The Best Waterproof Basement Flooring Options for Your Home
The basement or man cave is an inseparable part of a home. Usually, this area in your house is cluttered and messy. However, you should never ignore the hygiene of the basement, as it can put the health of your family members at risk. Presence of water or damp floor can become a breeding ground of bacteria and harmful germs, which can cause infections and diseases.
You should pay attention to the finished basement in your house and get waterproof flooring done to keep it fresh and dry.
The flooring market keeps evolving. There are new ideas, techniques and materials that you can use for a durable flooring. Waterproof flooring has taken the flooring market to the next level. If you are looking for long-lasting, health flooring options, you’ll certainly like to browse the range of waterproof flooring. Choosing the best from a multitude of waterproof flooring options can become overwhelming. The designer styles in this category range from concrete flooring, tiles flooring and vinyl planks flooring to natural flooring – and many more. These flooring designs have been created to be waterproof or moisture-resistant. If you don’t know much about the various waterproof basement flooring options available out there, let us broaden your knowledge on this topic so that you can make a well-informed decision.
What is Waterproof Flooring?
To avoid getting caught up in the marketing jargon, you should first understand what waterproof flooring means.
If a flooring is designed to be waterproof, it means the flooring is made up of material that water or moisture cannot penetrate. Waterproof products don’t have a special coating to stop water from entering. Istead, waterproof flooring means that the entire flooring consists of waterproof material. When planning to purchase waterproof flooring for your basement, you should never confuse waterproof with water-resistant. These two terms don’t mean the same thing. Waterproof flooring is designed to remain unaffected and undamaged by a large quantity of water. On the other hand, flooring that is water-resistant can resist only a small quantity of water, and the water needs to be cleaned up to avoid long-term damage.
Waterproof flooring is a great option to choose for any area of your home. Since the basement is an area where moisture-related issues are very common, installing waterproof flooring in this area is crucial.
Choose from a Range of Basement Flooring
The flooring market is simply packed with numerous designs and styles to suit the taste of every individual. You can purchase a waterproof flooring to match your aesthetic needs and the overall look of your home. Manufacturers have brought tons of variety to waterproof flooring.
Waterproof ceramic tiles:
One of the most preferred options for waterproof flooring is the use of ceramic and porcelain tile flooring. You must have noticed the structure of these tiles. These tiles are designed in a way to prevent water from entering or seeping through. If you want waterproof flooring which is also long-lasting, you should definitely consider this option. Ceramic tiles are useful in many ways, other than that they are fully waterproof. Cleaning these tiles is easy. Today, you’ll find a wide variety of attractive ceramic tiles for basement flooring. Which is more, many designs are created to look like stone and wood.
Professional will lay the waterproof ceramic tiles directly on to your concrete slab. They will complete everything in an effective and proper manner. There are many color options for you to pick from. In terms of styles and patterns as well, you have a wide variety and you can choose as you please.
Pros and Cons:
If you are considering waterproof flooring for your basement, using the ceramic and porcelain tiles idea is a good one. It is almost for water or any other liquid to penetrate these tiles. Also, you can easily take care of this flooring material and clean them without any difficulty.
In terms of durability, ceramic tiles flooring is one of the best. If well-maintained, this flooring can last for several years in a row. The design pattern of ceramic tiles has evolved a lot over the last couple of years. You’ll have a broad range of styles to choose from. One latest addition to the design galore are those tiles that look like stone and wood. Depending on your personal tastes, you can go with any of these designs and give a unique look to your basement.
Ceramic tiles are made from a material which is unable to retain heat. So, you’ll find that the tiles get cold during the winters. Also, these tiles are hard. It can be hurtful to stand on this flooring for too long. To install waterproof ceramic tiles flooring in the basement, you’ll need the help of professionals.
Epoxied Concrete Flooring:
There are some waterproof flooring options that are more affordable than others. One of these is the use of epoxy paints and coatings on to your concrete slab. Epoxy coatings can be applied to the slab in two steps. During this process, hardener is also used. In the first step, the epoxy resin is applied. The next step involves the application of hardener.
Pros and Cons:
This waterproof flooring option is not just affordable, but it is also one of the easiest solutions for homeowners. This paint and coating can be applied with the use of a paint roller.
