If you are wondering whether you should choose traditional flooring such as carpet, tiles, or vinyl or go for a decorative concrete floor, we've created this handy comparison article to help you guide you in your decision.
Few flooring options have the longevity and performance of concrete floors. Carpet, tiles, and wooden floors all have to eventually be replaced, which uses resources and creates disposal problems. In terms of longevity wall-to-wall carpet has the poorest performance and longevity, followed by tiles, vinyl, and wooden floors, which last considerably longer than carpet. From traditional flooring options, only natural stone such as slate and marble floors can compete with concrete floors.
Traditional flooring is very hard to be customized to your specific liking or interior design. That's of course if you are not spending a small fortune on a custom-made/designed carpet or handmade ceramic tiles. With concrete floors, you have an array of different decorative finishes and color you can choose from, without breaking the bank.
Concrete floors have the unmatched unique ability to absorb the heat from the sun during the day and release the stored heat during the night as needed. Except for some natural stone floors, no other traditional floor can do that. Because of this ability, concrete floors are ideal for in-floor radiant heating. By heating your concrete floors itself distribute the heat from the ground up, you can save energy and create a healthier, more comfortable living environment.
If you live in a humid region or have moisture or humidity issues in your property, traditional flooring such as carpet, wood, and vinyl can suffer a lot. Having a carpet in a damp room, will make the carpet absorb the extra moisture, which can result in mold growth. Poor quality wooden floors can deform when exposed to prolonged moisture, resulting in having to replace them, However, thanks to their non-porous surface decorative concrete floors, natural stone floors, and ceramic tiles can withstand damage from moisture.
Compared to traditional floors such as carpet and hardwood, concrete is a great alternative for people who are allergic to animal dander, dust mites, and other allergens. Concrete floors have a smooth non-porous surface, which prevents allergens from getting trapped in the floor. Instead, they just float on top of it, making it extremely easy to clean. Concrete also is an inorganic material and won't support the growth of toxic mold.
