Is concrete flooring right for You?
Concrete Floor Pictures Concrete floors are a great alternative to linoleum, carpet, wood, tile, stone or marble flooring. Concrete can be stained nearly any color, resurfaced in a variety of textures and finishes, or polished for a smooth, shiny look. Plus, concrete flooring is durable, long-lasting and easy to clean and maintain.
What type of concrete flooring do you want?
A commonly desired concrete floor that we place in homes and businesses are interior stained concrete floors.
What makes concrete floors last longer?
Concrete floors are made to last. They can withstand the harshest environments and work conditions imaginably. Also, concrete floor finishes make concrete floors last long by protecting against every day wear and tear while enhancing the appearance of your space. There are different types of concrete floor finishes.
Does concrete flooring look good in a colonial house?
A polished and acid-stained concrete floor will likely look out of place in a classic colonial-style home, for example, but fit quite nicely into a contemporary-style home. The time when a concrete floor meant just a poured and polished slab is long since gone.
How long does concrete floor last?
Life-Span. A properly installed, sealed and maintained polished concrete floor can be expected to last a hundred years or more in even the harshest commercial environments. Its life-span will also far surpass that of other floor coverings, such as carpeting, vinyl tile and wood laminates.
Do concrete floors scratch easily?
Concrete has similar virtues when used as a residential flooring material. It is difficult to damage, and high heels, furniture legs, and pet claws won't scratch the surface. You also don't have to worry about damage from most dropped items.
Will concrete floors crack?
If exposed to severe changes in temperature (as in a building without climate control) a concrete floor may crack as it expands. It may also crack due to the freeze-thaw cycle during the winter, but this is more often a problem for outdoor sidewalks and patios that are directly exposed to the elements.
Do indoor concrete floors crack?
As a general rule of thumb, any slab of concrete over nine feet will crack.
Why do houses generally have cement floors?
Answer. Answer: Cement flooring is an excellent choice to decorate your outdoor area, as well as practical and extremely resistant to climate change. The easy care of concrete, the ability to handle heavy traffic and resist stains make it the perfect choice for busy areas.
Which is cheaper wood floor or concrete?
Yes, concrete floors are generally more affordable than hardwood floors. Generally, a concrete floor costs between $2 and $15 per square foot, while hardwood floors cost between $12 and $20 per square foot, according to Floor Critics.
How do I keep my concrete floor from cracking?
If you're having new concrete poured consider the following ways to prevent cracking:Start with a sound subgrade. Make sure the subgrade is compacted. ... Modify the concrete mix. Use a low water-to-cement ratio. ... Install joints. Be active in deciding where control joints will be placed. ... Properly cure the concrete.
Are concrete floors cold in winter?
Concrete Has A High Thermal Mass This is also good for cooling, as it will continue to absorb heat as long as the air temperature is warmer than it's thermal mass. The result is that concrete buildings and floors set and keep much more constant temperature indoors, keeping you warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Is concrete flooring expensive?
Concrete typically costs between $2 and $20 per square foot, installed. Installation is generally best left to professionals.
Is concrete flooring cheaper than tile?
Because material and labor costs for tile are high, polished concrete is often significantly less expensive than tile in new residential construction and renovation. Depending on slab size and gloss level, a cream polished concrete floor is generally $3.50 to $5 per square foot.
How do you maintain a concrete floor?
Dry dust mop or damp mop regularly to keep away dirt and grime, cutting down on abrasion. Damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner and water for an occasional deeper cleaning. Protect with a good film-forming sealer and a coat of wax or floor finish. Reapply as needed depending on wear, generally every few years.
Do concrete floors need to be sealed?
No matter if your concrete flooring is in your office, domestic kitchen, living area, or commercial space, it needs to be sealed properly.
What are the pros and cons of polished concrete floors?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Polished Concrete FloorsAffordable. Polished Concrete floors are more economical than their hardwood, tile, marble or stone alternatives. ... Bottom-Line. ... Longevity. ... Invulnerable to Moisture Damage and Mold. ... Versatility. ... Simple Care. ... Environmentally Friendly. ... Design.
Is concrete flooring cheaper than tile?
Because material and labor costs for tile are high, polished concrete is often significantly less expensive than tile in new residential construction and renovation. Depending on slab size and gloss level, a cream polished concrete floor is generally $3.50 to $5 per square foot.
Do concrete floors need to be sealed?
No matter if your concrete flooring is in your office, domestic kitchen, living area, or commercial space, it needs to be sealed properly.
How do you maintain a concrete floor?
Dry dust mop or damp mop regularly to keep away dirt and grime, cutting down on abrasion. Damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner and water for an occasional deeper cleaning. Protect with a good film-forming sealer and a coat of wax or floor finish. Reapply as needed depending on wear, generally every few years.
WHERE ARE CONCRETE FLOORS USED?
