What is concrete?
Concrete is a type of flooring that is made of Portland cement or other cementious material, water, aggregate, and other admixtures. It is mixed to a sludge consistency then laid over a flooring surface and allowed to harden.
What are the benefits of concrete floors?
Concrete floors are available in a variety of colors, textures, patterns, and designs. They can be made to resemble stone, brick, tile, and many other surfaces. Concrete floors are relatively easy to maintain, are inexpensive compared to stone and some other flooring products, and are environmentally friendly. They are also extremely durable. When sealed properly, concrete flooring is resistant to moisture, bacteria and other allergens.
What are the disadvantages of concrete floors?
Concrete flooring can be difficult to self install and can need periodic resealing to maintain integrity. Concrete can feel cold or hot underfoot depending on the area's temperature, it's unforgiving on dropped objects, and transmits sound easily.
What is a concrete overlay?
A concrete overlay is a layer of cement that is applied over a concrete subfloor or another surface which is anywhere from ΒΌ" to 1" thick and is often self-leveling, creating a flat, even surface.
What is the average lifetime of a concrete floor?
Concrete flooring that has been properly installed and maintained can last a lifetime. However, the surface or finish layer will have a much shorter lifetime than the concrete itself and may need to be replaced.
What causes concrete to harden?
The compounds in the cementious material mix with water to slowly form a crystalline structure. This structure binds to the sand or stone in the mix and forms a hard mass. Over time, as long as moisture is present, this structure grows and hardens, often for many years at a decreasing pace.
