Choosing appropriate concrete flooring is a challenging task. Good flooring is a way to transform the entire visual and functional aspect of your home. It not only creates an aesthetic appearance, but also contributes to the overall comfort of a space. With numerous options available, you can search for the best choice with low maintenance, affordability, and durability.
It may be for your residential or commercial projects, choosing the right type benefits you in several ways. In this article, you’ll be explained the different types of concrete flooring and their associated benefits.
Different Types of Concrete Flooring
When it comes to concrete flooring, each type has its own unique set of features and benefits. Choosing the right option improves your overall flooring system. Let’s delve into the details of each type to determine which option suits you more.
Polished Concrete
Polished concrete is quick to produce, sleek, and easy to install. Concrete is naturally durable and polishing provides extra longevity to your flooring. The range of options extends from satin to high gloss finishes.
Polished concrete is sustainable and provides a longer life service. Grinding and polishing the concrete with the right equipment enhances its beauty and makes it more appealing. Unlike other flooring types, it doesn’t need any harsh cleaners, adhesives, or chemicals to clean.
Benefits of Polished Concrete
- Polishing concrete eliminates dust from efflorescence, hence, maintenance costs will be reduced.
- Protects the surface from penetration and makes the floor dense enough to repel oil, water, and other contaminants.
- Maximises ambient lighting, reduces the cost of energy bills, and increases safety.
- Polished concrete does not require any stripping and waxing treatment to maintain its sheen.
Stained Concrete
Staining concrete is an easy and effective way to brighten up dull grey-coloured concrete floors. It is relatively simple and permanent but essential to be handled by professional hands for a perfect finish.
To enrich the look of a design, you can select one or more colours and create a mottled, variegated, or monochromatic look. Applying colour can be done in two different methods, either through water-based or acid-based stains. It is a popular flooring option for both residential and commercial properties.
Benefits of Stained Concrete
- Stained concrete is easy to clean.
- Requires only an occasional sweep and mop to remove the dirt, dust, and debris on the floor.
- It is highly resistant to fire and can withstand typical wear and tear.
- It helps regulate the temperature and you can save money on your energy bill.
Terrazzo-style Concrete
Terrazzo is a composite material poured in place or precast. It is the strongest yet most elegant material used widely in outdoor construction projects. Terrazzo uses an epoxy matrix or cement as the binder and consists of chips of materials like shell, marble, quartz, glass, granite and other stones (these chips are generally waste materials from other construction processes). Whether you want to style your place in a simple or complex way, they provide numerous aesthetic finishes and designs. Beyond endless customisation options, terrazzo offers flexible finishes, long-lasting benefits, and low-maintenance lifespans.
You can pick any design with the colour you like according to your taste. It is appropriate for indoor and outdoor surfaces for both residential and commercial spaces.
Benefits of Terrazzo-style Concrete
- Terrazzo is a highly durable material that allows the surface to last for long years.
- Affordable option for building owners and architects
- Customised designs add a special touch to your floors.
- Most economical and environmentally friendly
- Resists water damage, chemical spillage, fire damage, and other stain risks.
Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy is one of the common types of concrete flooring that acts as a protective coating. It seals the concrete surface and is made from resin. It can be widely used in garages, warehouses, and industrial settings. Epoxy is extremely resistant to chemicals and has become a hygienic choice for floors.
It prevents the concrete surface from the growth of mould and bacteria. With epoxy, you can avail a wide array of finishing options that create an awesome look just the way you want.
Benefits of Epoxy Flooring
- Epoxy is naturally slip-resistant and suitable for high-risk areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and locker rooms.
- Resists stains, chemicals, spills, moisture, and even microbes.
- Provides a high-shine look that enhances the overall comfort of your space
- Epoxy floors are extremely easy to clean.
- It looks sleek and shiny with a wide range of colour choices.
Stamped Concrete Flooring
Stamped concrete flooring is a versatile decorative option that involves stamping moulds on the surface of fresh concrete. This flooring type perfectly imitates all types of materials. It is perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Its textured pattern looks like stone or brick. If you are looking for a flooring type with a customised option, then this can be a perfect choice.
Due to its excellent sturdiness, stamped concrete can be mostly installed in driveways, walkways, and patios. This is a cost-effective option and the designs can be personalised according to your requirements.
Benefits of Stamped Concrete Flooring
- They offer a seamless surface finish with no gaps or cracks.
- Safe for pets and children to run and play without the risk of injury
- Water drains easily through its porous surface.
- Easy, quick, and clean installation
- Provides aesthetic value at your budget.
Exposed Aggregate Concrete Flooring
This is a type of concrete finish with visible aggregates such as sand, pebbles, and stones. Beyond providing aesthetic appeal, it offers excellent resilience and durability to the surface. It is a useful, hard-wearing, and durable concrete flooring option suitable for various forms of applications, from garages to domestic living rooms and warehouses to art galleries. It provides a slip-resistant and textured surface, making it an ideal choice for pool decks, kitchens, patios, and bathrooms.
Benefits of Exposed Aggregate Concrete Flooring
- Exposed aggregate concrete flooring is extremely strong, durable, and tough.
- They last for decades without regular maintenance.
- Improves safety and aesthetic appeal in high-traffic entryways and staircases
- It suits well for patios, driveways, and other outdoor surfaces.
- Can withstand harsh weather conditions
Trowel Finished Concrete
Trowel finish is the most basic method to finish concrete manually with a trowel or hand-held tool. It levels the surface and offers a raw and semi-rough look. The result is an even, sleek and perfect finish floor that also increases the slip resistance. Once the concrete is laid in the formwork and levelled, it provides attractive floor finishes that are best for indoor use. This is commonly used in interior slab and floor applications.
Benefits of Trowel Finished Concrete
- Reduces the risk of concrete cracking
- Provides classic, sleek and even surface condition that is slip-resistant
- Eliminates uneven drying in the floor
- The primary feature is to remove all kinds of irregularities
Final Thoughts
Concrete flooring is strong, durable, and provides high performance for heavy foot traffic. Whether you are looking to elevate your indoor or outdoor spaces, concrete flooring types are an ideal option. With the choices of concrete flooring listed above, you can go with the one that suits your project best. Explore their features and benefits to pick out the one that fits your needs.