skip to main content
Sign In
Join as a Pro
History of Houzz
  • PHOTOS
    KITCHEN & DINING
    • Kitchen
    • Modular Kitchen
    • Dining Room
    • Home Bar
    LIVING
    • Living Room
    • Home Theater
    • Home Office
    • Staircase
    BED & BATH
    • Bedroom
    • Nursery
    • Kid's Room
    • Bathroom
    OUTDOOR
    • Garden
    • Patio
    • Terrace & Balcony
    • Courtyard
    MORE ROOMS
    • Puja Room
    • Wardrobe
    • Exterior
    • Swimming Pool
    • View All
  • FIND PROFESSIONALS
    DESIGN & RENOVATION
    • Architects & Building Designers
    • Interior Designers & Decorators
    • Civil Engineers & Contractors
    • Design-Build Firms
    • Kitchen & Bath Designers
    • Landscape Architects & Contractors
    • Home Builders & Construction Companies
    • Photographers
    • Specialty Contractors
    HOME IMPROVEMENT
    • Furniture & Accessories
    • Flooring & Carpet
    • Tile, Stone & Countertop
    • Bedding & Bath
    View All Pros View All Services
  • STORIES
    LATEST FROM HOUZZ
    • Houzz Tours
    • Kitchen Guides
    • Bathroom Guides
    • Bedroom Guides
    • Decorating Guides
    • Outdoors
    • Architecture
    HOUZZ TV
    HOUZZ RESEARCH
  • ADVICE
    HOUZZ DISCUSSIONS
    • Design Dilemma
    • Before & After
    • Polls
    • Home Decorating
    • Kitchens
    • Living Rooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Dining Rooms
    • Exterior
    • Lighting
    • Paint
    • Building a Home
Architecture
Architecture
Women's Day Special: Celebrating Women in Indian Design & Architecture
Top Ideabooks
Women's Day Special: Celebrating Women in Indian Design & ArchitectureHyderabad Houzz: Allu Arjun's Home is Anything But Conventional5 Sloping Roofs Styles That are a Cut Above the Rest9 Architectural Elements of the Spanish Revival Style
Appears in
Recent Ideabooks
Decorating Guides
Decorating Guides
Natural Marble Tiles vs Marble Slabs: Which Is Better?
Top Ideabooks
Natural Marble Tiles vs Marble Slabs: Which Is Better?7 Super Clever & Gorgeous Custom-Made Storage IdeasHallway Floor Solutions: How to Stop Dirt & Mud in Their TracksHow to Detox Your Bedroom
Appears in
Recent Ideabooks
See also
Small SpacesDecorating IdeasFloorsFestival Guides
Floors
Floors
Natural Marble Tiles vs Marble Slabs: Which Is Better?
Top Ideabooks
Natural Marble Tiles vs Marble Slabs: Which Is Better?Hallway Floor Solutions: How to Stop Dirt & Mud in Their TracksPros & Cons of 5 Popular Kitchen Flooring MaterialsA Guide To Concrete Floors
Appears in
Decorating Guides

A Guide To Concrete Floors

Concrete floors have a raw and elegant beauty that can be surprisingly warm

Rebecca Gross
Rebecca Gross2 February 2021
Houzz Australia Contributor based in Sydney. Design historian, writer and researcher. I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York
More
Print
Embed
Facebook
Twitter
Email
The days of concrete floors being banished to the basement or sub-floor of a house are long gone. Today these floors offer a contemporary aesthetic that not only looks good but can contribute to the warmth of a house through thermal mass. Concrete is also durable, easy to care for and available in a range of textures, polishes and colours. This guide gives you the lowdown on concrete flooring.
bg architecture
What Is concrete flooring?
Concrete is a natural composite material made from an aggregate (rocks, river stones and granite chips) combined with a cement binder (such as limestone and calcium sulfate) and water. It is the most basic flooring material and generally forms the subfloor or base of a building that may be covered with wood or tile, or left exposed.

Concrete floors can be poured as part of a new build, or an existing floor can be stripped back to its concrete slab as part of a renovation. A series of treatments can then transform the slab into a smooth and decorative surface appropriate for flooring.

Browse through images of concrete flooring
Zugai Strudwick Architects
What to consider when choosing concrete flooring
  • For a new build, concrete is poured early on in construction so aggregate mix, colour, finishes and underfloor heating may need to be decided at this stage.
  • When it comes to stripping back a floor to reveal the concrete slab, keep in mind the original pour was not intended to be exposed. So while it will function as a flooring surface after the necessary treatment, it may have an inconsistent look – for example, areas of little to no aggregate next to areas with a lot of aggregate.
Andrew Simpson Architects
  • The level of polish will affect the overall aesthetic of the floor as well as the budget. A light polish or matte look is less expensive, gives a more natural look and doesn’t show many of the stones inside the substrate. In comparison, a heavy polish is more expensive and will expose the stones and provide a more colourful finish.
  • Other finishes can include stamping, dyeing, embossing, staining and more.