No other room gets as much use as the kitchen, so it needs to have the most durable flooring surface possible. Concrete can withstand the foot traffic and elements that kitchen floor surfaces are exposed to, while also bringing endless design options to the table. Plus, there aren’t any joints or grout lines to trap dirt or spills, so clean-up is a breeze. See more about kitchen flooring.
What is decorative concrete flooring?
One of the major benefits of decorative concrete flooring is its affordability when compared to other options, particularly if you already have a concrete slab that’s ready for staining, polishing or application of a coating or overlay. The cost per square foot for a basic design is comparable to linoleum, vinyl, carpet or lower-priced ceramic tile. Mid-range designs are comparable to laminate, bamboo, hardwood and more expensive tile. Higher-end designs are about the same as slate, stone, or marble.
What is the best flooring to use instead of linoleum?
Concrete floors are a great alternative to linoleum, carpet, wood, tile, stone or marble flooring. Concrete can be stained nearly any color, resurfaced in a variety of textures and finishes, or polished for a smooth, shiny look. Plus, concrete flooring is durable, long-lasting and easy to clean and maintain.
Why is concrete stained?
Stained concrete is incredibly popular because of the warm, earthy tones the stains impart. Looks can be achieved to replicate marble, wood, brick, stone and more. Acid-based stains are available in earth-toned palettes and water-based formulas offer a broader range of color options.
Why do you wax concrete floors?
If the floor receives heavy foot traffic, such as in a restaurant or retail store, a concrete floor wax can be applied occasionally as a sacrificial layer to preserve the sealer and protect the integrity of the floor. This top layer absorbs daily wear and tear and is easier to buff out and reapply than sealer.
What is concrete used for?
Concrete combines durability for heavy use, high-traffic areas with endless customization options. These two factors combine to make it a perfect choice for retail stores, restaurants and bars, offices, churches, schools, medical institutions, and industrial buildings, making it possible to incorporate your company logo, colors or theme right into the floor. See more on commercial applications.
Is concrete flooring good for kitchen floors?
No other room gets as much use as the kitchen, so it needs to have the most durable flooring surface possible. Concrete can withstand the foot traffic and elements that kitchen floor surfaces are exposed to, while also bringing endless design options to the table. Plus, there aren’t any joints or grout lines to trap dirt or spills, so clean-up is a breeze. See more about kitchen flooring.
What kind of floor underlayment is needed for concrete?
Underlayment. Concrete floors generally require a level of felt paper, metal lath, and a base layer of concrete.
What is the best mix for interior floors?
Aggregates. Most interior floors are formed from a fine concrete mix, though some incorporate crushed stone or gravel for a rougher surface.
Why does concrete crack?
That’s because the large expanse of a slab has to endure changes in temperature, moisture and settling. Colored cement paste and patching materials help disguise cracks.
When is integral color added to concrete?
Integral color is added to concrete during the mixing process.
Is concrete a heavy floor?
Obviously, concrete is heavy. If you’re putting in new concrete floors on grade, the weight won’t be a concern. If you’re looking to install concrete over a subfloor supported by joists, you’ll need a structural engineer to determine if your floor can stand the weight. Lightweight concrete may be a solution.
Is concrete good for air quality?
It won't scratch, it's easy to clean, and the design is customizable. Concrete also contributes to good air quality, and it can help reduce energy bills when used properly.
Can you scratch a concrete floor?
Concrete is incredibly hard and strong — no wonder it’s used for streets and driveways! As a flooring material, it has all the strength and durability of a highway. You can’t scratch or dent a concrete floor.
How long does a concrete floor last?
A concrete floor that has been cared for and maintained can last more than a hundred years. Its longevity is unparalleled when compared with other flooring options. What’s more, many homeowners love to celebrate the history of old concrete floors with all their quirks and cracks.
What Are Concrete Flooring Finishes?
While there is certainly nothing wrong with keeping the plain concrete slabs, you also have the option of utilizing a concrete floor finish. This is one of the most popular choices as it allows you as the homeowner to create a finish that is unique to your space.
Why do you need concrete flooring in a bathroom?
In a bathroom, concrete flooring looks incredible because it provides an ethereal, airy feel to the room. Thanks to its light colour and texture, this smooth flooring can make a space feel significantly more open. Therefore, if you are looking to have a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom, then you are going to want to install concrete flooring.
How much does concrete cost per square foot?
In general, plain slabs of concrete go for about $2 to $6 per square foot.
Why is my concrete floor cracking?
You’ll also want to make sure that your concrete floor is correctly installed and sealed since it will be sensitive to moisture. If it is not appropriately installed, liquid can make its way into the pores of the concrete floor which, in turn, can cause cracks.
Is concrete flooring durable?
