Paint or put vinyl tile on basement floor?

[z1ggy]

I have a semi finished basement in my house. It used to have these foam pads on the floor that locked in place, but I removed them. Now there is bare concrete which looks to be sealed somehow. There's also another spot in the basement which is a separate room where the concrete appears to be fully sealed with a different material. I'll add pictures later today.

Question is, do I paint over it or add on some vinyl flooring? After doing a bit of research, seems like both options may cost about the same, if I'm using the "peel and stick" 2-4mm faux tile/wood stuff compared to all the supplies I'd need to paint.

Area in total is about 500sqft. Trying to spend no more than $500-$550.

 

[olds]

What are you going to use the room for?

 

[Eug]

I'd say neither.

 

[zerocool84]

What are you going to use the room for?

This

It's important to know what you intend to do down there.

 

[steppinthrax]

It also depends on the moisture levels on the concrete slab. I believe you need to verify this first, if it's too moist paint might pop off and you may have to go with some "floating floor". I hate those peel and stick. It never looks right when it's finished.

 

[vi edit]

$1 a sq/ft is really squeezing it. I'd look at cork flooring depending on what you plan to do there. But it's more like $3+ a sq/ft.

 

[z1ggy]

I'd say neither.

Okay, then what?

This

It's important to know what you intend to do down there.

Not much, it's basically just for storage. My cat's litter boxes are down there, so it needs to be easily cleaned. It's why I got rid of the padding.

$1 a sq/ft is really squeezing it. I'd look at cork flooring depending on what you plan to do there. But it's more like $3+ a sq/ft.

Yeah, $3/sqft is not happening. I may end up selling this place within the next year. I want something to make it look nicer and get rid of that "bare" look. It's been sealed with something at some point, because it's not a bare grey slab. The main area is this...blackish/yellowish color, and the other side room is grey, but I can see swirl marks, like it had been sealed with something or painted.

 

[MiniDoom]

acid stain

 

[Mai72]

You should turn your basement into an apartment, and get rent for it.

 

[highland145]

So no moisture problem?

 

[ControlD]

So no moisture problem?

Doesn't every basement end up with a moisture problem at some point? Water will find a way in sometime.

I say go for the vinyl squares. Even better, you could just cut and put a sheet of vinyl down. I have a couple of friends that went that route (I carpeted my basement shortly before it got wet for the first time) and the vinyl is much more practical for a basement.

 

[DrPizza]

Armstrong makes a vinyl flooring product that just floats - it doesn't have to be glued down. And, there might be another company making a similar product. We put it in our bathroom & I've been very pleased with it - it hasn't shifted a bit. And, it lays very flat and smoothly. I *think* there are different grades of the stuff - the best stuff is thicker. I recall getting a similar chunk for my son's first apartment - the entryway was carpeted, so we put a piece over it to prevent the carpeting from being damaged during the winter salt on sidewalks season. I seem to recall that it was a lot cheaper per square foot than what we paid; maybe close to $1.

edit: http://www.lowes.com/pd_329136-61-G1060401_4294856528%2B4294965421__?productId=3290750&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=Armstrong
97 cents per square foot, loose lay.


edit edit: if you're willing to glue, you can get Armstrong vinyl for as little as 52 cents per square foot (plus the cost of adhesive and an adhesive trowel.) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Armstron...l-Sheet-Vinyl-61338405/100157067?N=5yc1vZar9y
Personally, I wouldn't glue it. As a prospective buyer, I wouldn't want to deal with the removal of an glued vinyl floor that I didn't like the color of. The floating vinyl floor though - $500 might be worth it, if you think it would make the basement aesthetically pleasing enough to encourage buyers. A vinyl floored basement would be excellent for younger kids with their toys. (And running and sliding across the floor in their footy pajamas.)

 

[MustISO]

I would either paint it ( like that garage floor epoxy stuff) or use a sheet vinyl. You can find basic sheet vinyl for under $1 sqft.

 

[z1ggy]

Doesn't every basement end up with a moisture problem at some point? Water will find a way in sometime.

I say go for the vinyl squares. Even better, you could just cut and put a sheet of vinyl down. I have a couple of friends that went that route (I carpeted my basement shortly before it got wet for the first time) and the vinyl is much more practical for a basement.

