Are concrete floors OK?
A sealed and properly maintained concrete floor can last indefinitely. Even in commercial applications, concrete can survive under high-traffic conditions for many decades. Over the long run, this can save you a considerable amount of money and effort over replacing flooring every few years.
Do concrete floors need to breathe?
There is no need for concrete to breath from the point of view of the strength of the material. There will be moisture retained from the original mix and it is possible some are confused about the chemistry of concrete and think it needs to dry, but the truth is the complete opposite of that.
What is the tolerance for a concrete floor?
Traditionally allowable tolerances of concrete floor slabs were determined by checking the slab surface with a 10 foot straightedge. Common tolerances were 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch in 10 feet.
What is the minimum thickness of a concrete floor?
A residential concrete floor should be around four inches thick. If you plan on your concrete floors handling heavy loads, five to six inches is more appropriate. With that said, the minimum thickness of concrete flooring is around two inches, although we wouldn’t recommend choosing to go that thin.
Do concrete floors crack?
If exposed to severe changes in temperature (as in a building without climate control) a concrete floor may crack as it expands. It may also crack due to the freeze-thaw cycle during the winter, but this is more often a problem for outdoor sidewalks and patios that are directly exposed to the elements.
Can you have a concrete bathroom floor?
Concrete flooring works well in bathrooms for the same reasons that ceramic tile is so ideal for the same space—it’s easy to clean and it can’t be damaged by water. Not surprisingly, the same drawbacks associated with ceramic tile also apply to concrete.
Does concrete floor create dust?
Concrete that wasn’t mixed properly is likely to suffer concrete dusting. This is often caused by too weak of a concrete mix. Not curing the concrete correctly will also cause dusting.
Can concrete make you sick?
Crystalline silica is found in materials such as concrete, masonry and rock. When these mate- rials are made into a fine dust and suspended in the air, breathing in these fine particles can produce lung damage. Silicosis can be totally disabling and may lead to death.
Are concrete floors dusty?
No matter how much the facility is cleaned, a small and thin, white layer of dust is always visible on your fingertips when touched. If so, you’re likely to have dust problems with your concrete floor, as this isn’t good, there are measures to stop this dust formation.
How thick does concrete need to be to not crack?
To prevent load-stress cracking, make sure a slab is built over a uniformly compacted, well-drained subgrade, and is thick enough to withstand the kind of use it will get. In residential concrete, 4 inches is the minimum thickness for walkways and patios.
Can concrete flooring be installed over wood?
A decorative concrete flooring material can be installed over an existing concrete slab, a plywood subfloor or a 3/4-inch solid hardwood flooring. When it comes to solid wood, both strip and plank flooring are acceptable as long as they are in good condition.
Does concrete protect against radiation?
Abstract. Concrete is a relatively cheap material and easy to be cast into variously shaped structures. Its good shielding properties against neutrons and gamma-rays, due to its intrinsic water content and relatively high-density, respectively, make it the most widely used material for radiation shielding also.
How long do concrete floors last?
A properly installed, sealed and maintained polished concrete floor can be expected to last a hundred years or more in even the harshest commercial environments. Its life-span will also far surpass that of other floor coverings, such as carpeting, vinyl tile and wood laminates.
Can you put concrete floors in a house?
It’s not just for sidewalks; concrete is a stylish choice for indoor floors. Its surface can be finished in various ways—with colors, stains, and aggregates—and given a textured surface or buffed until glassy. Concrete floors are extremely durable and easy to clean, and they resist water when properly sealed.
What flooring is best over concrete?
Best Flooring for Concrete Slab Foundation
- Engineered Wood. Natural hardwood flooring offers undeniable beauty and durability. …
- Vinyl. As a longstanding choice for kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl has a reputation for extreme water resistance. …
- Laminate. …
- Carpet. …
- Tile.
What can I cover my concrete floor with?
8 Cheap Options For Covering Concrete Floors
- Concrete paint.
- Concrete stain.
- Carpet or area rugs.
- Tiles.
- Linoleum.
- Bamboo flooring.
- Cork flooring.
- Concrete overlays.
How can I make my concrete floor more comfortable?
Tips to cozy up your concrete floors
- Radiant heat floors. One way to combat cold toes is by installing radiant heat flooring. …
- Add a rug. If you have existing concrete floors, you can cozy them up for the winter with a simple area rug. …
- Throw blankets. …
- Add natural light. …
- Decorative lights.
Can carpet be installed over concrete?
Carpeting over concrete floors can be a quick, affordable and smart way to warm up a cool room, reduce noise in your workplace and turn a bland and uninspiring space into somewhere warm and inviting. This task can be simple, but it does require planning, patience and the right tools.
How do you seal a concrete floor before carpeting?
Paint an epoxy waterproof sealant over your concrete base floor to lock in moisture. Both your underlayment and carpet will be damaged if you fail to do so. Any moisture that rises through your concrete floor and reaches your carpet will shorten its life considerably. Allow the sealant to dry and add a second coat.
How do you insulate a concrete floor under carpet?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The Ecotech floor foam insulation kit for insulating underneath carpets laminate wood and vinyl floors Ecotec floor foam is designed to reflect radiant.
