When choosing new flooring, you have various options. You might go with carpet, hardwood, laminate flooring, or ceramic tile. Your considerations might include softness, maintenance, and durability. You might be searching for a certain “look.” If you want a nearly indestructible yet elegant flooring option, perhaps you should consider a polished concrete floor.

Concrete hasn’t always been something a homeowner would consider for flooring. For many people, the image that comes to them when you talk about concrete flooring is an old, unfinished basement with rough, cracked dirty floors. But polishing and staining techniques have taken concrete floors to a whole new level.

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You can now work with a polishing company to determine what kind of concrete you want to lay to begin the process. Perhaps you want to go with something basic and create a different look and texture with staining. If you want something fancier, you can add stones that will later be ground down and lend their color and glossiness to the final effect.

Once you have your basic concrete slab, it is up to the concrete polisher to work their magic. They will grind the concrete down to a glossy smoothness. They can create certain textures if you would like. The concrete is finally covered with a sealant, epoxy coat, or whatever you as the homeowner need to produce exactly the finished product that you have in mind. Your finished concrete floor will be smooth and glassy, like a mirrored surface.

How does this compare to your other options? Well, the closest competitor that comes to mind is ceramic tile. But with tile, you have to deal with grout. Inevitably, you are going to have debris and staining collect in the grooves, and you are going to have to provide proper maintenance to keep it from deteriorating. In addition, while tile is quite durable, it still cracks and breaks frequently. Concrete, on the other hand, is one smooth, solid surface and can even stand up to having a forklift driven on it – so don’t even worry about breaking it with normal furniture.

Again, you could put down a hardwood floor. This may be a good option for you, but a hardwood floor requires even more careful maintenance than tile. It is going to have to be polished, and it is susceptible to scratches. Concrete, on the other hand, only needs to be mopped lightly, will not scratch with normal usage, and will last many years longer before it needs refinishing.

Carpet is not really a head-to-head competitor with concrete. This decision will depend on your specific needs. If you have a clumsy toddler, then he or she probably needs a carpeted play area. If you are looking for a sophisticated adult area, polished or stained concrete has a lot to offer. Carpet needs regular cleaning, and even then it will eventually deteriorate, look old, and need to be replaced. Concrete, on the other hand, can easily be maintained for many years looking as new as the day you put it down.

In summary, if you are looking for a permanent solution that is easy to maintain, consider finding a concrete polishing company that services your area, and talk to them about what options they offer for your home.

By: Thom D

Watch this video to give you more information about a polished concrete floor:

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