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Considering Polished Concrete Flooring? Here’s Why It’s a Great Choice.
Finding the perfect flooring finish for your home or business can be tough. You’re weighing up the look, the maintenance, the durability, and the price – they all have their pros and cons! Many flooring types offer some advantages, but rarely all of them combined. Could there be one finish that comes remarkably close to ticking every box? We believe so. In this blog we offer 10 reasons to choose polished concrete flooring in order to prove this versatile, stylish option is your ideal solution.
DirectStone has 20 years’ experience installing polished concrete flooring in homes and businesses – old and new – and, along the way, we’ve learned what makes a truly great floor. The consistently excellent feedback we get from customers confirms our belief – polished concrete flooring isn’t just another option; it’s often the best option for style, durability, and ease of care. Take a look at the 10 reasons we’ve come up with.
1. Seamless Space -The Visuals of Polished Concrete
The first thing many people notice is the stunning visual appeal. Polished concrete flooring offers a unique, contemporary elegance unlike any other finish. Its clean lines and seamlessness – no grout lines – create an expansive, flowing feel, which lends itself to open-plan living or making smaller areas seem larger.
It works beautifully with almost any style or décor, whether you prefer a minimalist look, industrial chic or a more traditional interior, it offers sophisticated, unified flooring that lets your space breathe.
2. Choose Your Perfect Concrete Finish
One of the best things about polished concrete flooring is its versatility, which extends to the final finish. You’re not locked into a single style. We can tailor the surface to your exact preference, whether that’s a matte effect that minimises glare, or the subtly textured exposed aggregate (‘salt and pepper’) look revealing hints of the organic materials within the concrete. And of course, for that real showstopper effect, a brilliant high gloss polished concrete surface providing unmatched shine and reflections.
3. Long-Term Value – The Enduring Strength of Polished Concrete
Durability is where polished concrete really comes into its own, offering peace of mind for decades. Think about the upkeep of other flooring materials – tiles can crack and grout needs constant attention, while wood can scratch easily and may require sanding and resealing.
Polished concrete, though, is inherently strong and resilient. It stands up exceptionally well to daily wear, spills, and scrapes. Expect a minimum of 30 years of excellent performance with very minimal maintenance, far outlasting most other flooring choices.
4. No Dust, No Worries – Improving Air Quality
If you suffer from allergies or you have children who do, polished concrete offer you a dust-free option. The polishing process itself creates a dense, sealed surface that won’t shed dust like untreated concrete can. Plus, its hard, seamless finish means there are no fibres or grout lines to trap allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen.
Regular cleaning easily removes surface dust, improving indoor air quality and creating a healthier environment – this offers a major benefit for any home or workplace.
5. Keep It Simple: The Hands-Off Maintenance of Polished Concrete
We find that one of the things our customers really appreciate is just how little maintenance polished concrete flooring requires. It’s genuinely a ‘hands-off’ option compared to other flooring types. No need for special waxes, harsh chemical cleaners, or endless scrubbing of grout lines.
Because the surface is hardened and sealed during polishing, the risk of stains is reduced. Day-to-day, a simple sweep or dust mop is perfect, with occasional damp mopping using a pH-neutral cleaner for a deeper clean. Effortless upkeep, year after year.
6. Perfect Pairing – Heavenly Heat with Polished Concrete
Polished concrete and underfloor heating (UFH) are made for each other. The density of polished concrete gives it a thermal mass that readily absorbs heat from wet UFH pipes and acts like a gentle radiator, distributing warmth consistently across the room – forget those chilly patches!
Concrete holds onto this heat effectively too. Add in the benefit of solar gain, where the floor absorbs daytime sun and releases it later, and you have a flooring solution that actively contributes to a cosy, energy-smart home.
7. A Greener Choice – The Eco-Friendly Benefits
Polished concrete not only looks good, it also makes sense for the environment. Many of our installations work with the existing concrete slab, which significantly reduces waste and the need for new quarrying or manufacturing.
Plus, its durability means that concrete flooring requires far less frequent replacements compared to other flooring. And finally, the sealers and hardeners we use typically contain zero or very low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), promoting better indoor air quality and reducing harmful emissions during and after installation.
8. Looks Glossy But Feels Safe
We’re sometimes asked “Isn’t high gloss polished concrete slippery when it’s wet?” It’s easy to see why you might think that, but the reality might come as a surprise! The polishing process actually increases the floor’s surface friction compared to untreated concrete. When professionally installed by teams like DirectStone, polished concrete floors meet safety standards for slip resistance, even when wet.
9. Indoor-Outdoor Living with Concrete
Why not break down the barriers between inside and out? Use polished concrete that transitions from an indoor space to a patio beyond creating a sense of continuity. This is perfect with bi-fold doors or large windows leading out into the garden as it makes both areas feel larger and more connected.
10. Experience Matters – Achieving Quality with DirectStone
Realising the full potential of polished concrete – its beauty, durability, and seamless finish – needs genuine expertise. At DirectStone, we bring decades of experience to every project. This ensures attention to detail and a superior outcome that will stand the test of time.
For more information on 10 Reasons to Choose Polished Concrete Flooring talk to DirectStone Ltd