Engineered Wood | Vinyl | Laminate | Carpet | Tile
When you browse flooring types, you consider colors, styles and materials that are a good fit for your home. However, part of the fit you may not think about is the surface on which you’ll be laying your flooring. This foundational layer is known as a substrate, and it performs several crucial functions.
In addition to distributing weight and supporting your floor, a substrate’s material can influence the type of flooring you choose. Common substrates include plywood or concrete slabs. If your home has a basement, you likely have a concrete slab as your substrate on that level.
A concrete foundation is a low-maintenance way to protect your top flooring from moisture or other outside factors like insects. However, concrete slabs also present a few unique traits that can affect your flooring. Keeping these qualities in mind can help you select flooring that will enhance your basement and function well with your substrate.
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It’s common to find concrete substrate layers in the lower levels of homes. Concrete slabs are known for their durability, so these surfaces are usually found in basements or areas with frequent temperature changes. As concrete is an effective and long-lasting substrate, you may be surprised to see just how many rooms in your home have concrete slabs underneath your current flooring.
Typically, homeowners have substrate concrete with floor coverings in fully or partially finished basements. While you can add some finishing touches to your concrete slab to make it your finished flooring, you can also place various flooring options over concrete to make living spaces more inviting. Several beautiful options exist for flooring on concrete slabs, from carpet and hardwood to tile and luxury vinyl flooring.
Consider basement flooring over concrete if you have spaces for entertaining, work or leisure activities like:
Installation of new flooring can be easy when your home already has a solid concrete slab foundation.
Similar to basements, bathrooms deal with a lot of moisture and temperature changes. While the flooring you choose to go on top of your concrete needs to withstand water and humidity, so does your subfloor.
Luckily, concrete slabs are highly durable and capable of handling moisture, which keeps your top flooring looking beautiful. You can even use concrete flooring on second floors with the proper structural beams and elements in place.
Your kitchen is also more likely to deal with spills and staining than other rooms in your home. Concrete slabs are a good base for water-resistant top flooring. You can easily lay your desired flooring down with a smooth and level concrete foundation for a more polished look.
Additionally, some homeowners enjoy an industrial look for their kitchens and choose to seal the concrete instead of their finished flooring.
If other areas of your home have concrete base flooring, it’s likely your living room will also. Especially if your home doesn’t include a basement, ground floors benefit from concrete slabs.
A concrete foundation creates an effective barrier between your home and burrowing insects and moisture. While concrete flooring isn’t the most inviting flooring for a sociable space like a living room, it provides a solid, protective base for more inviting flooring options like carpet or hardwood.
Understanding your concrete subfloor can help you pick a long-lasting and compatible flooring option. To properly select flooring to place over concrete slabs, you first must understand some of the common concerns and challenges concrete floors present.
The first element to consider is moisture. While concrete slabs help create a barrier between your home and moisture, they’re not impenetrable, meaning water can still enter. Though it appears solid, concrete is a permeable material that can absorb and release moisture.
Water may enter your concrete slab due to high humidity or ground moisture. This is especially true if your basement is prone to floods or leaks during heavy rainfall. When a concrete slab absorbs moisture, it can retain it for a surprisingly long time.
Installing the wrong kind of flooring over consistently damp concrete may encourage warping and wear over time. Fortunately, a variety of flooring materials are water-resistant enough to function well over a concrete slab. When you pair resilient flooring types with additional protective measures such as waterproofing membranes or barriers, you can set your flooring up for success.
If your concrete slab isn’t perfectly flat, some flooring types may accentuate the unevenness. Even slight variations in grade can be exaggerated after flooring installation. To help guide your flooring selection process, check if your concrete slab is level. If you notice uneven areas, it may be wise to consider more forgiving flooring like carpet or luxury vinyl.
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With moisture and unevenness concerns in mind, you can select a flooring that will fit both your concrete slab and your design goals. Other important considerations include the location of your slab, the amount of water it receives and your flooring preferences.
The following are some well-suited flooring options to include in your lineup.
Natural hardwood flooring is a classic option offering undeniable charm, elegance and durability. However, when it comes to water resistance, engineered wood is better equipped to handle moisture while presenting a stunning wood floor look.
Engineered wood owes its water resistance to its unique structure. Each engineered board consists of thin strips of durable wood compressed onto high-grade plywood. These layers enable the wood to remain rigid and resist contracting and expanding when moisture is present.
In tandem with its durability, engineered wood incorporates the charm of natural wood. This can transform your basement into an impressive, inviting space to use for entertaining or relaxing. Engineered wood is also more affordable than other flooring options, which makes it a budget-friendly option.