Find a top-rated architect from the Houzz directory to design your home
ArchiBlox
The pros of concrete flooring
  • Concrete floors can be a cost-efficient option, but the finishes, treatments and installation will influence the final cost.
  • An endless variety of colour and texture effects is possible. Colour can be mixed directly into the concrete before the pour, or existing floors can be stained, dyed or painted.
ReNew Design
  • Concrete is extremely tough and durable. While it is possible to chip or scratch a concrete surface, it is difficult to do so. Plus, it’s flood and fire-resistant and will last a lifetime and beyond when polished and maintained.
  • Concrete floors can work as a thermal mass when exposed to the sun, making a big difference in comfort and utility bills. It will absorb and store the heat of direct sunlight and slowly release it over the rest of the day and into the night.
Bourne Blue Architecture
The cons of concrete flooring
  • Concrete floors can look and feel cold without sun exposure, but a great rug can always help warm them up.
  • Concrete floors can injure people and damage objects if they hit the surface hard, so they’re not recommended for areas frequented by children or elderly people.
  • Concrete is susceptible to penetration by moisture if not properly sealed on both top and bottom surfaces, which can lead to the growth of mould or mildew.
Bower Architecture
  • Because concrete floors have no give, they can be hard on joints and other body parts – backs and feet especially. Rubber mats or cork cushioning in areas such as the kitchen, where lots of time is spent standing, can help reduce this, as can slippers or soft-soled shoes.
  • A lot of energy is used in the production of concrete flooring. However, this is offset by its ability to reduce future energy usage by acting as a thermal mass.
Altereco Design
Maintaining concrete flooring
  • Concrete floors are easy to look after – just sweep and mop with soapy water or a neutral cleaner.
  • Seal or wax the floors regularly in high-traffic areas to maintain the protective layer over its surface.
  • Re-polish floors as needed to maintain the desired gloss.
Mackenzie Pronk Architects
Variety of concrete floors
Polished concrete flooring is measured by grade and finish – the higher the grade, the larger the exposed aggregates, and the higher the finish, the shinier the polish. This structural concrete slab has selected aggregates and a natural oxide colour. It has been left exposed and polished to a level that makes the aggregates clearly visible.

Wondering which type of stones are ideal for Indian floors?
Architecture Matters Pty. Ltd.
Polished concrete flooring is ideal for high-traffic areas, such as hallways and kitchens. The shine on this floor is achieved by using a high-gloss polyurethane finish on top of the concrete slab.
Destination Living
The wide range of aggregates and colours available can easily change the look and feel of a room. This living space has white polished concrete floors that, matched with white walls and furniture, give a crisp, cool and glamorous look.
Sam Crawford Architects
In comparison, these polished concrete floors have a great sense of warmth, due to the colour added. It has a rich brown tone that works beautifully with the wooden beams and other decorative details. Colour can be added to the pour in the initial stages and can also be added later as water-based dyes or acids.
Jasmine McClelland Design
Another way to add warmth is to lay down a rug. It also helps to define spaces or the functions of different areas in a large open space. Of the concrete in this house, designer Jasmine McClelland says, “The balance of textures and colours in the aggregate of the polished concrete flooring were chosen deliberately to soften the effect of the concrete.”
Architects EAT
Burnishing is a type of finish that is applied to a new concrete pour before it is cured. A power trowel, or helicopter, is used to create a finish with a level of sheen, and the inconsistencies in colour are intended to be part of its appeal.
Indyk Architects
As concrete is suitable for both interior and exterior spaces, it can be used to create an indoor-outdoor look. This floor is natural concrete with no additive and a fine aggregate. “It is almost burnished by the helicopter finish after it has been poured and while it is still wet,” says Shelley Indyk of Indyk Architects.
One Small Room - OSR Interiors & Building Design
Holes and wear and tear on existing or covered-up concrete slabs can contribute to the final look of a room. This floor had been covered with tiles, and once they were pulled off and the grinding finished, the floor was pitted with holes. An amber-coloured resin product was used to fill those holes before polishing. It adds a real point of interest to the finished floor.
Cornerstone Architects
Aged concrete floors or previously covered concrete slabs may have cracks. These can be hidden under a rug or taken advantage of as part of the aesthetic.

