Have you ever considered concrete floors for your home? Instead of traditional vinyl, carpet, or hardwood flooring, many of today’s Portland area homeowners are turning to concrete as a stylish and durable solution.
Despite its growing popularity, a number of misconceptions about concrete still exist. If you’re on the fence about what type of flooring is best for your home and have heard conflicting messages about concrete, we’re here to set the record straight.
We’ve all seen concrete floors in a retail space or office building, but in a home? Do people really have concrete flooring in their homes?
YES!
Concrete for residential spaces has become quite common. There are myriad applications for concrete flooring in the home:
If you can think of a room, chances are someone has styled it with concrete floors. It’s not limited to one type of home or style either — you can find concrete flooring in homes of all price ranges and designs!
Concrete by nature is extremely strong and durable. It’s one of the reasons it’s so popular for high-traffic commercial areas and utility spaces.
This type of flooring can withstand pressure from almost anything you throw at it….literally! This flooring will hold up to furniture legs, high heels, pet claws, kid’s toys, and more. You’re going to have a very tough time scratching and damaging concrete floors.
You’ve probably seen cracked concrete on an outdoor walking surface or other outdoor space. This type of cracking is usually due to extreme changes in temperature and huge amounts of traffic.
Maintaining concrete is just as easy (if not easier!) than other flooring materials. Ongoing maintenance is as simple as broom and mop. Not only is concrete flooring resistant to water and chemicals, it wipes clean easily after a spill or mess.
Other than the standard cleaning, some concrete finishing options require occasional sealants or waxing. Your concrete flooring installer will help you understand how you can keep your floors looking brand new all year long.
In fact, concrete is one of the most environmentally friendly building materials!
As one of the most durable building materials available, properly-installed concrete floors can last for hundreds of years. You’ll be doing your part to avoid the waste of materials, resources, and energy it would take to manufacture new floors.
A few other reasons why concrete is environmentally friendly include:
By nature, concrete is not as soft or warm underfoot as other materials, like hardwood. However, concrete is not as cold as you think it is — and it’s certainly not the coldest flooring material.
Concrete does actually absorb and retain heat, releasing it slowly throughout the day. This makes it a much warmer choice than many tile flooring options.
If you’re concerned about the floor being too cold, we often recommend installing radiant floor heating. Depending on where you’re installing concrete flooring, area rugs also come in handy!
If you’re envisioning dull gray, industrial concrete floors, think again. Residential concrete flooring is totally customizable and comes in a range of stains, colors, and textures.
If design flexibility is what you’re looking for, concrete is a great option. There are so many ways to refinish your concrete floors and spice up the aesthetic of your space. Just consider this list of concrete flooring finishing options we offer here at Rock Solid:
Your concrete installers can show you examples and help you determine the best finishing option for your home.
As with all flooring material options, the cost of your concrete flooring installation will vary depending on the size of your space and the finishing option you select. However, in general, concrete is one of the most reasonably-priced flooring options.
Additionally, because concrete flooring is so durable, you’ll save money in the long run on maintenance and replacements.
You can find hundreds of DIY resources online about how to install concrete floors. However unless you are a licensed professional, we never recommend installing concrete floors on your own.
Installing concrete floors is a multi-step process and requires expertise and know-how to ensure a smooth and durable finish. Additionally, because concrete is very heavy, a structural engineer may need to determine if your floor can support the weight.
This is one home improvement project that is best left to a licensed professional who can not only ensure a perfect result, but also provide you with a warranty.
Every homeowner we work with has different reasons for wanting concrete floors…
What’s motivating your interest in concrete floors? Whatever inspires you the most about concrete flooring, Rock Solid Waterproofing is ready to deliver beautiful results.
Learn more about our concrete flooring solutions or contact us with questions. We’re here to answer any questions and help move your flooring project forward.
