Polished Concrete in Comparison to Other Common Floor Options for the Home
Polished concrete provides practical flooring for the home, for kitchens and living areas, offering many attributes that compare well with other types of floors. Consider the following comparisons.
Colour Options
Many flooring options such as carpet, ceramic tiles, laminate and vinyl, timber and natural stone offer various colours. However, they don't provide virtually unlimited choice, because you purchase these materials in their complete form.
Compare this with the concrete polishing process, during which contractors can blend different pigments into the cement at the mixing phase. They can apply various stains and dyes over set concrete, and they can combine these colouring techniques. Thus, polished concrete is like a work of art that can generate whatever look you devise. Additionally, it can mimic substances such as ceramic, stone and timber. While other flooring materials are available in different colours, they aren't customisable during installation in the same way.
Durability
Polished concrete provides robust and tough flooring that you don't have to fuss over. Contractors can apply a penetrating hardener that adds strength and moisture resilience. Thus, it's ideal even for high traffic commercial spaces, as well as for homes. Not many other flooring options have the toughness to survive in business spaces such as retail stores and warehouses.
Carpet tends to wear in patches. Ceramic, vinyl, linoleum and timber are all tough, but they need more care and attention than concrete. Ceramic can crack if you drop a heavy object, and vinyl and linoleum are susceptible to stains. Wood is relatively soft in comparison to concrete, and, thus, it can dent even from high heels. Natural stone, though, similarly to concrete, is hard and durable, but it doesn't create the same smooth, continuous surface.
Coping With Moisture
When installing flooring, particularly in a kitchen, you need a substance that won't suffer around water and moisture. Plus, it needs to be hygienic. Polished concrete with a penetrating sealant protects the floor against moisture. Additionally, it's hygienic and won't develop mildew and mould, which is good news for people with asthma.
On the other hand, a material like carpeting doesn't cope well with water, as the fibres can become damp and mouldy. Timber, vinyl and linoleum, likewise can suffer after from water exposure, and wood can grow mould and mildew in a damp and humid environment. Though ceramic and natural stone tiles, so long as sealed, can deal with moist environments.
Maintenance Needs
Concrete will require little work from you to sustain its appearance. Using a dry microfibre mop will pick up abrasive dust and prevent it from wearing down the surface. A damp mop and mild cleaner are all you'll need to wash the floor. Conversely, carpet requires frequent vacuuming, while other surfaces such as ceramic, vinyl, linoleum and stone are also relatively easy to look after, though tiles need periodic sealing.
Thus, on these various fronts, polished concrete fares excellently, offering open-ended colour and design options, not matched by any other flooring. Additionally, polished concrete is durable — it can deal with water and is easy to maintain.
To learn more, reach out to a local concrete polishing service.
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