Flooring ideas for lakehouse walk out basement

6 years ago

Looking for suggestions on the best flooring for a lower level walk out basement on the lake. The concrete floor isn't exactly level in all areas. At times the space is humid and damp being right on the water. What type of flooring would you install? Thanks so much!

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

6 years ago

To put down anything rigid (like floating vinyl, laminate, engineered hardwood, etc) you will need to level the concrete subfloor. Only carpet will go down over a wonky concrete subfloor.

A glue down vinyl can be used....BUT (big but!) it will telegraph every single little bump, hollow, rocky bit of finish of your concrete.

A permanent porcelain tile can be put down...a thicker mortar base can be used to even out the existing subfloor...but it will still take +++labour and +++time and +++skill by the tile setter to get this done.

For subfloor prep, I always tell people to budget in $2-$4/sf over wonky basement concrete. If you can manage it for less than $4/sf you are laughing.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
6 years ago
SJ nails it. All of your options kind of go out the window unless you fix level the floor. Carpet doesn't sound like it would be a good choice for such a moisture heavy spot. You could always look into epoxy but even then you'll want a good, smooth, concrete floor to start
Elizabeth Resmer thanked Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
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decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
How do you plan to use the space? If it will not be a daily place to spend time, you can consider a simpler answer. Finishing the concrete and adding area rugs may work for you. Sorry I had to snip this pic and all the tags showed up.
Elizabeth Resmer thanked decoenthusiaste
amanda99999
6 years ago
We went with indoor/outdoor carpet, no pad or nail strips (just glued edges down.) Big orange and blue sell it in 12 foot wide, cut to length. Around 50 cents a sq'.

It never gets moldy like the vinyl planks or FLOR carpet tiles we tried. We considered small floor tile (have a bathroom in basement done in tiny hex tile - but that floor was professionally leveled.) But the cost to level the floor wasn't worth it, and we didn't want to increase the height of the floor (to make it all level) because it would require expensive carpentry at stairs, doors, etc.

The indoor/outdoor carpeting is super easy to vacuum, and to cut with heavy scissors (i.e., easy to throw away when sewage backs up onto it...).
Elizabeth Resmer
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you very much!!!!! I think this may be the best and easiest solution!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
I hate to tell you this but indoor outdoor carpet gets mouldy too that is why it needs to be pulled up often . IMO the best would be to level the floor add dri -core and vinyl planks the dri core keeps the vinyl dry and also forms an air pocket between the concrete and the floor so makes it feel warmer and no moisture . it might be the easiest but for sure better than carpet.A lot depends on how really wonky the floor is. We had a really old basement leveled for flooring and it took one day and honestly about 1K to have it done , that was a few years ago but so worth it. I would suggest you also invest in a dehumidifier for sure since mould grows where there is moisture.
WestCoast Hopeful
6 years ago
I would get the floor levelled and do LVP. Easy and no issues with water