It’s easy to get lost when discussing the pros and cons of concrete flooring. Of all the flooring materials available, polished and stained concrete flooring offers many benefits. If you take care of your flooring material it will enjoy a long life.

Like other flooring options, a concrete slab is delicate. Other materials are not as cost-effective or provide the same high gloss sheen. The surface is also low maintenance.

The fun part is how a new slab of concrete is a canvas. A polished concrete floor has advantages and disadvantages, while both require little maintenance.

Stained Vs Polished Concrete

Stained and polished goes beyond a desire for a mirror finish or rustic patina for your interior concrete floor. It also depends on your budget, planned usage, and maintenance expectations.

Polished Concrete Floors

Polished concrete installations are $5 to $8 higher per square foot than stained projects. That upfront cost is higher as it requires more equipment and the labor installation process is greater.

However, when you do the math, you’ll discover the return on investment for polished concrete is better.

For polished floors in heavy foot traffic areas like retail stores, warehouses, stadium concourses, or restaurants, the upfront expenses are worth it due to the little maintenance required later. The polishing process has a longer drying time, but when it’s done, it will last.

You’ll need to prep your surface with a planetary grinder to open up the pores. After, follow up with multiple passes of fine grit diamond floor products. Make sure you follow the terms conditions and press. Concrete sealer is required, and polishing a few times a year will help keep its smooth look.

Polished concrete offers the lowest overall maintenance. When you polish concrete it closes the pores. It helps the floor resist staining and moisture. Routine maintenance involves a powered floor scrubber, a mop, or a neutral cleaner.

Stained Surface

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Stained coating achieves a specific look. You should be diligent about protecting and maintaining the coatings. The concrete sealer will help protect it. The floors are popular with salons, smaller retail shops, restaurants, and residential patios.

When staining, you will need to use mechanical grinding or an acid wash to prepare the surface.

Daily maintenance is almost the same. However, there is more long-term expense in reapplying clear coats or protective waxes.

If one area sustains a lot of scratches or heavy traffic, activities can sometimes get through the coating and remove color in that particular spot.

Polished Concrete

Concrete is durable and resilient and difficult to damage. With concrete flooring you don’t have to worry about things like high heels, pet claws, or furniture legs damaging its surface because it’s just nearly impossible. But when it gets wet, it will create a few risks.

Water-Based Stain

The reason why concrete flooring is an eco-friendly option is that a subfloor exists under the top layer of the floor.

Concrete Floors

Aesthetically, concrete surfaces suit modern and industrial homes. A high gloss look isn’t right for classic vintage home styles. A polished concrete floor would be awkward in a Colonial-style dwelling, but suitable for a modern house.

Polished Concrete Floors

If you decide to install concrete but later want something new, then changing your flooring is easy. A concrete floor offers more freedom because of its versatile surface.

Also, the floors come in a variety of colors and textures, not just gray.

How To Stain A Concrete Floor

Despite concrete flooring and its unlimited design options, it’s surprising how easy it is to paint an exterior polished concrete floor or stain it.

Concrete is an alternative to laminate, carpets, wood tiles, marble, and wood. Its surface will be stained multiple colors with different textures or finishes, and it may even be sanded.

Maintenance And Repair

The floors are a form of structural cement. This is strong and popular in high-traffic areas like garages and warehouses. It is resistant and protects against pet stains. However, it can be chipped and scratched, and requires sealer every six months or so.

Cost Of Concrete Flooring Materials

The biggest advantage of decorative concrete flooring is affordability, especially if you have concrete slabs ready to stain and polish. Square feet cost for basic construction is similar to linoleum, vinyl carpeting, or cheaper tile.

Polished Concrete Floor Downsides

A polished concrete floor offers strength and durability, which comes with a few risks. The floors can cause serious injury. Items dropped from this surface can fracture or break. Concrete is not recommended where children and the elderly live. It’s also uncomfortable to stand on and causes discomfort.

Concrete Flooring Installation

Residential concrete floors were formed from grinding formerly constructed structural concrete slabs using a polishing, colorizing, or texturing technique.

The entire process could include removing existing floor surfaces to expose an uncovered slab. The concrete can have two coats. When a color agent is poured, coating is added after it has been laid.

Because it is a strong and durable material, this can also present a problem. For example, if you drop something on the floor, it will get damaged.

Stains

Concrete stains offer texture and rich color. But because concrete is hard, standing on it for long periods is uncomfortable. Of course, carpets and area rugs can solve this problem.

Concrete Flooring

Concrete doesn’t retain heat well, so your floors will feel cold during winter. Carpets and rugs can diminish help, but not if you prefer the floors to be free of accessories.

A properly-installed concrete floor doesn’t present moisture-related problems. However, if not sealed, concrete is susceptible to moisture penetration.

