Flooring finished basement
What is the Best Flooring for Basements? (Get the Pros and Cons)
When deciding to finish or remodel your basement it is important to choose materials that can withstand the moist environment of a basement. Choosing a flooring to install in your new lower level can be difficult with so many options being available. In this post we will be covering what is the best flooring for basements, especially for Michigan humidity, as well as the other options available!
Similar to any material being used in your finished basement, the most important factor of the product should be water resistance. Not only is your basement very humid, it is also extremely prone to water events such as flooding and leaking. When such an event occurs, you do not want to have to throw away all of your flooring, that would be a big time and monetary expense. Think about what will happen to your flooring if your sump pump overflows, a pipe bursts, or your washing machine overflows, these are all very common occurrences in basements.
What basement flooring options and materials are the best?
The best type of flooring for basements is vinyl. Vinyl flooring can come in the form of vinyl plank and vinyl tile, giving it the ability to look nearly identical to hardwood and stone products with the added benefit of being waterproof. Vinyl flooring is made of PVC making it durable and waterproof. An additional benefit of vinyl basement flooring is the durability, since it is made of inorganic materials unlike wood, this makes it great for high traffic areas! Vinyl plank can be installed directly on your sub floor making installation much quicker and easier.
One of the common misconceptions of vinyl flooring is that it has a look and feel similar to linoleum. Over the past few years the design and construction of vinyl flooring has improved drastically. Many new color and patterns and options have become available which makes finding the perfect style for you easy.
Vinyl plank is also a floating floor meaning it is not attached to the sub-floor, so it can be more easily removed and replaced if needed.
We use vinyl plank and vinyl tile flooring in our basement renovations throughout Michigan due to its waterproof properties. Giving our homeowners the peace of mind that their floor is safe from water damage is a great benefit to any homeowner!
Top Benefits of Vinyl Flooring:- Waterproof
- Durable
- Large variety of colors and styles
- Plank and Tile sizes
Examples of vinyl plank and vinyl tile basement flooring:
| This basement had a large pub style bar which matched well with this hickory colored vinyl plank flooring. The waterproof vinyl flooring looks and feels very similar to hardwood. | This Espresso colored vinyl plank gives the basement flooring a high end look while remaining waterproof and mold resistant. |
| This bathroom featured grouted vinyl tile. This grouted vinyl tile has the look and feel of ceramic tile, with the strength and durability of vinyl. | With the large array of color and style variations, vinyl tile can fit into any home design. This basement had a more classical design which included this Canyon Sun color vinyl tile. |
Pros and Cons of Basement Flooring Materials
Carpet for Your Basement
Carpet is another option for finished basements that many homeowners choose. Although it does not offer the waterproof and mold proof attributes of vinyl, it does offer a warmer, more cozy feel. Many times, carpeting is chosen for the main living room space, the staircase, and bedrooms to keep them feeling warm and soft to the touch. In the event of a small water event, carpet can most likely be saved if it is dried quickly before mold or mildew develop. Many times, carpeting can be pulled up and dried.
Carpet can be a more budget friendly option for the basement as well. With many different options and styles, there is a carpet style suited for any budget.
Carpet Pros:
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Hardwood & Laminate Flooring for Basements
When it comes to basement flooring and basements in general, the less wood the better. Basements are a very humid and water prone environment where wood will not hold up well. Wood based flooring when placed in a basement will begin to warp and twist. Even without flooding, your basement foundation will have moisture leaking through which will form condensation underneath the flooring causing damage to the wood.
Installing and replacing hardwood flooring can also be very costly and time consuming for homeowners as well.
Hardwood Pros:
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Ceramic Tile for Basement Floors
Ceramic tile is a viable option for basement flooring, although it has some drawbacks. When glazed, water cannot penetrate the tile making it a good choice for water resistance and stain resistance. Ceramic tile also comes in a large variety of sizes, shapes and colors to go along with any design. A big downfall of ceramic tile in the basement is the temperature and cost. Ceramic tile is adhered directly to the foundation making it very cold for basements. The cost and time to install ceramic tile is also much higher than most other flooring options.
