If you’re thinking about redoing your flooring, one of the best options may be a concrete floor. Concrete is a durable material that can last for the life of your home or office. While it isn’t a great choice for every type of floor, this material can be a cost-effective option for many applications. Another advantage is its safety. Concrete is extremely slip-resistant, reducing the risk of falls for children and elderly people.
A concrete floor is easy to maintain. You can use a damp mop to clean it regularly, and there are a number of repair products to make it look like new. These products are also very effective at preventing major repair jobs. Because they don’t require refinishing or sealing, concrete floors can save you a considerable amount of money and time. For these reasons, concrete floors are the ideal choice for many people.
The most common type of concrete floor is the slab. It may be precast in a factory or poured on-site. Rebar (reinforcing steel) is commonly used to reinforce concrete. Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension. Rebar is able to carry tensile loads, and thus increases the overall strength of the floor. This is a great benefit for both aesthetic and structural reasons. If you’re considering a concrete floor, it’s important to know the advantages and disadvantages.
Another advantage of concrete floors is their ease of cleaning. They don’t stain, odor, or show dirt and stains. And they’re also great for high-traffic areas. Once polished, these floors look very good and last for years to come. You can even add rugs and other furnishings to give them more character. The possibilities are endless. With this type of flooring, you’ll be able to customize it to suit any design preference.
Installation of concrete floors is a tedious process. Depending on the concrete type, it can take several days for the floor to set. Adding colour, such as paint, can add additional time, as the pigment is mixed into the concrete and then added to the concrete mix. Painting and acid stains can take days to dry. Re-sealing a concrete floor also takes time. This can make concrete floors uneconomical for large spans.
Compared to hardwood and tile floors, concrete floors are also inexpensive. While installation and polishing can cost up to $10 per square foot, the overall cost of a concrete floor is quite affordable. A basic polished concrete floor will cost you between $2 and $6 per square foot. However, if you want to upgrade your floor, you’ll need to consider structural reinforcement and cement-board underlayment. In the long run, however, concrete floors are a great investment.
