5 Benefits of Concrete Floors for Everyday Living
Get low-maintenance home flooring that creates high impact and works with home styles from traditional to modern
Natalie Myers
9 October 2017
When you initially think of concrete floors, you may think ‘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 for future projects. 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.
1. Sustainability
Concrete floors are a sustainable option if you use an existing concrete slab, avoiding the consumption of new materials. And they need not be relegated to basements or garages. 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 rugs and textured furnishings and fixtures.
Concrete floors are a sustainable option if you use an existing concrete slab, avoiding the consumption of new materials. And they need not be relegated to basements or garages. 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 rugs and textured furnishings and fixtures.
2. Easy care
The only maintenance required of concrete floors is weekly mopping with soapy water. I recommend installing a skirting board 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.
Floors looking a little lacklustre? Find a flooring expert near you on Houzz for professional advice on all your options
The only maintenance required of concrete floors is weekly mopping with soapy water. I recommend installing a skirting board 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.
Floors looking a little lacklustre? Find a flooring expert near you on Houzz for professional advice on all your options
3. Versatile
The cost of polishing an existing concrete slab to a satin sheen is approximately $130 per square metre, according to Caroline Kouts of Urban Concrete Floors in Victoria, though this price may vary depending on the size of the area to be polished. The concrete’s tonal differences, subtle cracks and aggregates take on a stone-like, natural feel.
Key Flooring Terms You Need to Know
The cost of polishing an existing concrete slab to a satin sheen is approximately $130 per square metre, according to Caroline Kouts of Urban Concrete Floors in Victoria, though this price may vary depending on the size of the area to be polished. The concrete’s tonal differences, subtle cracks and aggregates take on a stone-like, natural feel.
Key Flooring Terms You Need to Know
More elaborate finishes can cost from $120 to $125 per square metre, including a gloss finish.
Staining concrete floors has been a popular option for years, 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.
Staining concrete floors has been a popular option for years, 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 can include scoring in a grid pattern to create a tiled look, or even highly decorative faux finishes, such as a marbled effect.
4. Longevity
A concrete floor that has been polished and maintained can be expected to last a hundred years or more. Let’s appreciate how an aged and cracked concrete floor is not hidden under new tiles or carpet. Instead it is celebrated for the history it holds, and put on display.
Browse more industrial-style bedrooms
A concrete floor that has been polished and maintained can be expected to last a hundred years or more. Let’s appreciate how an aged and cracked concrete floor is not hidden under new tiles or carpet. Instead it is celebrated for the history it holds, and put on display.
Browse more industrial-style bedrooms
5. Versatility
For exterior applications, silicon-based penetrating sealers can be used to avoid a ‘wet’ look. We can see here how concrete is a good flooring material for blurring indoor-outdoor transitions.
Indoor-Outdoor: 10 Living Rooms That Cross the Line
For exterior applications, silicon-based penetrating sealers can be used to avoid a ‘wet’ look. We can see here how concrete is a good flooring material for blurring indoor-outdoor transitions.
Indoor-Outdoor: 10 Living Rooms That Cross the Line
Concrete also looks nice with stone-veneer walls. Here, it accentuates their rustic appeal.
Concrete can be an economical and crafty choice in lieu of salvaged timber flooring. Stamping wet concrete with plank-like wood-grain imprints creates a lovely effect.
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If you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts in the Comments below. Go on, join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice about choosing and maintaining your flooring? Mine Houzz’s flooring stories here
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Not all ‘polished’ concrete floors are low maintenance. Ones that require a sealer and or topping coat often require re doing. I have a stained concrete slab with a water based urethane (gives it the glossy, wet look) and it requires re doing at least every six months. I recommend grinding if you want low maintenance.
Can you use polished concrete floors in a hamptons / french provincial home so it looks part of the period and not too modern?
Trying to decide whether to just sand & polish, or go with the extra (substantial) expense of adding aggregate/color, scoring, etc