It’s stylish, functional, modern, and it’s the look in almost every home design magazine: concrete kitchen floors. But is the industrial concrete look for you? Here are the pros and cons of concrete floors in the kitchen.
Pros
- There are a million design options for concrete floors
Don’t be fooled into thinking concrete floors can only look one way. In fact, many options such as concrete staining are available to you. Stains can be acid or water-based and either type gives a unique look that can be easily customized to your liking. So if you want a cheap alternative to stone floors or if you want a bright pop of color in your kitchen, it can all be done with concrete staining.
- It’s stain-resistant and easy to maintain
Loads of things happen in a kitchen and it’s generally quite a messy place. Tile is one option but the vulnerability to grout may be off-putting, in which case concrete may be a better choice. Once sealed, it is resistant to staining and easy to wipe down with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
- It’s cheaper than most kitchen flooring materials
Sticking to the budget is an important part of any home improvement project. When there are important appliances and beautiful cutlery to buy, the last thing you want to do is to blow the budget on an expensive tile. But just because concrete is cheaper does not mean it isn’t as good. In fact, it may be better: not only is it more cost-efficient, but it’s also durable, safe, and stylish.
Cons
- Concrete floors can’t be DIY
Installing concrete floors is difficult because there are so many steps to follow – mixing, pouring, drying, staining, and sealing. Because of this, you will either have to be very experienced to do it yourself or you’ll have to hire a professional to do the job. The upside of this is that you’ll know the job will be done perfectly and your floors will last longer.
- Concrete floors can be quite loud and echoey
Walking on concrete floors can be loud, akin to hardwood or tile so it’s not the best choice if that bothers you. Aside from this, sound reflects quite well on it so any talking will be echoed in an empty kitchen. This, however, can be counteracted by styling the kitchen with wall appliances that can muffle the echoes.
- It will eventually develop surface cracks and general wear and tear
Like all flooring materials, concrete will eventually show signs of age and use. The good thing is, concrete repair is more advanced than ever and unless the damage is extremely deep, it can be easily fixed and revamped to look brand-new.
