Why to Opt for Concrete Floors

Concrete floors are yet to gain mainstream acceptance, but they’re slowly and steadily gaining foothold. They’re versatile and blend well with almost every décor. Here are a few reasons why concrete floors make sense;

a) Durable: Unlike other floor types, concrete can withstand extreme pressure. This is one of the many reasons why they’re preferred for warehouses and factories. When used for domestic purposes, they do not break or crack. They’re resistant to scratches caused by heels, furniture or pets. Concrete floors when maintained well can last for more than a hundred years! To maintain the shine, all you need to do is to polish the floor once every few years.

b) Versatile: You can create unimaginable designs by mixing and matching colors. You can recreate the look of wooden floors by creating plank like imprints or recreate the timeless look of granite/marble flooring by mixing concrete with different colors and stains. It’s almost like a blank canvas lending itself to the artist to create masterpieces.

c) Easy to maintain: Sand and dust particles may scratch the surface causing polished concrete to lose its shine. Mopping the floor with soapy water once a week helps to keep the floor clean. You may also have to opt for concrete coating or sealing occasionally depending on the level of traffic. Concrete however absorbs oil, ink, food and other stains. Make sure that they’re wiped promptly with a clean cloth.

d) Economical: It costs around $2 to $5 to lay and polish a square foot of concrete. The cost goes up as you opt for elaborate designs like staining or creating imprints like grid patterned lines. The cost also goes up when you opt for high gloss seals. But even for decorative installations, you might end up paying the same or less than what you would pay for natural stone floorings like granite or marble or wood floors using high end materials like walnut, teak, etc.

Even with so many apparent benefits, people often avoid concrete floors as they’re deemed too cold and loud. Yes, concrete flooring is cold, but not more than natural stones or ceramic tiles. Besides, you can always embed the floor with heating cables that keep the floor warm during winters. Concrete does not cushion and hence the problem of these floors being loud. This can be tackled by placing area rugs, pillows, or other materials that provide a cushioning effect.

Concrete is aesthetically appealing and practical in terms of maintenance as well. Yes, there are a few drawbacks, but the positives far outweigh the problems.

The author of this article has expertise in concrete floors. The articles on polished concrete reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has written many articles on epoxy flooring as well.