Homeowners who have basements are pretty lucky. Not only does a basement offer storage, but it also offers more living space. Even an old dusty basement can offer additional living space with some basement improvement. One area that should be giving careful consideration is the flooring. It is important to remember that basements can at times flood, water can pour in or it can come up from the ground underneath. This moisture and mold that can occur should be considered when you are making a flooring decision.

Tiling. This is a good option for your flooring. It is easy to do and water can be mopped up easily. The concrete floor underneath will have to be cleaned and any cracks, chips or uneven areas will have to be repaired before you begin. Tiles are available in a wide array of styles and colors, they look great, they are easy to clean, water does not damage them this all makes them good choices, however there are some downsides as well. They are heavy, dragging them downstairs is going to be a chore, they can be very slippery when they get wet and they are often more expensive than some other options.

Vinyl flooring. This type of flooring is easy to put down, sturdy, easy to clean and inexpensive. You can find flooring in many styles and colors. Vinyl is actually a great option for basements. One downside may be if you do not do your prep work on the concrete underneath correctly, small chips or points in the concrete will be felt through the vinyl, it could also make a puncture hole in the flooring.

Painting. Painting the concrete is easy to do and inexpensive. Painting is the cheapest option available in flooring ideas. You can choose from many colors, any water can be easily cleaned up. One downside to painting is it may not look at attractive and interesting as one of the other options.

Carpeting. Carpeting looks nice and feels good to walk on. It will keep the floor from feeling cold when you walk on it, but it does have some cons that make it a poor choice for areas where moisture and mold can be an issue. The carpet can easily be ruined if flood water gets to it. Water that may be seeping up through the floor could be in contact with the underside of your carpet, it could grow mold that you may be unaware of. This would be the worst choice of all the flooring options.

Whichever flooring you choose for your home, it is important to do your research and think about any conditions that might make a certain type preferable over another. If budget is an issue think about not only the cost of materials but whether or not installation is something that you can do yourself, or if you will have to hire a professional to handle that for you. In many cases hiring someone would be a wise choice since they have experience that may be necessary, especially when it comes to preparing the concrete.

Author Bio: Heather Mitchell is a featured online author for the group of sites including UniqueBathVanities.com where you can find a wide variety of modern and traditional bathroom vanities.

Category: Advice
Keywords: basement flooring