Concrete is a popular option for flooring due to its durability and versatility. With the right colour, aggregate exposure, and finish, concrete can be customised to suit any home.

Modern homeowners are upgrading their properties with polished concrete alfrescos. These areas are comfortable and connect the inside and outside spaces of the house.

Honed Concrete

Honed concrete offers a sleek and sophisticated finish that is ideal for residential and commercial floors. It is durable and low-maintenance, and it can be sealed to protect against damage and stains. The process of honing uses a progression of finer grits to grind the concrete surface, which leaves it with a smooth and subtle sheen. It also offers good traction and is suitable for outdoor areas such as walkways, patios, driveways, and pool surrounds.

This type of flooring is also a cost-effective alternative to tiles, pavers, stamped or stencilled concrete and exposed aggregate surfaces. It is also easy to care for, and a simple sweep and mop will keep it looking its best.

Concrete floors concretersmandurah.com.au can be customised to suit any style or design preference. This option is available in a range of colours and can be enhanced with a wide variety of finishes. Concrete floors are hard-wearing and durable, allowing them to cope with heavy foot traffic and even the harshest weather conditions.

Polished Concrete

Concrete floors are durable, hardwearing and easy to maintain. They can be polished to a high sheen and can be coloured in many shades, allowing designers to create an appealing surface for any commercial space. They are also a good choice for homes with a contemporary aesthetic.

Polishing a floor is a mechanical process where the concrete is ground, honed and then polished using bonded diamonds (akin to sandpaper). The grit sequence used has to be precise in order to achieve the required level of clarity and durability.

The use of exposed concrete for flooring was influenced by modern aesthetic movements such as Brutalism and Modernism’s emphasis on “truth to materials”. This look is now gaining popularity in the commercial sector, as it offers the best ROI through superior ambient lighting, reduced maintenance costs and less wear and tear on equipment and vehicles. Moreover, it reduces energy costs by eliminating the need for coverings and coatings.

Concrete Slabs

Concrete slabs are a great option for a number of construction applications. They can be customised to meet the specific needs of your project, and are available in a variety of colours and finishes. They are also durable and low maintenance, and can withstand heavy loads.

They can be prefabricated in a factory, or built on site and lowered into place between steel or concrete beams. They can be post-stressed or unstressed. They are ideal for sites with reactive soils as they distribute the load evenly and reduce the floor height of a building.

To maintain the thermal mass of a concrete slab, it is important to avoid covering it with finishes that insulate. This will prevent the slab from absorbing heat and dispersing it throughout the house, as well as preventing natural ventilation from occurring. Instead, choose finishes that expose the concrete to allow heat to dissipate naturally. This will help you to reduce your embodied energy and carbon footprint, which in turn will lower the cost of living.

Concrete Tiles

Concrete tiles, also known as cement tiles or hydraulic tile flooring, are colorful handmade concrete tiling used as floor and wall claddings. They are made by hydraulically pressing sand, mineral pigments and cement over a dry concrete base. This process allows for a wider variety of textures that can resemble clay tile, brick and terra cotta.

This versatile material can be used as a substitute for many other types of tiling and is often cheaper. Its durability makes it resistant to wear and tear, and can be customised with a range of finishes. Additionally, it is an eco-friendly choice that avoids the use of non-renewable natural stones and noxious laminates.

With its Class A fire rating and resistance to insects and rot, concrete is ideal for many homes. It is also an excellent choice for harsh climates because it is not harmed by freeze-thaw cycles and can withstand high winds. It can even be treated to withstand the effects of salt water and erosion.