Ideas for basment floor
- Thread starter PBMAX
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Cliff_Johns
Elite Member
I'd say, don't underestimate the pleasing aspects of a simple paint job. A good quality paint that's labeled for concrete will last for a very long time (I painted my basement floor 10 years ago with $20/gal latex and it'd holding up very well even though it's my woodworking shop and it gets abused). It's inexpensive, do it yourself, and you can have a new floor just by washing it and painting it a new color. It cleans easily and you know if you have any leaks or new cracks (doesn't hide that kind of stuff).
You can also paint designs if you into that sort of thing. You put down one layer everywhere, then tape some areas (boundaries, checks, whatever) then roll on another layer. Pull up the tape and you get a cool looking floor (use the blue painting tape).
For seating areas, you can use throw rugs that you can actually get clean (as differing from carpet which is a dirt and bug repository -- no a steam cleaner is not effective -- ever pulled up old carpet and looked underneath?)
Cliff
You can also paint designs if you into that sort of thing. You put down one layer everywhere, then tape some areas (boundaries, checks, whatever) then roll on another layer. Pull up the tape and you get a cool looking floor (use the blue painting tape).
For seating areas, you can use throw rugs that you can actually get clean (as differing from carpet which is a dirt and bug repository -- no a steam cleaner is not effective -- ever pulled up old carpet and looked underneath?)
Cliff
Onthelake
Member
Paul,
Go to Acid Stain.com and start there. They have instructions for cleaning floors and a lot of Q & A. Also just search acid stain on yahoo. Also lots of info. Best thing to clean floor with is water and maybe a mild orange cleaner. DO NOT use any kind of acid etch. Also avoid other chemicals. They could affect the overall look. One thing you have to understand, no two jobs will look alike. It depends on your individual concrete. Cracks and defects of concrete add character IMHO. And there are other ways of finishing the floor to add character and the look. One of the things with Decosup is that the floor does not have to be perfectly dry to begin the stain process. Do the research and ask questions.
Go to Acid Stain.com and start there. They have instructions for cleaning floors and a lot of Q & A. Also just search acid stain on yahoo. Also lots of info. Best thing to clean floor with is water and maybe a mild orange cleaner. DO NOT use any kind of acid etch. Also avoid other chemicals. They could affect the overall look. One thing you have to understand, no two jobs will look alike. It depends on your individual concrete. Cracks and defects of concrete add character IMHO. And there are other ways of finishing the floor to add character and the look. One of the things with Decosup is that the floor does not have to be perfectly dry to begin the stain process. Do the research and ask questions.
boustany
Platinum Member
Ceramic tile: 12x12" can be got fer cheap (often $1 or $2 per sq foot), they go down quick and last forever - even if the house gets flooded.
kokopelli2
Gold Member
alright lets look at some other options.....what about cork? its is soft, can get wet, and holds heat better then wood. or bamboo wich can also get wet, and is harder then wood.
as for radiant heat, you do not have to dig up the floor. there is low votlage stuff that gets rolled out on the floor when you are mudding it for tile or what ever. its really nice, cheap to heat with and easy to use. go to www.warmfloor.com.
all in all i would tile....you can get 12x12s or even bigger sometimes for 80 cents or less. watch for sales at depot. or if you have an expo buy you see if they have any special order returns. i picked up some stone that is $12 a sqaure for 3 a square just so that could get rid of it! looks good too.
hope this helps
as for radiant heat, you do not have to dig up the floor. there is low votlage stuff that gets rolled out on the floor when you are mudding it for tile or what ever. its really nice, cheap to heat with and easy to use. go to www.warmfloor.com.
all in all i would tile....you can get 12x12s or even bigger sometimes for 80 cents or less. watch for sales at depot. or if you have an expo buy you see if they have any special order returns. i picked up some stone that is $12 a sqaure for 3 a square just so that could get rid of it! looks good too.
hope this helps
kokopelli2, can't say as Ive ever seen cork on the floor but it would be kinda soft.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I had forgotten they make lots of bambo stuff now for floors.... had also forgotten about the electric floor heat. Thanks for the link...
as for tile I don't know if I like tile enough to do the whole floor, but I am considering it for the door entry and bar area.... if I don't do the Acid staining or the other option someone posted as link to whitch looked cool.... which is a concrete mix done in thin layers....
Some 12"x12" might look real nice by the door.
thanks
I had forgotten they make lots of bambo stuff now for floors.... had also forgotten about the electric floor heat. Thanks for the link...
as for tile I don't know if I like tile enough to do the whole floor, but I am considering it for the door entry and bar area.... if I don't do the Acid staining or the other option someone posted as link to whitch looked cool.... which is a concrete mix done in thin layers....
Some 12"x12" might look real nice by the door.
thanks