Pros and Cons of Polished Concrete

With all flooring materials, polished concrete provides a number of benefits. This is the reason it is one of the most popular flooring choices for commercial, manufacturing facilities, shops, processing plants, production floors, communal areas, and other areas that receive high traffic. 

There are also some drawbacks to using polished concrete but many issues that arise can be tackled easily. So, we can say that, in the end, the advantages of polished concrete flooring outweigh the negatives.    

It is very important to understand the demands of the environment where the flooring will be installed. Learn about the pros and cons.  

Pros 

High Durability 

Polished concrete flooring is highly strong and resilient. This floor is able to withstand the pressure that it gets from heavy traffic and equipment. These floors hardly get damaged and it is also nearly impossible to scratch or chip.   

Life-Span of the Floor

 

The floor that is installed, sealed, and maintained properly can last longer than you can expect even in the harshest of environments. The life span of the floor will surpass the other floor coverings, such as carpeting, wood laminates, and vinyl tile. This means that in the long run, you can also save money because you would never require removing and replacing worn or any damaged floor.   

Easy Maintenance  

It is relatively easy to maintain a polished concrete floor. All you need to do is just dust, mop, or broom sweep daily to prevent the accumulation of dirt on the floor. You can also use a damp mop to remove scuffs, smudges, and watermarks, and also restore gloss. Depending on the polished concrete floor finish, you might have additional maintenance requirements.       

Cost-Effective 

The total cost of the polished concrete will depend on the complexity of the floor. However, you can always contact and ask the professionals about the cost of the floor. Reach out to the experts at Tuff Build Flooring contractors in Melbourne.    

Most floor installations are cost-effective, especially if you have an existing concrete slab that is ready for polishing, staining, or the application of a decorative coating. Once you get the flooring done, you will not have to worry about anything because it is a one-time investment. 

 

Different Designing Options 

Today, the markets are full of variety. You will get endless colors, texture effects, and a dozen different materials. You can even add a decorative engraving and stenciled graphics onto the surface.  

Sanitary 

If the floor is properly finished and has sealed concrete, it can be virtually resistant to fluids such as water. Coatings can also provide waterproof barriers which can seal the concrete and also prevent contamination. Some coatings also provide anti-microbial protection to the floor. Also, one must make sure that high-quality concrete floors should not have cracks or any crevice on the surface that can trap food particles, dirt, and the harbor bacteria.   

Slip-Resistant 

In moist environments, any concrete surface can get slippery but if the floor is sealed with a non-slippery coating, not only does it keep the floor safe but also adds texture to it.   

Chemical-Resistant 

A concrete floor that is non-sealed is porous even though the floor can be sealed with a chemical-resistant epoxy coat. It also protects the floor from chemicals and corrosion.  

Thermal Shock-Resistant 

These floors are also thermal-shock resistant. It ensures that delamination, cracks, bubbles and other deterioration does not occur if the floors are subjected to hot water streams. 

 

Static Dissipative 

A concrete floor that is not sealed often exhibits antistatic tendencies. Even though they are dependent on the moisture levels of the floor, anti-static coatings can be applied to the concrete flooring to ensure static discharge that does not cause any damage to the static sensitive equipment.   

No VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) 

Concrete floors do not contain any harmful VOC such as hardwood floors, synthetic carpets, and vinyl carpets.  

Cons 

Hard 

The advantages can often become disadvantages also. The strength and the durability of this floor can be a drawback because the surface would not provide any cushioning effect under the feet. It is hard which can make it uncomfortable for you to stand long time span.  

In order to overcome this, you can also add anti-fatigue mats to the areas where employees have to stand long hours on a daily basis.  

Cold 

This is another drawback of concrete floors, i.e., these are not able to retain the heat. It means that in the winters, the floor gets chilled but not more than the ceramic tiles or natural stone flooring. In order to overcome this, you can also embed radiant heating cables in the floor to reduce the loss of heat. The best part is that you usually pay lower utility cost than you do with a forced-air system.   

Moisture 

If the concrete floor is not properly finished or is not sealed, it will be susceptible to penetration by the moisture. If liquid makes its way into the pores of a concrete floor, it can sit there and lead to growth of mildew or mold. Also, if you have a trusted professional installing your polished concrete floor, you should not worry about this at all.  

Tuff Build epoxy flooring contractors in Melbourne have extensive knowledge of polished concrete floors. Our crews have the skills and expertise required to create a floor that meets every client’s maintenance and aesthetic needs.  

We also have the staff and equipment to make your floor project a complete success. We have a team that assesses the needs of every client, identifies the best flooring solution, engages in the right preparation method, and then install the floor by using the best industry practices. Give us a chance to serve you.