Many times, our homeowners will elect to go with a ceramic tile in a bar or bathroom area only, and choose vinyl plank flooring for the majority of the basement.
Ceramic Tile Pros:
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Epoxy Flooring for Basements
Epoxy flooring in basements is becoming a bit more popular than it used to be. It can offer a unique design choice while being easy to maintain and durable. One major drawback to epoxy flooring in basements is the temperature, like ceramic tile. epoxy flooring is very cold and hard on your feet. Depending on your uses for the basement a more padded flooring could be a better option. Epoxy flooring can be a great way to give your basement an industrial design.
Epoxy Pros:
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Things to think about when picking basement flooring:
| Moisture Resistance When choosing any materials for your basement, it is always best to ensure they are capable of handling moisture. | Durability Depending on how you will be using your basement you may want to see how durable a product is. A playroom for the kids may need different flooring than a custom bar. | Comfort Level Basements can be used for everything from an extra living room, home theater, or even a custom bar. Choose a flooring that is most comfortable for your specific needs. | Warmth Keep in mind the temperature of your basement. The cold foundation will make for a colder floor if you choose a ceramic tile or epoxy. |
Whether you are finishing your basement for added living space, a playroom for your kids or even a custom bar, you will want to protect your investment by picking materials that will last for a lifetime. Research the materials being used for moisture resistance, durability and comfort level. Finishing your basement is no small task and requires lots of planning, research and help from the professionals. If you are interested in finishing or remodeling your basement, our specialists are here to help. We offer Free Consultations for complete basement finishing. We are your one stop shop to transform your basement into a brand-new lower level.
Check out our basement finishing service areas in Genesee, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties throughout Michigan.
Best Basement Flooring Options
Basement flooring does not play by the normal rules of flooring. Even when the weather is dry, basement flooring might leach residual moisture in the form of vapor due to its close proximity to the ground. And there are other ways that water can enter your basement. In heavy rains, basements can experience the up-to-your-ankles flooding that no one wants to see in their home.
So, along with appearance and comfort, an important concern with basement flooring is moisture: how to avoid it and how well the floor will dry out if it does become wet.
5 Qualities of Good Basement (Below-Grade) Flooring Systems
All basements are below-grade. Below-grade flooring does not refer to cheap, sub-standard flooring. Commonly used by contractors and builders, the word grade is another term for ground-level. Flooring above grade is safer from water vapor migration. Above-grade flooring is safe, too, from most normal instances of flooding.
Everything at or below grade is at risk of water vapor damage, groundwater intrusion, and flooding.
- Hard Material: Hard materials like tile and concrete tend to outperform soft materials like carpets in basements. If the basement is dry enough, though, soft materials can work.
- Inorganic Materials: Organic materials like woolen carpeting will both grow mold and will begin to rot away when subjected to water over time. Inorganic materials work better in basements than organic materials. Tile, concrete, and vinyl are all inorganic materials. Solid hardwood, even though it is a hard material, does not work well in basements because it is a 100-percent organic material. Inorganic materials may grow mold, but they will not deteriorate.
- Fewer Layers: Monolithic, single-layer floors are easier to dry out than multi-layered floor systems. A classic example of a monolithic floor is concrete. Not only does it have the advantage of being hard and inorganic, but it also does not have multiple layers which can trap water.
- Raised Subfloor: Some below-grade flooring requires a raised subfloor. This can be in the form of a subfloor system or a traditional sleeper system built from scratch out of plywood and two-by-fours. Carpeting benefits from a raised subfloor. Laminate floor's performance will be enhanced by installing it on a subfloor system.
- De-moisturizing Solutions: Water and basements is a reality for many homeowners. But moisture can be kept in check with dehumidifiers.
6 Mistakes to Avoid When Picking Out Basement Flooring
Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring, also known as resilient flooring, ranks with concrete and ceramic tile as one of the better basement flooring options. Vinyl flooring comes in both sheet or tile/plank form, and there is a subtle difference.
Sheet vinyl flooring creates a nearly seamless, water-impervious surface on your basement floor, which is always a good thing where moisture might be involved.
Tile vinyl flooring has multiple seams that may invite moisture infiltration if water is left standing long enough.
