In high-traffic locations, the use of an anti-slip conditioner or sealer with grit additive can improve slip-resistance.Ĭoncrete floors also offer “less need for re-coating or refinishing with conventional floor finishes, an attractive uniform appearance, and simple maintenance needs consisting of dust and damp mopping or auto-scrubbing with a pH neutral cleaner,” explains Rathey. In particular, polished concrete may give the appearance that its glossy surface will be slippery when wet, but tests have shown that because of its high coefficient of friction, these floors, if kept clean, are 20-50 percent more slip-resistant than the national standard for a low-slip floor. Rathey points to slip-resistance as another key advantage. It also helps prevent dirt and soils from penetrating the surface.” “Coated or finished concrete flooring makes it much easier to dust mop and wet mop. “Concrete is particularly susceptible to spots and stains, which can become extremely difficult to remove,” notes Hulin. Rough, porous surfaces without coatings or finishes can cause maintenance nightmares. The primary issue to stress with end users when it comes to concrete flooring is the texture of the surface. According to Hulin, concrete classifications include industrial, pigmented, stained, stamped, stenciled, exposed aggregate, coated/finished and polished. In the end, “concrete flooring is popular due to its lower short-term maintenance costs and long-term benefits,” says Rathey.Īlthough this is true, there is maintenance involved if end users want floors to look clean. There are also unpolished (unsealed), polished (sealed), and epoxy- and polyurethane-coated concrete floors, some of which have additional grit added to the surface for better traction. “The primary reason that concrete flooring is more popular today than it has been in the past is the ability to change its appearance and texture.”Īllen Rathey, director of Indoor Health Council, Nampa, Idaho, agrees, adding that newer color and design options are a driving factor for end users. “Most commercial buildings already have extensive concrete flooring, either as a substrate or an exposed surface,” says Stanley Hulin, president and CEO of Future Floor Technology, Inc., Gladstone, Oregon. As a flooring choice, concrete goes through cycles of popularity and is currently trending. In reality, a variety of sealants, stains, polishes, stamps, dye, and even stencils and paints can be used to “upscale” its appearance and align it aesthetically with almost any desired look or décor.ĭistributors can support end-users who have or are considering installing concrete flooring by sharing their expertise on the pros and cons of the material, as well as offering cleaning and maintenance programs tailored to each installation. Today's concrete flooring also defies the notion that its applications are limited because it will look industrial, dull, and gray. Concrete flooring offers several advantages to building owners who are considering their options - including durability, relatively low maintenance requirements, slip resistance, and resistance to water, fire, stain, bacteria, and odors.
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