Comparative Installation & Maintenance Costs for Polished Concrete Floors
Decorative polished concrete floors offers a number of advantages that other flooring materials can’t match, particularly when it comes to durability, performance and sustainability. Here, we compare polished concrete floors with some of the alternatives.
| Flooring Types | Wall to Wall Carpet | Ceramic Tile | Vinyl / Linoleum | Wood or Laminate | Natural Stone - Slate or Marble | Polished Concrete |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available in a wide spectrum of design options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Unlimited |
| Longevity & performance | Poor | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ease of maintenance | Poor** | Good | Good*** | Good | Good*** | Excellent |
| Can radiate heat & store solar energy | No | No | No | No | Yes**** | Yes |
| Vulnerable to humidity & moisture damage | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Can harbor mold, mildew, dust mites & other allergens | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Is a sustainable flooring alternative | No | Yes | Maybe***** | Maybe | Yes | Yes |
| Average cost per square foot installed* | $3.38 - 6.61 | $11 - 22 | $2.64 - 5.64 | $8 - 10 | $20 - 50+ | $3 - 7 |
| Average life-cycle cost | High | Low | Intermediate | Intermediate | Low | Extremely Low |
As you can see, polished concrete floors offers a distinct advantage in lifetime costs when compared to other flooring types.
* Source: Old House Web (http://www.oldhouseweb.com/)
** Poor, needs frequent vacuuming; stains easily.
*** May need occasional waxing.
**** Depending on material.
***** Maybe, if using linoleum made from all natural materials.