Engineered wood gives homeowners the flexibility to place wood-like materials over concrete. These materials endure in areas with high moisture and fluctuating temperatures, saving you money. Additionally, engineered wood is available in various thicknesses.
Choosing a thicker material can prolong your investment’s life, and you can refinish select styles for a new look. Pick from numerous low-maintenance engineered wood color and finish options for spaces with heavy foot traffic.
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As a longstanding choice for kitchens and bathrooms, luxury vinyl is known to be extremely water resistant. Like engineered wood, luxury vinyl harnesses the power of layers to increase its durability. This includes backing, top design and protective layers.
Several types of luxury vinyl flooring may work better for different concrete floors:
In addition to its affordability, luxury vinyl flooring offers temperature benefits for basement installation. Many basement subfloors are concrete slabs that are cold underfoot, especially during the winter. Luxury vinyl won’t transfer the cold from the concrete, which will create durable and comfortable basement flooring.
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Installing luxury vinyl over concrete lets you replicate a natural wood or stone look without the price tag. This flooring material comes in numerous sizes, perfect for large and small rooms. Installation professionals can cut luxury vinyl with a special knife to account for walls and edges. When installing this flooring over concrete, you can forget about routine waxing and polishing. Get durable flooring materials for basements known to last upward of 20 years.
Laminate is made of synthetic composites that are layered for maximum durability. These layers include:
Like other flooring materials that work well over concrete slabs, laminate uses layers to fight moisture. The structure makes it a reliable option to install over your concrete slab. If you plan to transform your basement into a high-traffic area for entertaining and relaxing, laminate could be a great option.
Laminate may require protective measures such as vapor barriers or padding for optimal performance, but this shouldn’t be an issue with an experienced installation crew.
Laminate materials mimic the appearance of natural wood with high-quality images printed on the flooring’s top layers. Stone, metal and ceramic tiles are common custom looks that laminate concrete floor coverings can resemble. Since laminates are made from composite materials, you can feel good knowing zero trees were involved in their creation.
Homeowners choose laminate flooring for concrete substrates because the materials float, so you can hide uneven surfaces or imperfections at the slab level. Because these images are scratch- and scuff-resistant, all you’ll need to do is vacuum or mop.
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Carpeting has many benefits for a basement. In an area that likely doesn’t have windows or natural light, carpet can add much-needed color. It can also be a kid-friendly flooring if you want your basement to function as a playroom.
Because carpet is made from material fibers, it is highly absorbent. Although it may help soak up puddles in the event of a flood, it shouldn’t retain water for long. If your basement is prone to frequent flooding, you may want to opt for a different, more waterproof flooring method.
For the best performance over a concrete slab, select a low-pile carpet made from synthetic fibers. This carpet build won’t absorb as much water but will still provide a soft and stylish addition to your basement.
Carpet installations keep you warm in spaces with concrete floors and without natural light. Stay cozy during the winter months without running your heating system excessively. What’s more, carpets make your basement feel welcoming with unique colors, textures and designs available.
Homeowners also appreciate carpet’s noise-dampening qualities. Basement carpet over concrete flooring helps to reduce noise from downstairs televisions, sound systems and other devices.
LVT has overtaken the industry as the primary choice for new tile installations among today’s homeowners. Technological advances allow luxury vinyl to outperform porcelain and ceramic at nearly every level, even when installed over concrete slabs.
This flooring consists of four layers, each responsible for a unique function that enhances your floor’s overall performance. The image layer contains the surface’s color or pattern, and the wear layer sits on top to protect it. The backing is the bottom layer that offers cushioning and softer footing, while the core adds rigidity and strength.
Because it is water-resistant, it’s common to see LVT in bathrooms and other areas where moisture is prevalent. With various color and pattern options, luxury vinyl tile can add life and durability to your concrete slab.
Not only is the installation of luxury vinyl flooring over concrete quick and seamless, but it is also easier to maintain. LVT offers a broader array of design choices that will fit nearly any interior design scheme, as well.
Luxury vinyl’s ability to replicate wood, stone and ceramic allows you to achieve a natural look at a significantly lower price. Despite its cost-effectiveness, it still offers many of the same benefits. Because of its technologically advanced construction, LVT is highly durable. Since it won’t scratch, dent easily or warp over time, it can withstand years of everyday use.
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When choosing what flooring is best for concrete slabs, you’ll need to consider the location of the floor, the current condition of the concrete and your budget.
The location of the floor you plan to upgrade can affect which flooring options are suitable. The best flooring for basements is different than the best flooring for upper levels. Basements present moisture issues, so it’s important to pick a waterproof flooring material.
All-weather carpet and luxury vinyl flooring are some of the best flooring options to go over concrete in basements.
The condition of your concrete foundation may also guide your flooring decision.
