With a couple tools and a weekend or two of spare time, almost any homeowner can transform their drab basement floor into a beautifully floored room. Tiling, installing carpet or wood, or finishing a concrete floor in a basement offers many benefits including an enhanced look, a more durable floor, and a more aesthetically pleasing living area in your basement.

The first thing you want to do is remove any old flooring. New basement flooring should be laid directly on the sub-floor (usually made of concrete), or underlayment, to ensure stability. It’s been said that you can lay new flooring over old tile, but this is not a wise idea unless you are sure the sub-floor is made of concrete and can support the additional weight. Other types of sub-flooring including wood usually require an underlayment in order to support the weight of the tiles and prevent breaking.

While learning how to floor a basement is a fairly simple thing to do, it is imperative to verify that the floor is in good condition before you start. It must be clean, level and rigid; otherwise you can have cracking/separating issues in the grout or tiles later on. Any higher spots can usually be removed using a chisel and sledgehammer.

Excess dirt or other debris will significantly impact the ease of installation. Any holes or cracks will need to be filled in, and you will also need to verify that there are no issues with moisture or water leaks. If there are any moisture/water issues, they will need to be addressed through waterproofing or some other means before you can install your flooring.

For more detailed information, feel free to browse this site for basement flooring reviews, advice, and videos.