Concrete is easy to construct, and extremely strong but isn’t permanent. Its surface can slowly be worn out due to the effects of weather, water, and time itself. However, the good thing about concrete floors is that it can be restored and can be improved than how it initially looked. Also, restoring concrete floors is less expensive than replacing everything all at once. If you’re pondering about why you should use concrete floors, here are the seven reasons you can consider to choose concrete floors for your home:
Durability
Polished concrete floors are uniquely durable and extremely resilient and can withstand pressure from foot traffic and equipment. Damage is nearly impossible from high heels, scratches, pet claws, or furniture legs that might ruin the floor. You can enhance the beauty and durability of your home with concrete floors while including decorations with surface protection.
A properly maintained concrete floor can last more than a lifetime. The material used in concrete floors can withstand different conditions, especially in areas that are commercially used.
Less Maintenance
Concrete floors don’t require to be maintained most of the time. For instance, a polished concrete floor can dispel dirt, stains, spills, and some hard impacts. Therefore, sweeping some dirt off and mopping is needed to keep them looking fresh. To keep the floors clean, have a schedule when to mop it regularly. Another way of maintenance is through waxing the floor every 3-9 months, and using a neutral cleaning agent can prolong the life of concrete floors. The maintenance is quite easier compared to wood floors.
Restoration contractors can provide you with the best solution through repair, rehabilitation, protection, and decorative enhancements of concrete services. Most of them have a website; for example, Rsconcreterestoration.com, which you can easily visit to know more about their services and if you have any other questions regarding how they do their work.
Versatility
Concrete floors offer a wide range of decorative designs from protective, aesthetic, and comfortability purposes. Numerous beautiful style options vary from simplest to luxurious forms. Additional color and texture effects can enhance the appearance of concrete floors.
Furthermore, another advantage of concrete flooring is flexibility in design. Decorative engraving and stenciled graphics can be applied on the surface. Existing minor cracks on the surface can be blended and adjusted by specialists. Here are some examples of different designs that incorporate texture and coloring techniques:
- Overlay: It’s a thin coating of new concrete added to an existing slab to revitalize the worn-out surface like cracks or stains. The overlay is waxed and styled in the same manner as a new slab. If overlays are installed, it can last long, like standard concrete.
- Polish: It’s the process of creating a glass-smooth finish by using finer abrasive pads. The result is an attractive, gleaming, and glossy floor after the polish is applied. Also, the level of sheen varies from satin to high-gloss.
- Acid-stained: A colorful mottled that resembles a marble-like appearance surface is created when concrete reacts with mild acids. It will eventually result in unique colors and styles.
- Dyed: Dyeing is another method of colorizing concrete floors. It’s the utilization of a solid coloring agent over a surface that creates a rigid color effect.
- Stamped: Stamping is another technique for texturing the concrete. The surface is brushed, stamped, or embedded with glass beads while the cement is wet. The process will result in a three-dimensional effect. Furthermore, stamp skins can be used to create coatings that look like stone, wood, and brick.
- Geometric Divisions: Geometric patterns with segmented color or texture styled artistically are usually laid out in high-end concrete floors.
- Stenciled or Airbrushed: This process is usually used for large canvases for various artistic painting techniques. For instance, logos and graphics can be incorporated with stenciling.
- Heated Floors: Cold surfaces of ordinary concrete floors can be transformed into warm and comfortable floors by installing electrical cables or hot water tubes.
Economical
Concrete floors can cost around $2 for standard designs to $30 for a high-end and artistically designed per square foot; pricing usually depends on the installation per square foot. You can save more due to the durability of the material used for the concrete floors. It can also be easily replaced if you want to change its designs or improve its appearance. Here are some examples of designs you can try:
- Basic Design: It includes pouring the slab or micro-topping, then followed with the necessary polishing and simple staining or dying. This will only cost you from $2 to $6 per square foot.
- Mid-range Design: This design also includes pouring the slab, followed by polishing and coloring it with multiple colors. The price range for a mid-range design is from $7 to $14 per square foot.
- High-end Design: This design is the most expensive and luxurious that includes geometric styling patterns in the slab or overlay. Also, it incorporates multiple colors and variations of stamping techniques that produce artistic style floors, which can cost around $15 to $30.
Longevity
Concrete floors can last a hundred years, even in the harshest conditions, if properly installed, sealed, and maintained. This type of flooring can outperform others like carpets, vinyl floorings, and wood laminates, and especially linoleum. Therefore, you will get your money’s worth by installing concrete floors, and this will help you save more in the long run.
Sanitary
Polished and sealed concrete floors can be resistant to fluids. The coatings can prevent contaminants and act as anti-microbial protection. Sealed concrete flooring can prevent cracks and crevices that harbor trapped food, dirt, and bacteria.
Damp Resistance
Take note that moisture attracts mold, and it flourishes on damp areas. Concrete floors don’t absorb moisture from its surroundings; therefore, it’s resistant to dampness, which makes it much better than carpets. It can be easily wiped off to remove water residues or moisture on the floor.
Conclusion
Concrete is uniquely strong, and that makes the flooring durable and lasts a long time. The various designs and styles of concrete flooring add aesthetic value to your home. However, concrete floors have pros and cons as well, but take note that for every con, there’s the solution.
Be sure to check on reviews, choose the top-quality producers of concrete flooring, and adequately plan which ones you would like to have in your home. The things mentioned above can be helpful for you to decide which concrete floors you can incorporate in your home.
I like your suggestion of using concrete as a flooring material for your home since you get the ability to customize its looks by having it coated. I also find it interesting that these types of flooring material are guaranteed to make your floor last for a long time. I should share this with my uncle so that he’d consider hiring a flooring contractor for it. https://rdfloors.com/
Wow, we didn’t know how we’d choose from different finishes when it comes to concrete flooring. We’re building our dream house next year, so we’re currently going over our material options, and your article will help us understand concrete better. My wife and I appreciate your information on how concrete is a flexible material that’s perfect for stylish homes. http://www.jmgconcreting.com.au/services.html