Concrete has in recent years become the leading flooring solution for both indoor and outdoor areas in New York. This popularity is attributed to the material’s durability, low-level maintenance, affordability, and range of stylish options. Professional installation of your property’s concrete floor is only the first step in reaping all the benefits this flooring material has to offer. Property owners who opt for DIY or a handyman’s installation for their concrete floor miss out on one of the crucial elements of concrete flooring. This is the finishing of concrete flooring for properties. The finish for your floor will determine its resilience against the elements that contribute to its wear and tear. Moreover, this is the primary determinant of the look you get for your floor. The following are the finishing alternatives available for concrete floors in indoor spaces.
Chemical Staining
This is currently among the most popular option for finishing indoor concrete floors. Chemical staining gives a natural stone-like look to your floor and allows the creation of different designs on it. Acid-based chemical stains will give your floor a distinct look, while water-based ones lend the floors a uniform look. Both will have an elegant finish, are cost-efficient, and will hold up well to considerable foot traffic. As such, they are mostly used in commercial establishments and high-traffic residential areas such as corridors, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Concrete Stamping
This option comes in various patterns and designs, including slate, tile, brick, and flagstone, among others. A stamped concrete finish is generally combined with a salt or colored finish to enhance its beauty further. Panels with inlaid designs will be laid on your concrete floor before it fully cures, and this makes the finish generally applicable to empty spaces. Although it requires considerable precision and expertise to create flawlessly, a stamped concrete finish is virtually maintenance-free.
Broom Finish
This finishing alternative is used for the addition of texture to your floor. A special broom is used to carefully brush the concrete before it fully sets to generate different levels of an anti-slip texture. Various designs can be achieved in a broom finish depending on how the brooms’ strokes are run across the concrete. Moreover, the aesthetic appearance of your floor can be further enhanced through the application of dyes and colors in the concrete. Although generally used in wet areas owing to its slip resistance, a broom finish can be used on all indoor floors.
Polished Finish
This is the go-to solution for those looking for an easy-to-clean concrete floor with a glossy look. The raw concrete in your floor is ground using coarse to fine abrasive materials to get the shiniest possible finish. There are various elements used to boost the slip resistance of polished floors. At times, the installer might add chemical hardeners for moisture protection.
The best finish from the above for your floor is determined by the style, functionality, and maintenance level that you are looking for. You might need to retouch the finish once in a while to guarantee that it meets your desires. However, without its professional installation, any concrete floor finish will only damage the underlying concrete and reduce your floor’s lifespan.
