Concrete is extremely durable and sturdy which is why it is used in roads and driveways! It is a flooring material that concrete has the strength and endurance of a highway. You won’t be able to scratch or scratch the concrete floor.
It can also make an impact with its fashion. The addition of dyes and etching techniques can transform boring, gray concrete into a home’s main attraction. The cost ranges from cheap ($2 for each square foot) to a bit expensive ($30 each square foot based on the finish).
It’s obvious that concrete is heavy. If you’re planning to install new concrete floors that are on grade, the weight will not be a problem. If you’re planning to put concrete on a subfloor that is supported by joists, you’ll require an engineer with a structural background to determine the strength of your floor. the weight. Lightweight concrete could be a solution.
Concrete floors have pros and cons.
- Low maintenance: The same qualities are what make the concrete flooring robust also make them easy to maintain. Concrete floors that are properly sealed can ward away dirt, grit, spills, stains, and even hard hits. A few sweepings and moist mopping are all you need in order to maintain their appearance new.
- Beautiful design possibilities: Modern techniques for concrete finishing have taken concrete floors from plain to extravagant. The addition of dyes while the concrete is mixed makes concrete that comes in a variety of earthy hues. Surface treatments like acid staining, concrete staining, and paints designed for concrete floors could transform ordinary concrete into stunning unique designs. Concrete can also be stamped using stencils made of rubber to create a realistic texture. In combination with the right colorants or dyes, the final concrete can look like ceramic tile, natural stone, bricks, or even dirt!
- heated floors for a new building or for concrete laid onto an already existing slab you can include radiant floor heating that is electric pipes or hot tubes into the concrete for warm, comfortable flooring.
- Green: Concrete does not use up natural resources, and uses less energy than other flooring types to manufacture, and is manufactured (poured) on the spot. Concrete is great in indoor air quality since it blocks mold, mildew, and odors. It’s free of potentially harmful VOCs and is able to be sealed with non-VOC sealers. Concrete’s ability to absorb cool and warm air helps reduce the need for heating or cooling. Concrete can also be reused and its surface reduces the need to dispose of materials, including pieces of flooring or underlayment.
The cons of concrete floors
- The hardness of the material: Concrete is extremely hard beneath the feet which some people are uncomfortable with. Concrete is also unforgiving. drop glass isn’t likely to last, and this could be a problem especially if there are young children or elderly people living in the house. Area rugs can help alleviate concerns.
- Moisture in basements that are below the grade the influx of moisture underneath the slab could make concrete too damp and can damage coatings, including paint. The proper sealing of concrete can help, as does the elimination of any problems, such as drainage issues and poor drainage of the soil.
- Cracks: Like it or not, even the most well-installed concrete is susceptible to cracks with time. This is because the vast section of concrete has to stand up to variations in temperature, humidity, and settle. Colored cement paste, as well as patches, can conceal cracks.
Concrete Options
Colors
Select a variety of colors that can be applied to concrete using various techniques.
- The color of the integral can be added to concrete during mixing.
- Stains provide a transparent finish with a unique appearance.
- Dyes are typically mixed on the spot to create more vivid shades.
- Colored concrete hardeners add color to fresh concrete to provide top-of-the-line color.
- Paint can be also applied to the concrete.
Surfaces
The look and feel you’d like to create, select from a range of textures, such as smooth, troweled, or polished. Concrete is also able to be stamped (to create patterns, like tiles) as well as scored (patterned by using circular saws).
Aggregates. The majority of interior floors are made by a fine concrete mix with some incorporating crushed stones or gravel for rougher surfaces.
Concrete Floor Types
There are two kinds of concrete flooring:
Concrete slabs that are already in use: The concrete slab you have in your home may be enhanced by applying decorative treatments like polishes and stains.
The decorative overlay These overlays are affixed to certain flooring types that have hard surfaces to conceal the damage or give a new look.