Which floor is better for a house, wooden or concrete

Selecting the appropriate flooring type is a major decision when building or remodeling a house. Concrete and wood floors are the two most common choices; each has benefits and cons of its own.

Wooden floors are highly regarded for the coziness, warmth, and inherent beauty they provide to an area. They are also renowned for offering a softer, more pleasant surface to walk on by being kinder to your joints and feet.

Conversely, concrete floors are prized for their strength, ease of upkeep, and contemporary design. They can withstand heavy traffic without displaying signs of wear and tear because they are extraordinarily strong. Additionally, a range of finishes can be applied to concrete floors to accommodate various style preferences.

Though each has advantages, which is best for your house? In order to help you make an informed decision that suits your needs and lifestyle, we’ll go over the important factors to take into account when choosing between concrete and wooden floors in this post.

It’s crucial to consider your needs and way of life when choosing between concrete and wood flooring for your house. Wooden floors are a popular choice for living spaces because they provide warmth, natural beauty, and comfort. Conversely, concrete floors offer unparalleled resilience, minimal upkeep, and a contemporary design, making them perfect for high-traffic areas and individuals pursuing a modern aesthetic. The ideal option will depend on how these elements are balanced with the layout of your house and your intended use of the area.

Pros and cons of concrete floors

These kinds of bases are generally favored because they are robust and long-lasting. Concrete screeds are moisture resistant and easy to install. Furthermore, rodents and insects have no interest in concrete. This substance resists fire.

Practical! In contrast to a wooden counterpart, a concrete floor lets you thin it out. Generally, a concrete screed of 5 cm is sufficient.

Of course, a concrete screed will be less expensive if we discuss the issue’s cost. Purchases of cement, sand, and, ideally, reinforcing mesh are required. It will cost between 230 and 250 rubles for 1 m 2.

But a concrete floor is much heavier than a wooden one. This means that it will heavily load the supporting structure of the house. This option is rarely used for the second floor and even more so for an old wooden dacha. In addition, if the concrete mixture is prepared incorrectly and the installation technology is not taken into account, such a floor can easily crack. For example, the mixture should be poured evenly. If there is much more of it in one place, the composition will set differently, in one area it will already harden, and in another it will only begin to gain the required strength. Therefore, it is important to use special beacons to control the level of the concrete composition.

The floor’s inability to be used for a considerable amount of time after pouring is another major disadvantage. The room is unusable for one month as the composition takes 28–30 days to become stronger.

It is also important for you to realize that concrete is far colder than wood. As a result, you will need to install flooring in first-floor living rooms (like laminate). However, the concrete looks incredibly ugly, even though the room is warm. You can treat or varnish wood, and that will be sufficient.

Additionally, the coating will be required to enhance the room’s insulation against heat and noise. In this regard, Wood also triumphs.

Practical! Expanded clay is a simple solution to the thermal insulation issue that arises when preparing concrete mixtures.

The floor is equipped with communications (heating, water supply, etc.). If you fill them with concrete, you will have to destroy the entire floor in the event of a pipe breaking or if it just needs to be replaced. It will be sufficient to remove a few boards, complete the task, and then replace the removed boards if a wooden base is laid.

When is it worth pouring a concrete floor

A garage, an industrial space, or a supply room would all benefit from such a base. If it is anticipated that the building will encounter a significant mechanical load, concrete is used. However, this does not imply that houses are not used there; in fact, they are.

For instance, it makes sense to have a concrete floor on the ground floor of a large, two- or three-story house. In the case of a basement, it is also the only appropriate answer. The wood will always start to rot if it is left in constant contact with wet soil.

Wooden floors

These types of floors offer a plethora of benefits. For instance, wood is unquestionably far friendlier to the environment than concrete. You won’t need to consider spending money on new flooring if you select high-quality materials.

Furthermore, wood offers additional benefits:

• Retains heat much better.
• Does not create an increased load on the supporting structures of the house.
• If one of the boards cracks or gets damaged, it can be easily replaced with a new one without replacing the entire structure.
• If you are tired of the shade of the floor, then the wood can be repainted without any problems. It will not lose its aesthetic appearance.

Practical! A wooden floor can be used right away after installation, even if you have to wait nearly a month after pouring concrete.

However, there are drawbacks as well. For instance, you would have to build a second floor if the house lacks a basement. The so-called subfloor is laid first (you can use lower quality boards for it), followed by the finishing layer and insulation (you need to use the best materials for these).

Practical! Wood will cost at least 1,000 rubles if a concrete screed costs roughly 230 rubles per "square". Additionally, there’s always a chance you purchased inferior material. Additionally, you will need to hire a craftsman or have at least rudimentary carpentry skills in order to lay such a floor.

It will also be your responsibility to ensure that the wood is impregnated with specific compounds that will improve its resistance to fire and moisture. However, this might not be enough to protect you from rodents and insects, which will progressively erode the building. As a result, wood needs more maintenance than concrete.

Practical! A wooden floor will creak with time. This is inconvenient, particularly if you go to get a drink of water at night and wake up everyone in the house.

It’s also important to consider drawbacks like:

• The wooden floor is higher than the concrete. During the installation process, you will have to use logs. These additional structures make the installation process more labor-intensive and expensive.
• Wood is prone to drying out. Boards can crack.
• Wood is not allowed to be used in rooms with high humidity. The material will quickly begin to rot.

As a result, you must take the type of room into account in addition to the qualities of the building material when installing the floor.

Which base is better for different rooms

There is a hall in every home. This is where a lot of dirt, including shoe dust, collects (especially in winter). You will therefore need to consider a floor covering with high moisture resistance, even if wood is your preferred material. In this room, tiles are typically laid. However, this will make the wooden floor heavier and defeat the purpose of utilizing natural materials. Thus, pouring concrete and laying tiles on it would be the best option for the hallway.

There’s always something cooking in the kitchen. Grease gets on the floor and there is a lot of steam in the room. If you install a wooden floor, you must apply varnish or another substance that creates a protective layer that is easy to clean.

However, installing environmentally friendly wooden floors in living rooms is preferable. They are good at retaining heat, so you won’t have to deal with an unexpected cold floor at night when you’re looking for your slippers.

There’s always moisture in the restroom. These kinds of rooms are prone to the growth of mold and fungus, so the toilet and bathroom are frequently treated with fairly strong chemicals. Wood cannot "survive" this level of chemistry without receiving significant protective treatment. As a result, it is preferable to set up a concrete screed for bathrooms so that tiles may be laid again.

Your priorities and the particular requirements of your room will ultimately determine whether you choose a concrete or wooden floor for your house.

Many people adore the warmth, character, and organic look that wooden floors provide. They may offer superior insulation and feel more comfortable underfoot. They do, however, need more upkeep and are more vulnerable to pest and moisture damage.

Conversely, concrete floors require very little upkeep and are very durable. They are perfect for places that might see a lot of moisture because they can withstand heavy use and are water-resistant. Concrete can be finished and colored to match your style, even though it might not feel as warm as wood.

The ideal option will ultimately rely on your preferences, your financial situation, and the space where the floor will be installed. Choosing between the practicality of concrete or the classic appeal of wood will have its own special benefits.

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