In recent years, concrete has emerged as a top flooring option for Portland homes. Instead of traditional vinyl, carpet, or hardwood flooring, today’s homeowners are turning to concrete floors for a stylish and durable solution.
If you’re envisioning dull, industrial concrete floors, we’re here to let you in on a little secret. Modern-day concrete floors are fully customizable with a variety of beautiful finishing options to choose from.
In fact, today’s concrete floors come in a range of stains, colors, and textures. Thanks to these advances in technology, even a classic grey concrete floor will look stunning with the right surface preparation and finishing.
If you’re thinking about a concrete floor as an option for your home, keep reading for our list of the best concrete floor finishes available. Then, contact us to learn how we can help you choose the perfect option for your home.
Before we dive into the many finishing options available, let’s recap some of the main benefits of concrete flooring.
There are three primary reasons why so many Portland homeowners are choosing to use concrete in their homes. The first, of course, is the wide array of finishing options. The other two important benefits of concrete flooring are…
Durability – Concrete is tough and resilient. It can withstand pressure from almost anything including furniture legs, high heels, pets, and more.
Low-Maintenance – Though some finishing options require occasional sealants or waxing, concrete flooring is incredibly low-maintenance. Not only can these floors wipe clean, they’re also resistant to water and chemicals.
So where are people installing these floors in their homes? Though concrete floors can be used throughout the house, they are most popular for basements, kitchens, living areas, and garages.
What floor finishes are available for concrete? And which is the right one for your home? Take a look below for our list of the most popular concrete floor finishing options in Portland.
An acid stain for concrete floor has a very bold look, recognizable by its mottled appearance and highly variegated finish. Once the stain reacts with your concrete floor, the color is very durable and won’t fade, chip, or peel.
Acid stains offers a variety of vibrant earth tones, such as tans, browns, and blue-green colors. However, the color that an acid-based stain produces will vary depending on the color and condition of the substrate its applied to.
If you want to look beyond the subtle color palette of an acid stain to the full spectrum of hues, a water-based stain is a good option. Though water-based stains tend to be slightly less vibrant, there are dozens of colors to choose from, including metallic tints.
A water-based stain is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and so safer to apply. Additionally, because a different chemical reaction occurs during application, the final color will be fairly consistent throughout.
Fast stain is a brand of fast-drying, eco-friendly concrete stain. This stain offers a flecked appearance and, like the acid stain, a highly variegated finish. Fast stain is a great option for polished concrete and can be used on its own or in conjunction with an acid-based or water-based stain.
Acrylic sealers provide a thin, protective film on the surface of your concrete floor. This option comes in a range of sheens and provides good protection against water. It’s also very uniform in color, relatively hard with a slight flexibility, and a lovely matte finish.
However, because this type of finish will wear faster than some other options, you may also need to pair the finish with regular waxing to prevent marks.
A standard epoxy finish is ideal for floors in highly trafficked areas of your home. This finish is typically limited to indoor use and provides a lovely glossy look. An epoxy finish is durable, abrasion-resistant, and chemical resistant. This concrete finish also offers a nice uniform color.
Like a standard epoxy finish, metallic epoxy is incredibly durable and hard. This option offers a brilliant metallic effect and a unique flow and color to your floor. Many people choose this option for their basement floor as it’s very unique and can brighten up a space. It’s also an excellent water repellent.
A terrazzo or granite epoxy finish is a great way to add some texture and a unique look to your home. These finishing methods have a very similar look and are both extremely durable and easy to clean.
These finishing methods use decorative color chips which are broadcasted into a liquid epoxy. These chips allow for a huge variety of color combinations and patterns to choose from. Despite the range of patterns, this finish will look uniformly textured and be quite smooth.
If you’re looking for an extra high-strength surface– for instance, in your garage– then a quartz sand epoxy is a great option.
This colored finishing option provides excellent wear resistance, sanitation, and chemical resistance. Plus, it’s very smooth but has a slip-resistance surface.
Whatever finishing option you prefer, the long-term and high-quality appearance of your concrete floor is dependent on proper surface preparation. Here at Rock Solid Waterproofing, we have over 10 years of experience repairing and installing top-quality concrete floors.
Our team will help you choose a finish matching your tastes and functionality goals, and make sure the job is done right the first time around. We never take shortcuts and we are committed to your satisfaction.
Contact us today to learn more about your concrete floor finishing options.