If you have cracked or uneven concrete subflooring, you’ll want to choose flooring that maintains its shape under stress and hides any issues with your concrete. In this case, the best flooring to put over concrete is either luxury vinyl flooring or laminate with the addition of a thick underlayment.
Of course, some flooring options are more expensive than others. Typically, with a higher price tag comes a longer product lifetime. If you’re working within a certain budget, your flooring options will be narrowed down, which can actually be beneficial in helping you choose your flooring.
Price can vary by flooring provider and by the size of your job, but in general, the most to least expensive flooring materials include:
While the quality and functionality of your flooring should be the main focus, it’s important to remember the price, as well.
By installing a new floor, you can completely transform a space, making it into a warm and inviting area you and your family will love. When you’re looking for flooring options to cover concrete slabs, trust the professionals at 50Floor to guide you to the perfect product.
With our free in-home consultations, you can bring a knowledgeable professional to the source and see flooring samples in your lighting. Our flooring consultants will share their knowledge and expertise to help you make an informed decision about what moisture resistance your foundation needs. For quality professional service and the expertise to install the best flooring on your home’s concrete slabs, schedule a consultation appointment today!
Your garage can serve many purposes. Depending on how you use your garage, the flooring can see a lot of wear and tear. Whether it’s a place to park your car, tackle your list of DIY projects, or your home gym— your garage floors need to be durable. Below we will discuss some of the best garage floor materials that can stand up to the task.
Epoxy flooring has been the top coating choice of homeowners for many years, however polyurea coating is changing things. Why? Polyurea lasts longer and is more durable. In fact, it is almost twenty times stronger than epoxy. Polyurea is a type of elastomer material made of synthetic resin and isocyanate-reactive components. It is a unique material that offers several benefits, perfect for any garage floor. Polyurea is UV resistant meaning that your garage floor will not fade or turn yellow down the road. It is resistant to all weather conditions, won’t warp, or wear. This keeps your subfloors protected. Polyurea won’t stain, scrape, or corrode. It is resistant to denting and will look great for many years. It is quick to install, only requiring 24 hours before you can use your garage again. It is the perfect garage flooring option regardless of how you will be using that space. Polyurea is best left to a professional installer who has a lot of experience installing it correctly.
Polished concrete is a popular choice as it has an aesthetically pleasing look and is low maintenance. Polished concrete is a great option as it is durable, long-lasting, and has a beautiful reflective finish. If you are aiming to brighten up your garage space, the reflective qualities of polished concrete can help you achieve that goal. Getting this done right is not the DIY project you might think it could be, so it’s worth the investment to pay the professionals for installation. You won’t need to worry about the condition of your subfloor as the polished concrete is the floor and nothing is needed beneath it. Keep in mind that polished concrete is a more expensive flooring option so if you have a tight budget, you might want to consider other options.
Next to polished concrete, painted concrete is a decent choice if you’re not ready for Polyurea or polished concrete. Not only will it bring your space to life but it is also incredibly durable. Painted concrete offers versatility allowing you to get a truly custom look. There are so many color options and you could even create the look of tile or wood. These heavy-duty paints can help reinforce the concrete while also protecting it from fuel and oil spills. You should be aware that painted concrete is prone to scuffing and chipping if your garage sees a lot of traffic.
If you use your garage as a workshop or place to store things, vinyl plank might be an O.K. flooring option for you. Vinyl is not a good idea if you are planning on storing heavy equipment or cars in your garage. Preferred types of vinyl for garage flooring include WPC and SPC flooring. Vinyl plank is more susceptible to certain climate conditions, like humidity, so if you live in an area that has extended periods of hot, humid days, it might not be the best choice. Vinyl plank is also more prone to staining.
Vinyl composite tile (VCT) is a stronger vinyl garage flooring option. This product doesn’t offer as much “luxury” but makes up for it with increased functionality. VCT is made when small vinyl chips are bonded together with filler like limestone. Combining the two creates a durable product that is sure to last. Vinyl composite tile may look similar to linoleum, however it is not the same. It should also not be compared to peel-and-stick vinyl planking. Vinyl composite tile offers longevity when properly maintained and cared for. You will need to clean, buff, and wax your VCT flooring to keep them in good condition. It may stain if you do not seal it adequately.
If you are in the process of revamping your garage and are considering recoating your garage floor, contact Signature Coatings for high-quality garage floor coatings. Our coatings will not only make your garage more functional, but they also offer superior durability while only needing minimal maintenance.
Contact Us (513-993-6800) to learn more or get a quote!
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Signature Coatings is the premier floor coating systems provider in Greater Cincinnati. Our custom floor coating systems are of exceptional style and quality. Inside or outside, your transformed concrete will stay beautiful and durable for decades.