concrete floors: the hot new homebuilding trend

​Concrete flooring has become one of the hottest new homebuilding trends, and it's easy to understand why!  Concrete is incredibly strong and durable, which is why it's used for streets and driveways.   Your floors are also a highway of sorts, and concrete flooring is the perfect solution to those numerous scratches and dents in your floor!  ​
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Besides the durability factor, it's also quite beautiful.  Simply add dyes or etching techniques to that boring grey color, and you've just turned your floor into a stunning masterpiece.

One objection most people might think of right away is the weight.  Concrete is heavy of course, but weight won't be a problem if you're putting new concrete floors on grade.  The only time you might run into issues is if you want to install concrete on a subfloor supported by joists.  In this case, you'll have to consult a structural engineer to find out if your floor can support that kind of weight.  Lightweight concrete is a possible solution.
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pros of concrete floors

• Low Maintenance, Little Upkeep: The same properties that make this flooring so durable also make it easy to care for.  Once your concrete floor is properly sealed, you can say goodbye to stains and dents from dirt, grit, and hard impacts.  A simple sweep and damp mopping will keep your concrete floor looking like new.
• Warm Feet!  Warm, comfy floors for the wintertime?  Sign me up!  New concrete floors have the option to add radiant heat (electrical cables or hot water tubes embedded in the concrete.)
• Endless Options: Modern techniques for finishing concrete have turned concrete from basic and dull to something fashionable and luxurious.  Surface treatments like acid stains, concrete stains and paint allow you to transform your floor into a wide range of earthy colors.  If you'd like a little texture, your floors can be stamped with rubber stencils as well.  With the right dyes or finishing agents, your concrete floor can be made to mimic ceramic tile, brick, natural stone, and even dirt!

cons of concrete floors

• It's Hard! Concrete floors are of course going to be hard, and some people might find that a bit uncomfortable.  A simple solution would be to make use of beautiful rugs throughout your home, both to make fashion statements and also to add a little softness!
• Moisture: In a below-grade basement, this could become a problem.  Moisture migrating up from beneath the slab could make the concrete too damp, causing damage to surface treatments like paint.  You  can help mitigate this problem by properly sealing the concrete, and fixing outside problem areas like leaky gutters and poor soil drainage.  Of course, a properly installed concrete floor from a reputable builder will already be installed with these considerations.
• Cracking: There is always the risk that even professionally installed concrete can become cracked over time.  This is caused by changes in temperature, moisture, and settling.  If this does happen though, the cracks can be easily disguised with colored cement paste and patching materials.

It's easy to see why concrete flooring has become such a huge trend!  The up-side to concrete floors is fantastic, while the cons can be avoided or fixed with minimal hassle and proper planning.  All-in-all, concrete floors are the perfect low-maintenance floor that come with the bonus of being incredibly beautiful as well.  If you're interested in installing beautiful concrete floors in your home, contact the professionals at Michael's Homes today for a free estimate!