Good Flooring for a Concrete Basement Floor

Choices

• One good option for basement flooring is cork. Cork is environmentally friendly, warm and durable. Small House Living notes that cork is available in a variety of patterns and colors and is pest-, water- and fire-resistant. You can choose cork tiles, which are easier to install yourself, or sheet cork.

  Vinyl, also available in sheet and tiles, is easy to clean and resists scuffing. A benefit of vinyl is that it comes in almost unlimited pattern and color options.

  Linoleum sheets or tiles are durable, easy to clean and stain-resistant. It generally is not available in as many color choices as vinyl, but it is more environmentally friendly.

  Carpet is not ideal for your basement if the space is usually damp or prone to flooding, but if your basement is relatively dry and you want the warmth that carpeting brings to a room, The House Designers recommend using carpet squares. If your basement floor does get wet, you'll be able to change the affected squares rather than having to replace carpet in the entire room.

  If wood flooring appeals to you, consider installing a laminate. Laminate is easy to maintain, won't fade and will sustain damp conditions better than hardwood flooring.

  Finally, tile -- either ceramic or porcelain -- is a beautiful option. A wide variety of colors is available, and tile is durable and easy to maintain.

Cost

• Costs vary greatly by flooring type. Vinyl may be the least expensive option, Small House Living notes, ranging from $1 to $12 per square foot. Linoleum and cork range from $4 to $25 per square foot, and laminate is $2 to $12. According to Homewyse, carpet costs an average of $3 per square foot. Tile prices vary the most and can be as low as $1 but as high as $100 or more per square foot.

Installation

• If you have DIY experience, you can install some flooring yourself. Carpet, vinyl and linoleum squares generally are relatively easy to install. Do-it-yourselfers also may tackle laminate installation. Hire a professional to install sheets of vinyl, linoleum or cork, however. They can be unwieldy to work with and may tear in inexperienced hands. A professional makes sure seams are properly sealed so you don't have to worry about water damage.

Considerations

• Whichever type of flooring you choose, make sure to follow all manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. Some brands may be better suited to damp environments than others, and some products may require a plywood subfloor or foam underlay.

  If you're having your new flooring professionally installed, research installation costs and figure them into your budget.