterproof flooring for the basement has to be durable, easy to install, and withstand the moisture cement absorbs. The best waterproof flooring for basements includes laminate flooring, ceramic tiles, vinyl flooring, cork flooring, epoxy flooring, rubber tiles, waterproof paint, and cement sealant.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing a suitable flooring for your basement can be intimidating because it needs to be waterproof, durable, mildew, and mold-proof. It also needs to withstand rot and be easy to maintain. To help me choose the right kind of basement flooring, I asked my friend, a contractor, for advice. We will be discussing what I learned in this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waterproof flooring has gotten more popular in the last few decades. If you want to install the best waterproof flooring in your basement, there are several options to choose from. Here are the best waterproof flooring options we will discuss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best solution you might have against moisture is to use ceramic tiles. The great thing about installing ceramic tiles in the basement is that you don\u2019t need subflooring. Ceramic tiles work best when installed directly on the cement foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ceramic tiles are as waterproof as you can get. Remember you need to use waterproof grouting because regular grouting will lift and fall out in wet conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Installing ceramic tiles can be of significant benefit to your home. Some of the pros to installing ceramic tiles in your basement include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ceramic tiles are an affordable flooring option for your basement. The price is dependent on the quality of the tiles you choose. If you choose a standard color, it will cost less than those with designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find lower-grade tiles that may have mismatched colors or patterns and create a unique look for an affordable price. You can expect to pay between $15-20 per sqft if you choose lower grade or plain tiles and $40-$65 per sqft for high-grade tiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ceramic tiles are relatively easy to maintain. The best type of ceramic tile to use in a basement where there is a chance of moisture is glazed ceramic tiles. Glazed tiles have a hard top layer that acts as a waterproof barrier that keeps the tiles from absorbing any spilled liquid like water and drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, maintaining the tiles merely consists of vacuuming the tiled floor or sweeping the dirt away and cleaning the floor with tile cleaner and a mop once a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ceramic tiles can be very durable and last more than 25 years when installed correctly. However, installation damage might pop up when ceramic tiles have a problem with the subflooring or when you are not using enough tile adhesive or using the wrong grout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Should it be physical damage to the ceramic tile, for example, something heavy dropped on the floor and cracked a tile, you can easily replace it. You only need a little bit of tile adhesive, a replacement tile, and waterproof grouting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to design and color options, the list is endless. Ceramic tiles come in various colors and designs and can be customized. These designs include tiles that look like wood, marble, or plain; you can find antique or modern designs as well. You may also find any color you can think of to match your basement\u2019s design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ceramic flooring has to be the best flooring option for basements, but there are a few cons to them, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While installing ceramic tiles is a relatively straightforward process, the installation can be meticulous and time-consuming. The surface of the cement foundation needs to be prepared, and you need to use spacers, so there is room for the grout. None of this is challenging, but it takes more time than some of the other floor options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glazed ceramic tiles are better for basements with a lot of moisture because unglazed ceramic tiles need to be sealed or absorb stains and water that will damage them over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sealant lasts about 2-3 years; if the basement is a high traffic area and gets mopped at least once a week. So, the sealant will need to be retouched every few years to ensure the tiles stay waterproof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ceramic tiles can get cold during wintertime, so you might need extra heating in the basement or underfloor heating if you want to use ceramic tiles in your basement. You can also opt for rugs when it\u2019s cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vinyl\/ PVC flooring is the second-best option to use for basement floors. The reason for this is that vinyl\/ PVC flooring is highly water-resistant. Most contractors won\u2019t use the words waterproof as it might give homeowners the idea that PVC\/vinyl flooring cannot get damaged by water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Water can damage vinyl flooring if exposed to water over an extended period. That being said, water will take quite some time to damage the vinyl\/PVC flooring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The issue also comes in if you use adhesives. The adhesives can get damaged by water, and you will need to reapply them eventually. If your basement floor is permanently wet or moist, you need to look for the cause. Most flooring options will suffer if it is permanently exposed to water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are more advantages to using vinyl\/ PVC flooring than you might think; here are a few:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vinyl\/PVC flooring is highly moisture resistant