Concrete floors in Texas are a popular choice for various reasons. They’re low maintenance, durable, and come in various colors and styles. There is no denying that polished concrete floors look beautiful, making a bold statement. However, this type of flooring comes with a few key pros and cons that you should be aware of before deciding. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of polished concrete floors and help you decide if this is the style of flooring for you.
Pros of Polished Concrete Floors
Are you looking for a floor that will make your home look amazing? If so, polished concrete floors might be the perfect option for you. In this article, we will share the primary advantages and disadvantages of using polished concrete floors in your residential or commercial property.
They look Great
Whether you’re looking for a fresh update for your business or want to make it look nicer, polished concrete floors are a great choice. With abundant design options including styles, patterns and finishes, one can really create tailor-made aesthetics depending on the space.
Besides, when used in combination with another flooring type, polished concrete floors tend to complement any other design style as well.
They’re Durable
Polished concrete floors are designed to last longer than regular floors implies they can be used in a variety of residential and commercial property types including Kitchens, Retail, Airports, Restaurants, etc – anywhere with high traffic. With certain businesses demanding higher capital investment due to the area coverage, polished concrete floors seem to be an ideal choice for presentation, quality and price with it’s durable nature, businesses are less likely to spend on flooring again in the near future.
They’re Eco-Friendly
Concrete floors are made with less energy and water than other flooring options, which makes them a sustainable choice overall. Polished Concrete Floors are an environmentally conscious choice as they reduce lifetime waste up to 97% not just at the time of installation but also when performing any maintenance work since a concrete flooring company would polish an existing slab instead of adding additional materials to the surface. Additionally, concrete is a thermal mass material i.e. it has an inherent ability to absorb heat during the day and release it gradually at night, making it an ideal flooring option for passive solar building plans.
They’re Easy to Clean
Polished concrete floors are easy to clean, thanks to their smooth finish. All you need is vacuuming and a damp cloth to make them clean and shining again. With such an easy cleaning process, the lifetime expectancy of polished concrete floors increases automatically with prolonged general maintenance require less frequent re-polishing needs.
They’re Cheap to Install
Most styles of polished concrete floors cost less to install than other floorings, making them an affordable choice for those on a budget. On an average, polished concrete floors would range between $4 – $12 per sq. ft whereas other flooring like wooden, marble, carpeted, etc would start at $10 per sq. ft subject to your area of application and choices.
They’re More Hygienic
Unlike other flooring like wooden, carpeted, laminated, tiles, etc. – Polished Concrete Floors are VOC-Free i.e. they do not release Volatile Organic Compounds in the surrounding air you breathe which may release dust and chemicals causing migraines or allergy triggers for many. This makes Polished Concrete Floors, ideal for almost any kind of residential and commercial property especially hospitals, medical facilities and diagnostic centers.
They’re Non-Toxic and Mold Resistant.
Polished Concrete Floors are VOC-Free and have high resistance to mold growth as they do not contain any harmful chemical or additives. By composition, Concrete Floors do not support the growth of mold or mildew making them ideal for properties conscious about indoor air quality.
They’re Noise Free
Unlike creaking of wooden floors or sharp knocking sounds emitted by marble or tiled flooring, polished concrete floors have the least noise and hence are perfect for residential properties as well as high traffic commercial properties. So, if you’re at home, you can be rest assured you don’t need to wake up because of loud footsteps at night or if you’re working early in the morning at your neighborhood coffee shop, you may find how dim the noise if of people walking by you.
They’re Moisture Resistant
The process of Polishing a Concrete Floor involves a grind and seal process which limits the natural porous ability of concrete by applying the right kind of polish or seal thereby reducing moisture withholding capabilities of the floor. During the installation process, a professional concrete flooring company would use the right kind of polish or sealant which is durable and has anti-slip properties giving the users of the property a well-rounded experience of the flooring.
Cons of Polished Concrete Floors
Polished Concrete Floors in Texas are becoming increasingly popular, offering several advantages over traditional concrete floors especially in new residential projects. Here are some points to consider when installing polished concrete floors:
They have Moisture Issues
Concrete if porous by nature making it susceptible to moisture issues if not polished or sealed properly at the time of installation. Although proper grinding and sealing significantly reduces the moisture retention capacity, it is advised to ensure periodic maintenance for the longevity of your polished concrete floors.
They are Slippery.
Concrete Floors are slippery by nature unless polished or sealed with the right kind of coating materials. Also, if a polished concrete floor is covered with powder or fine dust, then it reduces the slip resistance and it is strongly recommended not walking on it.
They are Quite Cold
Concrete is a thermal mass material and has the natural ability to absorb heat i.e. it will absorb heat during the day and release it gradually at night. Polished Concrete Floors also work well with Hydronic Heating which can be switched on during the winter months.
Conclusion
We have enlisted the prominent Advantages and Disadvantages of Polished Concrete Floors however you should consider the best flooring option for your home, office, warehouse, store, etc. depending on factors like project budget, maintenance, foot traffic and timelines. At the outset, Polished Concrete Floors are an ideal choice for most use cases and is the sensible environmentally conscious option as well.
