Like all flooring materials, concrete has many advantages that make installers and sellers more intrusive because they try to promote their product. In addition to the advantages, however, there are also a number of disadvantages that are particularly associated with the use of concrete tiles in specific locations. Therefore, it is important to understand the good and the bad sides of the concrete before deciding whether to brush the floors or to go to a certain place with bare or treated concrete.
One of the positive qualities of concrete tiles: durability
Durability: Concrete tiles are extremely durable and resilient and are able to withstand the pressure of very heavy equipment such as cars, trucks, forklifts and stacked boxes. That is why concrete is such a popular material for hard work in commercial areas such as garages and warehouses.
The durability also means that it is difficult to damage the material. High heels, furniture legs and animal claws will not scratch the surface. You also do not need to worry about the dropped instruments.
Although it is already possible to peel off or scratch a concrete surface, you usually have to work pretty hard to be successful.
Quality through innovation
Easy to maintain: keeping the concrete tiles clean will require only a minimum of maintenance. They must be sealed or waxed every 3-9 months, depending on the intensity of traffic, to keep the protective layer above the surface. You can use a neutral detergent to wipe the floor regularly. A blue pad can be used for particularly stubborn stains.
Environmentally friendly: In most cases, a concrete subfloor is already under another flooring material. That means that a concrete floor installation is actually just the uninstallation of everything that has been laid over it. Since no new material is produced, there is no carbon production or depletion of resources.
Environmentally conscious building
Versatile: As long as the concrete is smooth and free of holes, bumps and defects, you can top over any floor cover at a later date. This gives you a lot of creative freedom for the future. Please note that a underlay must be placed between the concrete and the new material.
Durable: A sealed and properly maintained concrete floor can last indefinitely. Even in commercial applications, it can survive for years under high traffic conditions. This saves money and at the same time trouble, to install a new flooring regularly.
Concrete tiles: the material of the modern age
Individual Design Options: When most people think of concrete tiles, they think of ugly gray utilitarian surfaces with sharp bumpy textures. However, the advances in modern concrete mixing and in the recruitment of this versatile material have allowed many designers to achieve an infinite variety of colors and texture effects.
In some cases, the stain is mixed directly into the concrete before the plate is placed. For already laid floors, you can either rub off the surface with an acid or use a suitable dye or dye. It is also possible to paint over the concrete with a waterproof latex paint.
The texture of the concrete can be smoothed during the installation process. Alternatively, decorative textures can be carved into the surface while it is still drying. You can also polish or etch the material to a smooth sheen to create an artificial tile effect.
THE DISADVANTAGES OF THE CONCRETE TILES
Hardness: The strength and durability of this material can also be a burden. The surface of a concrete floor is very hard. If you stumble and fall on it, you will probably hurt yourself. Thrown objects on these surfaces are also more likely to break or crack. Therefore, these floors are not recommended for areas frequented by children or the elderly.
Unpleasant: The hardness of the concrete also makes it uncomfortable for a long time to stand on it. The concrete does not give way, and if you are forced to stand on it for a long time, your feet will feel the rage of his stoic stony posture.