Know Your Flooring: Concrete
Concrete floors have a raw and elegant beauty that can be surprisingly warm. Here we lay the groundwork of what you need to know
Rebecca Gross
19 April 2016
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
The days of concrete floors being banished to the basement or sub-floor of a house are long gone. Today, they offer a contemporary aesthetic that not only looks good but can actually contribute to the warmth of a house through thermal mass. Plus, concrete is durable, easy to care for and available in a range of textures, polishes, and colours. This guide gives you the lowdown on concrete flooring.
What is concrete flooring?
Concrete is a natural composite material made from an aggregate (rocks, river stones, and granite chips) combined with a cement binder (such as limestone and calcium sulphate) and water. It is the most basic flooring material and generally forms the sub-floor or base of a building that may be covered with timber or tiles; or, nowadays, left exposed.
Concrete floors can be poured as part of a new build, or an existing floor can be stripped back to its concrete slab as part of a renovation. A series of treatments can then transform the slab into a smooth and decorative surface appropriate for flooring.
Ways to work with concrete flooring
Concrete is a natural composite material made from an aggregate (rocks, river stones, and granite chips) combined with a cement binder (such as limestone and calcium sulphate) and water. It is the most basic flooring material and generally forms the sub-floor or base of a building that may be covered with timber or tiles; or, nowadays, left exposed.
Concrete floors can be poured as part of a new build, or an existing floor can be stripped back to its concrete slab as part of a renovation. A series of treatments can then transform the slab into a smooth and decorative surface appropriate for flooring.
Ways to work with concrete flooring
What to consider when choosing concrete flooring
- For a new build, concrete is poured early on in construction so aggregate mix, colour, finishes and underfloor heating may need to be decided at this stage.
- When it comes to stripping back a floor to reveal the concrete slab, keep in mind the original pour was not intended to be exposed. So while it will function as a flooring surface after the necessary treatment, it may have an inconsistent look, for example, areas of little to no aggregate next to areas with a lot of aggregate.
- The level of polish will effect the overall aesthetic of the floor as well as the budget. A light polish or matt look is less expensive, gives a more natural look and doesn’t show many of the stones inside the substrate. In comparison, a heavy polish is more expensive and will expose the stones and provide a more colourful finish.
- Other finishes can include stamping, dying, embossing, staining and more.
The pros of concrete flooring
- Concrete floors can be a very cost-efficient option, however, the finishes, treatments and installation will influence the final cost.
- An endless variety of colour and texture effects is possible. Colour can be mixed directly into the concrete before the pour, or existing floors can be stained, dyed or painted.
- Concrete is extremely tough and durable. While it is possible to chip or scratch a concrete surface, it is difficult to do so. Plus, it’s flood- and fire-resistant and will last a lifetime and beyond when polished and maintained.
- Concrete floors can work as a thermal mass when exposed to the sun, making a big difference to comfort and to utility bills. It will absorb and store the heat of direct sunlight and slowly release it over the rest of the day and into the night.
The cons of concrete flooring
- Concrete floors can look and feel cold without sun exposure, but a great rug can always help warm them up.
- Concrete floors can damage bodies and objects if they hit the surface hard, so they’re not recommended for areas frequented by children or elderly people.
- Concrete is susceptible to penetration by moisture if not properly sealed on both top and bottom surfaces, which can lead to the growth of mould or mildew.
- Because concrete floors have no give, they can be hard on joints – backs and feet especially. Rubber mats or cork cushioning in areas such as the kitchen, where lots of time is spent standing, can help reduce this; as can slippers or soft-soled shoes.
- A lot of energy is used in the production of concrete flooring. However, this is offset by its ability to save on future energy usage by acting as a thermal mass.
Maintaining concrete flooring
- Concrete floors are easy to look after – just sweep and mop with soapy water or a neutral cleaner.
- Seal or wax the floors regularly in high-traffic areas in order to maintain the protective layer over its surface.