I'm sure it has some moisture in the floor that has been soaked up. I mean, all concrete unless perfectly sealed, will absorb water. I know the basement took on some water before I bought it. We got a TON of snow one winter, then a few days later, a freak heat wave came through. A lot of basements got flooded.

Armstrong makes a vinyl flooring product that just floats - it doesn't have to be glued down. And, there might be another company making a similar product. We put it in our bathroom & I've been very pleased with it - it hasn't shifted a bit. And, it lays very flat and smoothly. I *think* there are different grades of the stuff - the best stuff is thicker. I recall getting a similar chunk for my son's first apartment - the entryway was carpeted, so we put a piece over it to prevent the carpeting from being damaged during the winter salt on sidewalks season. I seem to recall that it was a lot cheaper per square foot than what we paid; maybe close to $1.

edit: http://www.lowes.com/pd_329136-61-G1060401_4294856528%2B4294965421__?productId=3290750&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=Armstrong
97 cents per square foot, loose lay.


edit edit: if you're willing to glue, you can get Armstrong vinyl for as little as 52 cents per square foot (plus the cost of adhesive and an adhesive trowel.) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Armstron...l-Sheet-Vinyl-61338405/100157067?N=5yc1vZar9y
Personally, I wouldn't glue it. As a prospective buyer, I wouldn't want to deal with the removal of an glued vinyl floor that I didn't like the color of. The floating vinyl floor though - $500 might be worth it, if you think it would make the basement aesthetically pleasing enough to encourage buyers. A vinyl floored basement would be excellent for younger kids with their toys. (And running and sliding across the floor in their footy pajamas.)

Thank you!!! Will check these out. I was aware of sheet vinyl, but I wasn't aware of floating stuff. My parents old house had sheet vinyl in the kitchen and mudroom, but it was totally glued down. Is this an easy DIY? My basement is not a very friendly shape, and it has a pole right smack in the middle. I would need to cut it at least one to wrap around the pole.

I'll take pics when I am home later today to show you guys what it looks like down there.

I would either paint it ( like that garage floor epoxy stuff) or use a sheet vinyl. You can find basic sheet vinyl for under $1 sqft.

That stuff is expensive and I don't think offers me much more than a basic masonry paint. I don't need the floor to be waterproof per se, just not butt ugly.

 

[BoomerD]

What are you going to use the room for?

This...Oldsmoboat REALLY is the resident expert on basements here.

 

[z1ggy]

This...Oldsmoboat REALLY is the resident expert on basements here.

This is true. Besides holding hookers captive, just some storage. No man cave or anything like that. However, I want it to be able to be one, as a selling point to future buyers.

 

[DrPizza]

Thank you!!! Will check these out. I was aware of sheet vinyl, but I wasn't aware of floating stuff. My parents old house had sheet vinyl in the kitchen and mudroom, but it was totally glued down. Is this an easy DIY? My basement is not a very friendly shape, and it has a pole right smack in the middle. I would need to cut it at least one to wrap around the pole.

Fairly easy diy, though cutting out for the pole will make it slightly more difficult. I'd bet that where there's a seam, there's a special type of tape that goes underneath to make it seem as one piece. Best technique for applying that tape and lining it up perfectly can probably be found on youtube.

As always, and important for any flooring: leave it in the environment for 24 hours before cutting. I don't know how much it expands or shrinks with temperature, but you don't want to take it from a warm 75 degree room upstairs, and cut it to fit perfectly on a surface that's only 50 degrees - it might contract just enough to give it an unfinished look along the wall.

When I installed it in the bathroom, I pulled up the toilet and vanity cabinet. Behind the vanity, when I trimmed it for the wall, I actually let it run up the wall for about an inch. Reason: if there's a slight leak, and the slope is slightly toward the wall, I'd rather find out about the water sooner (forcing it to the side or front) than later (allowing it to seep in under the wall). Shoe molding along the rest of the wall covered the edge, except along the tub. I've been saying, "one of these days, I should caulk where it meets the tub" for several years. It sits perfect flat along the tub, and was fairly easy to cut to match nearly perfectly - patience. You can always cut more off, but you can't add it back on.

 

[z1ggy]

Fairly easy diy, though cutting out for the pole will make it slightly more difficult. I'd bet that where there's a seam, there's a special type of tape that goes underneath to make it seem as one piece. Best technique for applying that tape and lining it up perfectly can probably be found on youtube.

