Concrete flooring is no longer limited to industrial facilities, factories, or home improvement stores. When polished, concrete floors achieve a sleek, glass-like finish that is not only visually stunning but also remarkably resilient against wear and tear, including heavy foot traffic, high heels, and pet claws.
With its exceptional durability and stylish appearance, polished concrete could be an ideal flooring choice for your apartment complex.
Polishing concrete is key.
It’s essential to clarify that this blog post isn’t about basic concrete slabs. Instead, we’re focusing on polished concrete.
Have you ever been in a building or warehouse with an unpolished concrete floor? It accumulates dust, which not only makes the floor appear dirty but also contaminates everything around it. Polished concrete offers a significant improvement, creating a cleaner and more suitable surface for residential environments such as apartment homes.
Where does polished concrete flooring work well?
Polished concrete is an excellent flooring choice, but it may not be suitable for every area of your apartment community. Let’s examine where it would be the best flooring solution.
Patios
If you’re considering an upgrade for the basic concrete slabs that function as patios for your first-floor residents, polishing the concrete is an outstanding option.
Community Hallways
Apartment hallways endure significant wear and tear due to constant foot traffic from residents and the additional activity of tenants moving in and out.
Polished concrete flooring can withstand this regular foot traffic and perform far better than carpet, especially when dealing with wheeled equipment loaded with furniture and moving boxes.
Apartment Entryways and Dining Areas
If you’re already installing polished concrete flooring in the hallways of your apartment buildings, it might be worthwhile to consider extending it to certain areas within the apartments themselves.
For instance, entryways can be effectively designed with polished concrete. If the dining area is adjacent to the entryway, installing polished concrete there as well might be the most cost-effective choice. One of the advantages of polished concrete is its ease of cleaning, though it’s crucial to ensure that it is maintained regularly.
If you’re concerned about the weight of concrete in multi-story buildings, rest assured that as long as the building is designed with concrete flooring in mind, the structure will be able to support it.
What places should you avoid polished concrete?
Pool Decks
While polished concrete is generally non-slip when wet, which might make it seem suitable for pool decks, it presents several potential issues for swimmers and sunbathers. It can become extremely hot under sunlight, and tanning oils and sunscreen can make it dangerously slippery. Additionally, polished concrete does not have good chemical resistance, so its appearance could be compromised by pool water, which often has a pH level different from neutral.
Grilling Areas and Kitchens
Cooking grease can make polished concrete floors very slippery. Oils from your grill or stove will not only seep into the floor but also leave behind lingering odors. Stains from these oils are likely to persist on the surface.
Bathrooms
Even when polished, concrete floors can still absorb water and other liquids, leading to stains and lingering odors.
For areas such as bathrooms, pool decks, and kitchens, it’s advisable to choose a different type of specialty flooring that offers the durability and protection you need.
Design Ideas for Polished Concrete Floors
Forget the dull, grey concrete of the past—today, you have many exciting customization options. Here are several ways to make your concrete flooring truly unique:
Stains
Elevate your flooring by incorporating a rich, deep color that can completely transform a room. Opt for a sophisticated look with glossy black, navy blue, or purple. Alternatively, brighten up your space with lighter hues like white, yellow, or pale green.
Colors
Dyeing concrete is an excellent alternative when staining isn’t feasible for your concrete profile. By dyeing your floors in your chosen color, you can add an additional layer of style and sophistication.
Aggregate Seeding
This technique provides your polished floors with a multi-dimensional appearance. By incorporating flecks of various materials, you can design intricate and visually captivating patterns on your floors.
An Apartment Owner’s Dream Come True
As an apartment owner, your primary goal is to reduce maintenance expenses to enhance your return on investment. Flooring options like carpet or vinyl can cost over $10 per square foot for both purchase and installation. This expense can recur every 3 to 5 years, depending on factors such as the quality of the flooring and the amount of foot traffic. Imagine if you could eliminate the need for flooring replacement every five years.
The savings from avoiding floor removal and replacement every few years can be substantial—almost like a dream come true for apartment owners. Polished concrete flooring offers durability that can last for decades with minimal upkeep. When rejuvenation is needed, it’s both quick and cost-effective, especially when compared to the expense of replacing traditional flooring.
Customizable Concrete Floors for Any Apartment Setting
Decorative concrete flooring is an excellent option for any apartment setting. You can select from a wide range of customizable colors, textures, finishes, and designs to make your apartment complex stand out to visitors and potential tenants. A striking entryway or well-designed recreation center can effectively capture the interest of prospective renters and property buyers.
Select from a wide array of customizable colors and textures to achieve the perfect look for every area of your apartment or condo property. If you prefer a tile appearance, we can design almost any pattern by using score lines to differentiate colors and textures, providing a visual appeal tailored to your preferences.