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Home Improvement Options: Interior Concrete Floors
by H.L. Staples
Refacing Cabinet Columnist
The use of concrete for building dates back to the Romans. Even the Pantheon was made of concrete. But few people in the modern era have opted to step out of bed every morning onto a cement floor. Until recently, most people have seen few options for improvement on concrete and have simply slapped a decorative surface down. New concrete remodeling technology; however, has opened up the aesthetic possibilities of concrete flooring.
Concrete Floor Renovation
These days, many home owners are going for home improvements that call for pulling their concrete floors out from under the rugs and letting them shine. Rather than laying carpet, vinyl, or tile, you can transform your dull cement base into a decorative concrete floor. There are several contemporary remodeling options.
- Acid Staining: Many manufacturers sell concrete floor stain in three basic color groups: black, brown, and blue green. About 60 percent of homeowners who remodel their concrete floors by acid staining opt for a tan colored stain. The warmth of tan off-sets the cool concrete, according to the Concrete Network.
- Etched: An etched floor can create the look of tile, without the trouble and expense of actual tiling. You can also ask your concrete specialist to etch patterns of your choice, creating a signature floor.
- Painted: Concrete professionals are just beginning to specialize in painting floors. You can create personalized flooring, or you can opt for something more conventional. For example, with a painted concrete floor, you can achieve the polish and look of marble, for a fraction of the cost.
There are many remodeling options beyond the ordinary to transform your concrete floor. So go ahead and rip up the old carpets for an immediate improvement. Cement flooring is the new hardwood.
Sources
About the Author
H. L. Staples has renovated two older homes, as well as taught at the University of Georgia and Syracuse University. Her articles have appeared in the Boston Review, Denver Quarterly, the Georgia Review, and elsewhere.
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