Do you think concrete floors belong in the garage or the basement? Well, not anymore. Picture your beautiful granite countertop carefully expanded and fitted to cover the floor of your kitchen, dining nook, foyer, sunporch, or even living room. The online photo galleries of Florida polished concrete floors will make your mouth water.
Concrete used for flooring is still basically the same, but it has moved into an art form. Today experts blend the color into the mix of cement, sand, and binders. That means any chipping or scratching is minimized, since the color is not simply painted on. Patterns can be stamped into the surface; of course, which means the floor will be waxed to make it shine and to protect it.
There are specialty contractors who can give you a high-gloss floor, either a new one or a renovated old one. The step by step process starts with grinding the surface smooth. If you are putting in a new floor, you can choose the color and a granite-like look which comes from adding aggregate to the mix of cement, sand, fillers, and other chemicals. Check the online photo galleries to see the possibilities of bringing true glamour to your home.
To understand the process, watch the videos that show every step from beginning to end. There are many contractors who specialize in making gorgeous, impressive floors for Florida homes flooded with light from wide windows which showcase the interior. There are also DIY instructions, lists of equipment needed (grinders, edgers, polishers, sealing compounds, etc.), and how-to videos.
People have used concrete for the floors of entrance ways, kitchens, and enclosed porches for years, especially at the beach. The smoothed surface is easy on bare feet, cool on hot days, and unaffected by sand that gets tracked in. Spills wipe right up, and the flooring can be painted, sealed, or coated. Mats or rugs can be used for cushioning where needed, like in front of the stove or the sink.
Kitchens, entryways, and mud (sand) rooms often get wet. Tiles and linoleum have joints that can trap dirt and encourage the growth of micro-organisms. If the flooring lifts at all, moisture can seep underneath. The more durable, poured surface doesn't have the same problem of mold and bacteria.
The more beautiful high-gloss surfaces will not remain so indefinitely without proper maintenance. This is true for any flooring, whether wood, tile, or stone. A good contractor will protect the cement with stain-protectors and density-improving additives. However, like a granite countertop, the surface can be marred by abrasive dirt, acidic spills, and sharp objects. Care should be taken to sweep and mop often, wipe up food spills or brightly-colored juices quickly, and move furniture with care.
A properly installed or refinished polished concrete floor will have a long service life, is as easy to care for as any other kind, and is perhaps the most beautiful of all. It is also very trendy. You owe it to yourself to take a look and see what interior decorators and up-scale homeowners are doing with this relatively new medium. Even if you're a hardwood devotee or not really planning to build or renovate, it's fun to educate your eye with a virtual trip to 'keep up with the Joneses'.
Concrete used for flooring is still basically the same, but it has moved into an art form. Today experts blend the color into the mix of cement, sand, and binders. That means any chipping or scratching is minimized, since the color is not simply painted on. Patterns can be stamped into the surface; of course, which means the floor will be waxed to make it shine and to protect it.
There are specialty contractors who can give you a high-gloss floor, either a new one or a renovated old one. The step by step process starts with grinding the surface smooth. If you are putting in a new floor, you can choose the color and a granite-like look which comes from adding aggregate to the mix of cement, sand, fillers, and other chemicals. Check the online photo galleries to see the possibilities of bringing true glamour to your home.
To understand the process, watch the videos that show every step from beginning to end. There are many contractors who specialize in making gorgeous, impressive floors for Florida homes flooded with light from wide windows which showcase the interior. There are also DIY instructions, lists of equipment needed (grinders, edgers, polishers, sealing compounds, etc.), and how-to videos.
People have used concrete for the floors of entrance ways, kitchens, and enclosed porches for years, especially at the beach. The smoothed surface is easy on bare feet, cool on hot days, and unaffected by sand that gets tracked in. Spills wipe right up, and the flooring can be painted, sealed, or coated. Mats or rugs can be used for cushioning where needed, like in front of the stove or the sink.
Kitchens, entryways, and mud (sand) rooms often get wet. Tiles and linoleum have joints that can trap dirt and encourage the growth of micro-organisms. If the flooring lifts at all, moisture can seep underneath. The more durable, poured surface doesn't have the same problem of mold and bacteria.
The more beautiful high-gloss surfaces will not remain so indefinitely without proper maintenance. This is true for any flooring, whether wood, tile, or stone. A good contractor will protect the cement with stain-protectors and density-improving additives. However, like a granite countertop, the surface can be marred by abrasive dirt, acidic spills, and sharp objects. Care should be taken to sweep and mop often, wipe up food spills or brightly-colored juices quickly, and move furniture with care.
A properly installed or refinished polished concrete floor will have a long service life, is as easy to care for as any other kind, and is perhaps the most beautiful of all. It is also very trendy. You owe it to yourself to take a look and see what interior decorators and up-scale homeowners are doing with this relatively new medium. Even if you're a hardwood devotee or not really planning to build or renovate, it's fun to educate your eye with a virtual trip to 'keep up with the Joneses'.
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Find an overview of the benefits of installing Florida polished concrete floors and more info about a well-respected installer at http://www.concretereflections.com today.
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