A Humble Guide To Concrete Floors

April 24, 2008 |

by Chris Channing

Concrete floors sound boring at first thought. But advances in concrete flooring techniques have enabled consumers to get a wide variety of options when purchasing a concrete floor to be installed. So how much has technology changed the old subject of concrete, and what can consumers expect from the new technology?

The gray and boring concrete floor is a thing of the past. New technologies have allowed for concrete floors to be stained- meaning that they can be colored, textured, and have patterns applied to them where it was previously not possible. Often times the result of an acid stain is unbelievable to home owners, who have likely never seen a concrete floor with such intricate details and colors. This seeks to fix the fact that many home owners opt for different flooring materials simply because of color or design.

Anyone with a certain allergy to outdoor life will appreciate the fact that concrete does not retain allergens. Carpet and certain types of hardwood floors are popular for retaining allergens that come in from the outdoors. For allergy sufferers, this can be a nightmare as they sneeze and cough all because of their flooring option. In such a case, a concrete floor is very appealing.

Concrete flooring is also considered very expandable, simply because other flooring materials can be placed on top of them. Tiles, carpet, or even hardwood materials can easily be applied on top of a concrete floor to create a new look in a room in a matter of hours of work. Because of the expandability, concrete floors are very popular among home builders.

One often overlooked aspect of concrete flooring is the fact that it is cheap. Carpet and hardwood floors are usually fairly pricey, as they are no easy task in manufacturing and applying to one’s home. But concrete is made up of common materials, and is usually fairly easy to apply. Thus, it is often the best choice for thrifty home builders and owners to get an affordable flooring material.

When it comes to environments that hold a lot of muck- whether it be mud, snow, rain, or sandy environments; the concrete floor can be a real lifesaver. Concrete flooring is so simple to maintain and clean, that it often is a matter of minutes before an entire room is considered perfectly clean. Carpet, in opposition, is very susceptible to dirt and is much harder to clean as a result.

For the artistic types, home owners can opt to not have acid staining done on the cement, and instead color it themselves. This can be a special way to create a long lasting memory among families. Staining the cement can be as creative as making an intricate mural, or as simple as everyone in the family signing their name onto the concrete in their own way.

In each and every department, it seems concrete floors have the upper hand over conventional means of floor materials such as carpet or wooden floors. It may not be the softest material around, in which case it probably isn’t the best for an entire house-wide remodeling. But for entry rooms and other types of rooms, it sure is a creative and cost effective way to stay stylish and original.

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