What is your dream flooring? For more and more people, selecting a low-maintenance, durable type of flooring material is leading them to look at less traditional options.
If you’re looking for something that will stand the test of time then decorative concrete floors are a great option. They come in many colors and designs, and they cost less than other expensive options like hardwood flooring or marble tile. If you’re looking for a unique and modern option, concrete floors might fit the bill.
When most people think of decorative concrete, they think of outdoor patios and walkways or even driveways. But, there are so many more applications for this durable building material. As any concrete contractor can attest, concrete floors have grown in popularity over the years and are being used for interior spaces more and more.
In fact, concrete floors are no longer regarded as floors fitted for just industrial locations, they have become popular in restaurants, office buildings and hotels and more.
Ask any concrete contractor and they’ll tell you about the variety of options to choose from. You will find almost every color of the rainbow, with designs that can make any space feel like a dream and accentuate any decor.
1. Textured Surface Concrete Floors
One of the most popular decorative concrete options for interior areas is to use a textured surface. This is done by applying textures to the concrete before it dries, and then troweling a thin layer of liquid floor finish over them for protection. Textures can be made to look like anything from polished marble or wood grain to brick or stone tile!
Textured decorative concrete options are a popular choice in the kitchen. This is because they are good for wet areas as a texture on flooring can reduce the risk of slipping.
In larger spaces such as lobbies and showrooms, an abstract pattern can make it easy for guests to find their way around. These types of decorative touches are often used to incorporate the business brand or logo onto flooring designs.
It really is amazing how much concrete has evolved as a great option for highly stylized floors.
2. Acid-Etched Concrete Floors
Another option is acid-etched concrete. This is where a design, pattern or logo can be etched into the surface of the concrete before it dries with an acidic solution. The etching process creates beautifully unique designs in seconds!
This process is also known as acid staining, where the design or logo can be drawn with an acidic solution that penetrates into the surface of the concrete, creating a beautifully unique look in seconds.
Acid-etched concrete is popular for high-traffic areas like lobbies and hallways because of it’s durability and hardiness. Not only this, but it is easy to clean and requires little maintenance.
3. Stamped Concrete Floors
Aside from acid-etched concrete floors and textured concrete floors another option is stamped concrete. This process is as simple as using a mold for patterns which are stamped into the surface of the concrete before it dries. Although this type of flooring is a simple process, it is in now way an easy process and we don’t recommend you try it on your own. Do it yourself would be especially risky if you’ve never worked with concrete before. Needless to say, there is a huge array of patterns available, so you’re sure to find one that fits the design of your home or business.
The many options available make stamped concrete a very popular choice and one that many concrete contractors have incorporated into their service offerings due to strong demand.
4. Epoxy and Colored Concrete Floors
Another way that your installation company can create beautiful decorative interior floors for your home or business is by adding epoxy designs and color pigments to wet concrete. This creates eye-catching, durable flooring that has all of the low maintenance qualities of concrete without the drabness of a plain slab.
Epoxy concrete floors are a great way to add some flair and personality to any space.
The colors that are available can be mixed or matched in an infinite number of ways, so you’re sure to find one that perfectly matches your needs.
Epoxy concrete floors come with the added benefits of being more durable than concrete without color pigments because epoxies actually fortify concrete and further protect them with a glossy finish.
5. Benefits of Concrete Floors
In addition to beautiful floors, there are other reasons why this type of flooring is a popular choice for homes or businesses. It’s impervious to spills, stains and bacteria because it is made from concrete. Plus, if you ever need a replaced slab of flooring, there are many companies out there that do professional work at affordable rates!
Decorative concrete floors are especially good for commercial use because they are low maintenance. It’s easy for workers to clean up a spill, and the floors themselves can be cleaned in most cases with soap and water.
This type of flooring also has incredible benefits when it comes to energy efficiency as well. They actually help reduce heating costs because of their ability to absorb heat from sunlight during the day and release it slowly over time.
Decorative concrete floors are also fire resistant, which is a big consideration for commercial buildings and restaurants. Although this type of flooring has long been associated with these types of buildings, they are making inroads into the residential market as well. Homeowners hoping to capitalize on the low maintenance and stylish material are installing these floors in their kitchen and the rest of their home.
With these many benefits and so many appealing designs to choose from, it’s worth considering concrete floors for your next home or business.
The team from Oahu Concrete Contractors contributed to this article. Visit their site here: https://www.oahuconcretecontractors.com
