The use of concrete floors is increasingly common in modern office design, thanks to the booming industrial design trend.
Polished concrete is a durable option and easy to maintain, but has its downsides when it comes to acoustics and comfort.
Here’s a list of pros and cons, to help you be as informed as possible when considering concrete as part of your office design.
Pros
Durable
Concrete is the toughest of all the floor finishes.
Therefore, you don’t need to worry about wear and tear. Polished concrete flooring will essentially last forever if you take proper care of it.
This longevity is an enormous advantage when it comes to office design.
Versatile Design
Versatility in design is another benefit that concrete offers.
With dyes, paints and pigments, you can easily colour and pattern your surface. Once sealed or waxed, this decoration is safe from daily wear.
Minimal Maintenance
Concrete is extremely easy to clean.
As sealed concrete is waterproof, you won’t have to worry about stains – there’s no steam cleaning required, and it’s far easier to vacuum.
Eco-Friendly
Most of the time, the concrete slab is already in place.
Therefore, you won’t need to purchase new floor coverings such as laminate or carpet. The manufacturing process of these materials has an impact on the environment.
Through the use of concrete, that impact can be avoided.
Affordable
Office design should always take into consideration a client’s budget.
Concrete can be one of the most affordable flooring options for your office, due to the fact that no further materials are required. It’s simply a case of stain, polish and seal.
Cons
Cold
During winter, concrete flooring will become very cold.
However, this issue can be avoided by installing a radiant heat system in the concrete floor, and using rugs and carpets during the winter months.
Acoustics
Concrete deflects sound, making it carry further.
This can unfortunately make your office louder and cause distractions. Other floor finishes, such as carpet, absorb sound more effectively.
Safety
Safety must be a prime consideration when completing an office fit out.
The hardness of a concrete surface means there’s no ‘give’ in it. Items such as glass and ceramics are more likely to break upon falling onto concrete.
Spills also become more hazardous, as liquid will just sit on top of a concrete surface. The risk of slip and fall injuries is therefore higher than with other surfaces.
Uncomfortable
Office design must incorporate comfort.
It’s far more uncomfortable to walk and stand on concrete for extend periods, compared with carpet, or even floating wooden flooring.
The hardness of the surface means that more pressure is put on your feet and knees.
Moisture
This isn’t usually an issue as most concrete floors are polished and sealed correctly.
However, if the surface isn’t sealed and maintained properly, concrete is very susceptible to penetration by moisture. This can cause cracks and occasionally mould in your floor.