Demystifying Concrete: 5 Common Concrete Myths Busted

Your home is not only your shelter, but also a major investment.

For many of us, it is the largest purchase we will ever make, and we’ll probably spend many years, sometimes decades, working hard to pay for it.

We also spend a lot of time enjoying our homes, whether it’s cooking up a storm in the kitchen, entertaining friends, gardening or sleeping in on Sunday.

And sometimes, we’re hard at work making home improvements – updating, renovating and landscaping to nurture our investment and make our house a home.

So when we invest in home improvements, we want to be sure they are going to last. Concrete is a durable and versatile building material with wide-ranging applications, making it the perfect option for home improvement projects including driveways, pathways, entertaining areas, pool surrounds, landscaping, polished concrete flooring and even benchtops. Considered once merely a structural material hidden under other finishes, concrete is now rightly appreciated for not only its inherent strength but natural beauty. With the advances in finishes and the decorative range, concrete adds design gravitas to any area of the home.

To make sure there’s nothing stopping you from choosing decorative concrete for your home, we’ve busted some of the most common concrete myths.

Myth #1 – It cracks

One of the most common concerns we hear about concrete is that it might crack. It’s important to remember that all solid surfaces have the potential to crack, including tiles and paving, but measures can be taken to prevent concrete cracking.

Holcim Australia has revealed the major causes of cracking are poor site preparation and construction supervision issues – both avoidable factors. Design defects and unfavourable weather conditions can also contribute to concrete instability.

As always, prevention is better than cure. The Geostone Best Practice Placement Guide provides helpful advice for our customers and their concrete installers on the best methods to prevent cracks in concrete.

Myth #2 – It’s too slippery

Decorative concrete is a popular material for pool decks and pool surrounds and also high in demand is concrete floors for bathrooms and wet areas.

Exposed aggregate is ideal for outdoor use, while indoors, polished concrete offers a sleek flooring option, and honed concrete can be used both indoors and out.

The exposed aggregate and polished and honed concrete finishes from Geostone offer slip-resistant qualities, which make them a safe flooring and underfoot option for the family home.

In fact, new research shows polished concrete is one of the safest architectural hard surfaces available today. Concrete also provides a flat and stable floor surface, reducing tripping hazards or the risk of tipping furniture. In high traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms, kitchens and indoor/outdoor interfaces, concrete is the one material which can help link and define these zones and withstand the wear and tear.

Myth #3 – It’s old fashioned

A quick search for ‘concrete’ on Pinterest will reveal this building material is considered anything but old.

Concrete has experienced a modern-day resurgence as a highly sought-after building material, capable of creating award-winning and awe-inspiring homes and architecture. A look at the most recent Australian Architectural awards will show you how concrete is very much the go-to building material when it comes to cutting edge home design. It suits all Australian environments as its thermal properties keep interiors stable without excess heating or cooling costs.

The versatility of concrete means it can be used creatively to suit any style of home. According to leading designers, it’s also a material which complements all other finishes. So whether you are looking for modern and contemporary building materials, or something a little more classic, you will soon discover why decorative concrete is the new cool.

Myth #4 – Concrete looks too industrial

In case you still need more convincing after busting Myth #3, let us say one thing.

Concrete doesn’t just come in grey anymore.

Geostone’s coloured concrete is available in a range of natural and earthy colours giving customers the power of choice when it comes to designing their dream entertaining area and home exteriors.

The exposed aggregate and polished and honed concrete ranges also feature natural Australian stone, creating a warm and welcoming finish to driveways, pathways, pool surrounds and more.

Myth #5 – It requires too much maintenance

Concrete is a naturally durable and long lasting hard surface, meaning it requires less maintenance than some other flooring and landscaping options.

Low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance however, and decorative concrete will look better for longer by following a few simple steps for cleaning and care.

Regular sweeping is recommended for exterior concrete surfaces to avoid build-up and potential staining, while indoors a damp mop is sometimes all you need for cleaning decorative concrete.

Taking steps to preserve the concrete surface such as waxing polished concrete floors or sealing outdoor concrete can also help to protect your solid long term investment.

Still have questions about concrete? You might like to check out our Frequently Asked Questions, Contact Us directly for more information, or to see Geostone’s wide range of decorative concrete in person, find your nearest Geostone display centre.