Concrete floors - love it or leave it?
Concrete floors tend to polarise opinion. Objectively they do have their perks - they aren’t susceptible to water damage like hardwood flooring is, they are a great choice for those who want underfloor heating and when polished, they can create a high end, elegant look. Others find them too clinical compared to the richness wood grain offers, or too industrial, detracting from the overall warmth of a house.
My love of industrial interiors makes me a fan, but I’m interested to know - concrete floors: love them or leave them? Was anyone opposed but swayed by their practicality?
Comments (22)
PROConscious Forms
4 years ago
PROmagmafirepits
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Painting a concrete floor
Comments (1)There's a huge selection, some need a primer, some you paint straight from the tin, others you have to mix both parts together For ease and amateur use I would suggest watco. Use the oil based one and you would need to apply 2 coat to bare concrete. 1 coat per day...if you can leave 24 hours in between coats with lots of ventilation then that would be ideal. Brewers is your best option if you want advice or to pick it up. There's also different versions such as gloss finish or non slip...See Morepolished concrete floor, what choices of colour and should I put glass
Comments (4)Hi There - have to say we love polished concrete - so much so we put it in our (kitchen) showroom and its been in situ for the last 7 years. Its so easy to keep and maintain. In terms of colour, we had no choice as we were polishing an existing concrete floor. I have attached a picture below - its a grey colour but there is a huge reflection off it so its by no means dark and also quite warm to the foot. best of luck with the project....See MoreOutdoor Polished Concrete Floor
Comments (7)Hello Heather, apologies for the delayed reply! Terrazzo UK is correct in that a non-slip polished matte finish is achievable with terrazzo. Terrazzo is a highly used flooring material - in supermarkets, hospitals, stations, etc - where slipping would be a big no-no. You can also add treads or corrugations to terrazzo (for example on stairs). If you'd prefer to talk this through with us then please give us a call on 020 7358 0160. In terms of laying terrazzo, there are a few options but the most common are laying tiles or pouring the mixture in situ (as you would with concrete). We have a number of white and grey terrazzo options in our standard range, which you can view here: http://www.diespeker.co.uk/terrazzo/ We also offer a bespoke service for terrazzo, so you can hand-pick everything from the colour of the concrete or resin, the thickness of the terrazzo, and the material of the chippings (this can be anything! Stone, shells, we've even had gold). Hope this is useful. Please feel free to ask any questions....See MoreConcrete kitchen floor and work surface
Comments (2)Conscious Forms is a small London based concrete specialist design and make studio established in 2004 by Concrete Artisan Junior Phipps. Junior and his team of master craftsmen collaborate with private clients; architects and designers to create bespoke cast in-situ, seamless polished concrete furniture and surfaces. Sealing and Maintenance With in-situ cast concrete there are 2 main types of surface seal, 1. Topical seal, a bit like a varnish on top of the concrete surface, a non-breathable finish. Advantage of the topical seal is that it is less prone to staining due to the acrylic or polyurethane barrier. Disadvantage of the topical seal is if you puncture the surface moisture/water can get underneath leaving white bubbly pockets resulting in the delaminating of the topical seal. Topical seals will also add a slight discolouration as the topical seal ages. Also vulnerable to acids like red wine, vinegar, lemon juice which may etch the seal leaving a slightly 'milky' patch, if not wiped up soon after spillage. 2. impregnating seal which soaks into the surface to seal the concrete top layers but allows concrete to breathe. If the concrete gets wet this type of seal allows the concrete to dry out naturally. Disadvantage of the impregnating seal is it is more vulnerable to acids like red wine, vinegar, lemon juice which may etch the surface leaving a slightly dull unsealed patch. Impregnating seal very slightly alters the final colour of the concrete finish. At Conscious Forms we recommend that Lithofin Cream Polish and/or Lithofin Easy Care be regularly applied to the worktop after being sealed with an impregnating sealer like Lithofin MN Stainstop or Lithofin MN Stainstop Plus. Concrete worktop should be cleaned with a damp cloth only or with mild soapy water (no bleach or aggressive chemicals, chlorine based cleaners are fine). Do not cut or place hot pans directly on the surface or you may damage the seal. The sealant is effective against most dirt and grease but acidic spillage’s and liquids will have to be wiped up as soon as possible to prevent staining. Stains can be reduced and removed and we can advise on this. Contact us to discuss the surface repair treatment or resurfacing of your polished concrete worktop. Best regards Junior...See More
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4 years agoGot to agree with radicalman - there are actually a lot of downsides to a concrete floor. Because they're so brittle and hard they are almost guaranteed to crack - they're also very cold and unforgiving underfoot. We offer a poured resin that is just 3-4mm thick and is so similar looking to concrete a lot of people can't tell the difference. Essentially we pour two pigments at the same time and blend them so you get the same finish/effect - but it's warm, smooth, soft (elastic) and really comfortable so you can walk around your home/kitchen etc. barefoot without worrying about it! Aesthetically though I love a polished concrete floor - such a great blank canvas for any style as it complements contemporary interiors and provides a really interesting contrast with more traditional styles! If you want a warmer finish (in a taupey grey or warmer pigment) that's also possible and stops it looking too industrial...
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