Many people have misconceptions about concrete, especially concrete-coated floors. Using concrete in walls is understandable, mainly because it gets painted over.
For floors, people have difficulty imagining the gray color and sandy texture of concrete as a design element.
However, it’s time to debunk all those myths about concrete floors, and help open your eyes about this incredible building material you may be missing out on.
Common Concrete Myths: True or False?
Concrete is Cheap
Not completely true. Concrete coating is cost-effective, not cheap. Think of it as more affordable. Concrete flooring has a lot to offer, including an authentic look and finish, durability, and reliability. Always hire a professional concrete installer to ensure it's done properly.
Concrete is Not Durable
False. Concrete is an incredibly durable building material. In most cases, it can withstand the tests of time, environmental damage, and other wear and tear as long as it’s maintained properly.
Concrete is also considered environmentally friendly since a concrete building can last hundreds of years. It comes in a variety of compressive strengths, ranging from 2500-10,000 PSI. However, concrete with higher compressive strength isn’t always the most durable; that is another myth.
Concrete Doesn’t Require Maintenance
False. If anyone thinks they can enjoy long-lasting, good-as-new floors years after installation without any maintenance, they are mistaken. Whether it's concrete or any other material, nothing is ever truly maintenance-free.
The amount of maintenance required depends on the area’s foot traffic, the quality of the flooring material, and how well it is installed. Concrete is not a high-maintenance material, but without regular cleaning and sweeping, it can lose its luster. If there is heavy traffic, peeling, scuff marks, and cracks can occur.
Concrete Doesn’t / Can’t Look Authentic
False. Concrete can be made to be completely unrecognizable as concrete, with minimal work. You can get the same look and feel of more expensive materials like granite and marble at half the cost by opting for high-quality concrete flooring. The bonus is that concrete is often more durable and reliable than those more expensive materials.
Concrete Coating Will Peel
This is both true and false. Depending on the type of concrete flooring you opt for, it might peel years down the line. For example, a good-quality epoxy coating might start peeling after 10 years or so without proper maintenance. Whereas, a low-quality coating might peel after only a few years. One of the many reasons it’s best to have concrete flooring installed by professionals using high-quality materials.
Concrete Coating Doesn’t Allow for Crack Repair
False. You can easily repair cracks in concrete flooring. Not only can you repair cracks, you can also strengthen the concrete by adding a layer of glossy protective coating, and freshen up your floor at the same time.
Concrete is Impermeable
False. It is actually very permeable. As a natural element, the structure of concrete is porous, even in its most dense state. It allows for water and other liquid and semi-liquid substances to pass through. In its most durable state, concrete is made as impermeable as possible.
Concrete is Not Water-Friendly
Continuing from the previous myth, this one is both true and untrue. While it is true that a lot of water might weaken the structure and durability of concrete; either in the concrete mixture, or in the environment, it is also true that during the process of setting and curing concrete, it requires a lot of water to become strong and hydrated. In fact, the more curing time it gets, the more durable it becomes.
All Concrete Coatings Look the Same
This is one of the more absurd concrete flooring myths floating around. To debunk this, you need only look at the vast variety of concrete coating options available and the differences between them.
The common gray concrete image that most people picture simply isn’t an accurate representation of the appearance of concrete; it can be so much more. Due to its porous nature, concrete can be mixed with other minerals and materials to create many colors, treated with acids to create different patterns, and coated with numerous products for different finishing options. You can even find it with varied strengths and longevity.
Concrete is the second most common building material used for flooring and though this article only debunks a handful of myths surrounding it, hopefully, you have gained a new appreciation for concrete and its versatility. Reach out to our commercial concrete installers today to get a free consultation on your project.