Concrete and Composite Floors for Your Kitchen

Amalgams, such as concrete and terrazzo, used to be the stuff of commercial interiors but increasingly we are seeing them brought into the home environment. Very hardwearing and available in a number of finishes these once-industrial materials are perfect for the modern kitchen floor.

Concrete
Concrete is the ultimate utilitarian kitchen floor. A blend of cement, aggregate and sand, it can be made in variety of textures and colors and can be polished, ground and waxed to become a beautiful smooth and glossy surface. Concrete is available in slabs or tiles but for best results, have it expertly laid in situ to give a smooth and even finish – though you will pay for the privilege. It is a very heavy material so if you want to use it on an upper floor gets professional advice. Concrete will need sealing to give a hard and high-gloss finish but once that is done, you will have a floor that is sleek, durable and extremely low maintenance. Though a staple of the contemporary and industrial loft look, a concrete floor is neutral enough to work just as well in a more traditional home and you can always stud it with a border pattern of pebbles for a rustic Mediterranean effect.

Terrazzo
A mix of marble or granite chippings with concrete or cement, terrazzo works brilliantly on a kitchen floor. It is extremely hardwearing and generally non-slip, though avoid wax polish. It can be laid in situ like concrete or bought in tile-form for a more decorative result. Laying different colored tiles next to each other or in a specific pattern will avoid that uniform shop floor look. Low maintenance and waterproof, it is a little less expensive that stone and comes in a variety of colors and textures, depending on its make-up. Once it has been finished with a proprietary sealer, it just needs a mop with water now and then to keep it clean.