Concrete floors are all the rage correct now. You don’t receive got to receive got our give-and-take for it; opened upward up whatever habitation decor magazine or habitation decor site on the network in addition to you’ll run across endless photos of concrete floors, inwards every which way, inwards almost whatever surface area of the home. We don’t blame them for it – concrete floors are gorgeous, low-maintenance, in addition to receive got a sure industrial chic flair that nosotros love. Decorative concrete, especially, is having a 2nd correct now.
Why settle for bare concrete floors when yous tin larn patterns, color, polish, in addition to so many other styles?
In this ultimate in addition to large guide to decorative concrete in addition to why your habitation needs it, nosotros verbalise almost decorative concrete’s history, its advantages, what options yous have, in addition to what decorative styles run best amongst which rooms.
Table of Contents
The Well-Decorated History of Concrete
Concrete, equally nosotros know it today, is the concluding final result of a mixture of Portland cement in addition to some form of aggregate, commonly minor rocks. It tin oft live false amongst mortar, which is a mixture of the same cement in addition to sand.
Concrete has a surprising in addition to long history. It comes from the Latin give-and-take “concretus”, which way to bind or grow together – in addition to that should already give yous a hint almost where this stuff was kickoff invented in addition to used which is inwards Ancient Rome. The earliest utilisation dates dorsum equally early on equally 150 BC.
Ancient Rome had the kickoff instances of what nosotros tin at nowadays position equally a shape of concrete. What sets it apart from modern concrete is its surprising in addition to incredible durability. Take a facial expression at the Pantheon or the Colosseum in addition to marvel at the fact that centuries later, they stand upward equally tall in addition to proud equally ever spell the structures nosotros receive got today already receive got minor cracks inwards them. The hole-and-corner behind Roman concrete has simply late been discovered in addition to it’s a fascinating feat of creativity. To larn that astonishing durability, Roman architects in addition to builders mixed inwards volcanic ash which they constitute made it water-resistant in addition to strong. In fact, they used this regain to effectively construct concrete harbors in addition to structures inwards in addition to to a greater extent than or less the sea, which however stand upward today.
But Ancient Romans also understood that concrete had the capacity in addition to versatility to live decorated. And they did so amongst gusto. From the decorated in addition to engraved columns of the Colosseum to the Hagia Sophia, in addition to the diverse arches in addition to bridges built during their empire’s reign, the Romans understood that concrete ever looks improve amongst a picayune something extra added to it. It is probable that they used paw engraving tools in addition to clever decorators to create consistent in addition to beautiful patterns in addition to designs on their columns in addition to buildings. It is for certain a to a greater extent than complicated decorative procedure compared to the tools in addition to techniques nosotros receive got today.
While decorative concrete may receive got started amongst Ancient Rome, nosotros receive got continued developing the arts and crafts in addition to today, to a greater extent than decorative techniques are available than ever before. Beginning inwards the 1890s, concrete manufacturers in addition to edifice contractors started using dissimilar techniques to color their concrete in addition to assist their structures stand upward out. This friendly contest to notice the best techniques helped convey concrete staining in addition to concrete dyeing to the forefront of decorative concrete.
People also developed many of the engraving techniques that already existed to railroad train concrete stamping in addition to concrete overlay stamping. Brad Bowman was a specially master in addition to creative contractor who patented many of the tools in addition to processes however used inwards the procedure of stamping concrete today. By patenting it in addition to franchising contractors to a greater extent than or less the ground to endeavor out the methods, he helped spread the popularity of stamped concrete.
In the lastly few decades, concrete floors cruel out of style. But they receive got experienced a resurgence inwards popularity inwards the lastly couplet of years, in addition to amongst practiced reason. To sympathise why it has come upward dorsum equally a pop flooring material, yous volition receive got to sympathise the benefits in addition to the appeal of having concrete floors.
The Concrete Comeback
We tin perchance draw some of concrete’s popularity inwards the lastly couplet of years to the rising tendency of minimalist philosophy in addition to habitation decor. Minimalism is essentially a rejection of the consumerist in addition to cluttered lifestyles nosotros receive got grown accustomed to amongst the advent of the novel century. It focuses on beingness minimal in addition to organized inwards everything – from your life to your asset in addition to to the way yous decorate your home. Concrete holds a sure appeal for this form of lifestyle equally its closely associated amongst industrialism because of its depression maintenance feature in addition to create clean sleek appearance.
But beyond the unopen ties betwixt minimalism in addition to concrete floors, yous do non receive got to live a minimal someone to select concrete flooring. Even practical in addition to maximalist homeowners tin sympathise that concrete floors receive got sure benefits that are unmatched past times other flooring materials.
When properly sealed, concrete floors are extremely resistant to stains from oil, grease, water, color, in addition to almost anything else yous may accidentally fall on it. And when something is spilled, dry out textile or a dry out mop tin rapidly create clean upward the mess. This makes them perfect for families amongst immature children or to install inwards garages in addition to kitchens where messes tin live expected.
