Decorative Concrete Flooring
Contents
Famous for its strength and durability, concrete can be incredibly beautiful as well. Decorative concrete is now recognized as an excellent means of combining creativity with function.
Traditionally, interior concrete has been covered with other flooring options, such as carpet or vinyl. With decorative concrete, you can remove the less durable coverings and let the concrete shine—literally. Here is some more information to get you started.
Costs
While the cost of decorative concrete flooring depends on the size of the room, quality of materials used and your desired finish, you can expect to pay $2-$4 per square foot for simple stain applications, and up to $12-$25 per square foot for more complicated stencil work. Get in touch with a local contractor for price quotes and more information.
Pictures
Finished BasementPros
Painting, staining, dying or polishing your basement floor can add a rich, beautiful finish to your room.
There are a variety of looks that can be achieved, like faux tile, mosaic, and rough stone, to name a few.
If your basement floods, your decorative concrete can endure the water exposure.
Cons
The initial outlay may exceed the cost of a mid-priced floor covering, such as carpet or laminate.
There is a lot of prep work and clean-up involved, depending on which method you choose.
You must know what kind of concrete you have, as stains react differently to each type.
Durability
Concrete is one of the most durable flooring options available, and decorative concrete is no different. However, to keep the color intact it’s necessary to use the right type of sealant.
Maintenance
Maintaining a decorative concrete floor is relatively pain-free and consists mostly of sweeping and scrubbing where dirt build-up occurs. Most tough stains can be scrubbed away with a soft brush and a cleaning solution of mild soap, water and pH-neutral cleaner.
Common Questions and Answers
What type of sealer is good for decorative concrete?
There are hundreds of different sealers, but no on sealer is perfect for all projects. It all depends on the type of concrete that you have. Using the wrong sealer or applying it improperly can ruin your floor.
How should the concrete be prepared before staining or painting it?
Remove the stains and oils first by using muriatic acid to the dry concrete surface. Allow the flooring to dry, and then apply sodium hydroxide (10% solution). Allow to dry before applying your stain or coloring of choice.
History
Decorative concrete flooring got its start in the late 1970’s, but has grown significantly in popularity over recent years.
References
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