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Because material costs for polished concrete floors are six to eight times lower than that of high quality hardwood floors, polished concrete is significantly less expensive than wood in new residential construction.
Are polished concrete floors cheaper than floorboards?
Polished concrete floors are long-lasting and low maintenance. Timber floorboards, on the other hand, will nearly always be more expensive than polished concrete to install and will cost more to maintain in the long run.
Are concrete floors cheaper than wood?
Yes, concrete floors are generally more affordable than hardwood floors. Generally, a concrete floor costs between $2 and $15 per square foot, while hardwood floors cost between $12 and $20 per square foot, according to Floor Critics.
Is a polished concrete floor expensive?
If you want a low maintenance, stone-style appearance then polished concrete could be ideal. Polished concrete typically costs anything from £80 per m2 to £150 per m2. This puts it in the same bracket as high-end stone floorings. But you won’t have to worry about the cost of screeding the floor first.
Do polished concrete floors add value?
Getting concrete floor coatings or a decorative concrete overlay is not a luxury – it’s an investment that can pay off over time. Not only will the investment improve your enjoyment of the home and reduce your maintenance, but it will also improve the value of your home.
What are the disadvantages of polished concrete floors?
Generally speaking, the disadvantages of polished concrete floors are very few. They involve things like discoloration, stains that are deeply embedded in the concrete, or imprints made when the concrete slab was initially poured.
Are concrete floors bad for your health?
According to experts, concrete floor systems can cause everything from bunions and ingrown toenails to shin splints, lumbar strain, and achilles tendonitis. It can also lead to lower back pain, stress fractures, knee pain, and worsening of arthritis symptoms.
Do I need air bricks with a concrete floor?
If the suspended timber floor has been removed and replaced with a solid concrete floor, the void will also be filled in with concrete, so there’s nothing to ventilate. In this situation, the air bricks can either be blocked or replaced with regular bricks, but first check with a builder or surveyor before you do this.
Do polished concrete floors scratch easily?
Polished concrete flooring is extremely strong and resilient and is able to withstand the pressure from very heavy foot traffic and equipment. It is very difficult to damage and is nearly impossible to chip or scratch.
How deep does a concrete floor need to be?
As a rule of thumb, concrete slabs supporting lighter weights such as paths, patios and shed bases will need to be 75-100mm thick, while driveways and garages need to be at least 100mm thick. Slabs intended for commercial use should be at least 175mm thick and reinforced.
Can I polish my concrete floor yourself?
Polishing concrete is not an easy DIY project, since it requires heavy equipment and special diamond tooling. We recommend hiring a professional concrete polishing contractor to complete your project.
Can I polish my existing concrete floor?
Almost any structurally sound concrete floor, whether new or old, can be polished. Some retail and warehouses facilities that plan to polish their floors after placement may specify a floor that is as smooth as possible to minimise the polishing steps required.
How long does polished concrete last?
Polished Concrete Floor Lifespans With professional concrete installation, a proactive polished concrete floor maintenance plan, and occasional deep cleaning, a polished concrete flooring system can last 20 years or more with minimal hassle.
Is polished concrete cheaper?
Basic polished concrete is often less expensive than installing other flooring options. In addition to being cheaper initially to install, there is also a huge difference in long-term costs when it comes to maintenance and replacement.
How much does it cost to polish and seal concrete floors?
Most homeowners pay between $3 and $8 per square foot for residential polished concrete flooring. Costs are lower for sealing only or a single layer of polish and higher for intricate designs (up to $15 per square foot or more).
How much does it cost to do polished concrete?
Concrete polishing can cost from $50 – $100 per square metre, depending on the method used. To begin, basic polishing starts at an average cost of $50 per square metre for the grind and seal method. The honed polishing method is on average around $75 per square metre.
What are the disadvantages of concrete?
Disadvantages of Concrete Compared to other binding materials, the tensile strength of concrete is relatively low. Concrete is less ductile. The weight of compared is high compared to its strength. Concrete may contains soluble salts. Soluble salts cause efflorescence.
What are the advantages of a polished concrete floor?
Benefits of a Polished Concrete Floor An End to Dusting and Efflorescence. A Stain-Resistant Flooring Surface. Better Reflectivity and Ambient Light. Higher Levels of Slip Resistance. Cost-Effective Ongoing Maintenance. Generally VOC-Free and LEED Compliant. Improved Effectiveness of Old Floors.
Does polished concrete get slippery when wet?
Even when wet, polished concrete floors offer significantly higher slip resistance than linoleum tiles or engineered floor coatings. When installed properly, polished concrete floors significantly reduce slip and fall liabilities and insurance costs for business owners.
Why is it bad to stand on concrete?
Workplace safety is important so workers who stand and walk on hard concrete floors for long periods of time can end up with sore feet, swollen legs and knee and back pain. Over time, workers may suffer from chornic plain and workplace injury.
Is it bad to stand on concrete all day?
Health effects Hard concrete floors are about the worst possible surface to stand on for most or all of a work day. Two hours of standing on the job is not associated with problems, but a longer period is likely to have detrimental effects, according to a Swiss researcher.
Is polished concrete slippery?
While highly polished concrete looks great, the downside is that it can be slippery when wet. This means that while you’re free to choose the desired level of aggregate exposure for you outdoor surfaces, honed concrete for outdoor use can’t be highly polished and is only available in a matte finish.
Should air bricks be above or below damp course?
Air bricks may be located either above or below DPC level and where possible on all sides of the building. Ideally air bricks should be located at least 75 mm above hard and soft landscaped areas to reduce the risk of being obstructed or flooded (see diagram 1).
What happens if you cover air bricks?
If the air bricks are blocked or closed this will reduce the ventilation and the risk of serious rot and damp will be increased. Air bricks should never be blocked or closed and it is recommended that all air bricks are inspected and cleaned on an annual basis.
Why do old houses have air vents?
Moisture Control Static vents, positioned throughout older homes, controlled moisture. In some older homes, wall air vents helped remove moisture build-up between exterior and interior walls. This prevented mold from growing prior to the invention of sealants.