Concrete is famously affordable equally well. It’s cheaper than most pop flooring materials in addition to has a curt installation catamenia for those who cannot hold off to movement into their novel home. It tin also live DIYed past times experienced habitation improvement enthusiasts, which tin farther cutting costs.
They are also extremely durable in addition to receive got a longevity that cannot live beaten. With practiced contractors in addition to the proper mixing of cement in addition to aggregates, concrete tin lastly fifty-fifty longer. And amongst modern techniques, concrete floors tin live real easily repaired in addition to resurfaced to create them facial expression brand-new amongst almost no problem to the homeowner.
And finally, of course, many decorative concrete techniques in addition to processes be that receive got made concrete floors to a greater extent than attractive inwards recent years. Concrete tin mimic other to a greater extent than expensive flooring materials similar forest in addition to stone to give homeowners the same aesthetic at a cheaper cost. It tin live imprinted amongst diverse patterns in addition to designs that tin live personally customized. Beyond that, almost whatever color in addition to complete is possible amongst decorative concrete in addition to that has also made it pop amongst businesses who remove specific designs in addition to colors for their branding.
5 Types of Decorative Concrete
With all the data out there, it tin larn pretty confusing when trying to sympathise what is in addition to isn’t considered decorative concrete. And amongst techniques beingness developed every year, we’ve made sure this listing is equally updated equally possible for yous to live able to create the best decisions for your home:
1. Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete adds texture in addition to pattern to whatever flooring amongst the utilisation of large stamping mats in addition to molds that are pressed into the moisture concrete to larn out an imprint behind. It tin live used to add together patterns in addition to customizable designs, in addition to tin also live used to mimic the facial expression of other flooring materials similar wood, bricks, in addition to stone.
2. Stained Concrete
Concrete stains are used to deposit color deep into a concrete slab. It makes this technique a pretty permanent coloring choice for concrete floors. Stains come upward inwards 2 forms: acid in addition to water-based stains. Acid stains final result inwards a rich in addition to uneven stain spell water-based stains deliver fifty-fifty in addition to brilliant pigments to concrete floors. For people who wishing a unique in addition to warm-toned application of color to their floors, acid stains are perfect. But if yous wishing a specific color that acid stains cannot do, or if yous wishing to comprise a pattern or pattern amongst a stain, in addition to so water-based stains are the best choice.
3. Colored Concrete
Colored concrete tin live achieved past times using a form of dye to apply to concrete floors, which is commonly made upward of pigmented inks that are mixed inwards amongst whatever form of solvent, commonly alcohol or acetone which are meant to assist penetrate the concrete slab.
4. Overlays
Overlays tin live used for both restorative in addition to decorative purposes. For decorative purposes, overlays are commonly used equally a novel layer on top of existing concrete floors that tin in addition to so live stamped or engraved amongst a design. This method is especially beneficial for people who wishing stamped concrete but don’t receive got the budget to rip out in addition to supercede their one-time concrete floors amongst novel ones.
5. Polished Concrete
Not to live confused amongst sealing or the human activeness of waxing in addition to mechanically polishing the floor, polished concrete is a decorative concrete technique that uses a chemic densifier. The densifier is applied on top of the concrete floors to fill upward out the pores of the stuff in addition to ensure everything is filled in. Once it has dried, a grinder is used to shave downward the densifier into the desired polish. It comes inwards a multifariousness of grades in addition to finishes in addition to is a pop selection for those who wishing to maintain their concrete floors bare but wishing a picayune extra something to create their floors pop.
Decorative concrete for specific rooms
If you’re struggling to sympathise or come upward up amongst ideas for how concrete floors tin live seamlessly integrated into your homes, we’ve set together a handy mini-guide within this large guide to how concrete floors tin run inwards every role of your home, from bedrooms all the way to kitchens, inwards alphabetical order:
Basement
Concrete is the stuff most oft constitute inwards basements because edifice contractors commonly utilisation it equally the default basement flooring material. Many homeowners select to encompass it upward amongst carpeting or endeavor to layer some other flooring stuff similar hardwood on top of it. We’re hither to tell yous why yous shouldn’t do that.
Concrete floors inwards basements are perfect for a multifariousness of reasons. First of all, it way that whatever yous select to utilisation your basement for, your flooring won’t live damaged. Concrete tin concord upward nether almost whatever activity in addition to is inherently durable. It tin also live real easily cleaned in addition to won’t start to odor funky when unused equally carpets oft do.
If you’re non happy amongst the appearance of greyish concrete inwards your basement, nosotros recommend getting an acid stain done on your concrete floors. Acid stains final result inwards rich in addition to interesting warm colors inwards a marble-like effect. It straightaway elevates the facial expression of a basement in addition to takes it from a cold-looking drab room to a warm cozy space.
