Concrete floors are all the rage for 2022. Read on to find out what type of concrete floors are the best!
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From wood and tile to vinyl, modern homeowners are really spoiled for choice when it comes to flooring solutions. An interesting floor covering that is quickly finding its way into living rooms is the concrete floor. Concrete floors are simply made from the concrete slab popularly used in driveways and streets. It is common in some cellars as well. However, when used as flooring, the concrete is usually given some nice touches to improve the aesthetics of a home. Not only that, but it can also be integrated with some radiant heating elements to warm the floor and make it more comfortable. Here you will find everything else you need to know about concrete floors and why they are worthwhile for your indoor flooring.
Types of concrete floors
There are several types of concrete floor solutions. While they all serve the same function, you should know that some concrete floors are more appealing than others. Here are some of the most common types of concrete floors:
1. Polished concrete floors
This is a good flooring option for homeowners with old concrete floors. The idea here is to buff the concrete to give it a noticeable face lift. It will make your floor look even better and you can choose a polish that compliments the rest of your home decor. The floor can be polished to look like granite, marble, tile, etc. Polishing concrete floors requires the assistance of professionals. So find experienced concrete flooring experts in your area who will do the job for you.
2. Colored concrete floors
Colored concrete floors are painted with stain to achieve the desired aesthetics. You have the choice between different concrete colors. For example, you can choose bright spots like red and blue, or go for minimalist options like gray. There are different types of stains. You can choose a water-based one or an acid one Concrete stain as required. For example, water-based stains are easy to lay. Acid concrete stains, on the other hand, are absolutely UV-stable and very attractive.
3. Painted concrete floors
Painted concrete floors use paints like epoxy. These colors come in a wide variety of colors so it should be easy to find something that perfectly fits your needs and your interior. Painted concrete floors tend to be very durable too, which is good for any floor that is heavily used.
Advantages of concrete floors
Here are some of the advantages of concrete floors:
They are long lasting
The durability of concrete floors is unparalleled. You don't have to worry about scratches on the floor from your pets, furniture, shoes or anything else. This type of floor is super resilient and can last for decades. Maintenance Concrete flooring is pretty easy too. All you have to do is wipe the surface. You can wax or seal the soil once every few months if your soil can withstand a lot of traffic or moisture.
They are economical
The cost of installing concrete floors can range from $ 2 to over $ 10 per square foot, depending on the type of concrete floor and other factors. Even then, the total cost of installing and maintaining concrete floors is much lower compared to other flooring solutions.
Concrete floors are environmentally friendly
Concrete floors are an environmentally friendly solution. It doesn't consume natural resources like other flooring solutions like wood. The process of making, laying and maintaining concrete floors is much more environmentally friendly.
They offer different design options
As we've seen, concrete floors come in a variety of designs. In addition to the three types of concrete floors mentioned above, you can also find these floors in a wide variety of colors. The floors can also be designed to recreate other types of floors such as marble, slate, and granite for a fraction of the price of installing these types of floors.
Disadvantages of concrete floors
Not all is well with concrete floors, however. Like other types of flooring, this solution has some drawbacks that should be highlighted. These include:
Concrete floors can crack
Concrete floors are prone to cracking over time. This is due to the temperature changes and the setting of the concrete. Moisture can also penetrate the soil and contribute to cracking. Most people use mending materials and colored cement paste to hide these cracks.
Moisture can penetrate the concrete floor
humidity can penetrate concrete floors and attack the paint. It can also make your soil look more humid. Seal your concrete floor to keep the moisture out.
The floors are extremely hard
The hardness of concrete floors is a double-edged sword. While it makes the floor more resilient and durable, it also increases the risk of damage. For example, dropping water or wine glasses almost always leads to breakages.
Concrete floors are becoming increasingly popular for good reasons. As this article has shown, despite a few drawbacks, floors have so much to offer. That's why you can't afford to overlook them when looking for a flooring solution for your home.
