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Concrete Floor
A concrete floor can be like a blank canvas for the artistic homeowner. You can use the bare concrete flooring directly or you can install another flooring over the concrete. What is a good flooring for a concrete basement? Vinyl flooring over a concrete floor is a standard approach, but don't overlook the notion you can install solid wood flooring over concrete too. Paint, acid stain, and rubber surfaces are good options for flooring on concrete.
Your dull, boring concrete floor doesn’t have to be an eyesore or an embarrassment. All you need is a little time, a little vision, and a few ideas.
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Concrete floors aren't all that bad. In fact, they:
- provide architectural structure
- are easy to maintain, easy to change
- are good for those that have allergies
But this might be why you've decided to cover them up:
- the surface is stained or cracked
- you want something softer for a special purpose
- you have a different design idea
To make your life easier, you may want to use what you have. This is a cost effective way to decorate as well as leave your options open to new decorating ideas down the road. The smooth, clean surface of a concrete floor is the perfect base for painting or staining. Or you can choose to use vinyl flooring over concrete floor, thus still keeping with the flat surface, but adding a little more durability.
What is a good flooring decorative option for a concrete basement, you may ask. For some, painting is the perfect option because it doesn't take a lot of time or effort to create a new look, and without a lot of cost. But this does take a smooth surface to begin with, so you may have to do some prep work before selecting this option.
When it comes to flooring on concrete, some families find that painting is not an option. Rubber flooring may be a better fit due to active children and their propensity to tumble over. And installing this kind of flooring over concrete slab foundations is the best option for everyone's safety.
Vinyl flooring over concrete is a great fit for work areas or areas where there isn't a lot of physical activity. And these are easy to clean and maintain without a lot of energy or equipment on your part.
If you have a concrete floor in another room besides the basement or garage, you may have different design ideas for these often used and seen areas. You might choose to install wood flooring over concrete, giving the area more texture and style. Flooring on concrete is an easy step when you have the right tools and equipment.
You may also want to cover up your concrete floor because there are problems that just can't be fixed. Perhaps the floor is stained beyond hope, there are uneven areas that can't be corrected, or it's chipped and cracked so covering it is ideal.
Most flooring installed on a concrete floor is as simple as applying a primer or adhesive, putting down pre-cut pieces of flooring and then letting the flooring adhere. These are great options when you have family members with allergies in the house. All of these options, as well the concrete floors themselves, are easily cleaned and maintained.
A concrete floor doesn't have to seem hard (pun intended), you just have to consider what you need to do for your particular situation, and then get the right tools to do it.
Comments
We live near the ocean in FL. We removed a very old outdoor carpet and removed most of the glue from our concrete porch. I'm having trouble deciding what type of product we should cover it with,...we also have a pool and I'm worried that tile would be slippery. We like the natural look of the concrete but I wasn't able to remove ALL of the glue and I'm pretty sure it's not level. (We need lots of help :))
Carmen at August 23, 2009 03:36 PM
Carmen,
For the glue I would use a glue-dissolver to remove the rest of the glue on the porch. Since you liked the previous look why not keep it?!
For the pool you can use a pebbled overlay -- you can look in the phone book for companies that do that kind of work -- or you can put stone tiles down or concrete that's stamped to look like stone would be a great alternative!
The Flooring Lady at August 24, 2009 10:22 AM
Cara, I had a similar concern for my wedding. We just rented a large dance floor. It lay on top of the gravel and pieced together to make a great surface for us.
Stacey Ann at August 24, 2009 11:49 AM
We are planning on remodeling our cabin floor in northern Wisconsin. The cabin sits on a slab and we deal with condensation due to temperature change. We've heard about the heated rubber mats that you skim coat over. Do you think this is a good option for the whole floor? We are planning on this being a seasonal summer home but also looking down the road at staying longer. We'll have about 1000 sf. Any thoughts on cork over concrete? Thank you!
Marcy at October 10, 2009 05:48 AM
Marcy,
I would be sure to seal the concrete, but I do not have experience with the heated rubber mats. As long as the concrete is sealed well, cork would be a good choice. You can get more information from the article on Cork Flooring.
The Flooring Lady at October 15, 2009 01:35 PM
I would like to use an epoxy stone overlay to cover my concrete floor. There are several brands like Everstone, Nature stone ect. How can I tell which one has the highest quality epoxy? Is there really a difference in durability and longevity when you compare the epoxy itself?
Amanda at October 29, 2009 04:09 PM
Amanda,
You should check the warranty information, and the estimated time the manufacturer is saying the product will be good for. That should give you an idea of which will be the best to use. Since there are different epoxies available, yes there could be a difference in the epoxy itself.
Another article you may be interested in reading is Epoxy Stone Flooring.
The Flooring Lady at October 30, 2009 10:05 AM
Do you know anything about "Allure" flooring over concrete basement floors? I need to replace the carpet that is down (due to pets) and need help as to what to put down. The area to cover is almost 1000 Sq.ft. and is used as "living space". Please help!
Debbie at November 14, 2009 12:00 PM
I have a back entry way that is concrete stairs and floor. To access the basement you have to go through the kitchen and through the entryway. We just got the walls insulated but the floor is so cold and not comfortable to walk on in the winter without shoes. I'm not sure what to put down on the floor and stairs to make it more comfortable, yet in a high traffic area. I'm also concerned about condensation. Any ideas would be wonderful. Thanks!
Leigh at November 19, 2009 08:13 AM
Debbie,
I am not familiar with that product, but a google search will bring up several sources of information.
Another article that may help you is Vinyl Tile Flooring .
The Flooring Lady at November 20, 2009 09:44 AM
