By Tony Carrick | Published Sep 23, 2022 12:43 PM

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Few things can turn a basement into a finished living space like flooring. And since the average size of a basement ranges between 500 and 1,500 square feet, finishing a basement can have a drastic impact on a home’s usable living space. Whether it’s the sophisticated look of vinyl-plank flooring for a living room, carpeting for a playroom, ceramic tile for a laundry area, or even paint for a workshop, flooring can transform this below-grade space.

However, since basements are located below ground, they are more susceptible to water damage than the upper levels of a home. This factor makes choosing the right type of flooring for a basement crucial. Ahead, learn about which different types of flooring are (and aren’t) suitable for use in a basement and learn why the products below are some of the best flooring for basements.

Before purchasing flooring for a basement, it’s crucial to assess the basement to avoid damaging a new floor or creating mold issues. If a basement periodically floods with heavy rainfall, then avoid using flooring that is easily damaged by water, which includes real hardwood, laminate, and carpeting.

When selecting the best basement flooring, it’s crucial to consider moisture resistance. Shoppers with basements that experience occasional flooding will want to avoid materials that are susceptible to water damage, such as wall-to-wall carpeting and hardwood. Vinyl-plank flooring can withstand spills and small amounts of water that may seep in during a rainstorm; however, it can be damaged by flooding that results in standing water.

When choosing a type of basement flooring, it’s crucial to consider how the space is used. For basement laundry rooms or workshops, often a coat of paint that serves as a moisture barrier is the best option. Ceramic tile adds a more finished look than paint and is still impervious to water, making it a good choice for a finished living space or laundry room. Carpeting is a good option for basement playrooms as it adds cushioning to the hard basement floor while providing a layer of insulation that can make a cool basement feel warmer. For basement living rooms and dens, vinyl-plank flooring is ideal as it can add the rich look of hardwood to the space.

The list below includes a variety of types of flooring suitable for installation in a basement, whether this space is used for a formal living area, laundry room, playroom, or home gym.

The waterproof nature of laminate flooring makes it an ideal choice for basement flooring, and of the options that are out there, few can match Pergo’s Outlast+ product. While it may be one of the more expensive laminate-floor options on the market, there’s good reason to pay extra for it. Outlast+ is equipped with Pergo’s SpillProtect technology, which keeps liquids from seeping through the seams between the planks (the fact that it’s rated for steam mopping is telling). In addition to being waterproof, it also has SurfaceDefense protection, which makes it better than other laminate flooring at resisting scratches, dents, and stains.

Outlast+ also does an excellent job of mimicking real hardwood flooring thanks to the natural-looking irregular cracks and splits that give each plank an authentic look.

Get the Pergo flooring for basements at The Home Depot.

While it may not have the same authentic look as vinyl-plank flooring, it’s hard to argue with the rock-bottom price of this vinyl-sheet flooring from TrafficMaster. It can be installed at a fraction of the price of other flooring while providing much of the same durability. This roll sheet-vinyl flooring is scuff- and scratch-resistant as well as waterproof.

And since it comes in 12-foot-wide sheets that are cut to length, it has fewer seams than vinyl-plank flooring that water can infiltrate. TrafficMaster can also be installed directly onto cement floors with no underlayment and comes in a variety of patterns and styles.

Get the TrafficMaster flooring for basements at The Home Depot.

Lifeproof is one of the most expensive vinyl-plank flooring products on the market, but for those who want the look of hardwood in their basement, there’s really no other choice. With an embossed surface, Varathane stain finishes, and irregular wood-grain patterns, Lifeproof looks almost identical to real hardwood flooring. But, unlike real hardwood, it’s tough enough to endure life in a basement thanks to its 100 percent waterproof construction, scratch-resistant coating, and anti-mold and mildew surface treatment. This combination of durability and beauty makes Lifeproof ideal for basement living rooms for those willing to pay its higher price tag.

Get the LifeProof flooring for basements at The Home Depot.

While there are many types of floor tile suitable for installation in the basement, Marazzi’s tougher construction sets it apart from other tiles. Since it’s rated for outdoor use, it’s a great option for basements that may experience occasional flooding.

The tile is slip-resistant, which is crucial for floors that can sometimes get damp, while also being resistant to scratches, stains, and dents. With its 24-inch-long by 6-inch-wide plank shape and wood-grain design, Marazzi tile is an attractive choice for basement living rooms, dens, or even a finished laundry room.

Get the Marazzi flooring for basements at The Home Depot.

While the warmth of carpeting marks it an ideal choice for a chilly basement floor, many carpets can quickly get destroyed in a moist basement environment. That’s not the case with this carpet from Home Decorators Collection. The synthetic material is treated to hold up to foot traffic while resisting stains and soiling, helping it endure longer on basement floors.

In addition to being durable, it also provides ample cushioning thanks to its 0.8-inch pile height, making it a good choice for basement playrooms. Trendy Threads carpeting is also available in a variety of designs, making it suitable for basement use as well.

Get the Home Decorators Collection flooring for basements at The Home Depot.

