Concrete has been a favorite choice for floors in basements, garages, sheds, barns and warehouses for many years. More recently they have gained in popularity as a flooring option for home interiors, as well. Concrete floors are strong, durable and low-maintenance, and there are many decorative options that make cement and concrete more versatile.
Types
The terms cement and concrete are often used interchangeably, but they are actually two different products. Cement is a powder made of limestone, calcium, silicon, iron, aluminum, gypsum, and other ingredients. When water is added to the powder, it becomes a paste and eventually hardens to very strong substance. Concrete is cement mixed with crushed rock, sand or other ingredients. It is also very strong and durable, and can also be very attractive and decorative.
History
Versions of cement were used by the ancient Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and other cultures as far back as 3000 B.C., and many great pieces of architecture that are still standing today were constructed of cement and concrete. In the 1700s, British engineers invented what became known as "Portland cement," a new recipe that incorporated clay and other ingredients. This mixture is still being used today.
Function
Concrete floors are appropriate anywhere you want a strong, durable, easily cleaned surface. They are ideal choices for garages, barns, warehouses, or other places that get a lot of heavy traffic. Modern technology and trained artisans can even make decorative concrete an attractive floor option inside the home.
Benefits
Concrete is naturally cold and can help keep a room cool in the summer. If you install concrete on an interior floor, geothermal coils can be placed inside the cement to help keep it toasty warm. Decorative concrete can be designed to mimic more expensive materials, such as marble, tile or stone. Concrete floors are easily maintained with regular sweeping and mopping. Concrete floors require occasional resealing or refinishing, but with care they should last a lifetime.
Misconceptions
You may think of concrete floors as cold and damp, but proper insulation and the installation of a moisture barrier makes them very inviting. They can become slippery when wet, but no more so than linoleum or marble, and traction can be improved by applying a finish or sealant with special non-slip additives. Concrete floors do not have to be plain, boring gray. There are many colors, patterns and styles of decorative concrete are available to accentuate your home decor and meet your flooring needs.
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