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Are Polished Concrete Floors Expensive?

Polished concrete floors are durable, attractive, and great for a wide range of applications. But how expensive are they compared to other types of flooring and do they deliver a similar level of value?

As you’ll find out, given the various benefits that polished concrete provides it compares very favourably in price to other similar floor materials. It also offers several advantages that make it a more cost-effective choice in the long run.

Polished Concrete Cost

The cost of polished concrete floors in Ireland can range anywhere from €60 – €130 per m2. The wide variation in price is due to a few different factors.

Size of the Area

The first is the size of the area. As with any other type of flooring, a larger area will result in a higher overall cost, but the more polished concrete you need for your project the less you’ll pay per m2.

Addition of Colour

Next is the addition of colour. While the plain industrial look has become quite popular in recent years, some people prefer to add colour to the floor to compliment the rest of the room or the furniture. While this can result in some truly beautiful floors, it will also mean the price per m2 will go up as additional materials will need to be used.

Type of Finish

Finally, the type of finish you choose will also affect the price. Essentially, this relates to the amount of grinding that will be required to achieve the finish you want. More grinding means more labour, which inevitably increases the cost per m2.

How Does the Cost Compare with Other Flooring Materials?

If you’re looking for hard floors you have a few different options in addition to polished concrete.

Hardwood floors cost €65 per m2 on average, but that price can increase depending on the quality of flooring you’re using and the size of the area you’re covering. Microcement is often seen as a cheaper alternative to polished concrete, but it still costs €90 per m2 on average. High-end stone tile floorings are another option, but they can cost well over €100 per m2.

As you can see depending on the job, polished concrete can end up being equal in price and sometimes even cheaper than other similar flooring materials. And this doesn’t take into account the longterm benefits that polished concrete provides that can actually make it more economical over time.

Polished Concrete Floor Benefits

Polished concrete floors offer more than just an attractive aesthetic. They’re also extremely practical and provide a number of benefits that make them a smart choice for a number of different projects.

Durability and Longevity

When it comes to durability and longevity, nothing can really beat polished concrete. While hardwood floors can deteriorate over time due to humidity and other environmental factors, and micro cement is known for cracking and chipping, polished concrete is virtually impenetrable and will far outlast other options.

Repairing Costs

Some types of flooring, such as carpet and hardwood floors, can also harbour mould, mildew, and other allergens. This can be detrimental to your house and lead to costly repairs. This is something you’ll never have to worry about with polished concrete.

Maintenance Costs

You’ll also want to factor in maintenance costs. Cheaper flooring options require frequent cleaning and can often stain easily. Even stone tile floors require waxing to keep them looking their best. Polished concrete floors do need a small bit of maintenance, with a buff and reseal every few years in high traffic areas.

When you consider these factors, polished concrete floors provide excellent value and may actually prove to be the cheaper option after a few years.