Basement floor covering ideas

If I was doing my basement, which I'm not, (says wife), I'd go with a cardinal and gold checkerboard pattern. It's easy to install and goes well with anything Cyclone related.
 
This - Concrete staining is the way to go. I did my bar area like this as all of my friends are clumsy drunks. I didn't use the acid method though. For our process, you actually milled the top 1/16" or so of concrete off to remove the "cure" and allow the stain to soak into the concrete. You then spray it on with a weed sprayer. Use a roller to apply a couple coats of sealer and wax adn you are good to go. It will scuff a little with heavy use, but we just apply another coat of wax every year or so and it is like new. I did 1200 sqft for $1800 ($1.50/ft). The most expensive part was the milling as I couldn't find a machine to rent so I subbed it to the place that I bought the stain from. I probably didn't have the skill to use it anyway. My wife did the staining and the the store actually had a workshop on how to do it where she was able to get some hands on training before attemting ours.

my neighbor is about done doing this with their basement. the floor was previously painted and didn't realize the replacement concrete from waterproofing in the 90's would be a different color from the original. the stain didn't look the same way, but their contractor was able to blend them together with a darker stain.
 
I am doing a large area of ceramic tile in my basement, thinset right to the concrete. If it gets wet, squeggie to floor drain.
ceramic tile is to cold for me to do in my basement. I just put in a decent but some what cheap carpet. If it floods then I will just pay my $500 and turn it into my insurance for the rest. I wish I would have put in the heat strips under my tile in the bar area and bathroom as those floors in the winter get pretty cold.
 
I had to remove the carpet from my basement after the floods and I'm finally to the point that I need to put something back down. If it was up to me I'd just leave bare concrete and paint it but that won't fly with my wife. I definitely don't want traditional carpet/padding like I had before. So, what are some other options people have used/seen?

How much carpet? If the wife doesn't like the bare aspect she probably won't like any other type of produce that deals with water, tile, laminate, etc.

1. Carpet, but cheap carpet that you won't feel horrible removing next time

2. If you go with a non carpet just go super crazy with rugs. Put enough down so she can win the "floor is lava" game and you'll be fine.
 
I laid ceramic tile in a kitchen remodel i did on or rental property in mason for about 99 cents a sq ft. It was the first time i had ever done it. It turned out pretty darn good, but man it is back breaking work. My wife and I went to lowes to get tile to do in our basement, and found this groutable vinyl tile. My wife actually like the look of this one style better then any of the ceramic styles.... the benefits to me are there too.... The tile is far lighter so much easier on the back to install. The feel is warmer since it is a softer material. It will be cheaper to install and I won't have to mess with thin set. I already have a tile saw but using the vinyl doesn't require one, so less tools to buy/rent.

Don't be afraid to tackle a project like this.... It is far easier to do then one would think. I showed my wife what to do, and at 8. mo. pregnant she wanted to try to tile the fireplace by herself, and with a little guidance from me, she did a pretty good job. If she can do it, anybody can.
 
ceramic tile is to cold for me to do in my basement. I just put in a decent but some what cheap carpet. If it floods then I will just pay my $500 and turn it into my insurance for the rest. I wish I would have put in the heat strips under my tile in the bar area and bathroom as those floors in the winter get pretty cold.

thats what rugs are for, ceramic tile then rugs... also wearing socks in the winter helps :)
 

Help Support Us

Become a patron