Concrete flooring is a great choice for your indoor flooring because of its durability and low maintenance. Concrete floors last a long time and can be very versatile. Once used primarily as part of a modern industrial motif, concrete floors can now be customized to suit any taste and style. There are several design options available that make concrete floors versatile and beautiful.
Color
Changing the smooth, gray surface of concrete flooring by adding color and pattern will change the entire look of a room. There are several ways to accomplish this, depending on the effect you’re going for. When your space calls for a more earthy, natural look, acid staining is a good option. This is when chemicals are applied after the concrete is completely set and dried. The staining seeps into the pores of the concrete and causes a chemical reaction that changes the color. No two concrete staining projects turn out the same, which is part of the beauty of it. The most common colors yielded range from deep maroons to light tans.
Color hardeners are another way to change the color of concrete. They are applied as a powder that is sprinkled onto wet concrete. As the slab cures, the water rises to the surface, activating the color hardeners and creating a colored surface. Depending on the chosen colors and method of application, this can leave a solid color in any shade, or an unpredictable pattern of swirls and speckles. When applied in specific forms, shapes, and areas, a design can contain as much detail as your imagination can create. Dyes added to concrete during mixing can also provide color, shapes and patterns.
Texture
Another way to add character to indoor concrete flooring is to apply texture, which can also be done in conjunction with texture. Scoring is often used to give existing slabs the appearance of tile. A saw is used to etch lines into the concrete is any type of pattern to give it a unique, random look, or the more traditional linear look. Concrete stamps can be pressed down into a slab when it is curing to add pattern and texture. Stamps can leave pictures and designs in the concrete, or can make it look like other types of stone and materials.
Surfacing
Indoor concrete floors should be sealed to prevent moisture from getting into the slab. Applying sealant also gives you the opportunity to customize your flooring. Sealants can come in different colors and glosses, giving the floor a more finished look. Epoxy coating is an industrial type of paint sealant that adds durability and color to the surface and comes in limitless variations.
Additional techniques like adding glass, polished stone, or paint flecks to the concrete, sealant, or epoxy coating can give your indoor concrete flooring a unique look. A qualified concrete contractor can help you to decide which methods of customization would work best for your home and style.