Vinyl baseboards will help protect walls against minor flooring from water heaters or furnaces. Vinyl baseboards seal against the flooring and on some of the wall. Wood and PVC baseboards will allow water to pass through.
Pros
- Keeps water at bay
- Inexpensive, often pennies per square foot
- Warmer to the touch than ceramic tile or concrete
Cons
- Often considered a cheap fix
- Needs a very clean surface for adhesion
- Sheet vinyl installation is not usually a do-it-yourself project
- Can be difficult to remove if adhesive was used to attach the vinyl floor
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Flooring
Of all the basement flooring options, tile represents the best of many worlds. It qualifies as a finished surface, meaning that it is not a raw surface, like concrete.
Yet this is a finished surface that is attractive on its own; it needs no additional treatment as concrete does.
Ceramic or porcelain tile can be installed directly on your concrete slab. Because tile on concrete can be cold, radiant heating can be sandwiched between the concrete and the tile to warm the tile surface.
Though ceramic tile can be installed directly on the concrete slab, it's usually best to first install an uncoupling membrane. The membrane lets the concrete slab move and crack independently of the upper tile floor. It won't buffer the tile from all cracks, though. A crack that's sizable enough will pass through the membrane and will affect the tile.
Pros
- Dries out and is undamaged in the event of flooding
- Laying tile in small areas can be a do-it-yourself project
- Will never develop rot
Cons
- Requires the addition of radiant heating if temperature is an issue
- Poor sound absorption qualities
- Installing large areas of tile can be a daunting task for do-it-yourselfers and may require professional work
- Very difficult to remove and replace, if there is ever a need
- A concrete slab may need significant leveling and repair, because there will be no intervening subfloor to compensate for slab problems
Engineered Wood Flooring
Since wood is derived from trees and is organic, it does not stand up well to prolonged moisture.
Thus, solid hardwood is one of the worst basement flooring options. But engineered wood flooring is a different story. Engineered wood flooring is considered to be dimensionally-stable, as its cross-hatched plywood base below the real wood veneer maintains its shape when subjected to limited amounts of moisture.
Pros
- Holds up well to mild amounts of moisture
- One of the more attractive basement flooring options
- Excellent sound absorption qualities
Cons
- Must be installed on some type of subfloor
- One of the more expensive basement flooring options
- More difficult to take up in the event of water damage, since it is nailed or stapled to the subfloor
Luxury Vinyl Plank or Tile
Luxury vinyl flooring is a more recent category of resilient flooring than the conventional type that is joined by adhesive to the subfloor. Instead, luxury vinyl is joined piece-to-piece in floating floor fashion.
Another major difference is that luxury vinyl flooring can look remarkably similar to the material it is replicating, whether wood or stone.
Wood-look luxury vinyl comes in planks around six inches by 48 inches. Because it is relatively thick, it can be deeply embossed for a texture that more closely resembles real wood grain. Stone-look luxury vinyl tile aims to replicate the look of slate, travertine, marble, and other popular stones, yet in the form of a vinyl tile. Stone-look luxury vinyl comes in square shapes sized 16-inch by 16-inch or smaller.
Pros
- Thick wear layer means greater durability than found in conventional sheet or tile vinyl flooring
- Overall thickness up to twice as thick as conventional tile or sheet flooring means a slightly warmer floor
- Many wood species and stones can look amazingly like the real thing
- Easy to remove since it is a floating floor (unattached to the subfloor)
Cons
- Luxury tile may not result in a better resale value since some home buyers may consider vinyl tile an inferior material
- As a seamed floor covering, luxury vinyl plank and tile may leak moisture down to the subfloor in the event of flooding
- Higher cost for a product that is still essentially a vinyl tile
Concrete Flooring
With changing attitudes toward utilitarian surfaces, concrete has come into wider acceptance by homeowners.
Concrete does not have to remain in its raw state. It can be painted or stained to give it a different appearance. In fact, if extensive patching is needed, then painting is the only way to cover up the patches.
Tip
If you choose concrete flooring for your basement, be sure to apply a waterproofing sealant to the floor to keep moisture at bay.
