1. What do You Put on a Wet Basement Floor?
There are two material options basement flooring are available in to protect against a wet basement or cellar: rubber and PVC. Both materials offer excellent protection against moisture especially in regions where basements are prone to flooding during the wet months. Each material comes with their own set of unique characteristics that the other cannot provide. Additionally, a basement or cellar floor can be cold and uncomfortable to walk on barefoot but, a rubber or PVC flooring in a basement will provide that extra little bit of comfort to the area. Rubber and PVC are ideal material choices for cellar or basement flooring due to their ability to enhance traction and protect the flooring underneath from abrasions, chemical damage and water damage.
1(a). Rubber Flooring
Rubber is one of the ideal material choices for a basement or cellar floor due to its high coefficient of friction and its ability to protect the subflooring underneath. In extreme cases, basement flooring can even become completely flooded so it is important to find options for basement flooring that will not be affected by exposure to excess moisture. This can come as a result of any number of reasons, from a burst pipe to inclement weather causing rainwater to flow in. When you have a rubber basement floor covering, you do not have to worry as much. Rubber’s resistance to moisture and non-porous nature means that the water does not impact it. The surface can be dried out and put back to use without suffering any permanent damage, unlike other materials such as carpet. This is just one of the qualities that makes rubber the perfect material for flooring in a basement. Additionally, rubber basement flooring is available in multiple synthetic rubber variations that each come with their own set of unique characteristics that further enhances rubber’s durability. Many choose synthetic rubber flooring for their basement or cellar floor if these areas are exposed to chemicals or greases/oils.
1(b). Vinyl Flooring
PVC is a slightly cheaper options for basement flooring compared to rubber but, is still a very versatile and ideal material to use. Much like rubber, PVC is a durable and traction enhancing flooring option that makes it perfect for a wet basement or cellar floor. However, unlike rubber, PVC is more resistant to heat and chemicals that even the synthetic variations of rubber. For instance, “PVC is resistant to all inorganic chemicals. It has very good resistance against diluted acids, diluted alkalis and aliphatic hydrocarbons” (omnexus.specialchem.com). This makes PVC the best flooring option for basements or cellars where chemicals are being used or stored. In addition, “PVC has good physical as well as mechanical properties and…is abrasion resistant, lightweight and tough” (omnexus.specialchem.com). Overall, PVC is a cost-effective, durable and versatile material that will perform exceptionally well in basements or cellars with abrasive conditions and where chemicals are being used or stored.
What is the Best Flooring for a Wet Basement?
Above all other materials, rubber is the best flooring for a wet basement. One of the most common reasons that people get rubber flooring in a basement is specifically for its protection against moisture. Basements are often prone to varying degrees of moisture year-round. This is often a nuisance but can end up causing serious damage. Water can cause slippery conditions, stain existing floors, and perhaps most harmful of all, cause mold and mildew to develop. If the basement or cellar floor has rubber over it, the harm from moisture is largely negated. Firstly, the rubber materials of our basement flooring products are naturally resistant to moisture. Rubber can prohibit water from forming microbial byproducts such as mold and mildew. It is also an extremely slip-resistant material, meaning that your feet benefit from more traction while on a basement floor covering made of rubber no matter how wet it gets thanks to rubber’s naturally high coefficient of friction. Above all, it is vital to protect basement flooring from water damage as basements can literally compromise the foundation of a house, and any damage sustained there can have a seriously negative impact on the floors and the rest of the building above.
2. Why is Rubber the Best Material for a Basement or Cellar Floor?
As mentioned in the section above, rubber is the best material when it comes to covering floors in wet areas but, when it comes to options for basement flooring or cellar flooring, another quality that sets rubber apart is its versatility. Different rubber materials provide different qualities and selling points. Many cellar and basement flooring options are made from recycled rubber, which offers superior durability. But, if you are using your basement or cellar as a workshop, rubber variations are also available that can provide extra resistance to physical abrasions and substances like oil and grease for your basement flooring. Additionally, rubber floors can provide better warmth and comfort qualities than any other flooring material. No matter what type of rubber you choose for your basement floor covering, it will be resilient, easy to install and easy to clean.
2(a). Physical Durability
Our various different options for basement flooring happen to serve one particular function in such venues: physical durability. The one thing commonly seen in a man-cave, bedroom, or fitness center is the presence of heavy physical objects. These can be furniture, weights and other items. Such objects are heavy and made of thick, abrasive materials like wood, metal, and plastic. Unprotected floors can easily be damaged by their presence. To prevent such costly damaged from occurring, use rubber basement flooring under them. Rubber can endure physical impacts thanks to its durability and elasticity. The perfect barrier between sensitive sub-surfaces and hard heavy objects, it will absorb physical impacts and spread them throughout its own surfaces. The protection offered by rubber basement floor covering is dependable, long lasting, and very easy to install.
2(b). Comfort and Warmth
Another key quality offered by rubber basement flooring is the comfort it provides. Many types of rubber used for flooring in a basement have a softer and more pliable feel for your feet. This makes for an especially good cellar floor surface if you are using the area as a playroom for young children. Not only is rubber more comfortable to walk on, it protects against falls and scrapes by providing an extra buoyant surface. As an added benefit, rubber basement flooring can also help keep the area warm. Cellars and basements are often cold areas simply by the nature of their underground location. The existing concrete or wood floors of a basement do not insulate against cold temperatures. Rubber does an excellent job of providing insulation. Rubber flooring in a basement will help keep the area warmer, an important quality to have if you are turning your basement into a spare bedroom or home gym. By helping keeping basement flooring (and basements themselves) warmer, these mats help lower the total heating energy required to keep the basements heated – a money-saving advantage that anyone can appreciate.
2(c). Easy Installation and Maintenance
People often shy away from installing new protective flooring because of a perception that it is hard and cumbersome to install; however, this is a common misconception. Our line of rubber basement flooring is so easy to install that they make excellent Do-It-Yourself projects. In most cases, protective basement flooring can be installed during a laidback afternoon or lazy weekend. Within our options for basement flooring, people can choose from either rolled rubber flooring or interlocking tile flooring. The benefit of rolled rubber basement flooring is that you can get them cut to custom lengths of your specification. Custom fits are especially helpful for basements that are oddly shaped or feature irregular layouts. Furthermore, the rubber floors are easily put in place with either adhesive glue or double-sided tape. Alternatively, we offer interlocking tile options that are even easier to install! Some of them come with interlocking pins, while others feature puzzle-like edges. Both types of interlocking basement flooring are meant to facilitate a fast and easy installation process. Our DIY flooring options are meant to save you both time and money!
Regardless of which of the different options for basement flooring you choose; your basement and cellar floor areas will benefit from all of the protective qualities of a rubber or PVC floor. A rubber basement floor covering will guard the sensitive areas against the harms of moisture and heavy physical objects while also serving to insulate. A PVC basement or cellar floor will provide you with the ultimate chemical resisting flooring option. A warm and dry basement is much more comfortable than a cold and wet basement. If you need to install new flooring in a basement, then look no further than rubber. It is among the best basement flooring options available today!