When considering flooring choices for new or existing buildings, polished concrete should be at the top of the list for many reasons, but sustainability should be one of the most compelling. 

In most cases, concrete is made from natural ingredients – water, sand, gravel and cement (please note: some types of cement are manufactured). When a concrete floor has reached the end of its useful life, it can be crushed and recycled into new aggregate for use in future projects. 

When compared to other popular flooring choices like vinyl or carpeting, concrete provides a much more sustainable option with a much smaller environmental footprint. Not only is it a more responsible choice from a sustainability standpoint, but polished concrete floors also require far less energy to clean and maintain over their lifespan. 

Also, it’s important to remember that in order to install a carpet, vinyl, resin, tile floor, etc., you would likely need to cover the existing concrete that could be refined and polished to create a dust free finished floor, with a product that will have a shorter lifespan and that will delaminate, crack, chip, damage and need replacing numerous times within the life of a polished concrete floor. Therefore, it’s worth rethinking it and considering polishing the concrete instead of covering it. 

Historically coatings and topping have been applied to protect the concrete, stop it from dusting and for aesthetic purposes. However, if the concrete is refined, polished and densified, not only does it no longer need protecting, but it won’t dust and can be aesthetically pleasing too. 

In facilities where sustainability is a key concern, investing in polished concrete floors is a no-brainer. 

Sustainability 

Polished concrete floors offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional options. By simply polishing the existing concrete material, you can create a beautiful, durable finish that significantly reduces the environmental footprint of the project. 

In addition to saving on natural resources, polished concrete floors also help to reduce pollution and costs associated with floor covering material manufacturing and delivery. As more developers look for ways to reduce their environmental impact, polished concrete floors are becoming an increasingly popular choice. 

Durability 

Polished concrete floors are extremely durable, but when the time eventually comes to give them a new lease on life with a re-polish, the process is much more eco-friendly than other options because there is very little waste involved. 

Non-toxicity 

Polished concrete floors improve indoor air quality by not harbouring dust mites and other allergens like other types of flooring material. In addition, polished concrete floors release no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. 

VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and can have short and long- term adverse health effects. When comparing the effects on indoor air quality, it is clear that concrete flooring is the superior choice. 

Energy efficiency 

Polished concrete flooring can help you save energy and money as this type of flooring retains heat and has light reflectivity. Concrete itself has a highly economical thermal mass and has capability to store large amounts of heat. Polished concrete will also store heat when exposed to direct sunlight, this is more noticeable in a south facing room. 

Due to the high light reflectivity from a polished concrete floor it is often found that there is a much lower LUX level requirement. This means that less lighting is required in the area. 

If you are looking for a flooring option that is durable, eco-friendly and looks great, polished concrete may be the perfect choice for you. TPS360 has years of experience installing all types of polished concrete floors, so you can trust us to get the job done right. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation. 

It doesn’t take as many lights to make a room that has polished concrete flooring bright. Polished concrete floors are energy efficient as they increase the amount of light reflecting throughout the room during the day, saving your money on your electricity bill. This works almost like a mirror because natural and fluorescent light is able to bounce off the surface, requiring less fluorescent light to be on throughout the day and night. 

You can also save on your energy bill, as concrete floors retain heat. In the winter, you can keep the building warm with less heat. You can click your thermometer down a few degrees, saving more energy and being more efficient. It also won’t get too hot in the summer, as these floors retain cool temperatures as well, allowing you to keep the air conditioning at a minimum.