Due to the humidity in areas like Austin, homeowners don't typically choose carpet for fear of mold and mildew.  At first, they were thinking about bamboo or parquet flooring, but after living with the concrete for a few weeks, they've decided not to cover it. 

As it turns out, concrete is incredibly versatile and can be beautifully transformed with paint, acid washes, and stains.  Most importantly, it's also a sustainable and eco-friendly option for flooring.

"Virtually every new residential construction project in the Austin area is slab-on-grade, and many commercial projects utilize site-cast concrete floor slabs. Typically, the concrete slab has acted as a substrate for a finish material such as hardwood flooring, vinyl or ceramic tile, or carpet. The emergence of a variety of concrete coloring, staining, and finishing techniques has made interior exposed concrete floors and surfaces an additional finish option with a unique aesthetic."   (Austin Energy)

In addition, the floors stay cooler, which can ultimately help to lower cooling costs in the summer.