Concrete is the most widely used man-made building-material on the planet. Chances are, it’s currently part of a structure that you own, rent, or otherwise inhabit. No surprise there. Concrete is a durable, resilient, and tough surfacing option, which is why it is so often employed in heavy-duty environments where harsh and abrasive conditions are the norm. Regardless of its strength, however, concrete is still susceptible to normal wear and tear. In that case, is concrete resurfacing a good idea? According to Ehow, in 2011, concrete resurfacing costed between $1 to $3 per square foot. Now, compare that to the cost of completely removing and repairing concrete, which was between $3 to $12 per square foot. This is a glaring price-leap. But a more economical alternative is available. Using industrial rubber flooring to cover a structurally sound subfloor that just needs a little facelift is a great way to avoid the costly and time-consuming repairs of concrete resurfacing. Compared to the costs of concrete resurfacing, rubber surfacing is very inexpensive. Available as industrial floor tiles, mats, and runners, rubber surfacing is versatile, as well as affordable. And because rubber industrial floor coverings are designed to withstand the harshest conditions, many of these options can be used indoors, as well as outdoors.

Whether you need workshop matting or warehouse flooring—if you have a structurally sound subsurface that needs repair, there’s no need to shoulder the financial burden of concrete resurfacing. Below, we’ve listed some reasons for why industrial floor covering is better than concrete resurfacing. Here’s a teaser: The reasons are not only financial.

Is Concrete Resurfacing a Good Idea?

Concrete resurfacing can sometimes be a good idea. It’s much cheaper than concrete replacement, but the degree of damage it can actually fix is quite low, comparatively. Nonetheless, concrete resurfacing helps give a worn and tired surface a newer and fresher appearance. And while concrete is very strong, it’s not completely resistant to damage. Replacing a concrete floor is tedious and can cost several thousands of dollars, especially for larger spaces. Imagine having to break and haul away the old material—that alone will require manpower, heavy-duty equipment, and lots of time, costs which can be detrimental to any business. Therefore, if a concrete floor is damaged yet still structurally sound, it can and should be resurfaced rather than replaced. Concrete resurfacing builds on the existing concrete, using it as a base upon which a new material is layered. While resurfacing is a lot cheaper than totally replacing, it’s still an involved project that requires time and financial investment. And while some costs can be cut by doing it as a DIY project, hiring professional services may yield better results. To help this make more sense, here’s a rough break down of how concrete resurfacing works:

1. First, the concrete must be cleaned. (A high-power hose works best for this.) Cleaning will remove debris, mildew, and anything else that might prevent your resurfacing material from sticking to the concrete.
2. Large slabs of concrete are then divided by expansion lines (which help prevent cracking). These lines must be exposed, so they will have to be covered and protected with duct tape.
3. While the concrete is still wet, any areas with discrepancies such as cracks, chips, holes, and scratches should be filled in with special material and smoothed over with a trowel. If your floor has extensive superficial damage—this might take a while. The material then must be allowed to dry for anywhere between 2 and 5 hours.
4. Next, the resurfacing material is poured over the concrete floor.
5. Then, the material is smoothed evenly.
6. After waiting for another 6 hours, the resurfacing process is complete.

Now, this process might seem like just another page out of the DIY-project playbook. And maybe so—for a smaller and more manageable area. But for larger industrial locations with expansive floors, a DIY-resurfacing attempt could be a disastrous time-sink. Regardless of whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, resurfacing is a lot less expensive and time-consuming than completely removing and repouring the concrete. But what if we told you that there’s an option that’s even better—quicker and cheaper? The answer—you can guess—is rubber. Rubber industrial floor tiles, mats, and runners are your best option, especially when it comes to surfacing a stable subflooring.

Why is Industrial Rubber Flooring a Better Option?

Rubber may not be as long-lasting as concrete, but it has certainly earned its place in the pantheon of heavy-duty flooring mainstays. Why? Rubber is naturally resistant to moisture, and industrial rubber flooring usually features intricately textured surfaces. With these two factors combined, you have the ideal industrial non-slip flooring. Rubber’s slip-resistance makes it particularly great for workshop matting, especially if moisture is a concern. Many flooring options—like the ones Rubber-Cal offers—are also made with the use of recycled materials, making them not only ecologically friendly, but financially friendly, too. Why is a rubber surface a better option than resurfacing? We’ll answer the following three common questions that people have:

• Is rubber flooring durable?
• How expensive is rubber flooring?
• Is rubber flooring easy to install?

Is Rubber Flooring Durable?

Rubber flooring is exceptionally durable. Rubber is an elastomer that is shock-absorbent, slip-resistant, and water-resistant—traits that define some of the most durable materials. Many industrial flooring options, as we previously stated, are made from recycled materials—the source of which are discarded automobile tires. These tires are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the open road—constant exposure to sunlight, excessive moisture, and rough or uneven terrain, just to name a few. These attributes necessary for harsh road-conditions are then inherited by your eco-friendly, rubber industrial flooring. What’s more, natural and synthetic rubbers are vulcanized, a process that makes them much tougher and resilient. So, what is rubber flooring? Durable.

How Expensive is Rubber Flooring?

Rubber flooring is relatively inexpensive—especially if you’re purchasing from a company like Rubber-Cal, whose choice to manufacture using reclaimed rubber allows for its rubber products to be even more affordable. Because the recycled materials used to create a rubber industrial floor covering are usually cheaper than their non-recycled counterparts, when buying from a company that sells recycled-rubber products, you’re often paying a much more affordable price. Despite this, even when recycled materials aren’t used, rubber industrial floor tiles, mats, and runners are typically less expensive than resurfacing. And given rubber’s nature as a highly durable material, industrial rubber flooring can even prevent your subflooring from incurring devastating damages. While having to do work on your concrete floor can be a pain, this comes nowhere near the costs of completely replacing a concrete floor.

Is Rubber Flooring Easy to Install?

Rubber flooring is very easy to install; it is known for its DIY-friendliness, among other things. Very little technical knowledge is required for you to install rubber flooring yourself. With concrete resurfacing, you won’t just be paying for materials and lost time, you’ll also have to pay for manpower—especially if you decide to go with a professional installation. Putting down some rubberized industrial matting won’t be nearly as expensive or time-consuming as resurfacing because industrial rubber flooring is easy to install yourself, requiring very little technical knowledge. Available in a variety of styles, such as industrial floor tiles, runners, and mats, installation is as easy as snapping together puzzle pieces or rolling out a sheet. And with so many texture options like coin, diamond, or ribbed designs, you can match your rubber surface with whatever aesthetic you desire.

In this article, we’ve covered the main reasons for why a rubberized industrial floor cover is the better alternative to concrete resurfacing. So long as the subflooring isn’t damaged to the degree that it loses its structural integrity, you can install a rubber industrial flooring over the area that needs repair. In covering the damaged subflooring, your industrial rubber matting will also help prevent further damage from occurring. And while getting the job done, an industrial rubber mat is also cost effective, as well as DIY-friendly. With all these factors in mind, a rubber industrial floor mat should be the go-to choice when compared to resurfacing options.