While there are many floor paints suitable for a basement, Rust-Oleum has staying power. Similar to other basement or garage floor paints, Rust-Oleum is an epoxy, which provides excellent resistance to foot traffic and water. It comes in a tan base color with decorative chips and a satin finish, making it suitable for everything from a basement workshop to a finished living area.

While its two-part application process does make it trickier to use than other nonepoxy floor paints, Rust-Oleum Epoxyshield will last much longer than standard latex-based floor paints. It also uses a water-based formula that produces low fumes and makes post-painting cleanup easier. Rustoleum Epoxyshield comes in a 120-ounce size, which is enough paint to cover 250 square feet.

Get the Rust-Oleum paint flooring for basements on Amazon.

These easy-to-install rubber floor mats are a great choice for basement workout rooms or even a playroom or laundry area. With their 0.375-inch thickness, these tiles add cushioning to hard basement floors. Unlike other floor tiles that use a spongy material, these are made entirely of rubber that won’t absorb water, making them suitable for wet or damp basements.

Interlocking ends on each tile make them easy to put together or organize to suit the shape of the basement. American Floor Mats flooring also comes in a broad set of sizes, ranging from 4 feet by 4 feet up to 20 feet by 40 feet, and are available in four color options.

Get the American Floor Mats flooring for basements on Amazon.

These peel-and-stick floor tiles are another good option for those looking for an affordable and easy-to-install option for their basement floor. Each tile has adhesive backing that allows the user to install them simply by pressing them to the concrete floor. They cost a fraction of the price of other flooring options and come in a variety of patterns and colors to suit different tastes and styles, including stone, parquet oak, white marble, and brick.

Each pack includes 20 tiles and covers 20 square feet. While they resemble ceramic tile, these self-adhesive tiles aren’t ideal for basements that flood, as standing water can penetrate the seams between the tiles and break down the adhesive that holds the tile to the floor.

Get the Achim flooring for basements on Amazon or at Lowe’s.

Most engineered-hardwood flooring is susceptible to water damage. This flooring from Bruce is an exception. It uses what the manufacturer calls Hydropel technology to provide protection from spills (or water that seeps into the basement after a heavy rain) for up to 36 hours, making it one of few engineered-hardwood floors ideal for below-grade installation.

In addition to protecting the flooring from water, the additional coating also provides an added barrier against dents and scratches. Bruce Hydropel flooring comes in a variety of hardwood finishes, making it a great option for finished basements that serve as living areas. Just keep in mind that this flooring is one of the most expensive basement flooring options on the market.

Get the Bruce flooring for basements at The Home Depot.

If the goal is to create a waterproof seal on the basement floor (and possibly the walls too), then Drylok is the way to go. The paint creates a barrier that seals concrete to prevent seepage through the floor or the walls, helping to keep the basement dry.

The latex-based paint is self priming, so it’s easy to apply and doesn’t involve mixing like an epoxy paint. The finish is also nonslip and resists scuffs. With its limited color options, Drylok is designed mainly for unfinished spaces (it won’t add much to the aesthetics of a basement); however, it’s a great affordable option for those looking for a barrier to keep water out of basement utility areas and laundry rooms.

Get Drylok paint flooring for basements at The Home Depot.

The Pergo flooring for basements is a top-notch flooring that offers waterproof protection while also looking nearly identical to hardwood, making it one of the best floors for basements. Those looking for an affordable yet attractive option for their basement should consider the TrafficMaster flooring for basements, which comes in attractive patterns while offering comprehensive protection from water.

Basements are unique parts of the home due to the fact that they are below grade and hence susceptible to water damage. Even a few gallons of water that find their way into the basement is enough to damage a floor and cause mold growth. With that in mind, we chose flooring that’s either water-resistant or waterproof. Since basements can serve a variety of needs, we included a diverse range of flooring options to suit different types of rooms. And, since flooring can be a costly addition to a basement, we included budget options as well as premium flooring options.

There are many good reasons to add flooring to one’s basement. The addition of flooring can expand a home’s living space dramatically by giving it a finished look. It can also create an added layer of insulation, helping to make a basement feel cozier. Flooring such as carpeting or rubber can also help to make a hard concrete floor more forgiving to walk or crawl on. In addition to improving a finished basement’s aesthetics, this type of flooring can also provide waterproofing protection.

If you’re wondering which types of flooring you can install directly onto concrete or whether laminate flooring is better than vinyl, then read on for answers.

Vinyl is the best flooring for a basement. This material is completely waterproof and can be installed over concrete fairly easily. Since it looks like hardwood, it can transform the look of a basement floor.

Since it doesn’t need any kind of underlayment (the underlayment is typically built into the underside of the planks), vinyl flooring is the best basement flooring over concrete. Ceramic or porcelain tile can also be installed directly onto concrete, although it’s more labor-intensive to install than vinyl flooring.

Vinyl flooring is better for basement flooring because it is waterproof, whereas laminate basement flooring is only water-resistant and can be damaged should the basement flood.

Most vinyl flooring doesn’t require any underlayment as the material is made almost entirely from plastic and typically has an attached underlay on each plank.

You can add vinyl flooring directly to a concrete floor. Vinyl-sheet flooring can typically be glued to the floor while vinyl-plank flooring typically floats above the floor with no need for underlayment.

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