What Should We Know about Concrete Flooring Before Installing It
For many years people have used concrete because of its strength and ability to support even the greatest structural creations. Despite the fact that concrete technology has developed, its success is still built on fundamentals. But what exactly is concrete? It is a mixture of water, cement and aggregate (granite with sand or crushed limestone). Concrete used to be a flooring option most commonly installed in warehouses and other large areas but now it is becoming more and more popular in both residential and commercial sectors. Concrete flooring can be used in public and institutional buildings of all types – for companies that are looking for ways to become more economical, it is increasingly attractive because of its inexpensive costs and durability. However, as any other product on the market, concrete has its drawbacks. Read on and check the advantages and disadvantages that are important to consider before installing concrete flooring.
What are the advantages of concrete? It has a number of positive characteristics for business premises that make it a popular flooring solution. Let’s start with its durability. If a concrete floor is installed properly, which means that the right moisture percentage and the needed amount of time are provided for the concrete to dry, it will be tough and resilient, able to withstand pressure even from very heavy equipment. This is why it is a suitable commercial flooring for hard working areas. Concrete is also difficult to damage – furniture legs, pet claws or high heels are not issues to worry about.
Low maintenance – to keep concrete looking its best will require you minimum maintenance. Most of the concrete floors would be fine just with sealing or waxing about once or twice a year. When it comes to its cleaning, a neutral cleaning detergent and a mop would do the work efficiently. This is why the commercial cleaning of this flooring type is relatively inexpensive – another reason why concrete is so popular for business premises. In addition to that, the impermeability to water and fire damage that concrete offers, is again an important factor when planning what to store in the space.
Longevity – if you take proper care for your concrete floor it can last a hundred of years. Concrete is really durable and can undergo even high-traffic conditions in commercial areas for many years. This will surely save you money and prevent the hassle of installing new flooring periodically.
Sustainability – if you are using an existing concrete slab you will avoid the consumption of new materials. The only thing you should do is to perform floor sanding and to seal it – the concrete will look perfectly refined in your traditional living room or kitchen, layered with some exquisite Oriental carpet and classic furnishings, for example.
Design options – it is a common misunderstanding that concrete floors can be only ugly gray surfaces with bumpy textures. As we already mentioned, the advanced concrete technology allows the designers to achieve a vast diversity of colours and effects. Flooring installers can mix the colouration directly with the concrete before the slab is installed. The texture of the floor can be made smooth while installing it or decorative patterns can be carved the concrete floor is still setting. You can also polish it till brilliance – concrete can be a flooring solution for any taste.
What are the disadvantages of concrete? As you can see the list of the pros of this material is long. However, there are a decent number of cons as well. For instance, if a concrete floor has not been installed properly it is prone to cracking. Another disadvantage is the noise reverberation – spaces provided with concrete flooring tend to promote echoing and the sound waves that rebound the walls and floor. This may not present a problem in small spaces, in larger areas such as warehouses this issue is particularly evident.
Hardness – working on this hard surface all day can cause problems for workers. Concrete floors are really uncomfortable to stand on for a long time – your feet will feel drained. It is recommended the concrete flooring to be provided with carpets or rubber mats to minimise the risk – the durability and its strength can be also a liability. For instance, if you trip and fall, you will definitely end up with a serious injury. This is why this flooring type is not suggested for areas that are frequently used by elderly and children.
Moisture – it is a major factor in many flooring failures. Most of the professionals are aware of the specific moisture levels that should be provided for a smooth installation. The problem comes when the concrete floor is not properly sealed both on the bottom and top surfaces and presents the chance of potential water penetration. You should know that this inevitably is followed by growth of mildew and mould or if the concrete is installed in a building that can be exposed to really low temperatures the moisture in the cracks can freeze and make them even bigger.
Concrete flooring has its advantages and disadvantages that you should carefully consider before installing it in a particular area – don’t let a salesman talk you into buying it before you are completely sure you need exactly this flooring solution. Professionals don’t do that!