Concrete is a cheap, easy and versatile building material that can be used inside and out. It offers a strong and long-lasting base for a whole host of properties. Traditionally, concrete is used as the foundation of a building and poured directly onto the dirt bed. However, in recent years, concrete has been utilized inside the home for décor purposes.
Modern interiors often feature a minimalist and somewhat utilitarian style. Concrete splash backs, kitchen flooring and countertops complement the industrial tone of modern homes. When paired with filament light bulbs and exposed piping, concrete can look beautiful and stylish. You could also use floor paint to change the colour of the concrete flooring in your home.
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of concrete interior flooring.
Pro: Sustainable
Sustainable homes are becoming increasingly popular among property developers and home renovators. They are opting for sustainable materials and processes to save money and energy. Formulating a new batch of concrete is not eco-friendly. However, using an existing concrete slab in your home is a great way to repurpose materials and give them a new lease of life.
Pro: Easy to maintain
Concrete is also easy to care for and maintain. Use microfibre cloths or a mop to clean the floor with concrete-friendly products. Weekly cleaning will keep the floor in good condition and free from stubborn dirt or stains.
Pro: Economic and long-lasting
It’s also an economical material that only costs a few pounds to polish. You can use it for a range of purposes both inside and outside the home. And it lasts for over a hundred years if you take care of the material and maintain it properly.
Con: Hard and cold
Concrete is an extremely hard material, and therefore it’s painful to fall down on. If you have young children, concrete flooring might not be the best option while learning to walk and fall over. It can also feel cold in the winter months and isn’t the cosiest of materials. Of course, you could cover it in a plush rug in the colder seasons to add a little warmth.
You also need to seal your concrete and install it correctly. Concrete is porous and, without a waterproof seal, moisture will trickle in and damage the material. You need to make sure the installation process goes to plan, and the seal is properly maintained throughout the years of use.
You can add different finishes
If you can make it look stylish, concrete is a fantastic material to use. Fortunately, there are multiple processes available to make concrete look more attractive. You could apply an overlay to refresh the appearance of your concrete flooring. A thin layer of fresh concrete will be applied over the existing slab and polished to look seamless. You can also stain, dye and texturised the concrete to give it a different appearance.
