Concrete Finishes

Garage, patio, driveway, and interior floors can be made beautiful by a variety of concrete finishes. A porous concrete surface by itself is hard to maintain and keep clean. However, there are many coatings and sealants to make maintenance pain-free. Stone and brick masonry have been used for years. The colors and designs that you can choose from are endless but usually have to be professionally installed. Concrete finishes of this type can be expensive to have installed. You will be required to replace stones from time to time and weeds can grow through the joints.

Concrete finishes are beautiful, if you use concrete stencils. They add a unique touch to a patio, driveway, or even a bathroom surface. Stencils are applied in a pattern on concrete and, when lifted, they leave the look of brick, tile, and stone. A pressure wash and a resealer every year should keep it beautiful.

Concrete finishes can include an acid-based stain. This stain reacts with the mineral composition of your concrete floor producing rich, earthy tones. The more lime in the concrete, the dark and richer the finish will be. Epoxy finishes can be utilized to make your concrete floors beautiful. Very popular in garages, it gives the effect of a showroom shine. It is very easy to maintain and most spills wipe right off.

You must have the correct tools before beginning concrete finishes. The tools may include a 5-gallon bucket, mop, broom, spreader, bull float, and trowel. Each finish is unique and may require other tools than listed here. You should do research to fully understand what tools you will need and how to use them.

Concrete finishes need regular maintenance to keep their beautiful look. The concrete should be pressure washed and sealed at least every two years. Keeping your concrete maintained will reward you with many years of beauty and style. Concrete patios and driveways have been known to last 20 years or more.

The pros of concrete finishing are many. Finished concrete is beautiful, easy to maintain, and costs less than traditional flooring. It is energy efficient; it does not cool down or heat up too quickly. If you have allergies, this type of flooring does not trap allergens, as carpet does.

Cons of concrete finishes on floors include complaints that concrete is too cool or too hard. This can be easily remedied by area rugs. If it seems the room is too loud when walking, then drapes and wall hangings will help absorb the sound. Concrete finishes are available for other projects you may not have thought of, such as countertops, hearths, and outside benches. Your imagination is the only limit to what you can do with concrete finishes.