Exploring Residential Cement Floors

By Amanda Lutz Updated April 30, 2024

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If you need help choosing a flooring material for your home, consider a cement floor. This type of flooring is growing in popularity for its low maintenance, durability, and unique aesthetic appeal. In this guide, we’ll review the benefits and drawbacks of residential cement floors, the costs associated with installation, and the maintenance requirements associated with this type of flooring to help you decide if it’s the best flooring option for your home.

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Overview of Residential Cement Floors

Residential cement floors, also referred to as concrete floors, are highly durable floors that are easy to clean and provide a sleek, modern appearance. Unlike many other flooring types, cement floors are fire-resistant and can repel stains, water, and bacteria with proper sealing.

Cement is the main substance found in concrete, so you’ll often hear these two words used interchangeably. For this article, we’ll use the term “cement” when referring to this type of flooring.

In addition to their durability, cement floors offer various design opportunities for homeowners who prefer stylish surfaces. Here are a few rooms that typically have cement floors:

• Basement
• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• Driveway
• Garage
• Kitchen
• Laundry room

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Benefits and Drawbacks of Residential Cement Floors

Cement floors, which used to be popular only in commercial spaces, are now trending in residential buildings. Like any other floor material, cement has advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits

From aesthetic appeal to low maintenance requirements, here are the main benefits of cement floors:

• Aesthetic: While cement floors are often associated with industrial settings, they offer design versatility in residential spaces, from sleek and modern to rustic and natural styles.
• Cost-effective: Cement floors are generally more affordable than other flooring options, such as hardwood or tile. Their long life span, coupled with minimal maintenance requirements, contributes to their overall cost-effectiveness.
• Durable: Cement floors can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing signs of wear and tear. They’re ideal for high-traffic areas, such as living rooms and hallways.
• Low maintenance: One of the major advantages of cement floors is their low maintenance. You can clean these floors with a mop and mild detergent. Additionally, you can seal the floor during installation to keep the surface strong and prevent staining.

Drawbacks

While residential cement floors have many advantages, they also come with a few drawbacks.

• Hard, slippery surface: Cement is a rigid material that may not offer the same degree of comfort as laminate or hardwood floors. Their impressive durability results in a hard surface, which may not be ideal for families with small children. These floors can also become slippery when wet.
• Limited insulation: Cement floors can feel cold underfoot, which can be problematic in colder climates. However, cement can absorb heat and release it slowly. By allowing natural light to heat your bedroom or kitchen floor, you can avoid cold floors in the winter. An alternative solution to warming your cement floor is to install a floor heating system.
• Susceptible to cracking: While highly durable, cement is susceptible to cracking. This may happen if you don’t prepare the subfloor properly or subject the floor to significant temperature fluctuations. High-quality installation is key to crack-proofing your floor.

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Cost of Residential Cement Floors

The average cost of a cement floor is $4,500*, but the total cost of your project can range from $1,000 to $8,000. Here are a few factors that can affect the cost of your residential cement floor:

• Complexity of the design: Simple, plain finishes are usually less expensive, ranging between $2 and $6 per square foot. Adding intricate patterns, textures, or decorative elements can cost you up to $15 per square foot.
• Finishing options: Finishing options, such as staining, polishing, or decorative overlays, can impact the cost of your cement floor installation. On average, stained concrete costs $2 to $10 per square foot while painted and sealed concrete costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot.
• Labor costs: Labor costs can vary depending on the contractor’s experience and overhead expenses.
• Location: Local labor rates, availability of materials, and transportation costs vary from one region to another.
• Preparation work: Before installing cement floors, you may need to remove existing flooring and repair the subfloor. These tasks can add to the total cost of installation. For example, removing tile costs around $2 to $7 per square foot and ripping up carpet costs around $1 to $5 per square foot.
• Size of the room: Larger areas require more materials and labor, making the overall cost higher.

The cost of installing cement floors can also differ depending on the project type. Installing a new concrete slab can cost you around $6 per square foot, while resurfacing an existing cement floor can cost $3 to $5 per square foot.

*All cost data via Angi.

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Design Possibilities with Residential Cement Floors

Cement floors offer a variety of design possibilities due to the material’s versatility. Here are a few examples of residential cement floor design options:

• Decorative overlays: Decorative concrete overlays involve applying a thin layer of specialized material onto the existing surface to create a new look. These overlays can mimic the appearance of stone, tile, or wood.
• Polishing: Polished concrete floors have a glossy and smooth finish. The process involves grinding and polishing the cement with specialized equipment, resulting in a reflective surface that enhances the aesthetic appeal of the floor and increases its durability.
• Staining: Cement is highly absorbent. You can stain the surface in any color you prefer. When treated with mild acid, cement gains a marble-like appearance.
• Stamping: With specialized stamps and molds, cement can be textured to resemble various materials. While it’s still wet, you can make your cement surface look like stone or wood flooring.

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Installation of Residential Cement Floors

Cement floor installation is rarely a do-it-yourself (DIY) project since it requires experience and special tools. Here’s a high-level overview of an installation from start to finish:

1. Surface preparation: Proper preparation is the most important part of a successful cement floor installation, as the prep quality determines the longevity and durability of the surface. To prepare, remove the existing floor materials, and check the subfloor for damage. Repair any floor damage, and remove all debris and contaminants.
2. Priming: Once the subfloor is clean and dry, apply a primer to create a strong bond between the cement and the substrate. The primer can also seal the underlying surface and prevent moisture from penetrating the substrate.
3. Application: Mix the cement according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, pour the mixed cement on the subfloor, and spread it evenly. The thickness of the cement depends on structural requirements and your finishing choices.
4. Smoothing: Smooth and level the cement to create a seamless finish. Then, apply any finishing techniques, such as staining or stamping.
5. Curing: Allow sufficient time for the cement to cure. Curing times can vary depending on the temperature, humidity, and type of cement. After curing, apply a sealer to protect the surface from stains and moisture.

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Maintenance and Repair of Residential Cement Floors

While cement floors are low maintenance, you can maintain them by sweeping and mopping the floors with a mild detergent and water solution. Additionally, if you spill something on the floor, clean it immediately to avoid stains in the cement. For tough stains, use a commercial concrete cleaner. Alternatively, you can make a cleaning paste from baking soda and water. Avoid using acid cleaners because they can cause permanent damage to your floors.

While routine maintenance can help prevent most issues, there may be times when you need professional assistance. Call a qualified contractor for repairs if you notice cracks and chips in the floor surface. You may also need their help to reapply sealant if your floors look worn or damaged.

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Our Recommendation

Thanks to its durability and low maintenance, cement can be an ideal flooring solution for kitchens, bedrooms, garages, and hallways. While strong and cost-efficient, these floors have a hard and slippery surface, which may not be ideal for families with small children, and they’re prone to stains.

If you’re thinking of installing residential cement floors, use this guide to weigh the pros against the cons while considering all maintenance and installation factors. For additional guidance, contact a local contractor or interior designer to help you understand all the benefits and drawbacks of this type of flooring.

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