What type of flooring would be best to install in a gym/rec room?

2019-10-11T21:13:00-04:00

We're in the process of buying a new home and we'd like to finish the basement in a year or so. We have a lot of workout equipment and will use the area as a gym space, but we know that folks we sell or rent out to in the future might prefer to use the area as a rec/bonus room. What kind of flooring would be versatile and durable enough to use for both uses? We have matting to put over the floor while we use it as a gym which should help absorb some abuse. Everything I know about home improvement I learned from Tim Taylor so I'm at a loss.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 11 at 2019 9:21 PM

2019-10-11T21:21:35-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member The current trend of ‘polished concrete’ is interesting. If the contractor had that in mind, he might ‘pour’ concrete that would be amenable to unusual treatments?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 12 at 2019 11:36 AM

2019-10-12T11:36:53-04:00

Personally, I'd go for depressed concrete in the area you'll put the heavy rubber down for the equipment. Horse stall mats on top work great. For the rest of the area, the composite vinyl with the thick rubber mat would be great. That way, the floor transition is even and there is no actual wood to mold, warp, etc. The heavy backing will keep noise down too. BTW, horse stall mats are the same thing as they use in regular gyms, just far less expensive.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 12 at 2019 2:42 PM

2019-10-12T14:42:00-04:00

You are buying Colorado Springs/Fountain right? Bare concrete and lay the mat over it. Your finish of a basement in Colorado Springs can cost between $35 and 42K. If you plan on leaving the home inside 5 years, not sure you'll see any of that back. You'll likely have to take out a HELOC unless you have the cash in savings or left over between the sale of your last and purchase of this home.

Flooring is cheap, relatively speaking. You can have a contractor come and carpet bare concrete for $1-2 a square foot, $3-$4 installed. They usually price at square yards. Call a few area carpet places and see if they give you an opinion of probable cost based on the basement square footage. Most wil not quote unless they walk the job. Beware of a quote over the phone. If you can't measure the space, you can go to Pikes Peak Regional Building Authority on line and get your floor plans and as builds for free as a PDF so you can do some rough cost. The dimensioned drawings can be used to get rough square footage, and then they can get you a cost. Home advisor also has a similar function.

You need to corner the current owner on if there has ever been flooding/seepage in that space. You don't want to carpet until you mitigate that.

May want to consider appointing the Space with a bathroom and and make it a bedroom. This will increase the over all value for rental or resale.