CONCRETE FLOORING Give a room the industrial edge

Do it

CONCRETE FLOORING

Sarah’s choice: CONCRETE FLOORING

Lusting after the modern industrial look of Sarah’s concrete flooring? Get the lowdown with our how-to guide…

Durable, easy to clean and heat-retaining, there’s a lot to love about concrete flooring in the home. Perfect for nailing the urban trend, it works best in modern spaces, but can also be mixed with vintage furniture for striking results.

What are the common concrete options? Solid concrete floors are made from poured concrete, in its natural colour or with added pigment, which is then polished and sealed to achieve a hard-wearing surface. Micro concrete/ cement goes on top of a solid concrete floor (usually existing) and is given a plastered finish that is built up in 1-3mm layers. Both processes are labour-intensive and costs vary, from as little as £80sq m if you attempt a DIY project, up to £500sq m for professional installation.

BEST FOR…

REFRESHING CONCRETE Even old concrete you may previously have carpeted over will benefit. Concrete Polishing can repair cracks and change the colour of your floor.

EASY ACCESS The Resin Floor Co specialises in MicroCrete, a hand-applied cementbased finish that’s less messy than poured concrete and requires no machinery –great for homes with restricted access. Added resin reduces cracks.

LOW STRESS At DirectStone a dedicated project manager will keep your installation project on track and help with aftercare. Ask for a no-obligation quote.

Does it crack? Left to its own devices, a solid concrete floor naturally shrinks as it dries and will crack. Cutting expansion cracks into the concrete will encourage shrinkage to follow in straight lines. They are then filled with an expandable, colour-matched sealant to make them less noticeable. Micro concrete includes flexible additives, so is less likely to crack.

Are there other issues? Installing any concrete-based flooring is not a fast process. Depending on the size and temperature of the room, plus the installation methods chosen, it can take seven to 10 days before the floor is usable. It also needs to be resealed or waxed every two or three years to keep it stain and water resistant.

‘ CONCRETE FLOORING –REAL OR REPLICA - IS CHIC YET UTILITARIAN WITH AN INDUSTRIAL CHARM THAT ’ LL STAND THE TEST OF TIME ’ Can I get a similar look? Check out concrete-look porcelain and ceramic tiles, which are available in really convincing designs. The larger the tile size, and fewer grout lines, the more credible the effect. Ditto luxury vinyl tiles –try Harvey Maria’s Organics range. If your room is 4m wide or less, rolled vinyl in a concrete design will offer joint-free flooring.

3 ofthe best CONCRETEEFFECT TILES

FINE LINES Rectified edges for barely-there grout gaps. District Light Grey porcelain, 80x40cm, £25.50sq m, Mandarin Stone

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON REAL LOOK Matt finish for extra authenticity. Peggy Grigio porcelain, 60x60cm, £34.96sq m, Original Style

IN AND OUT Multi-use, this can go from kitchen to patio. Tekno Grey porcelain, 60x30cm, £39.89sq m, Topps Tiles