What Type of Flooring Should I Get in My Home?
Your home’s floors set the tone for your entire house and completely transform your space. However, choosing a flooring option for your home can seem overwhelming. Hardwood floors, tile, laminate wood, carpet.. The options are endless. Which flooring option should you choose?
Whether you are replacing old flooring throughout your home, building a new space, or planning to finish your basement or just a single room, many homeowners are wondering what the most practical and best type of flooring is. With so many options available and flooring trends changing throughout the years, it can be tough to make a decision. After all, you hope your flooring investment is a one-and-done purchase that should last years to come.
Polished Concrete Floors Are Beautiful, Durable, and Cost-Effective
There are many flooring options that are unique, with some more cost-effective, practical, and appealing than others. If you’re reading this, it’s likely you guessed correctly. The answer: residential polished concrete floors.
Residential Polished Concrete Floors: The Unique and Cost-Effective Flooring Choice
You may be thinking, “Isn’t concrete for driveways and basements?”. Yes, you are correct. Concrete slabs are typically prevalent in basements, garages, and patios. It’s common for many to associate concrete floors with outside structures, but have you considered polishing your concrete in your basement, kitchen, living room, bedroom, patio, and beyond?
This fast growing flooring option is highly popular among residential and commercial clients, but it has left many people confused as to what polished concrete is. Many consumers are interested in the cost of polished concrete, how well it performs, and what the actual process of concrete polishing exactly is. Here, we breakdown that wall and introduce to you the facts about polished concrete as well as the top benefits of this decorative flooring solution.
Polished concrete floors exceed in affordability, eco-friendliness, cleanliness, and, of course, aesthetics. Keep reading to learn about one of the hottest and most affordable flooring options for your home in 2019 in our guide to residential polished concrete floors.
Why Are Polished Concrete Floors Gaining Popularity?
While many tend to think of concrete flooring solely for garages, basements, and driveways, the functionality and attractiveness of concrete flooring may be a surprise. Over the past few decades , polished concrete floors have etched their way into the top flooring trends while outpacing traditional flooring options. This low-maintenance flooring option is growing in popularity due to its wallet-friendliness, functionality, durability, and attractiveness.
What are Polished Concrete Floors?
Polished concrete is the economical process of mechanically grinding and polishing concrete using industrial diamonds and impregnating hardeners. With this process, your polished concrete floor can be matte, low gloss, or high gloss to resemble the appearance of glass.
According to the CPAA, polished concrete is “the act of changing a concrete floor surface, with or without aggregate exposure, until the desired level of a glossy finish is achieved.”
The actual process of concrete polishing is separated into three parts:
Grinding
Honing
Polishing
About the Different Polished Concrete Floor Finishes
Matte Finish: A matte finish polished concrete floor absorbs light and aims to enhance the natural tones of your existing concrete.
Low Gloss Finish: A low gloss finish polished concrete floor provides some light reflection with some light absorbed. A low gloss is similar to a matte finish, while delivering a sleek appearance.
High Sheen Finish: This is the most popular polished concrete finish. A high sheen polished concrete floor delivers light reflectivity to enhance the lighting in the given space. Light and color reflects throughout the space and bounces off the surrounding objects.
High Gloss Finish: This is the highest sheen option. With high gloss finish polished concrete, your floor will resemble a glass.
Color Options for Dyed Polished Concrete Floors
Enhance your polished concrete floor with dyed concrete options. From brown hues to gold tones to bright turquoise, there are a wide range of color options for your floor. In addition, for commercial spaces, there are custom branding options for your floor. Choose to enhance your brand’s identity by adding your company’s logo to your polished concrete floor.
What is the Cost of Polished Concrete?
The cost of polished concrete can range from $3 to $30 per square foot.
10 Benefits of Residential Polished Concrete Floors in Your Atlanta Home
Polished concrete is a budget-friendly option that allows for customization and is praised for its durability and low-maintenance. Now that you know a bit more about polished concrete floors, let’s learn about the benefits of polished concrete floors for your Atlanta home.
Lasts “Forever”
This is one of the TOP benefits of polished concrete floors. A properly installed polished concrete floor should last for decades, even in high-traffic or industrial commercial applications. Over time, this can save you a significant amount of money and effort as you will not need to replace your floor. And compared to other flooring options, polished concrete is not vulnerable to damage. In addition, they do not need replacing every 3-10 years like other flooring options. Polished concrete stands the test against time and are durable and long-lasting.
Budget-Friendly
Polished concrete floors are extremely wallet-friendly because they do not require the addition of other subfloors because your concrete polishing company is working with materials that already exist.
Eco-friendly
Not only is concrete polishing wallet-friendly, but it is also a “green” flooring option, too. When it comes to environmentally friendly flooring, polished concrete takes the cake because very few raw materials are consumed. The only materials used are water-based hardeners and stain-resistant treatments. Because there is no new material being added on top of your concrete, there is no carbon footprint left behind. Polished concrete is also a durable floor option that is LEED and eco-friendly for both commercial and residential projects. Many traditional flooring options emit harsh materials and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. With concrete polishing there are zero harmful or VOCs being used.
Extremely Unique and Beautiful
Polished concrete floors create a modern, industrial air to your home’s space. It seamlessly blends with many design aesthetics and also blends well with both traditional and modern elements. Pro-Tip: Soften the look of your concrete floor by adding some gorgeous rugs.
Promotes Cleaner Air By Reducing Dust & Dander
Carpet and other floor coverings harbor dust and dander, as well as can promote mold growth when wet. Polished concrete is a hypoallergenic flooring option because they don’t harbor allergens, dust, and dander. Promote cleaner air in your home by choosing polished concrete floors.
Resistant Against Toxic Mold Growth
Carpet and other floor coverings can harbor harsh mold when becoming wet. If the moisture isn’t completely removed, mold can grow and thrive in your home and cause ailments and severe illnesses. However with concrete polished floors, toxic mold growth is not supported.
Extremely Durable
Polished concrete is very strong and durable, which allows it to be resistant against chip and scratch. Consider it extremely difficult to damage!
Easy to Clean and Maintain
Homeowners love polished concrete floors because they’re super easy to clean. As previously stated, they don’t harbor dust, dirt, and allergens like other floor covering options. Your polished concrete will require occasional mopping to keep clean. They also are resistant against spills and stains.
Color and Design Options
Want to add color to your polished concrete floor? No problem. While some enjoy the industrial look of colorless concrete floors, others gravitate towards color and texture effects. Stains can be added to your home’s polished concrete floor. Choose from a wide variety of colors and designs.
Enhance the Mood with High Light Reflectivity
If you are looking to brighten up your home and the cleanliness image, high gloss polished concrete can help achieve that.
Where Do Polished Concrete Floors Look Best?
Kitchen
Bathroom
Living Room
Bedrooms
Basements
Patios
Garages
The possibilities are endless!
Residential Polished Concrete Floors
If you are in or around the metro Atlanta area and are interested in polished concrete floors for your house or condo, call the Atlanta concrete polishing professionals at Grindkings Flooring at 404-709-5569 or contact us online here! We install top-notch Atlanta polished concrete floors in residential and commercial spaces. Whether you are refinishing your floors, building a new home or condominium, or planning to finish your basement or patio, call us today for a free quote for your Atlanta polished concrete floor.