Flooring options have evolved over time, and today, many people prefer to beautify their space with terrazzo or decorative tiles. Concrete, although a practical and more viable flooring choice; has never been given much preference due to its unappealing appearance but the advent of polished concrete is rapidly changing the views of homeowners looking for affordable yet beautiful flooring solutions.
Polished concrete flooring offers all the benefits of concrete along with adorning the space. Today, homes, retail outlets, educational and medical facilities as well industrial sites; all prefer polished concrete flooring due to the competitive edge it offers over other flooring alternatives. Here are some reasons why polished concrete is the flooring of choice for people nowadays and how it is more beneficial than other flooring options:
Cost-Effective
Polished concrete flooring is quite economical. The cost of maintenance is also low which makes it an ideal flooring option for high-traffic places like schools, hospitals and supermarkets. Polished concrete floors can be cleaned easily and quickly. They do not require coatings or messy waxes, saving valuable time and money. With minimal downtime required in the polishing process, the floor can be used immediately after the polishing is completed.
Durability
Being tough and resilient to pressure and high traffic, polished concrete is ideal for warehouses and industrial sites. Concrete can also withstand the strain of heavy machinery like forklifts, trucks and stacked crates. This flooring can resist tire and scuff marks as well and only needs a refinish every 5 -10 years. In fact, a well-maintained polished concrete floor is expected to last more than a hundred years.
Reflective and Ambient Lighting
Polished concrete has high reflectivity. A place with polished concrete will not need excessive artificial lighting as the floor is reflective enough to brighten the room. This can greatly reduce the energy bill, and make the place look bright and well-lit at the same time. This is why restaurants, hotels and office buildings often prefer polished concrete as it gives the area a bright and professional look.
Aesthetic Appeal
Other than being durable and economical, polished concrete floors also offer an aesthetic appeal to the space. These floors have a stunning shine and are immensely beautiful. They add a touch of classic elegance to the space. Glossy and lustrous floors can enhance the attractiveness of places like hotels and restaurants, as well as making museums and libraries look more magnificent. Floor imperfections like cracks, can be preserved with the polish and can add a historic touch to the site.
Slip Resistant
Unlike other shiny and lustrous floors, polished concrete is not slippery. Whether dry or wet, this flooring meets and exceeds ADA and OSHA standards of slip resistance. This makes it a favorable flooring option when compared to tile and waxed floors.
Environment Friendly
Polished concrete floors do not contain any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), making them an environmentally friendly floor surface. Coatings such as urethanes, waxes and epoxies are also not required for concrete polished floors, which makes them sustainable and nature-friendly.
Unlike other flooring options, polished concrete floors are economical, durable, sustainable and environment-friendly, offering numerous benefits in a single package. This makes this flooring solution, a favorable and more desired option over many other flooring alternatives.