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HELLO SPRING

Concrete now a popular choice for residential flooring

raditionally, concrete flooring allow for concrete floors in foyers and is usually all that is required. Applying
has been used where utility, hallways to be stylish yet functional for a sealer or a coat of floor finish or wax
Tdurability, and low maintenance such high traffic areas. designed for concrete floors will make the
are more important than aesthetics, but “Designers and home-owners are floors more resistant to stains, chemical
because of the staggering design options increasingly using decorative concrete spillage and abrasion.
now available, concrete floors are also floors in residential foyers, for maximum For warmth, radiant heating cables can
increasingly adding beauty to residences, ‘first impressions’. Enhancements for foyer be embedded in concrete floors, or the
says Hanlie Turner, Business Development concrete floors include stencilled motifs, residence can be designed for maximum
Manager of Cement & Concrete SA. multi-colour tile-like patterns, and saw- sunlight window access, so the floors can
Turner says concrete offers both cut designs,” Turner adds. “Concrete radiate the absorbed heat long after sunset.
aesthetic and practical options for floors are also being used to create ‘fun “Concrete floors do not trap pet dander
flooring of key areas such as foyers, garages’ that double up as playrooms or that can trigger asthma attacks and
patios, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, youngster’s dens. allergies. Finally, concrete floors offer
and garages. Another benefit of concrete floors is benefits when a house is for sale: if the
“Concrete flooring is popular in affordability compared to vinyl or ceramic new owner wants to change the floors, it
kitchens because it is durable and easy to tiles or carpet. Even concrete floors with is simple to place carpet or wood on top
clean. It can be sealed against moisture more complex designs can hold their of the concrete slabs,” Turner concludes.
damage, and made impervious to staining own, price-wise, with marble, granite or dw
agents or food and drink spillage. In top-end wood. www.cemcon-sa.org.za
bathrooms, textured techniques can be The lifetime cost of concrete floors is
used to ensure slip-resistance. The various low because little maintenance is required.
surface finish and colour options available For upkeep, sweeping and damp mopping

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