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THE TREND FOR POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORING IN THE KITCHEN
There was a time – believe it or not – that wall-to-wall carpeting in the kitchen was quite the thing! Since the bad old days of the 70s and 80s though the direction of travel has been towards more practical flooring solutions such as stone, tiles, or laminates. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that the polished concrete flooring kitchen became popular. Unlike many other passing trends, the DirectStone team believe this one will endure.
Polished concrete flooring has a natural beauty that’s hard to beat. It’s minimalist, stylish and elegant, and it will literally last a lifetime. Householders weary of ripping up tiles to install the ‘latest trend’ appreciate concrete kitchen floors for their understated style and longevity. Commercial kitchen managers looking for low maintenance, high quality kitchen flooring have embraced it as the solution they’ve been waiting for. All-in-all it’s got the thumbs-up from clients across the UK.
WHAT IS A POLISHED CONCRETE FLOOR?
Polished concrete flooring starts with a slab of industrial concrete. The DirectStone team grinds back the surface paste, using HTC Superfloor™ grinding machines, to reveal the organic aggregate patterning beneath. The revealed surface is strengthened with a densifier, and a sealant is applied to help with stain resistance. Then diamond pads are used to create the matte, satin, or gloss finish required.
ADVANTAGES OF A POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORING KITCHEN
Polished concrete flooring looks good in virtually any location, but there are a number of additional benefits attached to installing it in the kitchen:
Hygienic. A polished concrete kitchen floor doesn’t have grouting joints for bacteria or dirt to shelter in. Nor does it release any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, making it a safe choice for the health of the family.
Good-Looking. Often, it’s the elegance of gleaming polished concrete that sells it. Whether you want the organic stone hues that characterise this flooring, or you prefer a colour that matches your décor, this flooring will wow your visitors.
Easy-to-Clean. When we say ‘easy’, it’s really easy – which is what you want in a kitchen! The most important cleaning task is brushing your concrete flooring regularly to keep it grit-free. Apart from that, it simply needs wiping over with a mild detergent.
No Joints. Want to create a multi-use, open plan kitchen? Polished concrete gives you a seamless vista between dining spaces, prep areas and study zones. It’s also perfect for an inside/outside kitchen as polished concrete is also perfect for patios.
Underfloor Heating. Concrete is the ideal partner for underfloor heating. Thanks to its thermal mass, concrete heats up fast, and holds the heat well, even after the heating source is turned off.
AND THE DISADVANTAGES OF A CONCRETE KITCHEN FLOOR?
Every flooring type comes with its disadvantages, so these are the ‘cons’ of choosing a polished concrete kitchen:
A Job For Professionals. You’ll need a team of concrete flooring specialists to install a polished concrete floor.
Concrete is Cold Underfoot. Your concrete kitchen floor will be cold underfoot, but this can be remedied with underfloor heating which works well with concrete.
Concrete is a Hard Surface. If you drop plates or glasses on polished concrete they will most likely break.
Susceptible to Staining. Concrete is a porous material; a sealant is added to reduce staining, but we would still recommend that spills are dealt with immediately.
Concrete Can Chip. If heavy objects are dropped on a concrete floor this can cause it to chip.
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For more information on POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORING KITCHEN talk to DirectStone Ltd