Concrete flooring has become an increasingly popular flooring option in recent years. Known for its durability, affordability, and modern aesthetic, concrete offers many benefits for residential and commercial spaces. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider before installing concrete floors. This concrete flooring review covers the pros and cons to help you determine if concrete is the right flooring choice for your needs.
What is Concrete Flooring?
Concrete flooring refers to any flooring surface made from concrete. It can be used for interior floors as well as exterior surfaces like patios, walkways, and driveways.
There are several types of concrete flooring:
- Plain/regular concrete: This basic concrete mix contains cement, sand, gravel, and water. It provides an affordable, durable surface.
- Stamped concrete: Stamped concrete is textured and patterned to resemble materials like stone, wood, or brick. Color can also be added to the concrete mix.
- Stained concrete: Concrete stain gives plain concrete a translucent color finish. Popular stain colors include earth tones, blues, greens, grays, and rust shades.
- Polished concrete: Polishing brings out the inherent color and character of concrete. The concrete surface is sanded and buffed to a smooth, glossy finish.
- Epoxy coated concrete: An epoxy coating is applied over concrete to create a protective barrier. Epoxy coatings come in many colors and designs.
- Concrete overlays: Thin layers of new concrete or materials like epoxy can be added over existing concrete slabs. This provides a fresh, updated look without removing the old floor.
Concrete can be installed as a do-it-yourself project or by hiring professional concrete contractors. For large scale, complex concrete jobs, it’s best to use an experienced installation company.
Pros of Concrete Floors
Durability
One of the biggest advantages of concrete flooring is its extreme durability. Properly installed and cared for concrete can easily last for over 50 years.
Concrete’s hardness stands up well to heavy foot traffic, dropped objects, furniture legs, and abrasion from dirt and debris. It doesn’t scratch or dent easily compared to softer flooring materials. Concrete won’t wear thin over time and never needs replacing due to flattening or compacting.
Houses with concrete slab foundations benefit from having durable concrete floors on the ground level. Concrete also withstands exposure to moisture well. While liquids can stain concrete, its dense surface resists water absorption and damage.
Concrete’s durability makes it a smart choice for industrial settings, warehouses, garages, basements, and laundries. Polished concrete can even handle high traffic commercial spaces like restaurants and retail stores.
Strength
The dense, compressed composition of concrete makes it extremely strong and rigid. Concrete’s high compressive strength enables it to withstand very heavy loads without cracking or deforming.
You never have to worry about a concrete floor collapsing under the weight of vehicles, equipment, furniture, or other heavy objects. Concrete won’t bend or warp due to pressure or weight either.
Concrete’s strength provides excellent support for upper stories in multi-level structures too. Its rigidity also helps reduce vibration and noise transmission between floors.
Affordability
One of concrete’s biggest perks is affordability. Concrete flooring costs significantly less than most other flooring materials. Basic concrete can cost as little as $3-7 per square foot installed. More specialized techniques like staining, polishing, and stamping run $4-12 per square foot.
Concrete’s long lifespan also boosts its value. There are minimal lifetime maintenance and replacement costs. With proper care, concrete should never need significant repairs or replacing.
Using concrete slabs on-grade provides additional savings because there is no need for excavation or subfloor construction. The cost difference compared to wood or other floors over substrates is significant.
Overall, concrete is one of the most budget-friendly choices for durable, attractive flooring suitable for both homes and businesses.
Minimal Maintenance
Keeping concrete floors looking nice doesn’t require much regular maintenance. There’s no need for tedious cleaning, polishing, refinishing, or re-coating over time like with wood or linoleum floors.
A simple sweeping or vacuuming keeps concrete free of surface-level dirt and debris. Mopping up spills quickly prevents stains from setting.
Concrete is non-porous, so it doesn’t trap allergens and bacteria in pores like carpets. A thorough periodic cleaning removes most stuck-on grime. Concrete won’t mildew, mold or decompose over time either.
Re-sealing concrete every 1-2 years helps maintain the protective top layer. Polished concrete floors may need re-polishing every few years, depending on traffic. Proper concrete installation and sealer selection minimizes maintenance needs.
Design Versatility
Concrete offers tons of design flexibility thanks to modern coloring, patterning, and finishing options. Staining, etching, polishing, overlays, and embedded materials provide limitless ways to customize both the texture and appearance of concrete floors.
It can realistically mimic styles like stone, terrazzo, marble, slate, brick, and wood. Concrete takes any color stain well, whether you prefer neutrals or bold hues. Glossy polished concrete has an elegant, sophisticated look.
Pattern stamping creates realistic wood plank, stone, and brick textures. Unique designs like integrating pebbles or sea glass into the concrete expand the possibilities even further.
Concrete can complement any decor style from industrial chic lofts to modern farms houses. Its adaptable nature suits residential and commercial spaces alike.
Low Emissions
Compared to carpet and many types of wood or laminate flooring, concrete has low VOC emissions after installation. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) can negatively impact indoor air quality and health.
Concrete made from natural components doesn’t give off chemical fumes or other byproducts. Installing concrete flooring can help reduce indoor air pollution, especially for those with allergies or breathing issues.
