When people think of concrete, they tend to picture a big, boring gray slab of concrete. However, there are tons of different things you can do nowadays to enhance the look of your concrete floors. Instead of ripping up your old, dull concrete floor, you could save time and money by simply upgrading its appearance.
There are many different techniques and materials you can use to upgrade your concrete's appearance. One material you can use is the acid-etch stain. Acid stains work by penetrating the surface and interacting with the lime in the concrete. The acid lightly etches the surface, and once it has reacted, it becomes a permanent part of the concrete. Acid-based stains are translucent and the resulting color will depend on the condition and color of the surface it is being applied to. There isn't a wide range of colors produced by an acid stain, and they tend to create earthy tones, such as tans and browns; however, there are some newer acid stain products on the market that can produce more vibrant colors.
Another method you can use to upgrade your concrete is concrete etching or engraving. It is typically used for making driveways and pathways look awesome. In this process, special tools are used to create patterns and designs into concrete surfaces. This is a permanent process and can turn an ordinary concrete floor into a work of art, if done properly. Combined with a stain, concrete engraving can create a very unique and aesthetically pleasing look. Concrete stamping is a process that is similar to engraving, but you can use it to create the effects of a tiled floor or a natural stone walkway out of a simple concrete slab.
Epoxy resins are another popular product that can enhance the appearance of your concrete as well as protect it from fading, chipping and staining. Epoxy resins generally come in three different formulas: Solvent based, water based and 100% solids. Solvent and water based epoxies are most commonly used for home projects, while 100% solid epoxies are usually only professionally installed. 100% solid epoxy is the most effective formula. It is much thicker, dries much faster, and doesn't give off harmful odors during installation. Solvent-based epoxies are much thinner than 100% solids, and also resist petroleum contaminants such as oil a lot better. However, solvent-based epoxies often give off harmful odors, so you must take the necessary precautions before using them. Water-based epoxies are similar to solvent-based epoxies, except that they have no harmful odors and are slightly more expensive.
Bach Custom Coatings is a company based in Portland, Oregon that specializes in industrial concrete coatings and custom concrete coatings. They also offer residential garage floor coatings, and are experts in the industry. If you are planning on using any of the techniques or products mentioned above to enhance your concrete floors, then you should seriously consider having it done by professionals. If done improperly, coating concrete can be a huge waste of money and time. All it takes is one missed spot for a hole or crack to form, which then can spread over the entire surface over time and render all of your hard work useless.
There are many different techniques and materials you can use to upgrade your concrete's appearance. One material you can use is the acid-etch stain. Acid stains work by penetrating the surface and interacting with the lime in the concrete. The acid lightly etches the surface, and once it has reacted, it becomes a permanent part of the concrete. Acid-based stains are translucent and the resulting color will depend on the condition and color of the surface it is being applied to. There isn't a wide range of colors produced by an acid stain, and they tend to create earthy tones, such as tans and browns; however, there are some newer acid stain products on the market that can produce more vibrant colors.
Another method you can use to upgrade your concrete is concrete etching or engraving. It is typically used for making driveways and pathways look awesome. In this process, special tools are used to create patterns and designs into concrete surfaces. This is a permanent process and can turn an ordinary concrete floor into a work of art, if done properly. Combined with a stain, concrete engraving can create a very unique and aesthetically pleasing look. Concrete stamping is a process that is similar to engraving, but you can use it to create the effects of a tiled floor or a natural stone walkway out of a simple concrete slab.
Epoxy resins are another popular product that can enhance the appearance of your concrete as well as protect it from fading, chipping and staining. Epoxy resins generally come in three different formulas: Solvent based, water based and 100% solids. Solvent and water based epoxies are most commonly used for home projects, while 100% solid epoxies are usually only professionally installed. 100% solid epoxy is the most effective formula. It is much thicker, dries much faster, and doesn't give off harmful odors during installation. Solvent-based epoxies are much thinner than 100% solids, and also resist petroleum contaminants such as oil a lot better. However, solvent-based epoxies often give off harmful odors, so you must take the necessary precautions before using them. Water-based epoxies are similar to solvent-based epoxies, except that they have no harmful odors and are slightly more expensive.
Bach Custom Coatings is a company based in Portland, Oregon that specializes in industrial concrete coatings and custom concrete coatings. They also offer residential garage floor coatings, and are experts in the industry. If you are planning on using any of the techniques or products mentioned above to enhance your concrete floors, then you should seriously consider having it done by professionals. If done improperly, coating concrete can be a huge waste of money and time. All it takes is one missed spot for a hole or crack to form, which then can spread over the entire surface over time and render all of your hard work useless.