Bathroom
Concrete floors are form of perfect for bathrooms, or at to the lowest degree nosotros recollect so. When sealed, concrete floors are durable in addition to waterproof, which is especially useful inwards a room where H2O may larn on the flooring at whatever time. Not solely does the H2O non harm the floor, but it tin also live easily cleaned upward amongst a dry out mop. Another practiced matter almost concrete, equally opposed to a stuff similar tile, is that concrete tin live made to live slip-resistant.
While almost whatever pattern tin live achieved amongst concrete floors, nosotros dear the facial expression of greyish in addition to polished concrete inwards a bath amongst a slightly raised texture to ensure security when feet are wet. It tin create your bath a calm in addition to minimal haven without whatever loud colors.
Bedroom
This ane is ultimately going to depend on your ain personal preference. Concrete floors inwards the sleeping room tin facial expression harsh, but nosotros recollect there’s a cool character to it that tin live customized to your personality.
While nosotros know yous mightiness prefer the visuals of a hardwood sleeping room flooring for ultimate warmth, at that spot is something unique almost polished concrete floors inwards the sleeping room amongst exotic in addition to patterned rugs on top to give contrast to the minimalism of concrete.
However, if yous alive somewhere amongst a hot climate, nosotros recommend looking into concrete floors for your sleeping room for to a greater extent than practical reasons. They’re a naturally cool stuff that does non soak upward equally much oestrus equally other materials in addition to so tin give relief on hot nights. Style a concrete-floored sleeping room sparingly amongst thoughtful in addition to space-saving furniture.
Dining Room
If yous dear entertaining, give your guests something to admire in addition to verbalise almost at your adjacent dinner political party amongst concrete floors.
We dear the facial expression of minimal Scandinavian-inspired dining sets on top of polished concrete floors, but nosotros also dear the facial expression of water-stained concrete floors that are fifty-fifty in addition to light-colored amongst brilliant cushions on dining chairs. It is also real chic to add together a minor patterned pattern to your floors amongst concrete stamping that tin laid your dining room apart from all the other rooms inwards your home.
The dining room is actually almost the people yous receive got over in addition to yous tin customize your dining room to best fit your personality in addition to the nutrient yous dear serving.
Garage
The garage is a room inwards the household that has in addition to ever volition receive got a harmonious union amongst concrete floors. And nosotros know why: grease stains are avoided, the floors are actually slow to create clean if your automobile brings inwards mud or water, in addition to it is durable plenty to receive got the weight of a automobile without denting.
Make concrete run for your garage past times applying a high-shine sealer in addition to installing brilliant lights to reverberate that shine. This easily gives your garage an expensive in addition to bigger-than-it-is facial expression that volition create for the perfect welcome home.
Kitchen
Like garages, kitchens in addition to concrete floors larn extremely good together but receive got solely started going steady inwards recent years. Concrete floors are wonderful for the kitchen because they are low-maintenance, slow to clean, in addition to slow to repair. Keeping a kitchen sanitary is extremely of import in addition to choosing a stuff similar concrete where dirt tin easily live identified in addition to cleaned is a practiced selection to make.
You tin larn multiple routes amongst concrete floors inwards kitchens but nosotros recommend a black greyish stain amongst a brightly-colored stamped pattern to a greater extent than or less the edge of the floor. It gives a unique facial expression to the room spell however maintaining its practicality.
Laundry Room
You don’t actually receive got to worry almost pattern inwards a laundry room so we’re non surprised you’ve never considered decorative concrete there, but at that spot are multiple benefits to choosing a uncomplicated polished concrete flooring inwards your laundry room.
It’s water-resistant, slow to clean, in addition to yous don’t receive got to worry almost your clothe getting on the flooring in addition to getting dirty.
Patios in addition to Pool Decks
Another surface area where decorative concrete is becoming to a greater extent than pop is for patios. You tin plough a drab grayness concrete slab into something beautiful inwards your backyard.
Driveways
Wanna create a corking kickoff impression? Improve your curb appeal? Use decorative concrete for your driveway. It tin create a huge departure to the curb appeal of your home.
Wrapping it up
Concrete has been to a greater extent than or less for a long time. It’s been tried in addition to tested equally a durable stuff for centuries, in addition to people receive got been trying to decorate it for equally long equally it has been around. That is to say, decorative concrete is almost equally one-time equally concrete itself.
With modern techniques in addition to tools, concrete floors tin live customized to facial expression whatever expose of ways, from shiny to colorful to stamped in addition to textured. This customizability makes it a practical in addition to fun flooring stuff to experiment with, but that however keeps costs depression inwards your home. It’s also incredibly durable in addition to low-maintenance, so yous won’t receive got to worry almost the costs of maintaining your floors.
We dear decorative concrete because it celebrates the ingenuity in addition to conception of people spell however allowing people to larn inwards facial expression the way they wishing it to look. It tin live used inwards almost every room inwards the household in addition to has no boundary to design, color, or visual effect.
It’s simply always a practiced idea.
Source: homestratosphere.com
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