Best Flooring Options For Basements- Custom Homes Toronto

When building a custom home people spend a lot of time thinking about the main rooms of the house. It’s only natural that they do, but they should also consider the basement. In Toronto, where any square footage is valuable, having a finished basement is a luxury. Homeowners want them to look and feel good, but nothing feels worse than building a beautiful basement and watching it get ruined.

Unfortunately, basements are prone to water issue since they sit below ground in most cases. From small leaks to massive floods, water can be detrimental to basements. That makes picking a flooring tricky since many don’t work well with moisture. Don’t fear though, there are still tons of great options out there for custom home basements that look good and will last.

 

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are a great option, especially for those that want a stylish basement. It comes in tons of different colors, sizes, and styles making it easy to customize. Ceramic is also water resistant and easy to maintain, so you don’t have to worry about water damage.

The downside of ceramic tiles is that dropping heavy objects on them can result in cracks. Tile is also cold, which is an especially huge downside for a basement, which typically feels colder than the rest of a home. In Toronto too, with our brutal winters, you may not want to walk on such an icy surface.

 

Luxury Vinyl Planks

LVP has come a long way since it was put down in your grandmother’s kitchen. Vinyl is seen as a cheap product, which it is, but it has been upgraded these days to be more durable and look better. It can be applied on top of almost any surface, it’s water-resistant, and it provides more cushioning than tile. Higher prices LVP can even mimic tile, real stone, or wood.

The downside of LVP is that it is a cheap product. Many people feel putting it in their new custom home takes away value. While it’s not a high-end product, despite the “luxury” in its name, most people probably won’t be able to tell it’s vinyl unless you tell them.

 

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood flooring is the most favored options for custom homes in Toronto. It gives the beauty and warmth of real hardwood, but with more durability and moisture resistance. Just make sure you install the type that is made for below-grade basements.

The downside to engineered wood is that although it does stand up to water well, it is still prone to cupping, warping, and swelling. Unlike real hardwood flooring, engineered wood can’t usually be refinished so if there is damage expect to have to redo the entire flooring.

 

Carpet

Carpet is a solid choice for basements. While it doesn’t hold up well to water (it will become soggy), it does provide the warmth that homeowners desperately want in their cold basements. Carpet can be as cheap or as luxurious as the owner desires and comes in tons of different styles, colors, and plushness.

The downside to carpet is that once it gets wet it’s really hard to dry it completely again, especially without the risk of mold building up. Carpet squares are a great alternative to wall-to-wall carpet. If a square gets damaged by water, pets, kids or whatever, it can easily be swapped out without having to redo the entire space.

 

Epoxy Coating

While it’s not the most glamorous, epoxy floor coating is an option for basements. Epoxy will dry thick and hard, providing a durable waterproof barrier. Often if you plan on putting in another flooring option the custom home builder will start with an epoxy coating anyways. Epoxy comes in many colors and it’s easy to apply.

While epoxy is extremely useful in terms of practicality and durability, it’s not very nice to look at or walk on. It doesn’t provide any style or comfort. It’s a good temporary option or a good option for areas of the basement that aren’t lived in like a workroom or storage room.

 

Worst Flooring Options For Basements:

  • Real hardwood flooring
  • Laminate flooring
  • Expensive carpet

 

Conclusion

A basement doesn’t have to be a dreary place. It can be the best hang out spot in your new Toronto custom home. Flooring can really impact how much and how well a basement is used. If you have any more questions about basement flooring options or want to discuss building your dream custom home, please contact us.