One of the most significant benefits of concrete flooring is that it is incredibly durable and exceptionally resilient. In other words, it will take a lot to damage it. Therefore, by having concrete floors in your home, you don't need to worry about shoes, pets or pieces of furniture damaging the surface of your floor – it isn't going to happen.
Can you customize concrete floors?
Not only is it practical, but it also can be customized with concrete floor finishes. To learn more about it, read on for the homeowner’s essential guide to concrete floors.
What do you need to know about concrete mixes?
What you need to know about concrete mixes. By Terry J. Fricks. Durable floors are very important. The dictionary states that durability is the ability of something to resist wear and tear, and a floor surface needs to resist wear and tear year after year. The wearing surface is the top 1/16 to ¼ inches of the slab thickness.
What are the components of concrete?
The components of a concrete mix are sand, stone, cement, water, and entrapped air. As indicated in Figure 1, the total aggregates, as in this example, are typically about 70% of the total volume of materials.
How to reduce water content in concrete?
The workability of concrete is improved and water content is reduced with the use of water reducers. They are necessary in all mixes but should be kept to a minimum. Requirements will vary depending on the quality and proportion of the other materials in the mix, as well as weather conditions and concrete temperature. When possible, use only Type-A water reducers using hot water to accelerate, and ice or chilled water to control high temperatures. This may be impractical or too costly in some locations. If that is the case, use of retarding or accelerating admixtures in moderation may be the better choice. Usually only 3 to 4 ounces per 100 weight of cement should be used. If aggregate gradation is less than desired, the use of a midrange water reducer may be acceptable. The use of high-range water reducers is almost never necessary for floor slabs.
What is the lowest mortar fraction?
Another thing to consider is the mortar fraction. This is an extension of the coarseness factor chart. The mortar fraction consists of all materials in the mix that passes the #8 sieve. This is a good indicator of the amount of paste in the mix. The key is to keep the paste at a minimum while having enough available to produce a durable finish. Specific mortar fractions for various construction types and aggregate sizes are found in ACI 302.1R. The lowest mortar fraction possible is recommended—52% to 54% for 1½ inch maximum-size aggregate and 53% to 55% for 1 inch maximum-size aggregate.
Why is mortar fraction important in concrete?
Quality control people at most ready-mix operations are happy to help with this. Aggregates, especially, should be studied and optimized if possible. Mortar fraction is important because it is an indicator of how well the concrete will place and finish. Ready-mix producers sometimes become nervous when contractors investigate their mixes but usually will try to accommodate when they know what you are trying to achieve.
Can you use fly ash to replace cement?
A straight cement mix often is preferred to provide the most durable surface. Replacing a portion of the cement with fly ash has become popular and certainly is useful in many applications. It is important to note that you may not get as dense a surface when fly ash is used as a cement replacement in the mix.
Is concrete good for floors?
Quality concrete is certainly one of the most important parts of the equation for durable floors. The best contractor in the world will not be able to meet expectations without it. Conversely, a good concrete mix design will not overcome improper procedures at the batch plant or in the field.
What is the difference between stained concrete and interior concrete?
The difference between interior and exterior stained concrete floors are the extra steps we take to create the feel of a "completely finished" surface- although it is a concrete floor, it will seem like you are walking on a pre-fabricated marble or tile; these floors are available in gloss or satin and will be smooth and consistent.
What is quartz flooring?
Quartz Flooring. Commonly used in commercial settings in areas where an aesthetically-pleasing, yet highly functional floor is desired. These floors possess superior impact and abrasion resistance, and also maintain non-slip properties throughout the years.
What is epoxy chip flooring?
These floors consist of an epoxy primer, base coat, paint chip coverage to 100% with a coat of sealer to lock the chips in place and a high performing, scratch-resistant polyurethane top coat.
Can metallic epoxy be used as a floor?
The beauty of metallic epoxy floors begin with their design versatility- they can be made into contemporary floors or they can be extremely edgy and different. The picture shown is one with pearl pigments. See our gallery for examples of many more types of metallic epoxy designs available.
We agree to repair delamination in the epoxy for a period of 90 days (from the effective date of installation) caused by improper substrate preparation and workmanship in the installation
We agree to repair delamination in the epoxy for a period of 90 days (from the effective date of installation) caused by improper substrate preparation and workmanship in the installation. This warranty does not apply to any damages to the coating by physical abuse, efflorescence, exposure to solvents and acids, hydrostatic water, Internal failure of the substrate, cracking due to substrate movement, existing coatings, moisture or any acts of god..
Our Process
Preparation of the concrete substrate is often the most critical step when installing floor coatings. We use different special solutions and equipment on all concrete surfaces to effectively remove the top cream layer of concrete to expose a porous and contaminant-free surface. We take necessary precautions to keep the dust to a minimum.
Concrete Sealer
Preparation of the concrete substrate is the same as epoxy the key factor is to effectively remove the top cream layer of concrete to expose a porous and contaminant-free surface.