As always, and important for any flooring: leave it in the environment for 24 hours before cutting. I don't know how much it expands or shrinks with temperature, but you don't want to take it from a warm 75 degree room upstairs, and cut it to fit perfectly on a surface that's only 50 degrees - it might contract just enough to give it an unfinished look along the wall.

When I installed it in the bathroom, I pulled up the toilet and vanity cabinet. Behind the vanity, when I trimmed it for the wall, I actually let it run up the wall for about an inch. Reason: if there's a slight leak, and the slope is slightly toward the wall, I'd rather find out about the water sooner (forcing it to the side or front) than later (allowing it to seep in under the wall). Shoe molding along the rest of the wall covered the edge, except along the tub. I've been saying, "one of these days, I should caulk where it meets the tub" for several years. It sits perfect flat along the tub, and was fairly easy to cut to match nearly perfectly - patience. You can always cut more off, but you can't add it back on.

Hmmmm. In theory it sounds pretty easy... But I'd want a buddy or somebody who's done it before to help. I've done simple DIY stuff around the house, but I've never done this and I'd like it done right.

I read the instructions given by the Lowe's website. Says it needs to cure for 48 hours @ 65F. Seeing as it's technically winter right now, there's about a 0% chance of my basement being 65 degrees for a full 48 hours. Although... I do have baseboard heat down there... There's practically no insulation. Would be an expensive two days of heating.

About how many hour job is this? Also, now that I am thinking.. because I have baseboard, I may have to remove all of the covers first to be able to get the sheet under... Gahhh annoy.

 

[NoCreativity]

TrafficMaster Allure sold at homedepot is a nice option.

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Flooring...-Flooring-Resilient-Vinyl-Planks/N-5yc1vZbzjz

It's closer to $2/sq ft though. It looks nice and is easy to install.

 

[DesiPower]

How about those Epoxy Garage Floor Coating! They look awesome, atleast in picture!! I am sure they are made with moisture in mind?

 

[z1ggy]

How about those Epoxy Garage Floor Coating! They look awesome, atleast in picture!! I am sure they are made with moisture in mind?

It's basically the same procedure as painting, except the stuff is more expensive. I've thought about it though, as it would probably last longer than the paint. But, I'm actively looking to sell my house (meeting with Realtor next Weds.) so I don't care about longevity (sorry next owner!).

 

[Humpy]

It's basically the same procedure as painting, except the stuff is more expensive. I've thought about it though, as it would probably last longer than the paint. But, I'm actively looking to sell my house (meeting with Realtor next Weds.) so I don't care about longevity (sorry next owner!).

The new owner may or may not know, but most any type of coating, paint, adhesive, etc. can limit/alter options for future floor coverings.

The obvious example is you shouldn't adhere ceramic tile to painted concrete. The paint will need to be removed or an underlayment installed where it would have potentially been a much easier install.

Unless you are sure covering the floor will add value or speed up the sale you might be better off doing nothing.

 

[z1ggy]

The new owner may or may not know, but most any type of coating, paint, adhesive, etc. can limit/alter options for future floor coverings.

The obvious example is you shouldn't adhere ceramic tile to painted concrete. The paint will need to be removed or an underlayment installed where it would have potentially been a much easier install.

Unless you are sure covering the floor will add value or speed up the sale you might be better off doing nothing.

Good point. I asked my Realtor if many basements in homes in the area had flooring. She said no. She said adding the flooring probably won't help the value of my home in the short term. Since I am likely selling it, sounds like maybe the best thing to do is just make sure it smells good down there, and is clean.

Thread for nothing!! Damnit. But thank you to anybody who spent time replying. If I changed my mind or have any updates, I'll post here.

 

[tsiunltdus]

If I were you I would go with an epoxy floor like they put in a garage. If you are in a basement there will be a time your basement will flood. The question is not if it will flood it will be when will it flood. I have done water restoration for 6 years and it will happen. And carpet or floating floor or tile or vinyl is never been a good thing for basement floors. Epoxy or ceramic flooring is the best route for your basement. Which may not fit for the budget you have set.

 

[z1ggy]

See my "home for sale" thread below.

I think I'm going to seal it with Kilz Max first, then paint over it, likely with an oil based paint.

The engineer in me tells me this is the lowest risk approach. I have a few people telling me though that it won't look "inviting" down there unless it has carpet. I really need to post pics here... I keep forgetting.