Scored Concrete vs. Tile

Concrete Composition

• The combination of cement, water, aggregates, chemical admixtures and mineral admixtures makes concrete. Cement contains a mixture of limestone, clay and a sulfate, such as gypsum. The aggregates in concrete include gravel, crushed stones and sand. An environmentally conscious consumer may choose to use concrete with aggregates made with reclaimed demolition or construction materials. To create a glittery look, concrete aggregate may also contain quartzite. To help reinforce concrete, contractors often use rebar, plastic fiber or glass fiber to prevent it from cracking.

Tile Composition

• Tiles are made out of stone, porcelain, glass, clay, ceramic, wood or glass. Floor tiles are generally made of stone or ceramic. Stone tiles can include granite, marble and travertine. Tiles that stain or scratch easily may have a glaze or seal applied to them in order to provide and extra element of protection. An individual may also use pebbles, river rocks or flagstone for tile flooring outdoors.

Concrete Scoring Process

• Installing concrete involves mixing and pouring concrete into the desired area and allowing it to cure. You then score the concrete before or after applying a stain to the flooring, depending on the desired look. Contractors who score concrete use different types of diamond blades attached to machinery that has the ability to score concrete in straight and curved lines, as well as different patterns. Using sandblasting-type equipment, a contractor can also make a design in concrete with the assistance of a stencil. Homeowners scoring concrete generally use a hand-held grinder and a diamond-tipped concrete blade to produce different patterns or designs in flooring. It is common to use a sealant over a concrete floor after the scoring process.

Tile Laying

• To install tile, you must first apply mortar or a tile adhesive to the area where you want to lay the flooring. Next, arrange the tiles over the mortar in the pattern desired and apply grout on the flooring to fill in the gaps. The mortar and grout must cure for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the type of tile and adhesives used. It is common to use a sealant over grout used for indoor tiles.