- Polished Concrete Information
- Polished Concrete Pictures
- What is Polished Concrete
- Polished Concrete Cost
- Design Ideas for Polished Concrete
- Polished Concrete Maintenance
- Common Questions about Polished Concrete
- Can All Concrete be Polished?
- Comparison Chart: Polished concrete versus other flooring materials
- What are Polished Overlays?
- Polishing Products and Equipment: An overview of basic equipment and supplies needed
- Related Information
- Information About: Concrete Floors
- Concrete Contractors: Find Concrete Polishing Products and Suppliers
- Design Ideas: Polished Concrete Info
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Polished Concrete vs. Tile, Wood and More
Compare the cost, maintenance and design options of polished concrete floors with other popular materialsDecorative 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 tile, hardwood and other flooring options.
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POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS VS. TILES
Polished Concrete Floor
Floriartisan LLC in Spokane Valley, WA
Tile Floor
pics721/Shutterstock.
Polished concrete is more durable than tile, easier to clean, and surprisingly affordable. You'll get a shiny, seamless floor uninterrupted by tile grout lines. If you're a skilled DIYer, you may be able to lay tile yourself, while polishing requires special equipment and training.
Related: Removing Tile from a Concrete Floor
POLISHED CONCRETE VS HARDWOOD
Polished Concrete Floor
VR Polished Concrete in Corpus Christi, TX
Hardwood Floor
Breadmaker/Shutterstock.
Polished concrete and hardwood both offer a high end look for floors. Polished concrete is especially suited to modern architectural styles, while hardwood can be used to achieve a traditional or rustic feel. When done right, polished concrete will last longer and be easier to maintain than hardwood floors.
FLOORING COMPARISON CHART
| Polished concrete | Tile | Wood or wood laminate | Carpet | Vinyl or linoleum | Natural stone (such as slate or marble) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Average cost per square foot installed Polished concrete cost |
$3 - 12 (for a 3,000-grit finish and the use of an impregnating sealer) | $11 - 22* | $8 - 10 | $3.38 - 6.61* | $2.64 - 5.64* | $20 - 50+ |
|
Average lifecycle cost |
Extremely Low | Low | Intermediate | High | Intermediate | Low |
|
Available in a wide spectrum of design options See Options with Polishing Concrete Floors |
Unlimited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
|
Longevity and performance Durability and Resource Conservation |
Excellent | Good | Good | Poor | Good | Excellent |
|
Ease of maintenance Maintaining the Shine |
Excellent | Good | Good | Poor (needs frequent vacuuming; stains easily) | Good (linoleum may need occasional waxing) | Good (linoleum may need occasional waxing) |
|
Can radiate heat and store solar energy Radiant Floor Heating Systems |
Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes, depending on the material |
| Vulnerable to humidity and moisture damage | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
|
Can harbor mold, mildew, dust mites and other allergens Easier Breathing |
No | No | Yes (mold and mildew, if the flooring becomes wet) | Yes | No | No |
|
Is a sustainable flooring alternative Project Profile: School Goes Green with Polished Concrete |
Yes | Yes | Maybe (if using linoleum made from all natural materials) | No | Maybe (if using linoleum made from all natural materials) | Yes |
Related: Concrete Polishing vs. Resurfacing
COMPARE FLOORING TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
Here is how polished concrete stacks up compared to other flooring materials like tile and hardwood:
- 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, mirror-like shine.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 neededat night. Concrete is also ideal for use with radiant floor heating.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cost 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.
- 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.
*Source: Old House Web
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