One gallon of epoxy paint can cover an area of 200-250 sq ft. The quantity of epoxy paint that will be required to waterproof your entire concrete slab depends on two key factors – viscosity of the paint and the porousness of the floor. If you plan to use epoxy coating instead, the cost will go up slightly. This type of waterproof flooring has a long life and is easy to maintain too.
Waterproof Rubber Flooring:
Have you heard about waterproof rubber flooring before? It has already entered the flooring market and getting rave reviews from all around. If you want to keep your basement fresh and dry, you should certainly consider this flooring option. This type of flooring is available in countless designs and you can easily find your favorite color and design. If you are in an area where flooding occurs many times, rubber flooring is a great option to keep your basement waterproof. It is easy to pull up this type of flooring and then reinstall them again, as per your specific needs that may arise in the basement.
Pros and Cons:
Rubber flooring comes along with multiple benefits. Compared to other basement floorings, rubber flooring is easy on your feet. This type of flooring remains dry even under wet conditions. If you plan to eliminate the risk of growth of harmful germs and fungi, rubber flooring is a good option.
It’s easy to clean rubber flooring. All you need is an occasional vacuuming and the surface will become clean. You can also easily give this type of waterproof flooring a damp mop. If your rubber flooring becomes yet or water spills on to it, the flooring does not become slippery. You simply won’t fall on wet rubber floors. In fact, when this type of floor gets wet or is exposed to water, it becomes even more slip-resistant. If you live in a rea where flooding is common or you see a lot of water, installing this type of waterproof flooring is a good idea.
In terms of looks, rubber flooring offers limited options. The smell of rubber won’t go because rubber is after all rubber. Installation of the rubber floor takes more time and the assistance of professionals.
Waterproof Vinyl Flooring:
This waterproof flooring offers an endless range of colors, design patterns, and styles. Due to the versatility that these tiles offer, they have gained a lot of popularity. If you plan to give your basement a unique and attractive look, vinyl plank flooring is the way to go.
Vinyl Flooring for Any Residential or Commercial Space in Manchester, New Hampshire
Whether you are looking for eye-catching visuals, best durability, or attractive colors and textures, waterproof vinyl flooring offers it all. This type of waterproof flooring for your basement is available in the look of hardwood and stone. Manufacturers of these plank flooring tiles continue to innovate. So, you can expect to see many more designs and textures in this category of flooring. These plan flooring can be either moisture-resistant or waterproof. Always remember to go for waterproof vinyl planks because you want your basement to be fully waterproof.
Pros and Cons:
In terms of durability, vinyl plank flooring is one of the best. These tiles are 100% waterproof. This means you just don’t have to worry if the basement in your home gets wet or flooding happens or some liquid is spilled on to it. The tiles won’t soak it a bit, and you can easily clean it up.
The wood and stone looks of vinyl plans are just too eye-catching. These tiles require a low level of maintenance.
Cost of waterproof vinyl flooring may be a concern for many. If you have a tight budget, this flooring isn’t a good option. However, the scenario can change very soon as more and more manufacturers are designing affordable vinyl tiles. If you are looking for a good deal, don’t forget to do some research. You can expect the cost of this type of flooring come down in the near future.
Waterproof Concrete Sealer:
This is one of the cheapest flooring options that you can use to make your basement waterproof. If you want to prevent moist from below to the concrete slab, waterproof concrete sealer will do the job. Usually, the concrete sealer is made from acrylic liquids.
Pros and Cons:
The application of concrete sealer isn’t difficult. All you need is a paint roller to apply it on to the concrete slab. The liquid will flow easily. If you want this type of waterproof flooring to last for a long time, you should first give your concrete slab a good cleanup. If the concrete is clean, the application of the sealer will be proper and effective and it will become durable.
Waterproof concrete sealer is quite affordable. In one gallon of this sealer (which costs around $25), you can cover an area of around 200 sq ft. If your concrete is less porous, you can cover more area with less sealer.
For More Details, Get in Touch with Minuteman Floors
Your waterproof flooring options are too many. If you want waterproof flooring for your basement, you should feel free to talk to one of the experts at Minuteman Floors to explore all the different options and find out which one is right for you. We offer high quality flooring and installations in Manchester, New Hampshire. There are flooring solutions for every budget and need.