- Re-polish floors as needed to maintain the desired gloss.
Variety of concrete floors
Polished concrete flooring is measured by grade and finish – the higher the grade, the larger the exposed aggregates; and the higher the finish, the shinier the polish. This structural concrete slab has selected aggregates and a natural oxide colour. It has been left exposed and polished to a level that makes the aggregates clearly visible.
Which kitchens go with what flooring?
Polished concrete flooring is measured by grade and finish – the higher the grade, the larger the exposed aggregates; and the higher the finish, the shinier the polish. This structural concrete slab has selected aggregates and a natural oxide colour. It has been left exposed and polished to a level that makes the aggregates clearly visible.
Which kitchens go with what flooring?
Polished concrete flooring is ideal for high-traffic areas, such as hallways and kitchens. The shine on this floor is achieved by using a high-gloss polyurethane finish on top of the concrete slab.
The wide range of aggregates and colours available can easily change the look and feel of a room. This living space has white polished concrete floors that, matched with white walls and furniture, give a crisp, cool and glamorous look.
In comparison, these polished concrete floors have a great sense of warmth, due to the colour added. It has a rich brown tone that works beautifully with the wooden beams and other decorative details. Colour can be added to the pour in the initial stages, and can also be added later as water-based dyes or acids.
Another way to add warmth is to lay down a rug. It also helps to define spaces or the functions of different areas in a large open space. As for the concrete in this house, designer Jasmine McClelland explains: “The balance of textures and colours in the aggregate of the polished concrete flooring were chosen deliberately to soften the effect of the concrete.”
Burnishing is a type of finish that is applied to a new concrete pour, before it is cured. A mechanical, powered trowel (helicopter) is used to create a finish that renders it with a level of sheen and the inconsistencies in colour are intended to form part of its appeal.
Homes that get creative with concrete
Homes that get creative with concrete
As concrete is suitable for both interior and exterior spaces, it can be used to create a seamless indoor-outdoor look. This floor is natural concrete with no additive, and a fine aggregate. “It is almost burnished by the helicopter finish after it has been poured and while it is still wet,” says Shelley Indyk of Indyk Architects.
Holes and wear and tear on existing or covered-up concrete slabs can contribute to the final look of a room. This floor had been covered with tiles, and once they were pulled off and the grinding finished, the floor was pitted with holes. An amber-coloured resin product was used to fill those holes before polishing – it adds a real point of interest to the finished floor.
Aged concrete floors or previously-covered concrete slabs may have cracks. These can be hidden under a rug if the look doesn’t appeal; or taken advantage of as part of the aesthetic.
TELL US
Do you have contemporary concrete flooring in your home? Share your style by uploading photos in the Comments section below.
MORE
8 Surprising Ways to Use Concrete That Won’t Leave You Feeling Cold
10 New Design Features to Work Out of Concrete
Know Your Flooring: Hardwood
TELL US
Do you have contemporary concrete flooring in your home? Share your style by uploading photos in the Comments section below.
MORE
8 Surprising Ways to Use Concrete That Won’t Leave You Feeling Cold
10 New Design Features to Work Out of Concrete
Know Your Flooring: Hardwood
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Love concrete floors and find that warm/ cold and hard/ soft have a lot more to do with how the material is used and finished and what it is paired with than the use of concrete itself. Excellent tip about insulating your floor or slab (actually regardless of what it is made from) in cooler or swing climates.
love the natural look and feel of concrete floor, both polished matt or gloss. the applicable areas are limitless. Very well written article to review and get a good insight into Concrete.
Excellent Info ,
- Thanks for very much effective idea for floor, with rich feel, colored appearance , rendering patterns, texture finishes, durability, fast work.
- what can be done for expansion cracks after age, can we provide some decorative expansion joints for large area ?
- How much minimum thickness of floor to be adopted on existing slabs in apartment as concern to high density weight ?
- Please explain if existing concrete slabs can be converted into new looks.
Thanks.