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Hi ,
Most people are 'floored' when they see a decorative concrete floor, but they also tend to be skeptical about the practicality of concrete flooring. Many homeowners will ask: Beyond its aesthetic attributes, is concrete really a flooring material I can live with for the long term?
Like any flooring material, concrete does have some inherent drawbacks. However, many of them are easy to overcome, and in the end, the positives of concrete flooring far outweigh the negatives. To help you evaluate whether concrete floors are a good fit for your lifestyle and aesthetic tastes, we address six common questions, starting with "Are concrete floors cold and damp?"
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| Are Concrete Floors Cold & Damp? |
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The truth: Yes, concrete can be cold, but no more so than ceramic tile or natural stone flooring. And yes, concrete floors can transmit moisture vapor if they aren't insulated properly or if the slab is built on a poorly drained subbase.
The reality:
- Concrete doesn't have to be cold. Its thermal properties give it the ability to store and radiate heat. By embedding radiant heating cables in concrete floors, for example, you can keep floors toasty warm in the winter and you can control the temperature level.
- In properly constructed newer homes, today's building codes typically require installation of a vapor barrier under concrete slabs to block moisture migration and that feeling of dampness (see Choosing a Vapor Barrier).
- If the home is built to take advantage of solar radiation entering through windows, concrete floors will absorb the heat from the sun to keep rooms warmer in the winter.
- In summer and in hot climates, a cooler floor can be an advantage and can actually help lower air-conditioning costs.
Sincerely,
Jim Peterson
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