Pros
- The most moisture-hardy basement flooring option around
- Requires the least amount of materials
- Does not require a sub-floor
Cons
- Coldest of all basement flooring options, with no way to heat it from below
- Poor sound quality, a huge deficit if you wish to install a home cinema in your basement
- Requires more labor than one might imagine because concrete must be intensively scoured and cleaned before it can be painted
Plank Tile Flooring
Plank-sized porcelain tile flooring is impervious to moisture and, with its sharply rendered graphics, looks surprisingly like real wood.
It is popular and well-regarded as a highly durable surface.
Plank tile flooring is so durable that it is increasingly being installed in high-traffic areas like restaurants and other commercial spaces. The chief difference between plank tile and conventional tile is that plank's edges are rectified. These 90-degree edges mean that tiles are fitted edge-to-edge, with no mortared grout lines.
Pros
- Increasingly considered a status item, thus gaining a higher resale value
- Attractive aesthetics
- Waterproof
- Rectified edges mean smaller grout lines
Cons
- Usually more expensive than conventionally sized tile
- Because it is still ceramic tile, it feels cold underfoot unless you install radiant heating mats
- Difficult to remove
Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
Wall-to-wall carpeting is often vilified as a poor flooring material in bathrooms. Carpeting dries slowly and can develop mold and mildew.
When wet, it feels mushy and uncomfortable. But does this mean that carpet is also a bad basement flooring option?
With the exception of extreme circumstances like flooding, basements generally have less moisture than even your average bathroom. And with the installation of a solid subfloor system, wall-to-wall carpeting in basements can be made to work.
Carpeting in basements should be installed in a case-by-case manner. If your basement is completely dry all throughout the year, it may give you up to a decade of reliable service. But be prepared for having to replace the entire carpet in the event of a water-based catastrophe, like flooding from the exterior, a broken pipe, or a malfunctioning water heater.
One creative alternative to wall-to-wall carpeting is to install carpet squares. Unlike the super low-pile indoor-outdoor squares that have been carpeting basements for decades, newer carpet squares are thicker and more attractive. In the event of flooding, carpet squares will get just as soaked and ruined as wall-to-wall carpet.
But you can selectively pull up and replace carpet squares. It's more difficult to excise and replace portions of wall-to-wall carpeting.
Pros
- One of the warmest basement flooring options, even without installation of radiant heating
- Improves sound quality for home theaters
- A great option if you have small children who play on the floor
- Easy to remove if it does become damaged with water
Cons
- Fairly expensive, especially if you opt for thicker piles and padding
- Though carpet can dry, it often takes industrial-quality drying equipment or services to get the job done fast enough before mold develops.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is more attractive than ever before, due to improved image layer graphics and thicker surfaces for deeper embossing. But underneath, it is still susceptible to moisture problems. When laminate's base material comes into prolonged contact with water, it will swell up and stay that way permanently.
No amount of drying will cause the laminate to return to its previous size. In addition, the top image and wear layers will begin to peel off. The only way to fix water-damaged laminate flooring is to completely replace it.
Conventional laminate flooring in the basement can be made to work with the installation of a proper subfloor system. The subfloor and the laminate's foam underlayment protect against water vapor coming up from the concrete slab. Also, in the event of very minor flooding, the subfloor system will elevate the laminate flooring above the water.
Waterproof laminate has no wood content, so it will not swell and distend. However, it is still a product in search of a buying audience. It is difficult to obtain in North America, and the brands that are available have only limited design options.
If installing laminate flooring, it's always best to use a raised subfloor. But if moisture is not a problem, laminate flooring can be installed directly on the concrete slab with an intervening layer of foam underlayment.
Pros
- Laminate flooring rates as one of the warmer basement flooring ideas because of its foam underlayment
- Easy do-it-yourself installation
- Fair sound absorption qualities
Cons
- Highly susceptible to water damage
- Subfloor installation is not required but highly recommended
- Hollow feeling underfoot
- Can build up static electricity
Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring is commonly associated with gyms, garages, dance or martial arts studios, and pools. Can rubber flooring work in basements, too?
