Research Decorative Concrete
Interior Floors: Concrete Floors; Staining Concrete; Concrete Overlays; Basement Floors; Concrete Polishing; Concrete Dyes; Stenciling Interior Floors; Radiant Floor Heating; Garage Floor Coatings
Interior Concrete: Concrete Countertops; Concrete Fireplace Surrounds; Concrete Furniture; Sinks and Vessels
Outdoor Concrete: Concrete Patios; Stamped Concrete; Stained Concrete; Concrete Driveways; Concrete Pool Decks; Countertops & Kitchens; Outdoor Living; Concrete Walkways; Concrete Resurfacing; Colored Concrete; Pavers
Repair & Maintenance: Foundation Repair; Concrete Crack Repair; Foundation Waterproofing; Basement Wall Repair; Crack Repair in Floors & Slabs
Building with Concrete: Concrete Homes; Concrete Basements; Decorative Concrete; Pervious Concrete; Green Building
Local Concrete Sites: California; Florida; Illinois; New York; Ohio; Pennsylvania; Texas; Washington; View Other States

Polished Concrete versus Other Flooring Materials

By Anne Balogh, The Concrete Network

Decorative polished concrete offers a number of advantages that other flooring materials can't match, particularly when it comes to durability, performance and sustainability. Here, we compare polished concrete floors with some of the alternatives.

	Wall-to-wall carpet	Ceramic tile	Vinyl or linoleum	Wood or wood laminate	Natural stone (such as slate or marble)	Polished concrete
Available in a wide spectrum of design options In addition to adding color with dyes and integral pigments, you can use the polishing process to reveal colored aggregate and other decorative embedded objects. You also have a choice of sheen levels, from a subtle gloss to a brilliant, mirrorlike shine (see Polishing Concrete Floors).	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Unlimited
Longevity and performance Polishing produces an extremely dense, abrasion-resistant surface that will last a lifetime with proper care. Carpet, tile and even wood floors eventually need replacement, which uses up resources and creates disposal problems (see Durability and Resource Conservation).	Poor	Good	Good	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Ease of maintenance Not only are polished floors easy to clean, requiring only occasional damp mopping, they hold up well under heavy forklift and foot traffic. The glossy surface also eliminates the need for waxes or coatings while resisting stains (see Maintaining the Shine).	Poor (needs frequent vacuuming; stains easily)	Good	Good (linoleum may need occasional waxing)	Good	Good (linoleum may need occasional waxing)	Excellent
Can radiate heat and store solar energy Concrete flooring is often a central component of passive solar home designs, because the slab absorbs the heat of the sun during the day and releases the stored heat as needed at night. Concrete is also ideal for use with radiant floor heating systems.	No	No	No	No	Yes, depending on the material	Yes
Vulnerable to humidity and moisture damage	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Can harbor mold, mildew, dust mites and other allergens Concrete is a great alternative to carpeting for people who are allergic to animal dander and dust mites. Concrete also is an inorganic material and won't support the growth of toxic mold (see Easier Breathing).	Yes	No	No	Yes (mold and mildew, if the flooring becomes wet)	No	No
Is a sustainable flooring alternative In addition to using sustainable materials, polished concrete does not require the use hazardous chemicals, coatings, adhesives or cleaners. Another green advantage: Polished floors are highly reflective and can save energy by reducing artificial lighting requirements (see School Goes Green with Polished Concrete).	No	Yes	Maybe (if using linoleum made from all natural materials)	Maybe (if made from reclaimed or FSC-certified wood)	Yes	Yes
Average cost per square foot installed Depends on the level of finish, decorative options and complexity of the project. Polished concrete is an economical alternative for homeowners or businesses that can't afford marble or granite but want the same mirrorlike finish (see Concrete Polishing).	$3.38 - 6.61*	$11 - 22*	$2.64 - 5.64*	$8 - 10	$20 - 50+	$3 - 7 (for a 3,000-grit finish and the use of an impregnating sealer)
Average lifecycle cost With low maintenance costs, savings in energy costs, and a super-long lifespan, polished concrete is one of the least costly floors you can own over time	High	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Low	Extremely Low