and won\u2019t be affected by water unless you use the kind that requires adhesives. In addition, vinyl\/PVC flooring is resistant to mold, mildew, and rot which is a problem with other options like wood or laminate flooring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is resistant to the bugs and pests like termites and other wood burrowing bugs that plague wood or laminate floors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vinyl\/PVC flooring is among the most affordable flooring options for a basement. You can find stunning designs in almost every color to suit the theme of your basement. The regular vinyl flooring cost between $3-and $6 per sqft, and the high-end or luxury vinyl can cost between $6-and $10 per sqft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vinyl\/PVC flooring can come in so many designs, styles, and colors that you can match it to the style of your basement with no problem. Some design options include vinyl flooring that looks like wood, marble, shiplap, and antique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few cons to installing vinyl\/PVC flooring in your basement, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vinyl\/PVC flooring is hard to remove. Once the adhesive or glue backing hardens, it becomes difficult to remove. You won\u2019t need special equipment, but it will damage the tile, and you won\u2019t be able to use it again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite having the title of \u201cluxury,\u201d not all vinyl\/PVC flooring is quality made. There are discrepancies in thickness, and even a few printing errors can slip through, so it\u2019s crucial to check the consistency of the quality when you are buying the vinyl flooring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Older vinyl flooring that was made before 1980 can be dangerous. Many building materials contained asbestos because contractors didn\u2019t know about the health risks of using asbestos until 1990. In 1990 using it in building materials was banned in the U.S. If you have old vinyl lying around that you want to give new life, it may be better to throw it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Epoxy is a resin floor material made up of a two-part epoxy system. This system contains polymer resins and hardeners. When the epoxy resins mix and make contact with the cement floor, it bonds the three parts (resin, hardener, and cement) together and forms a thick hard plastic flooring that is very durable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As one of the quickest and toughest floorings around, there are quite a few advantages to using epoxy flooring in your basement, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you cover your entire basement floor with epoxy, it becomes waterproof as soon as it hardens. You need to ensure that all the borders are sealed correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Epoxy comes in various colors, and you can custom make a design you like. Some designs look like marble, and some look like the beach. To get the best out of the color, you can consult an expert and get the best advice. Solid color epoxy floors look great as well, as you can pick from metallic or plain colors to suit your style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you maintain the flooring correctly and have it installed by experts, epoxy flooring can last decades. It is among the most durable flooring materials you can find. Epoxy flooring is insect resistant, rot and mold resistant, and won\u2019t easily stain or peel when you clean it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is resistant to chemical and oil spills, which is the reason why many automotive repair shops and laboratories use epoxy flooring. After a few years, the shine might dull but can be brought back by a buff and polish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Epoxy flooring is in the same price range as ceramic tiles but can be less expensive to achieve a high-end look. Some ceramic tiles and wooden flooring materials cost more if you want high-end quality; in those cases, epoxy will be more affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Flooring Is Waterproof For Basement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ceramic Tiles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros Of Installing Ceramic Tiles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Price Of Ceramic Tiles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Maintaining Ceramic Tiles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Durability Of Ceramic Tiles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Design And Color Options<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cons Of Installing Ceramic Tiles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Installation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Glazed Vs. Unglazed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
It Gets Cold In Wintertime<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Vinyl\/PVC Flooring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros Of Vinyl\/PVC Flooring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Water And Other Resistants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Vinyl\/PVC Floors Are Affordable<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Aesteict Appeal<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cons Of Vinyl\/PVC Flooring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hard To Remove<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Quality Isn\u2019t Always Consistent<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Dangers Of Old Vinyl<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Epoxy Flooring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros Of Epoxy Flooring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It Is Waterproof<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
It Looks Great<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Durability And Resistance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Price Point<\/h4>\n\n\n\n