Flooring Options for Unfinished Basements

Carpeting

• Carpeting is one of the most common options for basement flooring. This is because of several factors. One factor, according to Basement Flooring Guide, is carpeting helps brighten a dark basement that doesn't receive a lot of sunlight. Second, it's a comfortable flooring option. Carpeting is less costly per square foot than hardwood and linoleum flooring, and usually is installed within hours. Homeowners may order padding, which goes beneath the carpet to provide a softer walking surface, and help soak up moisture in the event of spills.

Tile

• Tiling is a flooring option for basements susceptible to flooding. When tiling is installed, it can be done so the flooring is built around in-floor drains for water to travel toward in the event of a flood. Although tile typically is more expensive and more laborious than carpeting, an additional benefit is that it can be installed by a handy homeowner, which may save on installation costs.

Hardwood

• According to Basement Flooring Guide, hardwood is a frequent option for homeowners who already have large quantities of hardwood flooring in their home and want their basement flooring to match the rest of the home. Hardwood is easy to clean. However, it can be severely damaged in the event of flooding, which should be taken into consideration when homeowners analyze basement flooring options. Hardwood flooring is expensive compared to carpeting and tiling.

Linoleum

• Linoleum is a flooring option for the environmentally-conscious homeowner. It's available in rich, warm colors and is made from a linseed oil, a sustainable material that doesn't emit any toxins, according to Lowe's Commercial Services. Linoleum also can be made from wood flour, cork dust and limestone. An additional benefit of linoleum flooring is its durability. Armstrong states that such flooring can last up to 40 years when properly installed and maintained.