Stained Concrete Floors Pros and Cons List
Installing new floors can be both an exciting and taxing time for most people. Putting in a new floor can give your home the face lift it needs, can make replacement values when it comes time to sell change, and can give you a home a more pulled together look. When it comes to putting in a new floor one of the most commonly used options is the concrete floor (which can remain or be stained). It is not just for basements anymore, as many people are starting to put them in rooms that see a lot of use such as a kitchen or in a den.
What Are The Pros of Stained Concrete Flooring?
1. Great Durability
Concrete flooring is going to be the most durable material for flooring that you ever install. The durability of concrete once it has been poured and dried makes it one of the best materials for industrial places and garages but is also suitable for basements and cellars.
2. Not Easily Damaged
Other than a very heavy object (like a bowling ball) falling on it, concrete is not going be broken by anything other than a jackhammer. Typical things that would mar a wood floor (such as pushing heavy furniture) won’t have the same effect on concrete.
3. Inexpensive To Install
Concrete is not as expensive as many people think it is when installing it as a flooring material. Since it is a solid and basically irremovable surface, it allows for easy replacement and coverage with other materials such as carpeting or wood flooring if you get sick of the look without having to remove it (removal is optional).
4. Provides Added Home Insulin
Contrary to popular belief, concrete can help to better insulate your home, keeping it warm and cool as needed during the change of seasons. Basements that are floored with concrete tend to be cooler in the summer months while the concrete will conserve the heat of the sun during the winter.
5. Environmentally Friendly
Concrete flooring materials do not contain volatile organic compounds, making it more environmentally friendly and safer for your family during installation. Concrete, unlike carpets, are not susceptible to holding onto pests like dust mites.
6. Saves Trees
For those of you who are environmentalists, concrete requires no cutting down of trees for any of its components and it can be recycled time and time again.
7. Customize Yourself
Since concrete is a mixed material, you can include colors to the mix for a or stained floor.
What Are The Cons of Stained Concrete Flooring?
1. Susceptible to Moisture
If the floor is not poured and sealed correctly, your basement (or other room) may be susceptible to moisture buildup. This can cause mildew and mold, which can cause an environmental hazard in your home.
2. Can Cause Physical Damage
With the durability of concrete also comes the hardness. There is no give to concrete like there is to a carpet. If you fall, you may end up severely hurt, so always be careful when on concrete surfaces.
3. Frequent Long Term Maintenance
If your flooring is going to be in a highly used area, you should know that it should be or may need to be resealed every three to five years. While not expensive it can be hassle.
4. Not The Best Option for Open Areas
If used in an industrial setting, you may hear echoing from the noise of anything moving on it or simply walking on it. Concrete causes an amplification in sounds in large open area.
5. Can Be Messy to Install
While it is virtually simple to install, it should be done by a professional and expect a good amount of mess and clean up once the project is done. Resealing isn’t usually too messy to clean.
6. Can Be Stained Easily
Since concrete is porous, even if it’s finished and sanded and sealed, it can be susceptible to staining if something is spilled on it. If you wish to maintain your color, immediate cleanup is recommended.
7. Can’t Change Color Choices
If you chose a stained color, once you choose the color is almost impossible to change the color so be sure that it is one you will be happy with for a long time. Of course, if you aren’t happy and change your mind you can always put a carpet over it.
8. Toxic to Breath During Installation
While concrete is being installed, the dust from the compound mixture can be unhealthy if inhaled or ingested. It is best to wear eye, mouth and nose protection when handling concrete and concrete mixtures, as well as protective clothing.
9. Protective Gear is Required for Installation
When staining concrete, be sure that you are also wearing the same protective coverings as mentioned in the last point. Stain compounds can also go into the air and cause breathing and eye pain, so protective gear is highly recommended.
Are Stained Concrete Floors For You?
There are many benefits to installing a concrete floor, but you should also be aware of the setbacks that can come from installing this kind of flooring. It is important to understand both sides before you make this important decision. Once you make the decision to install concrete flooring, it is a hard choice to take back and to change down the road. You should know that concrete is not generally meant to go into the living part of your home other than a basement for reasons we will explain below.
When it comes time to put in your new floor, armed with this information, you can make a more informed decision about the stained concrete floor that you want to put in. Talking to a professional who has vast experience in concrete flooring can also give you more insight that we may have missed here.