Epoxy and Other DIY Types of Finishing
Concrete flooringis a extremely durable, long-lasting, eco-friendly, and low-maintenance.
Some of these treatments are generally done bycontractors, but others are well within the reach of DIYers.
Tip
Take into consideration your existing concrete floor’s texture when choosing a finish.
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A smooth concrete finish was likely hand-troweled for a seamless look and would look lovely polished.
In this example, the concrete kitchen floor has been stained with a mottled brown treatment.
In acid-staining, hydrochloric or phosphoric acid mixed with salts is applied to a hardened, cured concrete slab.
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An acid-based stain is pricey and can cost around $25 per square foot.
The grout lines on this floor were created by etching the concrete after the staining process was complete.
These lines were formed in a simple grid pattern to look like large-scale tiles.
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But you could also use etching to create more intricate patterns on the surface of a concrete floor.
There are many types ofstencilsandstampssuitable for concrete flooring to create a design that fits your style and space.
This one uses a stained and polished concrete floor, which contrasts with an unfinished concrete beam.
Krystal Black / Unsplash
To create polished concrete floors, the surface is ground down with progressively finer abrasive pads.
you could achieve an extremely high-gloss, mirror-like finish if you go to the finest grit of pads.
While a DIYer can rent the equipment to do this work, it is no easy feat.
Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions
And without experience, it can be difficult to determine which grit of abrasive pads to use.
The cost of polished concrete floors can range from $3 to $8 per square foot.
In this kitchen, the concrete floor has been dyed with a solid brown, water-based coloring agent.
This has created a rich, smooth finish that is uniform across the entire floor.
Unlike acid-staining, the dye does not cause a chemical reaction with the concrete.
Instead, it simply penetrates the surface to add color.
Andy Franklin / flickr / CC-0
Therefore, the results are much more predictable than with acid-staining.
So one excellent option to mute the floor a bit is to add a neutralarea rug.
This helps to create contrast and add a softer texture to the space.
Pgiam / Getty Images
Expect to pay between $3 and $15 per square foot to dye a concrete floor.
Epoxy Painted Concrete Floors
Epoxy treatmentsare often used to seal and repair a damaged concrete subfloor.
Epoxy-painted concrete floors make it possible to achieve all the same effects you could create withordinary paint.
Bella Tucker
Rather than drying as traditional paint does, the epoxy hardens due to a chemical reaction between the ingredients.
But it is also appropriate for the home.
It’s a simple process much like painting any surface.
Michelle Boudreau Design
This concrete floor has been treated with epoxy coatings in a variety ofbold colors.
The colors are even carried through to the walls and artwork in the space.
Epoxy is extremely affordable and comes in kits that start at $0.50 per square foot.
A faux wood finish concrete floor mimics the look and feel of wood with the durability of concrete.
A project like this would cost $2 to $4 per square footif you did it yourself.
You’ll need a few people on hand to help stamp before the concrete dries.
Supplies are costly, but a stamped concrete floor will run you about $500 to $1,000.
Prepping and sealing the concrete is key to making the pattern last.
The process of microtopping is when a thin overlay of cement is laid over your current concrete floor.
This option is ideal for homeowners who have damaged or unappealing concrete.
The finish can be stained and sealed like normal concrete.
Thanks to polymers in the concrete finish, microtopping is also extremely durable.
This treatment can cost around $3 to $7 per square foot.
Paint and concrete dye are the most budget-friendly concrete floor finishes.
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