Read more:
10 Unique Options for Your Floors

Tell us:
Do you have concrete flooring? Why did you choose this material? Share your photos and reasons in the Comments below.
Print
Embed
Facebook
Twitter
Email
See 41 comments
Explore Related Topics
ArchitectureDecorating GuidesFloors
Read Related Stories
Women's Day Special: Celebrating Women in Indian Design & ArchitectureWomen's Day Special: Celebrating Women in Indian Design & Architecture
By Rashmi Haralalka·0
Houzz Experts
Hyderabad Houzz: Allu Arjun's Home is Anything But ConventionalHyderabad Houzz: Allu Arjun's Home is Anything But Conventional
By Amanda Peters·34
Houzz Tours
5 Sloping Roofs Styles That are a Cut Above the Rest5 Sloping Roofs Styles That are a Cut Above the Rest
By Rebecca Gross·47
Architecture
9 Architectural Elements of the Spanish Revival Style9 Architectural Elements of the Spanish Revival Style
By Debbie Snider·32
Houzz Around the World
Inspiring Skylights, Glass Ceilings & Angled WindowsInspiring Skylights, Glass Ceilings & Angled Windows
By Kate Shaw·31
More Room Guides
7 Winning Ways to Integrate Wood Into a Building's Exterior7 Winning Ways to Integrate Wood Into a Building's Exterior
By Pooja Khanna Tyagi·2
Outdoors
Did You Know About the 3 Types of Balance in Design?Did You Know About the 3 Types of Balance in Design?
By Gabrielle Di Stefano·9
Decorating Guides
Do You Know About Flexible Floor Plans & Function-Fluid Spaces?Do You Know About Flexible Floor Plans & Function-Fluid Spaces?
By Rebecca Naughtin·6
More Room Guides
Striking & Unusual Modern Home ExteriorsStriking & Unusual Modern Home Exteriors
By Shristi Nangalia·3
Photo Books
Pros & Cons of Double-Glazed WindowsPros & Cons of Double-Glazed Windows
By Pooja Khanna Tyagi·1
Decorating Guides
Why Bamboo Is Emerging as One of the Preferred Building MaterialsWhy Bamboo Is Emerging as One of the Preferred Building Materials
By Pooja Khanna Tyagi·2
Architecture
14 Striking Ways Stacked Stone Can Make Gorgeous Walls14 Striking Ways Stacked Stone Can Make Gorgeous Walls
By Georgia Madden·5
Decorating Ideas
Colour Used As Architecture in Milan Flat Inspired by CorbusierColour Used As Architecture in Milan Flat Inspired by Corbusier
By Claudia Schiera·85
Houzz Tours
Iconic Architect: The Life & Works of Louis KahnIconic Architect: The Life & Works of Louis Kahn
By Cathy Rebecca·28
Architecture
Retrospective: The Unprecedented Architectural Contribution of IM KadriRetrospective: The Unprecedented Architectural Contribution of IM Kadri
By Meghna Mehta·8
Architecture
People who liked this story also liked
Women's Day Special: Celebrating Women in Indian Design & Architecture
Women's Day Special: Celebrating Women in Indian Design & ArchitectureFull Story
Hyderabad Houzz: Allu Arjun's Home is Anything But Conventional
Hyderabad Houzz: Allu Arjun's Home is Anything But ConventionalFull Story
5 Sloping Roofs Styles That are a Cut Above the Rest
5 Sloping Roofs Styles That are a Cut Above the RestFull Story
9 Architectural Elements of the Spanish Revival Style
9 Architectural Elements of the Spanish Revival StyleFull Story
Inspiring Skylights, Glass Ceilings & Angled Windows
Inspiring Skylights, Glass Ceilings & Angled WindowsFull Story
7 Winning Ways to Integrate Wood Into a Building's Exterior
7 Winning Ways to Integrate Wood Into a Building's ExteriorFull Story
Did You Know About the 3 Types of Balance in Design?
Did You Know About the 3 Types of Balance in Design?Full Story
Do You Know About Flexible Floor Plans & Function-Fluid Spaces?
Do You Know About Flexible Floor Plans & Function-Fluid Spaces?Full Story
Striking & Unusual Modern Home Exteriors
Striking & Unusual Modern Home ExteriorsFull Story
Pros & Cons of Double-Glazed Windows
Pros & Cons of Double-Glazed WindowsFull Story
  • India
  • ABOUT
  • MOBILE APPS
  • PROFESSIONALS
  • BUTTONS
  • FAQs
  • CAREERS
  • ADVERTISE
  • Terms & Privacy
  • © 2021 Houzz Inc.