When it comes time to choose a flooring solution for your home or business, polished concrete and tiles are two popular options to consider.
The first question for most people thinking about polished concrete flooring vs tiles costs is obviously the initial installation cost for both the materials and trade, but there are also costs associated with long-term maintenance factors to weigh up, so which one provides better overall value?
In this article, we’ll compare polished concrete vs tile costs and benefits so you can determine which flooring material suits your needs and budget.
Durability and Longevity
Floors a subject to countless footsteps, furniture, spills, first and mud, and general wear and tear. So it makes sense you’d want a durable flooring solution that is going to stand up to this environment without showing signs of premature aging.
One major advantage of polished concrete over tile is its superior durability, especially in high-traffic areas. Properly installed and maintained polished concrete can last for decades with little wear and tear.
The dense concrete surface holds up well to foot traffic, spills, chemicals, pets and scratches. Conversely, tiles are susceptible to cracking, chipping, and staining from impact over time. Heavy foot traffic in areas like entryways, hallways, and kitchens will show more wear on tile floors much sooner than polished concrete.
This translates to major long-term cost savings with polished concrete. However, tiles do have a lower initial installation cost than polished concrete, with polished concrete generally considered a more premium flooring option. However, you’ll save money on repair, replacement, and maintenance costs over the 30+ year lifespan of a polished concrete floor.
Concrete is extremely durable and retains its beauty for generations with minimal repair, while tiles often need replacing every 10-15 years on average. For busy, high-traffic spaces, polished concrete is by far the most cost-effective flooring solution in the long run.
Environmental Impact
When it comes to environmental friendliness, polished concrete is also the better choice compared to tiles. Tiles are often made using non-renewable raw materials and processes that release greenhouse gases into our atmosphere.
On the other hand, Polished concrete uses a sustainable material (concrete) poured on-site with minimal transportation and packaging waste. The polishing process does not involve using high temperatures and does not emit harmful chemicals. It is a green building material that leaves a minimal carbon footprint.
For homeowners and businesses concerned about reducing their environmental impact, polished concrete flooring seems to be the eco-friendly flooring option in this comparison.
Versatility
Another advantage of polished concrete over tiles is its incredible versatility. With polished concrete, you have a blank canvas to create one-of-a-kind designs and numerous finish options, from flake flooring to honed concrete and everything in-between.
With tiles, your design options are limited to set shapes, sizes, colours and patterns. You have far less control over the finished look and cannot truly customise a tile floor. Polished concrete opens up an entire world of creative design options for any style, while tile choice is vastly more restricted. This versatility makes polished concrete a smarter choice for owners who want a uniquely tailored floor that complements their individual vision.
Less Maintenance Required
When maintenance requirements are taken into account, polished concrete also has clear cost and time benefits over tiles. Properly sealed and maintained, polished concrete is incredibly low maintenance.
Simply sweep or vacuum regularly to keep it clean. An occasional damp mop is usually sufficient for general upkeep. There is generally no need to use heavy-duty cleaning equipment, chemicals or high temperatures.
Tile floors, on the other hand, require ongoing grout sealing and cleaning. Dirt readily gets trapped in the tiny pores and crevices of grout lines. This makes tiles much more time-consuming to properly clean and disinfect on a regular basis. Although, tiles do certainly have a cleaning advantage over carpet, but we’re not here to talk about that!
Making Your Choice
Whether you choose polished concrete or tiles ultimately comes down to your individual priorities and budget. While there may be an impression that tiles are initially cheaper, when considering costs associated with the lifetime of your flooring polished concrete provides much better long-term value and lower lifetime costs when factoring in durability, repairs/replacement and maintenance needs.
For busy, high-traffic spaces especially like warehouses, commercial properties, and family homes with kids and pets, polished concrete stands out as the smarter choice. You can feel confident that your investment will protect the environment and retain its beauty for decades to come.
Unique Concrete Solutions are the local polished concrete flooring experts in Newcastle, NSW. We can advise you on which type of polished concrete would best suit your taste, style, space and budget and install the highest quality finish possible for your home or business.
