Polished Concrete Floors Vs. Other Flooring

Polished Concrete

• Polished concrete is cheap to install, running only the cost for the polishing company's services or if you are doing it yourself, the rental costs of the machine. Polished concrete lasts much longer than other floor types. Concrete floors are easy to clean, requiring only water and a mop. The downsides with polished concrete are that it is hard, cold, will not absorb liquid and will not absorb sound. Additionally, any imperfections in the concrete will come through during the polishing.

Wood

• Whether you want hardwood or wood laminate, it is a large investment that requires much care. Wood flooring requires a substrate under the surface to add extra padding and absorption. If wood gets wet or flooded, it can warp, which will require replacement of pieces. Additionally, wood scratches easily; however, any scratches can be masked with a wood-colored crayon. On balance, wood flooring gives a room a warm, cozy feel and is less hard and cold than polished concrete. Additionally, imperfections are not an issue with wood flooring because you personally inspect and select each board.

Tile

• Marble, limestone and cultured tiles are all long lasting and very expensive. The installation takes time, requiring that each tile be carefully placed into quickly setting mortar and then grout placed between the pieces. As long as the grout is sealed, tile is stain resistant and will last much longer than any other form of flooring. Similar to concrete, tile is cold, hard and will not absorb sound.

Carpeting

• Carpeting is relatively inexpensive compared to other floorings. It does require a carpet pad underneath. Installation involves gluing the pad and carpet to the floor using carpet glue. Once installed, carpet can last anywhere from five to 10 years before it must be replaced. Carpet is soft, absorbs sound and will be warm in the winter.