If your basement is intended to be a play space, not a formal living space, you just might be in luck. Otherwise, rubber flooring will not work for most homes. Roll rubber, the type found at commercial gyms, offers the fewest number of seams. Interlocking rubber tiles cost about the same and are easy for homeowners to install since they fit together like a puzzle.
Pros
- Maximum insulation against basement subfloor temperatures
- Soft surface for walking on
- Stands up well against moisture
Cons
- Aesthetically not appropriate for living spaces as it is more for exercising or storage
- Not completely waterproof as water can still leak between seams, especially with the interlocking rubber tiles
Cork Flooring
Cork is a natural product derived from cork trees. Soft underfoot, comfortable to walk on and warm, cork flooring would ordinarily be a good fit for below-grade areas except that it is an organic product subject to water damage. If you do decide to install cork flooring in your basement, you would absolutely need to install a subfloor system.
Pros
- Cork provides good insulation against cold basement floors
- Soft to walk on
- Good sound absorption
Cons
- Since cork is organic, it is prone to deterioration
- Rolled cork can be hard to install on a do-it-yourself basis, typically requiring professional installation
How the interior finishing of the basement is carried out
Gusevsky Andrey Anatolyevich
The kitchen located in the basement
there is a boiler and other utilities - a small technical compartment is enough for them.
The rest of the area can be used to good use - place in the basement rooms for recreation and sports, a wine cellar or a living room with a fireplace.
In connection with these questions arise: "How to finish the basement inside?" and “How to finish the plinth from the outside?”. Here we will try to answer them as detailed as possible.
Contents
Rough finish of the basement
Before you start decorating the basement, you need to decide in advance what tasks it will have to perform. Insulation and finishing of the basement of the house and its interior space must be carried out in accordance with these tasks.
But in any case, the room should be protected from moisture and freezing as much as possible, and it is necessary to start with waterproofing.
So:
- The walls of the basement, most often, are reinforced concrete foundation blocks or brickwork. The process of waterproofing the basement begins at the same time as the foundation of the house is erected.
- Foundation walls, of course, are protected from the outside by coating with liquid glass or bitumen. If a mortar with additives that increase its resistance to moisture was used for laying blocks or bricks, you can no longer worry about the permeability of the joints.
Basement flooring
- Most importantly, the basement floor needs to be done correctly. The technology of this work, depending on the design of the foundation, may vary. But its essence lies in the quality performance of the concrete screed.
- If the foundation of the house is strip, the base base of the basement floor will be a sand cushion. So that, when pouring, the moisture from the concrete does not go into the sand, its surface is overlapped with roofing material, and a reinforcing steel mesh is laid.
For pouring it is necessary to use concrete grade M300. It can be purchased at the nearest concrete goods factory, or kneaded right on the spot. - If there is a foundation slab in the base under the screed, not rolled material is taken as insulation, but penetrating impregnation such as "Penetron" or "Hydrohit".
Soaking into concrete, these compounds crystallize its structure, completely preventing the penetration of moisture into its thickness.
Insulating tape and penetrants
- First of all, all corners and joints of the basement are processed. This procedure can be done simultaneously not only on the floor, but also on the ceiling and walls.
After applying a waterproofing compound to the joints, they are glued with fiberglass insulating tape, and then all surfaces are completely treated. - Penetrating insulation absorbs instantly and dries fairly quickly. The concrete screed will take much longer to complete, given that it takes 28 days for the concrete to fully cure.
Such is the technology - you can't get anywhere. - So, the screed is ready, and you can start warming. If, for example, a living room or a study is located in the basement, you can make underfloor heating.
Watch videos on this topic, look for articles and photos - they will help you in this matter.
Study in the basement
- If the installation of a warm floor seems superfluous to you, then the easiest way is to make a heat-insulating layer of arbolite slabs, foam insulation or expanded clay over the concrete screed. By the way, expanded clay has the lowest price compared to other heaters.
- This allows you to get significant savings, especially if your home is large enough. On our website there is an article that contains detailed instructions on how to insulate the basement floor with expanded clay.
Basement rough finish
- This is what a basement floor might look like before finishing. Given that daylight practically does not penetrate from the small basement windows into the basement, special attention will need to be paid to the lighting device.
