Concrete has generally been used as flooring in unfinished areas of homes, such as basements, patios, storage rooms and garages. But in recent years this material has moved into more visible spaces, such as kitchens and living rooms. In fact, many people have concrete flooring throughout their homes.
You may feel pleasantly surprised by the beauty of etched, polished and stained flooring made from concrete. But is it right for your home? Below, we look at some benefits of choosing this material for your home’s flooring. These benefits include:
- Low cost
- Durability
- Easy maintenance
- Design flexibility
When Compared to Other Options for Your Home’s Interior Flooring, Concrete Flooring is Low Cost!
Cost for installation of concrete flooring varies widely according to your chosen finishing, such as for polished, etched or stained concrete. In fact, the cost can range from as low as $2 per square foot to more than $30.
For $2 to $6 per square foot, you can have concrete flooring installed with a basic design. This rate typically includes pouring of the slab or overlay. You can then also expect to have the floor colorized, such as through staining. Typically, this basic design also includes polishing.
If you are able to pay a little more, such as $7 to $14 per square foot, you can have multiple colors added to this material as well. If you select this new and modern home flooring option This adds greater dimension to your floors. This price typically includes polishing, as well.
Paying $15 or more per square foot for your concrete flooring enables greater creativity and attention to detail. The higher rate affords sophisticated geometric patterns, multiple colors, texturizing or stamping.
Durability
Regardless of which level of design you pay for, you can expect your concrete flooring to last for generations. That is, when the material is properly sealed and maintained. At the minimum, you can expect decades of beauty and durability. This saves you a lot of money when compared to less durable flooring, such as carpeting and hardwoods.
By its very nature and being derived from stone, concrete flooring is as durable as you might expect. It can stand up to decades of foot traffic and even heavier wear and tear, such as in commercial workspaces like warehouses and garages. In your home, it is very hard to damage your concrete flooring. Even high heels, pet claws and heavy furniture will not scratch your floors. You can scratch or chip concrete, but it takes some real effort to make that happen.
Easy Maintenance
Because concrete flooring is so durable, it is easy to keep it looking great. Every six months you should seal or wax your floors in high traffic areas of your home. Low traffic areas need this maintenance every nine to 12 months. This sealing maintains the floor’s protective layer.
Routine maintenance for your concrete flooring includes periodic mopping using a neutral cleaning agent. Even if your floor cracks, your concrete contractor can repair the flaw by patching it. They grind the patch to smooth it out and refinish your floor, making the damage disappear.
Design Flexibility
This flooring material suits modern and industrial décor more than vintage home styling. For example, a colonial style residence is less suited to a stained concrete floor. But your contemporary construction or modern interior proves well-suited for the polished concrete flooring look.
There are many techniques for customizing the design of this material of flooring. These techniques include:
- Overlaid, a thin layer of colored, polished or etched concrete over a flat slab
- Polished, providing a smooth finish that can look as shiny as glass
- Acid-stained, creating a marble-like appearance using mild acids
- Dyed, applying solid colorizing agent over the finish for a solid colored effect
- Stamped or texturized, providing a three-dimensional design look
- Geometric patterned, using colors and textures to create an artistic design
- Stenciled or airbrushed, opening your floors up to a wide range of painting techniques
Your Concrete Flooring Experts in Raleigh, North Carolina
The professionals of We Do Concrete Cheap in Raleigh, North Carolina can help you choose the best concrete flooring design for your Triangle Area home or commercial property. Using concrete as an alternative to other types of flooring provides you with generations of durability and easy maintenance. It also provides much greater return on your flooring investment. Call We Do Concrete Cheap today at 919-454-3927 to learn more about the benefits and possibilities of concrete floors for your home’ indoor and outdoor living spaces.
