Polished concrete definitely looks sleek, but yeah, it can be surprisingly cold. Worked on a house up in Vermont a few years ago—client insisted on polished concrete floors throughout the main living areas. First winter rolled around and they quickly realized slippers alone weren't cutting it. Ended up adding area rugs everywhere and eventually retrofitted radiant heating. It's manageable, sure, but comfort-wise, radiant heat is a game changer if winters get chilly in your area.
Polished concrete floors can definitely be a double-edged sword. I remember touring a stunning modern home in Colorado that had polished concrete throughout the main level. Visually, it was breathtaking—clean lines, minimalist aesthetic—but stepping onto it barefoot in January? Yikes. The homeowners ended up doing something similar, layering rugs and eventually installing radiant heat. Honestly, radiant heating is worth every penny in colder climates. It's one of those upgrades you might hesitate about at first, but once it's in, you wonder how you ever lived without it. Glad your clients found a solution that worked for them...comfort really does make all the difference.
Your point about radiant heating resonates strongly with me. I've seen several projects where homeowners initially hesitated due to upfront costs, but later found it invaluable for both comfort and energy efficiency. Polished concrete is beautiful, yet practicality often demands compromises—especially in colder climates. It's encouraging to hear your clients adapted successfully; thoughtful design really does pay off in the long run.
I've noticed the same thing with radiant heating—clients often balk at first, but once they experience it, there's no going back. Reminds me of a couple I worked with last year who initially insisted on hardwood everywhere. After some convincing, they agreed to polished concrete with radiant heat in their main living area. Now they joke about never leaving that room in winter. Curious though, have you found any flooring alternatives that strike a similar balance between aesthetics and practicality in colder climates?
I've had similar experiences with radiant heat and flooring choices. Another option I've found that clients warm up to (pun intended...) is engineered hardwood specifically designed for radiant heating. It's stable, looks great, and still gives that cozy feel underfoot. Cork flooring has also been a surprise hit—soft, insulating, and surprisingly stylish. Have you tried either of these yet, or are your clients mostly sticking with concrete?
