Are concrete floors right for your business? A popular flooring material for residential and commercial spaces – but is it right for your business?
Concrete floors as finished flooring material has been gaining popularity due to the sleek, industrial aesthetic, the relatively low cost, the versatility, and ease of maintenance. A beautifully stained concrete floor can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your business, helping to make your customers feel welcome and comfortable in their surroundings.
Stained concrete floors are a budget-friendly and creative way to give your company’s appearance a uniquely beautiful and stylish boost. There are a variety of advantages to consider as you make your decision:
A Variety of Finishing Options for Concrete Floors
The options for staining concrete floors are almost limitless. Colours can be added to the concrete mixture itself or acid stains and paint can be applied to pre-existing concrete floors. This means that you can get the right color flooring to match your business’ decor and perhaps even your branding.
Coloured concrete can take on dozens of different shades, and the finished product can have subtle variations thanks to the aggregate materials in the mix.
Beautiful effects can be achieved as well. For instance, acid stains give concrete a marbled look without the hefty marble price tag.
Finally, latex or epoxy paints can be used to provide colour to concrete floors. A sealer to finish helps prevent chips, scratches and other damage.
Concrete Floors are Relatively Inexpensive
Since concrete can last for several decades and often does not require any additional replacement or repair costs, it is indeed one of the most affordable flooring solutions.
Concrete is Fairly Low Maintenance
One of the primary benefits of concrete floors is that they are easy to maintain. If you have a stained finish, however, there are a few important steps to keeping them clean:
- Dust and dirt can be particularly problematic for stained concrete floors. Consequently, it’s important to dust mop daily to remove debris and prevent scratches. With daily dust-mopping, you not only extend the life of your stained concrete floors but impress your customers with your tidiness as well!
- Regular mopping, ideally weekly, is also recommended. They must be mopped with a neutral pH cleaner so as to protect the protective seal. Corrosive cleaners that contain high levels of phosphates and pine oils, as well as ammonia and vinegar, should be avoided as they can destroy the sealant.
- Moisture should be avoided on concrete floors as water can seep into porous concrete and expand the material, potentially leading to cracks. Additionally, mold and mildew can form in concrete that has absorbed moisture.
- Treated concrete floors should have a protective seal applied at least once a year, depending on the rate of foot traffic. To maintain beautiful concrete floors, the seal should be re-applied every 3-9 months, particularly in heavily trafficked areas.
While the advantages of concrete floors are clear, there are a few disadvantages to consider as you make such an important flooring decision:
Installation of Concrete Floors is Quite Involved
Installation can be a lengthy and involved, not to mention messy, process. It can take days for the concrete to be poured and set. If you want to add colour, there will be even more time required. If a pigment is added to liquid concrete, mixing it in can be time-consuming.
If an acid stain or paint is applied, it can take several days for the process to be completed. Keep in mind that any time the floor needs to be resealed, downtime will be required for it to dry.
Concrete Can be Uncomfortable
Another drawback of concrete floors is that they can be uncomfortable. If your team is on their feet most of the day, or if customers are required to stand for any length of time, they might become uncomfortable due to the hard, inflexibility of concrete.
It’s also a material that does not retain heat, possibly impacting the temperature of your space.
Concrete Floors Might Need Polishing
While the maintenance of concrete floors is fairly easy, it can still be time-consuming. To ensure that your concrete continues to look like new, it may have to be polished every few years. This requires the surface of the floor to be lightly ground and then polished to reveal floors that look as great as the day they were installed. Quite an undertaking and best completed by a professional.
Fortunately, when it comes to choosing concrete floors, the pros outnumber the cons. They are a beautiful flooring option and can lend distinct impact and style to your business.
Looking for help keeping the floors of your business sparkling clean? We can help! Contact us to learn more about how we can help keep your concrete floors looking like new.