Types of Residential Polished Concrete Flooring
Talk of a concrete floor two decades ago would have brought to mind the raw, ridged slabs used for industrial flooring. 20 years on and concrete flooring can be found in kitchens, bathrooms, refurbishments, and patios. The vision of 21st century architects who saw potential in this industrial material, has now set a trend for elegantly stylish homes across the UK.
The growing popularity of polished concrete has encouraged a wealth of imaginative applications. At DirectStone, our polished concrete floor specialists are constantly asked about new and innovative ways to use this flexible flooring material. In this article, DirectStone explores a range of concrete flooring types we regularly supply.
Polished Concrete Patios
Many gardens and exteriors already have concrete slabs installed. Polished concrete patios have the potential to become a bridge between indoor and outdoor living, or an elegant feature for spring and summer dining. Concrete is perfect for outdoor use because of its strong, durable quality. DirectStone floor specialists polish external concrete using HTC Superfloor™ grinding machines. We then protect the surface by applying a weatherproof sealer.
Salt & Pepper Finish for Kitchens and Dining
Combined kitchen and dining areas call for a practical flooring finish that also provides a stylish foundation for social events. Concrete polished to a ‘gold’ or ‘salt and pepper’ sheen fits the bill for many of our clients. The surface paste of the concrete is ground away to reveal the sands and aggregates below. This unique patterning is then sealed and polished to achieve a high gloss finish.
Polished Concrete for Refurbishments
Twenty-first century design celebrates creative juxtaposition. Which is exactly what happens when you combine ancient oak rafters with contemporary polished concrete. DirectStone has installed a number of concrete floors in converted period barns recently. The high gloss elegance of the polished concrete, reflecting 16th century rafters is a truly stunning style statement.
Luxury Polished Concrete for Bathrooms
This is perhaps where our clients are at their most imaginative. Polished concrete is a luxurious choice for the bathroom – especially when twinned with underfloor heating. The surface can be stained to provide a colour that complements your chosen décor. The surface can also be enhanced with glass chips to provide a glittering shimmer when burning candles as accompaniment to a bath.
Polished Concrete Overlays
In the majority of cases, existing concrete floors can be polished to achieve a shimmering, light-refracting surface. Where this is not the case, due to flaws in the original concrete slab, polished concrete overlays provide an excellent, cost-effective solution. The concrete is ground back, and the overlay is poured and dried. It is then ground and polished to achieve the signature finish our clients love in their homes.
Microcement Flooring and Walls
Microcement uses innovative hybrid epoxy resin technology to achieve the same stunning finish that polished concrete flooring provides. Additionally, it’s available in all standard colours and can be matched to any RAL shade. The DirectStone team hand trowel microcement to achieve a variety of finishes such as two-tone, smooth, float finish or medium.
Laid at a thickness of just 3mm, microcement is the ideal solution for renovations with a tight deadline, or residential refurbishment.
Low Maintenance Polished Concrete
It’s the look of polished concrete that is attracting so much attention at present, but it also has a supremely practical pedigree. Office, retail and commercial designers have been using this kind of flooring for a while now. For them, the choice is based on an attractive flooring finish, which also lasts a lifetime, and is easy to maintain.
All the concrete flooring types described here require 3 simple steps to maintain them:
- Regular sweeping to keep dust and grit from accumulating on the surface.
- Regular washing with soapy water.
- Periodic professional sealant replacement.
DirectStone’s concrete flooring is strengthened and sealed to protect the surface against staining and spillages. Over 3-5 years, dependent on usage, the sealant starts to wear. It’s a simple job for concrete floor specialists to strip back the old sealant and replace it with a new finish.
Want to know more about the concrete flooring types DirectStone can install? Call our concrete floor specialist today on 01525 20863920 to get inspired.
