Why are concrete floors becoming more popular?

Concrete floors are making a comeback. Ironically, many don’t realize this because modern concrete floors can be made to resemble stone, brick or tile. But why are concrete floors becoming more popular? We’ll share the top reasons why.

The Economics

Concrete flooring solutions are often installed on the basis of cost alone. If your floors are ruined, you might have stripped it down to the concrete subfloor and wondered what to put in its place. It is generally cheap and easy to simply pour a new concrete floor over the existing sub-floor. The new concrete can be made to match the level of the surrounding floors without any complex engineering solutions, including after you fixed your cracked or shifting foundation. The new concrete floor can be any color you want. It could be made to resemble tile or brick. And it is cheaper to install than these fancy types of floors. If you decide you want to change its appearance, the concrete floor could be painted, stained or covered with carpet.

The Simplicity

Concrete floors are often installed because of the simplicity involved. There’s less site prep work and less downtime when you put in concrete floors. You don’t have to close off an area for weeks while someone lays new tile and waits for the grout to dry. The concrete floors don’t require a lot of maintenance, either. If it has a glossy finish, it would benefit from periodic waxing; the higher the traffic, the more often it needs to be waxed. It can be swept or vacuumed, but neither of these things will wear down the floor. The floor won’t be scratched up by heels, animal claws or heavy items dragged across the floor. That eliminates a lot of emergency repair work. Compare this to the need to clean carpets with chemicals periodically and try to repair holes before it becomes a trip hazard.

The Environmental Benefits

Concrete floors come with a surprising number of environmental benefits. They can be made with insulating layers or insulating additives that help your home retain heat. They don’t have to be cold themselves, and they’re suitable foundations for heated flooring systems. More importantly, a new concrete floor could be the most eco-friendly material on your building supply list. Concrete is often locally sourced, and it is overwhelmingly recycled. The big concrete chunks from the foundation they ripped out next door or the broken concrete from the current floor can be ground up and added to the new floor. You can incorporate pieces of stone, brick and rock into the concrete mixture. You can choose to incorporate pieces of stone, brick and company logos. It will all literally come together in the end.

The Health Benefits

Concrete floors won’t absorb smoke and chemical odors from the air. It won’t trap pet dander or pollen. This makes concrete floors a natural choice when you have respiratory problems. The concrete floor doesn’t give dust mites, fleas or bed bugs a place to hide. There’s no need to treat the area with insecticide if the floor is kept clean. The concrete floor can be sealed to prevent water and other fluids from seeping into it.