The basement is an indoor space that doesn’t get too much attention when it comes to making interior design decisions. Although the underground portion is commonly used as a laundry room, storage, water tanks, and HVAC, daylight basements can be used as a maintenance room, garage or living space.
If you are considering doing some renovation in this part of the house, on the flooring project, we recommend using sustainable flooring options for the best experience. Sustainable flooring helps regulate indoor temperatures during the summer and winter seasons.
The options on our list guarantee long-term use, with expert reviews on durability and sustainability.
Eco-Friendly Basement Flooring Ideas
1. Cork Flooring
Renovating with cork, a renewable resource is perfect for your flooring project. Cork’s extraction process is not harmful to the environment. The barks from cork trees are extracted while the tree still stands and later regenerates.
Cork is a great choice for your basement renovation. It’s a durable material ideal for indoor flooring. Cork flooring can help to regulate indoor temperature, especially in colder climates. However, cork flooring installation is not ideal for damp environments. In such places, regular maintenance is required by applying a wax or polyurethane sealing coat.
According to HGTV, an American pay television channel with TV programming primarily focused on reality shows on home-buying, renovation, and flipping, there are several benefits to choosing cork flooring. “Cork is durable and it allows for a good amount of cushioning and is great in increasing the temperature in a space that is often the coldest room in homes” HGTV says.1
Learn more: How to Make Your House More Sustainable
2. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is another option you will feel comfortable installing in your home. A material like hardwood may not be the preferred recommendation for a floor of a building below ground level because it is susceptible to humidity and moisture.
But with the introduction of engineered hardwood, homeowners can install a durable material with fewer worries. Engineered hardwood is designed for long-term use; it’s constructed with a veneer of traditional hardwood and plywood or high-density fibreboard layers durable enough to resist moisture or conditions that may affect it in basement environments.2
Engineered hardwood is considered to be a more eco-friendly flooring option as fewer trees were destroyed to make them. It is more moisture-resistant compared to traditional hardwood and can also be installed in other parts of your home. They are great for basement flooring, and kitchen installations and guarantee long-term use.
Creating the Right Conditions
If your hardwood floors are susceptible to high humidity and moist conditions, keeping your understructure dry is key to a good installation. Start by doing a quick check on the outside of your house. Make sure your house is perfectly positioned where water does not run towards it.3 Also, ensure that your home plumbing system is in good condition before considering hardwood flooring in the understructure.
3. Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain floor tiles are manufactured sustainably using natural and reusable materials and without excessive consumption of energy. It is a flooring option for eco-minded consumers.
Porcelain tiles are great for indoor spaces. They retain heat and gradually emit it to regulate indoor temperature. They are also good for underfloor heating systems due to their lower thickness. Additionally, they help regulate indoor temperature, which means you are installing an eco-friendly material that also helps you cut down on energy costs.
Learn more: 10 Green Technology Examples in Homes
4. Terrazzo
Terrazzo is a durable flooring option that has stood the test of time. It’s a composite material derived from marble, granite, quartz, glass, and shells, specifically used for flooring, bases, walls, etc.
Terrazzo has long been a sustainable material for centuries, dating back to the 15 century in Italy, which makes it one of the earliest “green” flooring systems in the world.
The material is highly durable and can withstand various conditions associated with commercial buildings. The most interesting part of choosing to install terrazzo is that it can be re-finished and polished if it were to be worn down.4
5. Vinyl Wood Flooring
Vinyl wood flooring is a good bargain for the money. It’s a durable material that can be used in residential and commercial flooring.
Vinyl woods are made into tiles or planks which are installed by gluing them to the subfloor. They are durable and guarantee long-term use for flooring in homes.
According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, their engineers’ review of the material considered it as durable. They evaluated its abrasion, staining, and moisture resistance to confirm the durability of today’s top vinyl plank flooring.5
“Vinyl plank flooring can be a great option for homeowners due to its durability, variety of options, and price,” says Angie Hicks, a home expert and co-founder of Angi.6
6. Bamboo
Bamboo is nature’s gift that replenishes in no time. It has been used for flooring in regions where they grow in plenty, and recently, bamboo is becoming more popular in North America.
Bamboo is moisture-resistant and a durable material that is ideal for different temperatures. They are perfect for basement flooring due to their ability not to shrink or swell when temperature changes.
Learn more: 10 Environmental Benefits of Micro-Homes
7. Slate
Slate flooring is a durable flooring option for indoor spaces. It’s ideal for flooring basement and also fits perfectly in other areas of the house. It’s sustainable and resistant to surface scratches and breaks.
Installing slate flooring may come at a steep price. Expect to pay anything from $4 to $10 per square foot, with the cost of installation reaching up to $10 to $15 per square foot.
“Slate is one of the strongest natural stone flooring materials and it’s resistant to cracks and chippings, making it ideal for highly trafficked spots according to Belinda Pabian Interior Decorating and Styling.
“Given the nature of basements, I prefer natural fibres and stones to bring warmth and comfort to a space and I love the idea of a slate floor” says Belinda Pabian, the founder of Belinda Pabian Interior Decorating and Styling.
Conclusion
Your flooring ideas for your basement should prioritize the use of eco-friendly materials, durable and sustainable for long-term use. The flooring options we have listed here are ideal for indoor spaces.
Sources
- Shannon-Karasik, C. (2020, January 17). Cork flooring in basements. HGTV. ↩︎
- Wallender, L. (2023, November 21). Engineered Wood vs. Hardwood Flooring Comparison Guide. The Spruce. ↩︎
- Admin. (2021, April 26). Invision Hardwood: Best hardwood Flooring for Basements. Invision. ↩︎
- Concord Terrazzo Company. (2024, February 9). Terrazzo Sustainability and LEED – Going Green with Terrazzo. Terrazzo Flooring Supplier & Manufacturer | TERRAZZCO. ↩︎
- DiClerico, D. (2024, June 6). The best vinyl plank flooring options of 2023. Good Housekeeping. ↩︎
- Miller, K., & Dritsas, D. (2024, June 14). 6 Best Vinyl plank Flooring of 2024. US News & World Report. ↩︎