From being a boring and primitive-looking material to a slick and trendy exquisite Surface option, Concrete has evolved throughout the years. It’s growing more in popularity among homeowners because they have altogether realized the vast number of advantages that they could get from decorative concrete. It’s not only an environment-friendly choice for the home but also a great addition to its aesthetic appeal. It’s available in a wide selection of colors, stains, texture and finishes.

Coloring Systems

• Structural Colors. If you are going to install a new concrete floor, there are choices to add color to the material’s structure directly. Color hardeners and other necessary pigments can be added and mixed into the concrete once it is placed. It allows the creation of dramatic pattern effects that could blend well with the surface furniture.

• Chemical Acid Stain. This is executed on the flooring once hydrochloric acid has been applied onto the concrete surface, causing discolor. The coloration that happens depends on the following factors: age, climate, composition, chemical makeup and porosity. Its results can sometimes be unpredictable and varies across the floor’s surface. The random nature of a chemical stain process is usually the effect that’s desired and it would often result in a natural stone look.

• Concrete Paint. If you choose to paint your concrete surface, a specially-formulated latex epoxy is specifically used and made for this application. But before you go about this process, acid etching is first done to the floor. The right paint creates a waterproof concrete surface and acts as an oil and grease barrier.

• Water-based Stains. These materials penetrate the surface and into the floor, which results in a reaction with the material that takes on the pigment. These stains make the concrete breathe easier and the moisture will not cause the color to chip.

• Tinted Concrete Sealers. This sealer is a chemical agent that’s applied to a concrete surface for it to act as a protective barrier against moisture and stains. These sealers can be tinted to create a hue that will appear on the flooring.

• Concrete Dye. These are composed of tiny particles of color that are so small, they could penetrate the concrete floor and stains the material directly. It creates a marbled look and a uniform color on the surface.

Flooring Textures

• Polished Concrete. It creates the look of a perfect, glistening marble minus the maintenance issues that come with real marble. After you pour the flooring and it sets, it’s polished with a series of pads ranging from textures that are very coarse and slowly transitioning to smoother pads.

• Textured Concrete. A variety of textured designs can be etched onto the concrete surface right after it dries and sets. This can be used decoratively and adds aesthetic to a somewhat drab and dull concrete surface. It can also be used for functionality, where you’d be able to prevent slipping and other surface-related accidents.

• Etched Concrete. These designs can be in the form of patterns and designs that etch a virtual grout line onto a solid surface. It can imitate the real stone look.

• Stamped Concrete. This one is designed to recreate a variety of designs and patterns. It can imitate the look of slate, cobblestone, flagstone, hardwood, and all types of stone and tile.

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