Decorating
10 Ways to Work Concrete Flooring
Kitchens, bathrooms and playrooms are just some of the rooms that could benefit from an edgy, tough concrete floor
Once upon a time, concrete’s main purpose in the home was as a subfloor, offering an even, stable base for tiles or natural stone. Now, however, this building material is adding edge and style to rooms all over the house in the form of polished concrete floors, which have a cloudy beauty and robust credentials. Unconvinced? Check out these floors looking splendid in myriad settings. It’s time to bare all…
Inject more of the industrial
You’ve got the metro tiles, tick, and whitewashed brickwork, tick. So now all you need to complete your 21st-century, industrial-style bathroom is a silky-smooth concrete floor.
For any wet or damp areas in the home, make sure your concrete has been sealed properly, as it’s naturally porous, and treat it with a hardener for extra wear- and scratch-resistance.
You’ve got the metro tiles, tick, and whitewashed brickwork, tick. So now all you need to complete your 21st-century, industrial-style bathroom is a silky-smooth concrete floor.
For any wet or damp areas in the home, make sure your concrete has been sealed properly, as it’s naturally porous, and treat it with a hardener for extra wear- and scratch-resistance.
Heat it up
It’s good to be aware that concrete will be cold underfoot, just as tiles would be. But don’t throw in the trowel just yet… Concrete is a great heat conductor and can be laid over underfloor heating, so it’s possible to have toasty toes and a beautiful floor.
Is hydronic heating right for your home?
It’s good to be aware that concrete will be cold underfoot, just as tiles would be. But don’t throw in the trowel just yet… Concrete is a great heat conductor and can be laid over underfloor heating, so it’s possible to have toasty toes and a beautiful floor.
Is hydronic heating right for your home?
Harden up your playroom
Concrete is a pretty tough material that’s possibly the perfect underfoot solution for a busy family room. It should be able to handle dropped toys and spilt juice just fine. It might be worth softening it up with a rug for floor play, though.
Concrete is a pretty tough material that’s possibly the perfect underfoot solution for a busy family room. It should be able to handle dropped toys and spilt juice just fine. It might be worth softening it up with a rug for floor play, though.
Master a micro concrete
If weight and/or access make a conventional, wet-cast concrete floor out of the question, consider a much thinner micro-top concrete instead.
At just 3mm thick, the mix of cement and polymers is applied using a trowel in multiple layers over a few days. And while a micro-concrete is slim, it’s still long-lasting, tough and water-resistant, and offers a similar look.
If weight and/or access make a conventional, wet-cast concrete floor out of the question, consider a much thinner micro-top concrete instead.
At just 3mm thick, the mix of cement and polymers is applied using a trowel in multiple layers over a few days. And while a micro-concrete is slim, it’s still long-lasting, tough and water-resistant, and offers a similar look.
Pair with a benchtop
If you’re totally in love with the tough stuff, then why not go all out with a concrete benchtop to tie in with your concrete floor?
A sturdy slab of concrete atop your cupboards can’t help but inject masses of design flair into any kitchen, and the repetition of surfaces makes for a cohesive scheme.
If you’re totally in love with the tough stuff, then why not go all out with a concrete benchtop to tie in with your concrete floor?
A sturdy slab of concrete atop your cupboards can’t help but inject masses of design flair into any kitchen, and the repetition of surfaces makes for a cohesive scheme.
Get rid of grout lines
One of the major plus points of concrete is that there are no grout lines, which is spot-on for the minimalist look (and easier to keep clean into the bargain).
One of the major plus points of concrete is that there are no grout lines, which is spot-on for the minimalist look (and easier to keep clean into the bargain).
Try a concrete lookalike
Having a real concrete floor laid will create a totally cool and cutting-edge look, for sure, but for an alternative that’s less costly, time-consuming and disruptive, how about concrete-effect tiles in porcelain or ceramic?
Although you’ll have visible grout lines, the surfaces are very realistic and come in a range of tones, from pale to dark grey. Many can even be continued outside for a fluid look.
Having a real concrete floor laid will create a totally cool and cutting-edge look, for sure, but for an alternative that’s less costly, time-consuming and disruptive, how about concrete-effect tiles in porcelain or ceramic?
Although you’ll have visible grout lines, the surfaces are very realistic and come in a range of tones, from pale to dark grey. Many can even be continued outside for a fluid look.
Be bold in the boudoir
The bedroom might not be the first room that springs to mind when considering a concrete floor, but think again, because it’s sure to add some sass and statement to a boudoir.
In its natural state, concrete is grey, but special stains can be applied to the material if you want something different, from orange to blue to rusty red. The surface can also be ground to expose the aggregate, as here, for a more mottled effect.
The bedroom might not be the first room that springs to mind when considering a concrete floor, but think again, because it’s sure to add some sass and statement to a boudoir.
In its natural state, concrete is grey, but special stains can be applied to the material if you want something different, from orange to blue to rusty red. The surface can also be ground to expose the aggregate, as here, for a more mottled effect.
Keep a hallway looking smart
A sealed, polished concrete floor is very easy to maintain, just needing a sweep and damp mop, which makes it ideal for a high-traffic hallway. For extra protection, you could always add a good floor wax designed for concrete floors.
This type of floor is a particularly good choice for pet owners, as it won’t harbour dander and muddy paw prints can be quickly mopped away.
TELL US
What do you think of concrete flooring? Have you laid any in your home? Please share your thoughts or photos in the Comments.
MORE
Concrete Flooring Is Cool, but Warmer Than You Think
10 Fabulous Flooring Options for Your Home
Warm Up Your House With Materials Provided by Mother Nature
A sealed, polished concrete floor is very easy to maintain, just needing a sweep and damp mop, which makes it ideal for a high-traffic hallway. For extra protection, you could always add a good floor wax designed for concrete floors.
This type of floor is a particularly good choice for pet owners, as it won’t harbour dander and muddy paw prints can be quickly mopped away.
TELL US
What do you think of concrete flooring? Have you laid any in your home? Please share your thoughts or photos in the Comments.
MORE
Concrete Flooring Is Cool, but Warmer Than You Think
10 Fabulous Flooring Options for Your Home
Warm Up Your House With Materials Provided by Mother Nature
This is a combination that’s sure not to disappoint. Concrete and wood complement each other so well because the wood adds warmth to the concrete, and the concrete adds a little grit to the wood. The result is an effortlessly cool and edgy space.
Make sure you do your research and seek out experts who will design, install and treat your concrete floor correctly, so it will last for years. If it isn’t laid properly, it can crumble.
Which kitchens go with what flooring?