Concrete floors have a number of benefits that explain their renaissance in modern architecture. Yet most are unaware of these benefits beyond the low installation cost.
Let’s share 5 reasons to choose concrete floors, whether you’re planning a new construction project or need to replace worn floors.
Low Lifetime Costs
Concrete flooring solutions have a low installation cost. This is true whether you choose classic concrete floors, concrete floors stained to look like wood or imprinted to create a cheaper alternative to stone floors. The concrete floor has far lower maintenance costs than the alternatives, too. You need to sweep it periodically, but that is true anywhere. You’ll want to seal it against moisture if there’s a risk of flooding or spills. However, you don’t have to pay for periodic replacements as happens with tile or carpet floors. The floors can be waxed to look like new.
Flexible Design
Concrete floors are flexible when it comes to design choices. You can have the concrete mixed with colourants to create any colour you’d like. You can have stone chips or other materials mixed in to create patterns. You can have the concrete floor finished with a gloss, satin sheen or matte finish; then it is as bright or dull as you’d like. And you can paint over it if you don’t like the way it looks. There are texture options, as well, whether you lay rugs over it or have it stamped to resemble bricks or laid stone.
The Eco-Friendliness
If someone needs a new concrete floor, the existing one can be ripped out, ground up and mixed with the new material. Furthermore, concrete and stone from other construction projects can be integrated into the concrete floor. This makes concrete one of the most eco-friendly flooring choices you can make. Furthermore, the concrete is overwhelmingly locally produced, so transportation costs are minimal.
Concrete floors are durable, so they last for decades barring earthquakes or extreme stress. You can have certain materials added to the concrete mix to increase its insulation value, and concrete floors can incorporate in-floor heating systems. A side benefit of concrete floors is that they can be cleaned easily without having to use heavy detergents. You don’t need to bring toxic chemicals into the living area in order to keep it clean.
The Resilience
Are you dealing with high foot traffic? Concrete floors will handle the traffic far better than carpet or wood. Are you concerned about dropping heavy things on the floor? It is hard to damage a concrete floor. Is the area prone to flooding? Concrete floors won’t have to be ripped out and thrown out after the flood. After all, concrete floors can’t rot or foster mold growth.
Fits In Anywhere
One point in favor of concrete floors is that the material can be made to suit the application. You can pour the concrete floor so that it is level with the area around it. Create ramps or slopes as needed. Or you can use the concrete floor to eliminate a slope or fill in a crack in the ground underneath. Concrete floors can even be applied on top of an existing slab.