Standard concrete also has few negative environmental impacts during production. Cement manufacturing does produce carbon dioxide emissions, but enhancements in the concrete industry have reduced environmental footprints.
Temperature Moderation
Thanks to concrete’s inherent thermal mass, it helps regulate indoor temperatures and reduce temperature swings. Thermal mass means that concrete can absorb heat during warmer times and release that heat during colder periods.
This moderates the feel of the flooring surface underfoot. Concrete floors won’t feel excessively warm or cold compared to the room’s air temperature like some other flooring options.
In warmer climates, the cooling effect offers welcome relief from hot outdoor temperatures. During colder weather, the gentle warmth of the floor is soothing.
Concrete’s temperature regulation can also reduce home energy costs related to cooling and heating. It enhances efficiency of geothermal heating and passive solar design strategies too.
Flood and Fire Resistance
Natural disasters are when concrete floors really shine. Concrete is inherently resistant to water and flooding. It won’t warp, swell, or fall apart when submerged like wood or laminate flooring.
Concrete’s mold/mildew resistance also means wet concrete won’t become a hotbed of harmful organisms afterwards. At most, excessive flooding may require a thorough cleaning and disinfecting before use.
Additionally, concrete is non-combustible and won’t fuel fires or produce toxic smoke. Its thermal mass actually helps contain fires. These reassuring properties give concrete a key advantage for fire-proof flooring applications.
Long-Term Value
A concrete floor is a permanent upgrade that adds value to any residential or commercial property. Unlike carpeting or cheaper flooring that wears out, quality concrete floors offer lasting prestige.
Exposed concrete floors are on-trend for modern homes, especially polished concrete with its sophisticated appearance. Concrete’s durability and design versatility also appeal to potential buyers and tenants.
Realtors note that new concrete floors can recoup over 90% of installation costs at resale. Updating old concrete surfaces with modern overlays or staining also boosts value. Overall, concrete floors are a wise investment.
Cons of Concrete Floors
Hardness
Concrete’s durable, inflexible surface that resists wear and pressure also makes it extremely hard and unforgiving underfoot. The solidness that handles heavy traffic well can feel uncomfortable over extended periods.
Without sufficient cushioning, walking or standing on concrete causes more fatigue than softer floors. Joint pain and muscle soreness in the back, knees, hips, and feet are common. Concrete’s hardness also contributes to cracked or callused skin on feet.
Younger children often find a concrete floor’s rigidity tiring on legs and joints too. Even with ergonomic mats or soft coverings, concrete remains firm. Hardness ranks as concrete flooring’s number one drawback.
Coldness
Even though concrete has thermal mass properties, it still feels chilly underfoot – especially in basements and garages. Concrete readily conducts heat away from bare feet, exacerbating its already cool nature.
During winter in temperate climates, heat loss through concrete slab foundations also makes floors noticeably cold. Walking or standing on chilly concrete can get uncomfortable over time.
Rugs, slippers, and warm socks help reduce concrete’s cold feel. Radiant floor heating systems offer a more thorough solution for keeping feet warm.
Potential Cracks
Hairline cracks might develop in concrete slabs over time as the floor naturally shifts and settles. While not a structural concern, cracks allow dirt and liquids to work down into the concrete. This can lead to staining and make floors harder to clean.
Preventing cracks starts with proper concrete mix design, subbase preparation, control joint placement, and curing. However, it’s difficult to avoid all hairline cracking as concrete ages. Thankfully, these flaws are mostly an aesthetic nuisance.
Repairing cracks involves routing out the fissure to open it fully, removing loose debris, and filling with an epoxy or polyurethane sealant. Avoiding wide temperature swings minimizes cracks.
Risk of Falling
The smooth, hard surface of concrete floors leaves little traction underfoot when wet. Water, liquids, or even dust on concrete creates dangerously slippery conditions.
Without extra traction from textured coatings or coverings, slipping and falling poses a serious risk. Polished or power-troweled concrete in particular becomes extremely slick with moisture.
Commercial concrete floors require etching or intentionally roughening the surface to add grip. Homeowners can add slip-resistant tiles, mats, or rugs over problem areas.
Difficult Repairs
Repairing damaged or deteriorated concrete requires cutting out and replacing the problem section – a process that is labor-intensive, costly, and messy. DIY-ers can patch small spalls or holes relatively simply though.
Stains also present a challenge. Concrete is porous, so spilled liquids that aren’t wiped up promptly can drip deep into the concrete and leave permanent discoloration. Removing stains often involves harsh chemicals. Avoiding them in the first place is key.
Excessive moisture under concrete slabs causes unpleasant issues like mold, mildew, and efflorescence too. These problems require extensive repairs. A moisture barrier beneath the slab prevents moisture-related damage.
Slow Installation
Pouring, finishing, and curing concrete floors is a time-consuming process. New concrete requires at least 4 weeks to fully cure before light foot traffic and furnishings. Drying and hardening the concrete properly is essential to durability.
This means homeowners can’t move in right away when pouring new concrete floors. Existing dwellings get disrupted longer than quick-install products like vinyl, laminate, or engineered wood flooring too.
