Decorative Concrete Options

Concrete has become a designer flooring option. New techniques have made concrete flooring a reasonable alternative to granite or slate. This includes staining and polishing, in addition to dying and stamping. Concrete floors can also be finished to change the look. For more information about Staining and Polishing Concrete, follow the link.

Concrete is made up of cement, aggregate, and water. Portland cement is the most commonly used in concrete, but it isn't the only option. Ancient Romans used quicklime, for example. The aggregate can also be one of several substances. Common options are gravel, ground rock, and sand. In some instances, a decorative aggregate is used in the concrete mix to add visual interest. Additives can change the appearance and the performance of concrete. Additives change things like conductivity and flexibility, and can even allow concrete to set under water. The strength of the concrete is determined by the amount of water used. The less water you use, the stronger the final product will be, but the harder it will be to pour or shape.

Concrete can be stained with acid or with a water-based solution. An acid stain actually interacts with the material in the concrete and produces a chemical change that results in color changes. A water-based stain also changes the color, but does so without affecting the chemical makeup of the concrete. Staining produces a marbled affect and looks similar to natural rock flooring.

To polish a concrete floor, the installer will cut it several times with progressively finer grinding tools. A floor can be cut several times to change the shine. For a shinier surface, finer grit is used, and for more cuts. After the floor has been cut several times, a densifier can be applied before the final cuts are made.

Staining and polishing can be done to existing floors as well as new floors. With a new concrete floor, the effect is easier to control. Weather changes the chemical makeup of the slab and can make it less susceptible to acid staining, for example. With a new floor, you can choose the aggregate, and thus, the look of the floor, while polishing an existing concrete slab will highlight the aggregate that is already there. If you want to retrofit an existing concrete floor, but still want to use a concrete with a decorative aggregate, a new, thin slab can be poured on top of the old one. Follow the link to get more information on Concrete Concepts Kansas City.

The type of finish you use can change the look of the concrete in two ways: shine and color. Glossy finishes have a nice shine. Matte or satin finishes reflect less light and appear lighter in color. A glossy finish can be difficult to maintain in high-traffic areas, as scratches become more apparent. A finish can be applied to stained, polished, stamped, or standard concrete flooring.