OT: What's on your basement floor ?

Doug · Aug 25, 2007

I had carpeting ( on concrete) when I bought the place. It tends to get damp down there, but I think I've corrected it from getting gallons of occasional water during heavy rains by doing some exterior grading.

I ripped up the old mildewed carpet, padding, and tack strip, and patched the holes from the tack strip.

Any suggestions on what to put in such an area ? Bare concrete is kind of ugly and unpleasantly hard to walk on.

I definetely don't want carpet. I don't think ceramic tile or wood laminate are desirable either.

I might paint it ( and use some throw rugs), but that looks like you need to apply a sealer,primer, then paint. I'm considering those tiles with backing that you stick on... maybe even put them down with some roofing tar.

Any ideas on other options ?

whalewager · Aug 25, 2007

have it etched...dont be a cheap ass

Doug · Aug 25, 2007

whalewager said:
have it etched...dont be a cheap ass

what is that ?

whalewager · Aug 25, 2007

not real sure Doug...I just remembered it from a commercial

Timetopay · Aug 25, 2007

In Florida its tough to have a basement that isnt covered in water...

Addict101 · Aug 25, 2007

This is kind of a worthless, more like pointless question...

1cheater · Aug 25, 2007

If your gonna paint it? a 2 part apoxy is the way to go. Depending on your sq footage it can be expensive, but it will hold up forever. Do it in the summer when the ground is warm. Wash it with a prepaint cement cleaner. If you want a very nice look you could do multi-spec apoxy, but you would probably have to pay someone else to do that.

primetime21+ · Aug 25, 2007

I have carpet in basement, but due to some recent water damage i am thinking about getting a french drain installed to prevent future flooding. It runs about 5 grand. A neighbor of mine had it done and hasn't had a problem since.

bilbal · Aug 25, 2007

When we lived in a rental house for a couple of years the basement was unfinished and I put this stuff down:

http://www.kiwitile.com/

looks nice when it's down, mildew resistant, virtually indestructable. When we moved I used it to floor my garage, my kids' playhouse and my work shop.

C.P. · Aug 25, 2007

my ex-wifes blood...shhhhh :103631605

Doug · Aug 25, 2007

bilbal said:
When we lived in a rental house for a couple of years the basement was unfinished and I put this stuff down:

http://www.kiwitile.com/

looks nice when it's down, mildew resistant, virtually indestructable. When we moved I used it to floor my garage, my kids' playhouse and my work shop.

That's an interesting product, but $3 a SF is a bit more than I was looking to spend. I'll consider it though...it looks ideal.

Doug · Aug 25, 2007

#1cheater# said:
If your gonna paint it? a 2 part apoxy is the way to go. Depending on your sq footage it can be expensive, but it will hold up forever. Do it in the summer when the ground is warm. Wash it with a prepaint cement cleaner. If you want a very nice look you could do multi-spec apoxy, but you would probably have to pay someone else to do that.

I'm not doing the whole basement. Part is unfinished and houses water heater,washer, dryer, etc. The finished area is a bit under 300 sf.

I'm thinking those stick on tiles held with mastic might be a decent cheaper way to go. Anybody ever do that ?

When I bought the place the seller had put down wall to wall carpet to make it look good, but I don't believe in carpeting a basement.....unless maybe with indoor/outdoor stuff.

C.P. · Aug 25, 2007

Doug said:
I'm not doing the whole basement. Part is unfinished and houses water heater,washer, dryer, etc. The finished area is a bit under 300 sf.

I'm thinking those stick on tiles held with mastic might be a decent cheaper way to go. Anybody ever do that ?

When I bought the place the seller had put down wall to wall carpet to make it look good, but I don't believe in carpeting a basement.....unless maybe with indoor/outdoor stuff.

All kidding aside..I've got, from Home Depot indoor/outdoor carpet in my garage it is easy,nice and very affordable. It also cleans up well.

Doug · Aug 25, 2007

C.P. said:
All kidding aside..I've got, from Home Depot indoor/outdoor carpet in my garage it is easy,nice and very affordable. It also cleans up well.

That's an option. It would have a better feel than painted concrete.

Did you glue it down, just let it lay free, or use tack strip ?

I don't want to spend $900 on those interlocking tiles, but they look good.

Iceman · Aug 25, 2007

C.P. said:
All kidding aside..I've got, from Home Depot indoor/outdoor carpet in my garage it is easy,nice and very affordable. It also cleans up well.

this is was I have right now in my basement. I really dont like it to tell you the truth but it serves it's purpose.

C.P. · Aug 25, 2007

Doug said:
That's an option. It would have a better feel than painted concrete.

Did you glue it down, just let it lay free, or use tack strip ?

I don't want to spend $900 on those interlocking tiles, but they look good.

just let it lay free it does it purpose

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Iceman...I understand what your saying but my stuff is in the garage and it's a no brainer for me...

The other more costly options are crazy IMO seeing as how it's ""only"" a garage but to each is own.

My neighbor has his garage decked-out to the 9's..:WTF:

good luck w/ your choice

bellyputter · Aug 25, 2007

Jimmy Hoffa.

BAGIANT · Aug 25, 2007

What's a basement?:ughhh:

blueedwards · Aug 25, 2007

3 inches of water. was in lake geneva all weekend...come back and find out the power went out on thurs night in the middle of a tsunami. brand new house.

nice

Doug · Aug 25, 2007

C.P. said:
just let it lay free it does it purpose

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What if you can't do it in one piece ? The area is T-shaped, roughly 19 X 12, with the bottom of the T about 8 X 8. Do you duct tape the pieces together on the back or something ? I'd have a lot of waste doing it in one piece. Some glue around the perimeter and on the seam,perhaps ?