As liquid makes its way into the pores of a concrete floor, it can lead to mildew or moisture freezing and will crack the floor.

With this interior concrete floor, a see-through swimming pool in the floors coordinates with elements like the gray sectional and area rug, but also with the wine cellar.

Related:What Is The Difference Between Concrete And Cement?

Polished Concrete Floors

Here’s an example that features a curved swimming pool. It was built with concrete. It has a stylish design with an asymmetrical, modern architecture and a bright and airy interior.

The flooring is the same throughout which helps link the floors and the spaces in a subtle way, adding uniformity.

Mid Century Modern Concrete Floors

Speaking of concrete houses, this one takes advantage of the material in all its forms. The polished concrete floor adds an industrial touch to the décor and balanced by wood, glass, and metal accents.

This concrete house has a rugged floor which also influences the interior design. The ground floor is polished and a staircase made of unfinished concrete.

Concrete Surfaces

The unusual curved shape of this house caused by the topography and size of the site also translates into an interesting interior design. The curved sectional frames a seating area with a trio of wooden log tables at the center.

The polished concrete floor provides a perfect backdrop for the furniture.

High Gloss Concrete Surface

The polished flooring is smooth and provides a seamless transition between the exterior and interior spaces. As the glass wall slides open, the living area and covered deck become one and the same.

Polished Concrete Flooring

This house has a beautiful zen garden but that’s not its sole charming feature. The interior is bright and airy. It was achieved by combining natural materials and concrete to create a shell for all the furnishings and decorations to stand out.

Earth Tones

Earth tones and wooden shutters augment the interior and surroundings of this home. When they’re up however, the whole space opens up and the garden views and sunlight become a part of the interior.

The transition between the interior and outdoors smoother by the continuation of the concrete floor onto the lawn and the coordination between the shutters and outdoor furniture.

Modern Industrial Concrete Floors

Concrete and glass go hand in hand, especially in a lot of modern and contemporary designs. These two materials complement each other with this stylish house considering the greenery.

This house is floating above the ground which offers great views and reinforces the relationship between architecture and nature. The house is built out of exposed concrete which gives it a rugged look that defines the interior.

Elements like the exposed walls and the flooring are complemented by wooden ceilings and stylish furniture which turn this into an inviting home.

Troweling Techniques

The ideal way to clean concrete slabs is to use a power trowel with floating trays under a trowel blade. Pans help in creating a flat surface while maintaining a creamy base. When floor finishes are creamed, water must be removed to keep the floor working.

It might allow a flat concrete floor, but it could force power trowels into concrete slurry. The use of trowels or sanding can dull the surface. To obtain lighter colors on cement, steel blades should be used with power trowels.

It will be possible to do two passes using plastic blades and two passes using trowel float pans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

Are Concrete Floors Cheaper Than Wood?

Because material and labor costs for tile are high, polished concrete is often significantly less expensive than tile in new residential construction and renovation. Depending on slab size and gloss level, a cream polished concrete floor is generally $3.50 to $5 per square foot.

Is It Cheaper To Tile Or Polish Concrete?

Because material and labor costs for tile are high, polished concrete is often significantly less expensive than tile in new residential construction and renovation. Depending on slab size and gloss level, a cream polished concrete floor is generally $3.50 to $5 per square foot.

How Long Do Stained Concrete Floors Last?

Few materials have the longevity of a concrete slab. Stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with permanent color, a stained floor or pavement should last a lifetime when properly maintained.

Can I Polish My Concrete Floor?

Any structurally sound concrete floor can be polished. However, there are some exceptions, for example with new floors no special mix design is required to achieve good results – although the floor should be in place at least 28 days before polishing begins to ensure adequate curing.

Are Polished Concrete Floors Slippery?

Even when wet, polished concrete floors offer significantly higher slip resistance than tile or wood floors. When installed, polished concrete flooring reduces slip and fall liabilities and insurance costs for business owners.

Concrete Floors Conclusion

Among all floor options, concrete floors offer a low-maintenance solution for your floors. The flooring is not recommended in living spaces with high traffic areas. When polished concrete floors are wet, they’re a liability.

However, concrete floors offer many benefits and will have a long life. If you want a high gloss finish, you choose nearly any color and you’ll get your desired finish.

A concrete floor is cost-effective among all flooring options. A new slab of concrete is cheaper compared to other popular flooring material. To install a concrete floor you will need to find a contractor. Concrete contractors exist for a reason. If your floor isn’t properly sealed, you will have problems with. the polishing process.

Decorative concrete is not a DIY project as the entire process requires a professional. Just because you own a pair of safety glasses doesn’t mean you’re qualified to install a new concrete floor.

Installing concrete subfloors for your living space if you use progressively finer grits to achieve a marble-like appearance, requires professional attention. To maintain a smooth floor surface, and high gloss appearance, routine polishing is necessary, but overall worth it.