Polished Concrete

Concrete and cement floors are becoming very popular in both the residential and commercial worlds. They are a hard wearing form of flooring, and it is easy to see why they are becoming ever so sought after. First up, we have the polished concrete floor. Cement is mixed with stones and water, and then poured. It is then “mechanically ground, honed and polished with bonded abrasives in order to cut a concrete floor’s surface. It is then refined with each cut in order to achieve a specified level of appearance.” – Wikipedia

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There are many pros to polished concrete, and here are just a few: When done correctly, it is very durable and can last for years to come. Other forms of flooring can easily be laid on top, such as carpeting, tiles or wood. It does well to fit into many design schemes. This type of floor is able to withstand low or high traffic. When done correctly, it is waterproof, and can go into any room in the house, including bathrooms.

Cement Screed

Before we dive into cement screed, we need to learn what it actually is. According to the Cement and Concrete Institute, screed is “A layer of well compacted material, commonly a mixture of cement and fine aggregate, that is applied to a base at the appropriate thickness and that has a surface suitable for receiving a floor finish.” In order to use cement screed as the final floor level, a top coat would need to be applied. This would help to make the floor anti-slip, and resistant to cracking or chipping.

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A positive about cement screed is that it can be made into various colours. This would be done by adding a pigment or dye. Once sealed, the screed would be water resistant, and perfect for bathrooms or kitchens. Along with polished concrete, an area rug can be added for softness, or to define areas.

Concrete-Look Tiles

Depending on your budget, concrete-look tiles might be the best option. They are still effective, and look very similar to cement, however price wise: these may be more affordable. Many different tiling shops stock cement look tiles, and vary in materials. It is important to look for a good quality, non-slip tile.

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Grouting can be chosen to match the tile colour, or to stand out. If you would like to know more about floor tiles, you can read more on our blog: here. These tiles come in various formats: large or small. They come in rectangles, squares, or even other funky shapes. These tiles can even be paired with other forms of flooring, as pictured in one of the images below. Therefore, the possibilities are endless.

Would you like your floors to stand out above the rest?

Contact us today for an enquiry and all your interior needs.

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Yours in design,

Kirsty Badenhorst Interiors

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( images sourced from Pinterest )