Renovating
The Case for Concrete Floors
Low in maintenance, high in impact and works with home styles from traditional to modern. What's there not to love?
Concrete floors are widely seen in homes now, but it wasn’t too long ago when many thought of concrete as ‘cold’, ‘prison-like’ or ‘industrial’. But with its ability to take on colour and a polished sheen, coupled with its many benefits, concrete may become your new favourite choice. Be prepared to have your mind blown by how beautiful, elegant and warm a concrete floor can look.
Here are just some of the benefits of concrete floors.
Sustainability
Concrete floors are a sustainable option if you use an existing concrete slab, avoiding the consumption of new materials. Once the concrete is sanded down and polished or sealed, it looks perfectly refined in a traditional kitchen or living room, especially when layered with Oriental rugs and pretty furnishings and fixtures.
Sustainability
Concrete floors are a sustainable option if you use an existing concrete slab, avoiding the consumption of new materials. Once the concrete is sanded down and polished or sealed, it looks perfectly refined in a traditional kitchen or living room, especially when layered with Oriental rugs and pretty furnishings and fixtures.
Easy care
The only maintenance required of concrete floors is weekly mopping with soapy water. I recommend installing skirting along with the concrete floor as well, even though you think you may not need it. Just imagine what a dirty mop would leave behind in the crevice where the floor meets the wall if there were no skirting. And it will make your choice look finished and intentional.
The only maintenance required of concrete floors is weekly mopping with soapy water. I recommend installing skirting along with the concrete floor as well, even though you think you may not need it. Just imagine what a dirty mop would leave behind in the crevice where the floor meets the wall if there were no skirting. And it will make your choice look finished and intentional.
Economical
The cost of concrete floors is low compared to laying of timber, laminate, tile or natural stone. Concrete comes in tonal differences and colours which can take on a stone-like, natural feel.
The cost of concrete floors is low compared to laying of timber, laminate, tile or natural stone. Concrete comes in tonal differences and colours which can take on a stone-like, natural feel.
More elaborate finishes cost more. Staining concrete floors is a popular option because the outcome is determined by the homeowner’s imagination – different colours and application techniques combine to create a finish that’s unique to the home, with subtle variations across the floor.
Other decorative effects, like scoring in grid pattern lines or steel inlay add to the cost and can be very impressive. With a high-gloss seal, the floor can be transformed to look like limestone. An acrylic sealer could be used in the interior application to give it that glossy look.
Longevity
A floor that has been polished and maintained can be expected to last a hundred years or more. In this home, let’s appreciate how an aged and cracked concrete floor was not hidden under new tiles or carpet. Instead it is celebrated for the history it holds, and has been put on display along with other architecturally salvaged materials.
A floor that has been polished and maintained can be expected to last a hundred years or more. In this home, let’s appreciate how an aged and cracked concrete floor was not hidden under new tiles or carpet. Instead it is celebrated for the history it holds, and has been put on display along with other architecturally salvaged materials.
Versatility
For exterior applications, silicone-based penetrating sealers can be used to avoid the glossy look. Here, concrete is a good flooring material for indoor-outdoor transitions.
For exterior applications, silicone-based penetrating sealers can be used to avoid the glossy look. Here, concrete is a good flooring material for indoor-outdoor transitions.
Concrete also looks good with brick and stone veneer walls as it accentuates their rustic appeal.
Other ways to bring ‘warmth’ to concrete flooring
Other ways to bring ‘warmth’ to concrete flooring
Concrete can be an economical and crafty choice in lieu of salvaged wood flooring. Stamping wet concrete with plank-like wood-grain imprints creates a lovely effect.
TELL US
Are you considering a concrete floor and if so, what kind of finish do you want? Share in the Comments section.
MORE
The Hard Facts on Using Concrete to Decorate
TELL US
Are you considering a concrete floor and if so, what kind of finish do you want? Share in the Comments section.
MORE
The Hard Facts on Using Concrete to Decorate
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