Schedule ample lead time for installing concrete floors, especially in active homes. Patience is key for proper curing results.
Noise and Echo
Sound bounces and amplifies off concrete’s hard, non-porous surface. Concrete transmits noise easily too, rather than absorbing footsteps, voices, dragged furniture, and other daily home sounds.
Without soft furnishings to muffle noise, rooms with concrete floors tend to echo noticeably. Concrete hallway sounds travel to upstairs rooms readily. Residents may find the acoustics too lively without adding area rugs or sound-dampening materials.
Higher Perceived Cost
At $3-12 per square foot, concrete ranks as one of the least expensive, longest-lasting flooring options. Yet many homeowners perceive it as an expensive investment upfront.
The large single payment seems costly compared to materials bought in smaller increments. But factoring in long-term savings reveals concrete’s value. There’s also greater labor involved in pouring concrete over other installed floors.
Concrete costs more than budget vinyl, laminate, or carpet options too. Focus on its longevity, low maintenance needs, and design flexibility to justify the initial expense.
Difficult DIY Installation
Concrete’s tricky pouring, finishing, and curing process generally makes hiring professional contractors a smarter choice, except for small-scale projects. Inexperienced DIY-ers can run into problems like:
- Improper concrete mix and slab thickness that compromise durability
- Inadequate subsurface preparation leading to cracks
- Finishing flaws such as trowel marks, color variations, and improper smoothing
- Curing issues like surface etching or weak spots from rapid drying
Without proper tools and techniques, it’s tough for amateurs to achieve long-lasting, attractive concrete floor results. Consider skill level before tackling do-it-yourself concrete floors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Floors
Concrete flooring offers many perks but also comes with some drawbacks to weigh. This FAQ covers common concrete floor questions to help you make an informed decision.
Is concrete flooring a good choice for homes?
Concrete works excellently in modern homes thanks to its durable, non-porous surface that resists wear, water, stains, and pests. Design options like staining, polishing, and integrating accent materials make concrete floors attractive. The smooth look complements contemporary, industrial, and minimalist styles. Just be sure to add rugs, cushions, and slip-resistant coatings to improve comfort and safety.
What rooms should have concrete floors?
Concrete suits heavy-duty areas like basements, garages, and mudrooms that handle moisture, dirt, and heavy items. More living spaces like kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, and living rooms need softer coverings like area rugs to improve comfort and reduce echoes.
How long does concrete flooring last?
Properly installed and maintained concrete lasts 50-100 years or more. It will likely outlive the building itself. The key is quality preparation, mix design, pouring/finishing, and curing during installation. Proper maintenance like sealing and cleaning preserves longevity.
Does polished concrete stain easily?
Polished concrete creates a denser surface that liquid penetrates less readily. However, spills should still get wiped up quickly. Acidic substances like wine, vinegar or citrus can etch and dull the sheen. Sealing polished concrete boosts stain resistance further.
Can you install concrete flooring over existing floors?
Yes, concrete resurfacing products like overlays can be applied over old concrete, wood, linoleum, or tile floors. This saves demolition costs and allows reuse of the underlying floor. Some existing floors require a substrate layer first to ensure proper bonding.
Is radiant floor heating compatible with concrete?
Yes, radiant heating works extremely well under concrete floors thanks to concrete’s inherent thermal mass properties. Concrete conducts and holds heat evenly. A radiant heating system keeps concrete floors comfortably warm in winter. Just ensure proper design for heat reflection, insulation, and protecting heating elements.
Is stained concrete slippery when wet?
Plain concrete is slippery when wet. Stained concrete is more slip-resistant than polished concrete, but liquids can still make it hazardous. Adding an anti-slip sealer or grip strips provides essential traction for safety. Always wipe spills immediately and use rugs in wet areas.
Does concrete add value to a home?
Definitely. Contemporary concrete floors appeal to buyers and add lasting prestige to new and old homes alike. Updating worn linoleum, carpet, or vinyl with fresh concrete makes homes more desirable. Just avoid overly-trendy treatments that buyers may want to change later. Simple, neutral stained or polished concrete has the most widespread appeal.
Can you install concrete flooring yourself?
It’s not impossible for DIY-ers to install concrete floors, but the pouring, finishing, and curing process has a steep learning curve. Even small mistakes in concrete prep, mix design, or finishing can cause cracking, flaking, or other durability issues. Consider skill level honestly before tackling concrete floors without professional help.
Conclusion
Concrete flooring offers distinct advantages thanks to its unparalleled durability, versatile appearance, moisture- and fire-resistance, affordability, and thermal mass properties. Stained, polished, or stamped concrete delivers modern style perfect for contemporary homes and businesses.
However, concrete’s signature hardness, noisiness, and cold feel require using area rugs, radiant heating, and slip-resistant treatments to maximize comfort and safety. Cracking and stains also demand prevention and monitoring.
Overall, concrete floors offer good value and suitability for both residential and commercial uses when you weigh the pros and cons carefully. Just be sure to factor in concrete’s harder nature and install properly to achieve enduring performance and satisfaction.