All electrical work must be completed before the start of insulation and rough finishing, and the wires for sockets, switches and lamps must be brought out and insulated.
Now you can think about how to decorate the basement inside and start implementing your ideas.
Stairs leading to the basement
The first impression on a person going down to the basement is the decoration of the area in front of his entrance, the door and, of course, the stairs (see Finishing the stairs: we choose for ourselves). And since the staircase is an integral part of the basement, we will start with it.
Metal stairs with wooden steps
So:
- There are at least three types of stairs that can be built to descend to the basement. If the design and area of \u200b\u200bthe house allows, it can be a marching staircase familiar to everyone.
And then you need to decorate not only the railings and steps of the stairs, but also the platforms between the marches, and the walls along them. - The space of the house does not always allow for such a comfortable descent into the basement. Most often, they use a bolt or spiral staircase design.
An obligatory condition for the installation of a bolt staircase is the presence of a load-bearing wall along which it will be mounted. This is a very solid construction, and with a competent approach to its design, it can serve as the main decoration of the entire interior.
Spiral staircase leading to the basement
The spiral staircase is the most inconvenient for descent and ascent, but its advantage is that it does not require much space for its installation. And as for the design, then its possibilities are practically unlimited: wood, stainless steel, glass, and stone are used in their decoration.
And all this should be combined with the general interior of the room.
Design of the basement
As we have already mentioned, the insulation and interior decoration of the basement floor will depend on what purpose the owners of the house have determined for it. But before you finish the basement, you need to think about the design of the ceiling.
Ceilings
Since high-quality illumination of this room requires a lot of luminaires, which are desirable to disperse over the surface of the ceiling, the best option would be to create a suspended structure.
So:
- Nothing better than her, for this purpose and can not be invented. Moreover, there are a great many options here, including those that you can do yourself.
Of course, the design of the ceiling and the materials from which it is made must correspond to the function of the room. - This rule must always be observed, regardless of the location of the premises: whether it is a basement or an attic. When choosing a ceiling structure, the height of the floor must also be taken into account.
Basement Curved False Ceiling
- If it allows, why not create a multi-level false ceiling in the basement living room, as in the picture above? But still, the best solution for a room without natural light can be considered a glass ceiling with internal lighting.
- It will best solve the issue of high-quality lighting. Pay attention to the office space located in the basement.
In addition to the glass ceilings, there is another design technique used, which is very important for the perception of a room without windows.
Suspended glass ceiling in the basement
- On the walls of the office, located in the basement, windows are imitated: a frame, photo wallpapers with a city panorama, and even blinds! Employees who spend the whole day in such an office will not experience psychological discomfort, and the interior as a whole looks natural and very attractive.
Gym Mirrored Ceiling
- Glass ceilings look great in any space with low ceiling height. To visually expand the space and improve the level of lighting, mirrored ceilings are also used.
They can be not only made of glass, but also made of plastic or aluminum panels covered with a mirror film. It is not at all necessary that the mirror elements be located over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe ceiling, they can also be combined with other types of coatings.
Interiors
Very often, not only utilities are located on the basement floor, but also a room for washing and drying clothes, a sauna or a swimming pool, and a bathroom.
- With proper waterproofing and ventilation, this will not create any problems. And materials for their decoration can be used any, given, of course, a specific level of humidity.
Basement bathroom
- And here's a great example of finishing a spacious bathroom located in the basement. Two types of wallpaper with a bamboo theme are used here: on one wall there is a 3D wallpaper with a three-dimensional image, and on the other - a coating with bamboo veneer.
- The third wall is lined with decorative stone. The floor covering is in harmony with the wallpaper and furniture, the ceiling is ordinary, matte, with lighting around the perimeter.
On the whole, it turned out to be a wonderful and cozy interior. Take note! - When arranging a living room, office or, for example, a billiard room in the basement, many people prefer to see their interior in rustic, classic or gothic styles.
In these styles, natural wood is almost always used in decoration, which goes well with decorative stone.
Interior of a billiard room in the style of a hunting lodge
- In our example, the interior of a billiard room located in the basement of a log house. Its decorative finish consists in careful processing of the inner surface of logs and ceiling beams, the space between which is hemmed with a standard clapboard board.
