When it comes to durability and resilience, concrete floors are a game-changer. They can be easily mixed and set on the ground to create a smooth, solid, and strong surface. But, when it comes to aesthetic appeal, concrete floors leave much to be desired. Thankfully, there are plenty of flooring options for concrete surfaces that will help you transform any drab space into a beautiful, stunning, and functional area. With that being said, what kind of flooring can you put over concrete?
Here’s a list of flooring that you can put over concrete:
- Vinyl Flooring
- Carpet
- Laminate Flooring
- Engineered Wood Flooring
- Artificial Grass
- PVC Interlocking Tiles
- Bamboo Flooring
- Concrete Staining And Polishing
Each type of flooring listed above has its own unique attributes, feel, and appearance that make it a suitable candidate to put over concrete. Depending on your needs, you may lean toward one type of flooring over another.
This is why it’s important for you to consider factors such as location, natural elements, and appearances before making a choice.
Some of these floors offer more functionality, strength, durability, and resilience over appearance, while others offer elite comfort and an aesthetic appearance over strength and durability.
Choose which one works best for you.
Types Of Flooring To Use On Concrete Surfaces
Vinyl Flooring
One of my favorite types of flooring is vinyl because it offers supreme resilience and water resistance at an affordable price. It comes in two forms, namely, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and vinyl sheets.
Luxury vinyl tiles are considered more upmarket due to the wide variety of exquisite patterns and textures that can be installed as individual tiles.
Due to its shape and form, it’s a lot easier to install, alter, and repair, making it a popular flooring choice to put over concrete.
Vinyl sheets are more affordable than LVT and come in wide rolls that can be placed on the ground with ease.
They require a more hands-on approach for installation and often need to be reinforced to avoid movement when used on concrete surfaces.
Carpet
If you’re looking for comfortable, warming, and cozy flooring for concrete, you can’t go wrong with carpet. Not only does it offer supreme comfort, but it’s also known to reduce noise and offer cushioning that breaks falls and prevents injury.
Typically, you could have large carpet sheets installed onto the concrete floor or you could invest in carpet tiles, which are more practical and can be easily installed, changed, repaired, and mixed for a custom design.
The only issue with carpet is that it’s prone to staining and damage, especially when exposed to liquid. You’d have to choose a carpet that has the right padding with moisture-resistant properties to slow down damage caused by moisture.
If you’re planning on installing carpet on concrete surfaces that are uncovered, then it’s only a matter of time before it gets damaged, worn out, discolored, or infested with mold.
Laminate Flooring
Much like vinyl, laminate flooring is a wonderful kind of flooring you can put over concrete because it offers great durability, water resistance, and versatility at an affordable rate.
Laminate flooring is created with multiple layers of material that are topped with a photographic layer that mimics the appearance of different natural materials, such as wood, stone, and sand.
This type of flooring is quite easy to install since it comes with a click-and-lock system that can float above concrete surfaces.
If you’re looking for that natural wood or stone finish without investing a lot of money in actual hardwood or stone, this is the route to take.
Engineered Wood Flooring
I’m a huge fan of hardwood floors, but they’re really expensive. Until a few years ago, I assumed all wood floors were identical.
But, with experience in the game, I learned about engineered wood flooring and how it offers the same warmth and natural beauty of hardwood but is made from a specially engineered wood consisting of multiple layers of veneer that are fused together.
Due to the engineering process, this type of wood flooring offers more durability and resistance to moisture and temperature changes.
This can be helpful if you plan to use wood flooring over concrete in an environment with fluctuating temperatures and moisture levels.
Typically, engineered wood flooring can be installed using an adhesive or its click-and-lock facility.
Artificial Grass
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t find a concrete jungle attractive. Nature adds a touch of harmony and tranquility that is irreplaceable, especially in your home.
The issue with a garden or natural lawn is that it requires ongoing treatment and maintenance. The appearance will vary depending on the climate, and you have to invest money in keeping it healthy and trim.
All of this can be avoided if you opt for artificial grass.
Granted, it’s costly but it’s a wonderful way of adding a comfortable and natural floor over concrete without any upkeep. Fake grass is usually made through the combination of nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene, through the same method used to create carpets.
PVC Interlocking Tiles
Interlocking tiles are essentially tiles that lock together to create a floating floor that can be easily installed over surfaces.
They are not glued down to the main floor, making it easy for installation.
PVC is a type of plastic that is an abbreviation of polyvinyl chloride. PVC offers a great deal of durability and moisture resistance, making it ideal for most environments. It also boasts scratch and stain resistance, along with softness and warmth.
This is definitely the kind of flooring you can put over concrete, especially in gyms, garages, and outdoor spaces.
Bamboo Flooring
The reason I didn’t include bamboo in the engineered wood flooring category is that bamboo is actually not wood but a type of grass.
They are typically cheaper than hardwood floors but offer many of the same benefits.
If you’re looking to create a more harmonious, peaceful, bright, and Asian-inspired space, I would highly recommend placing bamboo over concrete.
Concrete Staining And Polishing
This isn’t necessarily a type of flooring to put over concrete, but it’s a technique that offers a more modern or industrial aesthetic to concrete.
There are various staining and polishing techniques that offer a wide range of patterns and colors to spruce up the appearance of concrete floors.
Through staining, you can change the color and style, and through polishing, you can alter the texture to make it appear more shiny, glossy, and reflective.
Can You Put Flooring Directly On Concrete?
Yes, you can put flooring directly on concrete if it is compatible and designed for easy installation. There are various forms of flooring that offer a click-and-lock mechanism that eliminates the need for an adhesive to be used during the installation process.
At the same time, it’s also important to remember that concrete floors may require additional treatment before they are placed directly on them.
Do I Need To Waterproof Concrete Floors Before Tiling?
Yes, you do need to waterproof concrete floors before tiling because concrete is porous in nature, which means it has the propensity and space to absorb liquid.
When moisture or liquid is absorbed, expansion may occur, resulting in cracks.
Then, there’s the possibility of mold setting in, which could discolor and stain the appearance of concrete floors.
In a lot of cases, experts recommend waterproofing concrete floors by using a top sealant that prevents moisture from seeping into the concrete and causing cracks to form.
Final Thoughts
That brings us to the end of this article on what kind of flooring you can put over concrete. All of the suggestions in this article offer attributes that are worth considering, and they are guaranteed to improve the appearance of a concrete floor.
Do you value appearance and comfort over durability and strength? If so, then you may be willing to use carpet or wood floors.
Conversely, if you’re looking for durability and strength, you may want to use vinyl, laminate, or engineered wood floors.
Lastly, consider your budget and then make the best decision for your home.
But, as I always say, the decision you make boils down to what you prefer. Make sure that you’re happy with the type of flooring you put over concrete above anything and everything else.
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