Both new and renovated spaces need flooring that stands up against wear and tear. This is especially true for retail and workplace floors. But what’s the best investment for your space?
Concrete floors for commercial spaces are starting to show up more often today, and for good reason. These durable options often outperform conventional flooring while still providing a beautiful look and feel that makes a space welcoming. But are they always worth the investment?
Conventional or Concrete Floors for Commercial Spaces?
Flooring for commercial spaces will impact your budget. Conventional flooring options can provide a good look, as well as a reasonably durable solution for heavy traffic areas.
Laminate and vinyl flooring are the least expensive, but they don’t always provide the durability commercial spaces need. Hardwood and tile provide a better option for these spaces, but they can still show wear after a few years of use.
Compared to concrete, though, conventional flooring falls short in a few key areas.
Pros of Concrete Floors for Commercial Spaces
Choosing concrete floors for commercial spaces provides benefits that save money in the long run. Buildings with concrete floors see easier cleaning, less maintenance, and lots of options for the look of their flooring.
Low Maintenance
Concrete takes far less maintenance than almost any other flooring. It’s easy to clean and only needs resealing once every few years.
Versatile
Concrete can be polished, dyed, stained, and stamped to make dramatic looks possible, both for interior and exterior uses. Any color you could imagine is possible with decorative concrete techniques.
Relatively Inexpensive
Concrete flooring has a similar installation cost when compared to many conventional floor coverings. That cost depends on the finish chosen, but even on the higher end of that range, concrete outperforms almost every flooring option available.
Durable
Most flooring lasts anywhere from five to ten years, although the kind of traffic that commercial spaces experience could shorten that lifespan significantly. Concrete floors can last for decades, making them a much better investment.
Sustainable
If a slab has already been poured, it’s easy to finish it for decorative purposes. That means no additional materials and minimal carbon emissions to get a beautiful, long-lasting concrete floor.
Eco-Friendly
Both new and existing concrete is VOC-free. That means better air quality when you choose concrete floors for commercial spaces over carpets or synthetic products. Concrete also has a limited environmental impact since its lifespan decreases its overall carbon costs compared to the depletion of natural resources and the environmental costs of producing inorganic flooring materials.
Cons of Concrete Floors for Commercial Spaces
Despite a long list of positive qualities, concrete floors might not be the best choice for your commercial space. Depending on your needs, they may not provide the kind of comfort, safety, or utility a particular space needs.
Uncomfortable
Concrete is typically a hard, cold material. When temperatures start to drop, concrete slabs can pull heat out of the air. But with proper insulation under the slab, or the use of radiant heating lines within the concrete, it may actually provide a warmer and more stable surface than conventional flooring.
Slippery
Polished concrete tends to become slippery when it gets wet, so high-traffic areas that could also see water or snow on a regular basis may need additional floor coverings, like rugs, to help keep them safe.
Acoustic Issues
Concrete is a hard surface, so it tends to reflect sound. For open spaces, concrete floors could create echoes and increase noise levels. Retail spaces don’t typically see these issues, though, since shelving and clothing racks break up the sound reflections.
Why Concrete Floors Are Ideal for Commercial Spaces
If you want a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution, concrete floors are an excellent choice for your space. You’ll spend less time cleaning and maintaining the floors, and less money installing them in most cases. And they’ll make a statement that no other floor coverings can make.
Start your commercial concrete floor project with Brooks today and see the difference in your retail, office, or business space. We’ve been the Sioux Empire’s top decorative and commercial concrete company for decades, so you know you’re in good hands. Contact us today to get started!