- The emphasis in the interior is on one of the walls, lined with decorative rubble stone, in the form of a panel. A similar design can be created in the basement of a brick or block house by sheathing the walls with a block house board.
- By the way, finishing the plinth of a wooden house, and any other, can be made with the same stone. Together with the lining of the basement with stone, a blind area along the outer perimeter of the house can also be laid out - it will not allow storm water to seep to the foundation.
But if artificial stone can be used in the interior decoration and exterior cladding of the plinth, then only natural stone can be used for the blind area.
Plinth and pavement lined with stone
- By the way, structural plasters for finishing the plinth of a house, with fillers of marble, quartz and granite chips, can be used with the same success in the interior decoration of the walls of the basement and flights of stairs leading to it.
External insulation, finishing of the basement of the house
- And since we are talking about the outside of the basement, then its finishing is also carried out after appropriate insulation. In order to focus on the plinth when looking at the facade of the house, its decoration is performed so that it is voluminous, embossed, or contrasting.
Plinth finish: color - contrasting
- Let's continue the theme of interior decoration. One of the most common options in the decoration of basements is the imitation of brickwork.
It can be obtained in several ways: using wall coverings and wallpaper with an appropriate pattern, or flexible acrylic tiles.
Wine Cellar Design
- If the basement walls are made of clay bricks, then no coating is required - you can decorate a brick wall. It's not difficult at all: the surface of the masonry is cleaned from the influx of mortar and dust, polished with an abrasive mesh and primed.
- After that, you can color it by choosing any light shade. If you paint a brick wall in one color, you get just a relief surface.
And when painting, it is possible to highlight the seams between the bricks, as in our example - the brickwork will become voluminous.
Hand-painted in the interior of the basement
- Some homeowners have a non-standard approach to finishing the premises, including the basement. And here's a good example for you: the walls and ceiling of the basement are hand-painted, and the opening is decorated with stone.
The result is an exclusive, memorable interior - that's what it means to show a little imagination. - The interior decoration of the basement of the house, and insulation, can be performed using more modern methods. For example, performing frame sheathing of surfaces with drywall sheets.
Laying insulation in the cells of the frame
- The main thing is that this method of finishing allows you to lay insulation in the cells of the crate. You can learn about the details of drywall installation from the corresponding article on our website.
As for finishing, there are many options. Drywall can be painted, pasted over with polystyrene tiles, wallpaper and self-adhesive film, decorated with stucco and painting.
Plasterboard in the finishing of the basement
- In our example, we also used the technique of performing window imitation. A frame with glass and internal lighting is inserted into the drywall.
A film is glued on the back of the glass.
The trick is that it depicts the tops of the trees, creating the complete impression that you are not in the basement, but on the top floor.
So a room located in the basement can be quite modern and original. The main thing is that the general design rules should be observed in its decor, allowing you to adequately perceive the interior.
wall finishing options, video, photo
The basement floor differs significantly from the rest of the house structure in terms of its technical characteristics. This is due not only to the fact that heavy loads are placed on its walls, but also due to its proximity to the ground, which causes high humidity and cold weather.
That is why almost all options for finishing the basement floor include additional insulation and waterproofing.
Amateur photo of finishing the plinth with inexpensive natural stone
Finishing options
To begin with, it must be said that it is not worth describing all the ways of covering such walls.
It is enough to choose the simplest and most reliable option, which is used in combination with exterior and interior decoration . At the same time, it is also necessary to follow all the installation rules very strictly so that the first rain or groundwater spill does not flood the entire room.
A variant of creating a basement in a building on screw piles, which can be used for finishing
Outdoor work
- and the entire building.
- First of all, it should be mentioned that during the manufacture it is necessary to create a pit with dimensions half a meter larger than the foundation. This will allow all additional work to be done and will make it possible to organize drainage.
Waterproofing is very important for this section of the building, and it is strictly forbidden to neglect it
- At the next stage, all the walls of the basement, including those located underground, are treated with a special primer. It must contain antibacterial substances.
