Oshawa Concrete Flooring
Are you thinking of installing a concrete floor? Well, this flooring material has continued to serve commercial, residential, public, and institutional buildings of all types for decades. Therefore, you could never go wrong with concrete floors. Perhaps you may be wondering, “What makes them an ideal choice?” Read on to find out.
Why Install Concrete Floors
There is no denying that concrete has passed the test of time as a flooring material. Here are some of the reasons why you may want to consider it on your next construction or renovation project.
1. Tough & Durable
If you want a floor that is tough and resilient, that's exactly what you get with concrete. It can withstand high foot traffic and even very heavy equipment like cars. As a result, concrete flooring is a popular choice for garages and warehouses.
With proper upkeep, a cemented surface can last indefinitely. That could save you a significant amount of money in the long-run, which could have otherwise gone into replacing your flooring every few years.
Another amazing feature of concrete is that it is tough. Unlike hardwood, it doesn’t scratch easily. Therefore, you can wear high heels, drag furniture or have pets around the house without having to worry about scuff marks on your floor. What’s more, concrete does not damage easily. Although it can chip, it would generally take a lot of effort to do so.
2. Easy to Maintain
It does not take a lot of effort to keep a concrete floor looking great. Depending on whether used outdoors or indoors, you may need to seal or wax such flooring after 9-24 months. Besides that, concrete floors only require regular sweeping and mopping to keep clean.
3. Easily Replaceable
A concrete slab makes for an excellent subfloor because it is hard, solid and smooth. That means you can always replace it with a new floor covering as long as the surface is devoid of any holes or bumps. So, if later on, you decide to go for ceramic tiles, natural stone, or hardwood, concrete floors give you a lot of freedom for future upgrades.
4. Attractive Finish Options
What’s the first image that comes to mind when you think of a concrete floor? If it is a plain gray surface that makes you cringe, take heart in knowing that there are many options for decorating cemented floors.
Colored concrete is a popular choice that can make your floors to stand out. All it takes is adding some coloring powder or liquid during the mixing process. It is possible to achieve a similar result for outdoor areas with terrazzo, which is essentially a cemented surface decorated with marble chips before it dries.
For already installed slabs, designers use an acid stain or appropriate dyeing agents. After polishing, stained concrete floors achieve an elegant look that mimics natural stone.
Lastly, you can make concrete flooring pleasing to the eye by altering its texture. Scoring is a technique that uses a blade tool to create grooves on cement and make it look like tile. Alternatively, stamping crates impressions on wet concrete to give a more appealing and authentic look such as brick or stone.
Is Concrete Flooring Cold & Damp?
Concrete floors can get cold, just like natural stone or ceramic tile. However, this floor covering is good at radiating heat. As such, it is possible to warm up cold, hard cemented floors by embedding radiant heat cables into the slab during installation. You can also design your home to have large windows that let in sunlight to keep rooms warm and toasty. What’s more, adding rigid-foam, wood sleepers, or plywood underlayment to the sub-floor will improve concrete’s insulating abilities.
When it comes to dampness, it is unlikely that this will happen to your concrete flooring unless the slab was not correctly installed on a sub-grade with poor drainage.
Are Polished Concrete Floors Slippery?
With their shiny, smooth, and glass-like luster, polished concrete floors can seem to be very slippery. However, they are very safe to walk on than it might appear. You don’t have to worry about slipping and falling on polished concrete floors as long as you keep them dry and free of oil or greasy spills.
Can You Use Polished Concrete Outside?
Yes. However, instead of mechanically polished concrete, outdoor areas do well with a honed or grind & seal finish. Such polished surfaces are more slip-resistant. They are suitable for driveways, garages, pool decks, and other outdoor areas when sealed with polyurethane or epoxy coating.
Are Concrete Floors Expensive?
Concrete tends to be relatively inexpensive when compared to some of the high-end floor coverings such as marble and slate. What’s more, skilled concrete contractors can mimic the look of pricier materials with decorative finishes.
Whatever type of finish you choose, make sure to have your floors installed by professionals. At JH Concrete Pros, we are experts when it comes to cemented flooring. Contact us now to discuss more about your project. We will be happy to advise you accordingly and offer a free quote.