Gray Stone-Look Tile Basement Floor in Carpentersville
About This Project
This Carpentersville home basement was finished and the owner wanted tile in the main area rather than carpet, both for durability and for ease of cleaning. The gray stone-look rectangular porcelain tile connects visually to the carpeted staircase area while providing a practical, moisture-tolerant surface for the basement level.
Basement concrete slabs in this area of Carpentersville can have minor moisture vapor transmission, particularly in spring. We tested the slab with a calcium chloride moisture test before recommending the tile system. The results were within acceptable limits, so we proceeded with a standard polymer-modified thinset and installed a crack isolation membrane over the full floor area to prevent any existing hairline cracks from telegraphing through to the tile over time.
What We Did
Conducted moisture test on slab before recommending tile system
Applied crack isolation membrane over full slab area
Set rectangular tile in running bond pattern; staggered joints at 25%
Grouted in gray; installed transition strip at carpet boundary
