| Floor Types | Carpet | Ceramic tile | Vinyl or linoleum | Wood or wood laminate | Natural stone (marble) | Polished concrete |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide amount of options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Unlimited |
| Durability | Poor | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Easy maintenance | Poor (needs frequent vacuuming; stains easily) | Good | Good (linoleum may need occasional waxing) | Good | Good (linoleum may need occasional waxing) | Excellent |
| Can radiate heat and store solar energy | No | No | No | No | Yes, depending on the material | Yes |
| Vulnerable to humidity and moisture damage | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Can harbor mold, mildew, dust mites and other allergens | Yes | No | No | Yes(mold and mildew, if the flooring becomes wet) | No | No |
| Is a sustainable flooring alternative | No | Yes | Maybe(if using linoleum made from all natural materials) | Maybe(if using linoleum made from all natural materials) | Yes | Yes |
| Average cost per square foot installed | $3.38 – 6.61* | $11 – 22* | $2.64 – 5.64* | $8 – 10 | $20 – 50+ | $3 – 7(for a 3,000-grit finish and the use of an impregnating sealer) |
| Average lifecycle cost | High | Low | Intermediate | Intermediate | Low | Extremely Low |
Polished concrete offers a number of advantages that other flooring materials can’t match, particularly when it comes to durability, performance and sustainability. Here, we compare polished concrete floors with some of the alternatives.