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The Best Waterproof Flooring for Your Basement

Choosing the new flooring for the rooms in your home is an important decision. Not only do you want it to look good, you want it to be functional and long lasting. While most flooring options can work in just about any room of your home, special consideration needs to be given to your basement. […]

Choosing the new flooring for the rooms in your home is an important decision. Not only do you want it to look good, you want it to be functional and long lasting. While most flooring options can work in just about any room of your home, special consideration needs to be given to your basement. Sitting below ground level, basements are often prone to moisture, which can wreak havoc on many types of floors. But there are some flooring options that can stand up to humidity and potential flooding. Here are some of the best waterproof flooring options for your basement.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is a wonderful waterproof flooring for your basement. In fact, there is laminate specifically designed for basement use, to withstand moisture. Laminate is available is several different designs and patterns, and can even mimic the look of hardwood. The right grade laminate will stay strong under moisture and is very easy to clean up in the event of a flood.

Laminate can sound hollow underfoot, but most manufacturers also provide a dense pad to go underneath, which provides cushioning and makes it quieter. It is an easy DIY project, available in planks that snap together. The price varies, but the less expensive laminate is not going to be as effective in the basement as some of pricier counterparts.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain is a rather hard material made from clay and other natural materials. Porcelain offers a wide range of design options. Because it is fired at such high temperatures, porcelain is highly resistant to water (it has less than a 0.5% water absorption rate), which means that it can easily stand up to moisture or a flood and is easy to clean up. You just need to be careful if things get slick!

The best type of porcelain to choose for the basement is one with a through body color, which means the color goes through the whole tile, which prevents small imperfections from being noticed. Porcelain can be difficult to install, and is best done by a professional, but the extra cost of hiring someone to do the job is well worth the beautiful floor you will be able to enjoy for many, many years.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is made entirely from synthetic materials – vinyl, felt, fiberglass and dyes. Vinyl sometimes has a reputation for being cheap (it is less expensive than other flooring options), but it has many benefits. It is available is a wide array of colors and patterns, which means that there’s something for just about any taste. There are a few types of vinyl to choose from. Sheet vinyl is a single piece of vinyl that is laid out. It can withstand normal everyday use and is easy to clean.

Tile vinyl is available a series of tiles that is great for a DIYer. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is available to mimic a lot of other popular flooring choices – wood, stone, ceramic – but is much friendlier underfoot and less expensive. It comes in planks or tiles (depending upon the look you want) and is easily glued in place.

The basement can be tricky to renovate, but with the right waterproof flooring the last thing you’ll need to worry about is moisture ruining everything! If you need help picking the right floor for your basement, contact your local Windows Floors & Decor representative today!