Burnished concrete floors are gaining popularity amongst Perth homeowners who appreciate the unique blend of style, environmental benefits and durability they offer. This distinctive flooring choice reveals the natural beauty of concrete through a smooth, polished surface perfectly complementing modern, industrial and minimalist home designs. Adding a unique character to any space, burnished concrete floors provide elegance and low maintenance, easily withstanding heavy traffic.
Whether you’re planning a new build or giving your existing home a facelift, this comprehensive guide is your go-to resource to make an informed decision about burnished concrete. By the end of the article, you’ll understand the standout advantages of burnished floors, how they compare to other decorative concrete finishes and why this flooring option might be the perfect fit for your property.
What Are Burnished Concrete Floors?
Burnished concrete floors are a unique flooring solution highlighting the natural characteristics of concrete without the heavily processed look of polished floors. Burnishing is a surface finishing process where concrete is mechanically trowelled at a high speed to create a smooth, hardened surface. Application of a densifier enhances durability and stain resistance, resulting in a subtle sheen preserving the natural look of the concrete.
Unlike polished concrete floors, which require extensive grinding and polishing, burnishing focuses more on surface refinement, making it a more straightforward and often cost-effective solution. It’s important to note that white concrete surfaces do not work well for burnished finishes due to their composition and the way it reacts to the burnishing process.
Process Overview – Internal
Generally speaking for internal spaces, burnishing follows a two-stage process:
- Initial Burnishing: Once the slab is poured and set, it undergoes an initial burnishing phase to refine the surface and prepare it for sealing.
- Final Burnishing: After all interior construction work is complete, a second round of burnishing takes place to ensure a uniform, polished look.
This two-step approach ensures the desired sheen and durability are maintained, as construction activities can impact the surface between burnishes.
Process Overview – External
External burnishing can be achieved using a trowel—or in some cases—a grinding process. However, it is crucial to note some additional challenges are presented when burnishing external applications, particularly driveways. Vehicular traffic will gradually wear away the sealer on the surface, which can lead to variations in the finish over time. To maintain longevity, homeowners need to be aware of their increased resealing requirements.
Key Benefits of Burnished Concrete Floors
A popular choice for homeowners looking to combine style and functionality is burnished concrete floors, which offer a range of advantages. From lasting durability to a look that effortlessly suits modern and minimalist interior designs, burnished floors can enhance your home while remaining highly practical. Here’s some key benefits helping them stand out:
Durability
Burnished flooring is incredibly resilient, standing up well to high foot traffic, day-to-day use and heavy furniture. The hardening process using densifiers further strengthens the concrete, making it a great choice for rooms that see constant activity, such as kitchens, hallways and living rooms. The longevity of burnished concrete provides a dependable surface that can last for decades when cared for properly.
Outdoor applications of burnished concrete will require additional maintenance, as protective sealers can be worn down faster externally than in interior environments. This is generally due to vehicular traffic or environmental conditions.
Low Maintenance
For time poor homeowners, the low maintenance requirements of burnished concrete is a significant advantage. Routine cleaning typically requires sweeping or light mopping to keep its visual appeal. Since the surface is sealed in the burnishing process, it is resistant to allergens, dust and stains making it a particularly attractive option for households with pets or allergy sufferers.
While indoor floors require minimal upkeep, external burnished surfaces, particularly in high use areas, will require periodic resealing to maintain their integrity against abrasion and weather conditions.
Aesthetic Appeal
The minimalist elegance of burnished concrete finishes add a touch of sophistication to any space. Suited to a range of interior styles, it’s sleek, reflective surface works with everything from modern and industrial to transitional and rustic. Unlike traditional floor coverings, burnished concrete provides a neutral, yet impactful backdrop helping to make spaces feel more cohesive and open. Homeowners experimenting with décor will find burnished concrete flooring complements a range of various styles without detracting from the desired feel.
Choosing the right concrete mix is crucial to achieving the desired aesthetic. As noted white concrete does not produce a successful burnished finish, so alternative shades should be considered. If you’re unsure about the suitability of your concrete mix, ask your contractor for their professional opinion.
Eco-Friendliness
Selecting a burnished concrete floor is also an environmentally conscious decision. Since the process generally involves using an existing concrete slab, there’s no need for additional flooring materials, reducing resource consumption, and in turn, waste. The durability of burnished concrete lessens the need for replacement, contributing to long term sustainability. For environmentally-conscious homeowners, burnished concrete is a smart and stylish choice.
Comparing Burnished Concrete With Other Decorative Finishes
When considering concrete flooring for your home, it is essential to understand the options available to you and the differences between them. Each type of finish—from burnished to polished and honed—offers practical benefits and aesthetics, allowing you to tailor your selection to both stylistic and practical needs.
- Burnished Concrete: Offers a smooth, sealed finish to enhance the natural concrete surface. Ideal for homeowners who prefer minimalist, modern aesthetics with a softer sheen.
- Polished Concrete: Polished concrete is achieved through multiple stages of grinding and polishing the surface to reveal the aggregate in the concrete, achieving a smooth, high-gloss finish. Polished floors exude luxury and are often chosen for upscale homes and commercial spaces.
- Honed Concrete: Honing involves grinding the concrete to expose the aggregates in the mix, creating a matte finish with a slightly textured surface. A popular surface for outdoor areas, honed concrete is a durable, slip resistant finish suited to patios, pathways and pool surrounds.
Each of these finishes has its advantages and your specific design goals and functional requirements will inform your decision. If you’re tossing up between a few finishes, leverage your contractors professional opinion and expertise.
Considerations Before Choosing Burnished Concrete
Burnished concrete offers a range of benefits to homeowners who opt for it, but it’s essential to weigh up some practical factors to ensure it is a suitable fit for your home.
- Cost Factors: Burnishing an existing slab is often a cost-effective choice when compared to other decorative concrete finishes. However, costs can vary depending on the current condition of the concrete and the need for any additional treatments. Generally speaking, burnishing tends to be more affordable than polished concrete, but it may be more costly than other flooring materials like laminate or vinyl.
- Climate Suitability: Concrete floors can feel cool underfoot, which may not suit all climates or preferences. In colder climates, homeowners may want to incorporate rugs or underfloor heating to add warmth. Luckily, Perth’s Mediterranean climate with cool, rainy winters is suitable for internal concrete flooring.
- Room Selection: While burnished concrete is a highly versatile finish, it may be suited to some areas of the home more than others. High traffic areas benefit from its durability and low maintenance qualities, while bedrooms or children’s rooms may benefit from alternative, softer options.
These factors help homeowners make informed decisions based on their home’s unique requirements and design preferences.
Is Burnished Concrete Right For You? A Checklist
Are you considering burnished concrete for your home? The following checklist can help you decide if it’s the right finish to match your style and needs:
- Do you value low maintenance surfaces?
- Is durability a priority?
- Do you appreciate a modern, minimalist aesthetic?
- Are eco-friendly choices important to you?
- Are you prepared for a cooler feel underfoot?
If you answered “YES!” to most of these questions, burnished concrete might be the perfect fit for your property.
Conclusion
Selecting the right flooring is a significant decision influencing the look, feel and functionality of your home. Burnished concrete floors offer a seamless combination of durability, visual appeal and sustainability, positioning them as an excellent choice for a wide range of interior spaces. Their minimalist appeal and robust nature can help to transform any space, whether it’s a high traffic hallway, kitchen or a feature room. If you’re intrigued by the charm of burnished concrete and want to explore how it might fit your home, get in touch with the experts at Terrastone today. Our team is here to assist you in bringing your vision to life with industry-leading craftsmanship and expert advice.