Concrete Floor – A New Alternative to Parquet and Laminate

Thirty years ago, concrete floors were mainly used for rough finishing of rooms. Today, thanks to various technologies, concrete floors decorate hotel lobbies, office spaces, and even home interiors. It turns out that a concrete floor is not only gray and matte; now it can even be glossy! Let's find out how to get a high-quality and beautiful concrete coating. 

Technical Characteristics of Concrete Floors

To achieve a beautiful gray concrete floor, you need to know some technical details of the concrete laying process and the technical characteristics of the concrete floor itself. 

The main component of concrete is cement. Thanks to the proper ratio of components – cement, water, aggregate – the concrete gains strength properly.

The main indicator specified in the concrete passport is the compressive strength. It is denoted by the letter M – the grade strength (mark). The higher the concrete grade, the better the quality.

Also, the concrete class is indicated in the passport – B. The grade strength of a good concrete floor should be no less than M300 (B22.5) or (B25).

How to Maintain the Strength of Concrete Floors?

Cement gains strength when it reacts chemically with water, so it's essential not to let the water evaporate or freeze. For this purpose, concrete is covered with plastic sheeting or dusted with sawdust after laying. In hot weather, it is watered periodically for the first 7 days, ideally every 3–5 hours. In winter, tents are set up and the formwork and upper open part of the concrete are insulated.

To prevent cracking along and across the concrete, reinforcement is needed. No, it doesn’t have to be rusted or scary. Plastic reinforcement can be used, and it even comes in a pleasant mint color. For large pouring areas, deformation joints are required – they reduce stress at potential damage points.

Why Are Concrete Protectors Needed?

If concrete is not protected with sealers, it starts to dust. There are many types of sealers: acrylic sealers, epoxy lacquers, and gray one-component paints in the color of concrete.

Since concrete is a porous material, sealers also protect it from moisture, oil, and dirt. Remember that thin-layer paints and sealers begin to wear off after some time and require periodic renewal.

Glossy Concrete – What Is It?

A concrete floor can be polished and will shine. Such a floor withstands heavy pedestrian loads, is easily cleaned with a cleaning machine. Its wear resistance is 10 times lower than that of regular concrete floors, even when protected with sealers. It doesn't dust or slip, even if it gets wet.

How to Achieve a Glossy Effect?

The grade strength of concrete for glossy floors should not be less than M300. Ideally, use M400 or M500. To polish the concrete, special polishing machines with abrasive attachments are used. First, the concrete is sanded and the top dusty layer is removed. At this stage, you can add coarse marble chips to achieve a granite tile effect. 

Then the polishing process begins: the pores of the concrete close, and a dense glossy surface is formed. Such a floor resists moisture, oil, and dirt. If you want to achieve a wet floor effect or enhance the gloss, use special sealers and waxes.

Advantages of Concrete Floors

1. Strength and Durability. 

2. Eco-friendliness and Hygiene. A concrete floor is made of natural components, and during the concrete pouring process, it's not necessary to wear respirators or gloves. The dense structure of concrete prevents microbes and bacteria from penetrating inside. Moreover, a concrete floor does not electrostatically charge or attract dust like laminate. 

3. Concrete floors do not swell from water, they are resistant to chemicals. 

4. They are easy to clean and vacuum. 

Text: Olga Sharonina