Flooring Series part 3

First just a reminder to enter my giveaway here.  It ends Sunday

Okay now for the flooring topic. Today we are talking about concrete flooring. I bet when you read this you thought of sidewalks or patios and went yuk! Who would do that inside? The truth is many people.
Concrete has become a new material of choice for designers and homeowners alike.
The look is such that you have probably already been on some beautiful floors and never even knew they were concrete.
Concrete is very durable and yet affordable. The hard surface can last a lifetime and withstand the daily traffic, spills, etc that come from family life. Concrete can be painted, glossed, stained, stamped, or etched to match any decor. Concrete can also be cut and textured to look like tile, yet concrete is much easier on the wallet compared to other flooring choices.
It is a wonderful option for people with allergies and is easy to maintain. concrete flooring is beneficial to the environment and a green building choice. Slow to heat up and cool down, stained concrete can reduce utility bills. Also, because they use the foundation already poured, they eliminate the need to cut down trees or use materials, like carpets, which consume large amounts of energy to manufacture.
Common questions people have are: 
Is it loud, is it cold, is it hard to clean?
Concrete floors can be loud and produce an echo effect, but no more so than ceramic tile, natural stone flooring, and some hardwood or bamboo floors.

Yes, concrete can be cold, but no more so than ceramic tile or natural stone flooring. You do have the option with concrete flooring to install radiant heating cables so you can keep the floors warm and control the temperature. While concrete floors are relatively easy to maintain,  they aren't completely maintenance free. How much maintenance your floor will need depends on the amount of traffic it receives and the type of finish you have chosen.

     The possibilities are endless when it comes to concrete 
flooring. From coloring the concrete to etching and stamping, the designs you can come up with are limited only by your imagination.

Extreme Concrete Designs near New York City, NY Surface Design Solutions in Atlanta, GA Chicago Concrete Solutions, Inc. in Chicago, IL photo courtesy of concrete network