I've gone back and forth on this.
I like the idea of getting tile because tile has very specific ratings on such things as imperviousness and coefficient of friction. So if you read the fine print, you know exactly what you are getting. In contrast, each polished concrete job is like a custom made cake by a new baker. You can ask for what you want, but he only knows how to do what he knows how to do, and there are no ANSI specifications applicable to the final product. Or, using a different metaphor, it is a crap shoot.
Another thing that bugs me a little about the concrete cutting/polishing business is that it may release silica, shortening the life of the concete polishing crew, and possibly covering the surfaces of your room with silica also which you may breath in later. Now, as I understand it, some if not most concrete polishing equipment uses water, which keeps down the release of silica dust into the air. But I still fear it is something worth thinking about, and asking the installer about.
On the other hand, the grouts used to cement tiles together contain silica also, and silica is relased when tile is cut (as it always needs to be around the edges), and since the problem is smaller, the installer might not take any precautions at all, while the concrete polisher probably knows they are playing with fire.
But with tile (yes, Porcelain tile) there is a fundamental tradeoff between cleanability and anti-slip. The more smooth and polished the surface is, the more prone to slippage it is. Since my shed is an outdoor building, people will be walking in from the possibly wet grass and mud, or from the hot tub (if there ever is one), the anti-slip factor is an important one.
Anti-slip tiles are now required by law in kitchens, bathrooms, and public spaces. The downside of anti-slip tiles (having Coefficient of Friction above 0.5) is that they get harder to clean. There are often grooves, small depressions, or other features of the tile surface that give it that high COF. And complaints about cleaning such tiles are legion. And as with any kind of tile, there is also the matter of the grout between the tiles.
Now basic polished and sealed concrete is also very slippery, like slippery tile. But what they can do to give it higher COF is add certain additives into the sealing glaze. One particular additive is microscopic balls of polyethylene (a very robust polymer) which become imbedded into the glaze.
I get the feeling that such a glaze would still be easier to clean than tiles with groves, depressions, etc. It's uncertain to me now, however, how well it would do on COF, whether you could get COF above 0.5 with glazing additives, or if you wouldn't also need to make grooves, etc., in the concrete.
Another issue is how well the polished and glazed concrete surface would hold up compared with tile. Concrete polishers claim to produce even better longevity than tile, but I personally have my doubts. Eventually, a glaze will wear off. Of course, eventually tiles may look worn out also, but at least with tiles you get a wearability specification, and you can look for Type IV (commercial) or better for long life.
I like the idea of getting tile because tile has very specific ratings on such things as imperviousness and coefficient of friction. So if you read the fine print, you know exactly what you are getting. In contrast, each polished concrete job is like a custom made cake by a new baker. You can ask for what you want, but he only knows how to do what he knows how to do, and there are no ANSI specifications applicable to the final product. Or, using a different metaphor, it is a crap shoot.
Another thing that bugs me a little about the concrete cutting/polishing business is that it may release silica, shortening the life of the concete polishing crew, and possibly covering the surfaces of your room with silica also which you may breath in later. Now, as I understand it, some if not most concrete polishing equipment uses water, which keeps down the release of silica dust into the air. But I still fear it is something worth thinking about, and asking the installer about.
On the other hand, the grouts used to cement tiles together contain silica also, and silica is relased when tile is cut (as it always needs to be around the edges), and since the problem is smaller, the installer might not take any precautions at all, while the concrete polisher probably knows they are playing with fire.
But with tile (yes, Porcelain tile) there is a fundamental tradeoff between cleanability and anti-slip. The more smooth and polished the surface is, the more prone to slippage it is. Since my shed is an outdoor building, people will be walking in from the possibly wet grass and mud, or from the hot tub (if there ever is one), the anti-slip factor is an important one.
Anti-slip tiles are now required by law in kitchens, bathrooms, and public spaces. The downside of anti-slip tiles (having Coefficient of Friction above 0.5) is that they get harder to clean. There are often grooves, small depressions, or other features of the tile surface that give it that high COF. And complaints about cleaning such tiles are legion. And as with any kind of tile, there is also the matter of the grout between the tiles.
Now basic polished and sealed concrete is also very slippery, like slippery tile. But what they can do to give it higher COF is add certain additives into the sealing glaze. One particular additive is microscopic balls of polyethylene (a very robust polymer) which become imbedded into the glaze.
I get the feeling that such a glaze would still be easier to clean than tiles with groves, depressions, etc. It's uncertain to me now, however, how well it would do on COF, whether you could get COF above 0.5 with glazing additives, or if you wouldn't also need to make grooves, etc., in the concrete.
Another issue is how well the polished and glazed concrete surface would hold up compared with tile. Concrete polishers claim to produce even better longevity than tile, but I personally have my doubts. Eventually, a glaze will wear off. Of course, eventually tiles may look worn out also, but at least with tiles you get a wearability specification, and you can look for Type IV (commercial) or better for long life.
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