So the surface will be protected from fungi and mold. - Next, the walls must be treated with a compound that can prevent the absorption of moisture by the material. Usually, bitumen and roofing material are used for these purposes. Recently, however, special mastics have appeared that do an excellent job with this task.
Room insulation option
- Next, you need to work on insulation. At the same time, some craftsmen try to save money, and that part of the walls that is located underground below the level of soil freezing is not protected. However, professionals consider this a mistake and recommend placing insulation over the entire surface of the wall. (See also the article Types of home decoration with siding with insulation.)
- High-density polystyrene foam is the best choice for keeping out the cold. It is an excellent insulator and tolerates high humidity well. At the same time, many craftsmen prefer to produce additional protection against moisture, that part of the wall that will be underground.
Graphic representation of the scheme of the correct organization of the plinth finishing with the installation of a blind area and drainage system
- At the next stage, the installation instructions advise filling the remaining free space of the excavation with crushed stone and coarse sand. This will help to remove moisture from the walls and at the same time reduce the load.
- Next, a blind area of cement mortar is arranged over the drainage. It performs the functions of protection against moisture brought by precipitation. As a result, it remains to finish only that part of the basement floor, which is located above the ground.
Method of fixing expanded polystyrene using special materials
- First, fix the metal mounting grid over the entire area, over the insulation. It will allow you to create a monolithic structure of the structure and will perform the functions of reinforcement. Its fixation is carried out using special brackets or appropriate fasteners.
- After that, you need to decide on the type of finishing material. However, most experts believe that it is best to use natural stone to finish the plinth.
Mortar applied to insulation without reinforcing mesh will not give such strength and a monolithic layer structure
- Some homeowners think that the price of such products is too high, but if you use material from a simple breed, then such costs can be avoided. At the same time, natural stone will not only provide additional protection for the plinth, but also give it an excellent appearance.
- Fix this material with adhesive cement, which is intended for outdoor use. This process requires the use of special tools in the form of a level and a plumb line to avoid distortions and irregularities.
Even the simplest natural stone has a good appearance and is perfect for decorating basements from the outside
- Deciding whether or not to make seams depends only on the personal preferences of the master or customer.
But if the answer is yes, then it is worth using special compounds for outdoor work.
Tip!
This installation method can be called optimal, but it is not the only one.
There are several methods for finishing the plinth from the outside, they differ in manufacturing technology and material. However, this method can be considered the most simple and economical.
Initially, all joints and cracks on the wall surface must be repaired
Interior work
- Standard interior basement finishing is done when the building is completely built. At the same time, professional craftsmen recommend first drying the room using fireplaces or open-fire stoves.
- Then the walls are treated with a solution that contains a large amount of antibacterial substances. This will help prevent mold and mildew. At the same time, it must be said that such components also significantly increase surface adhesion.
Various options for waterproofing basements and basements
- After that, waterproofing is installed.
It is done in case the external protection fails or fails to cope with the task. - The same bitumen is used as insulating material. However, professional craftsmen advise using special mastics indoors.
Before starting work in rooms of this type, they are treated with compounds with antibacterial components to prevent infection by fungus or mold
- It should also be said that basements and semi-basements need additional protection from the cold. At the same time, the quality of the selected material should create a uniform level of insulation. Otherwise, condensation may occur at the border of soil freezing.
- If the work is done by hand, then it is better to use expanded polystyrene to protect against the cold. It is most suitable for this type of conditions and lends itself perfectly to any processing.
- It is also recommended to pay attention to liquid insulation or polyurethane foam, which combine the properties of protection from the cold and waterproofing.
Insulation with mounting foam will solve not only the issue of protection from the cold, but also waterproofing, which is very important for the basement
- The next step is to choose the finish coating. At the same time, it should be ideally suited specifically for basement rooms and be optimal in terms of cost.
- Based on these parameters, professional craftsmen recommend applying a reinforcing mesh to the walls, and then puttying. However, if necessary, drywall systems can also be used. They are no less practical and are well suited to hide wiring or other communications.
Tip!
When working with walls, do not forget about the floor.
This is especially true at the time of the manufacture of waterproofing, namely when organizing the transition from one plane to another.
In such places there should be no joints, and the material used should be applied overlapping and in several layers.
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