Decorative Concrete Flooring

Decorative concrete flooring is quickly becoming one of the most popular design techniques for homeowners and interior designers. The process starts with a basic concrete floor solution. Color dyes and stamping techniques are then employed to transform a basic concrete surface into a work of art.

Types of Decorative Concrete Flooring
The term decorative concrete includes a variety of design techniques. Here are the most common types of decorative concrete currently available.

• Dyed Concrete- The design starts with a basic mixture of concrete and water. The concrete is then mixed with dyes and paints to create a colored appearance. The floor or countertop is poured out and then covered with a high gloss top coat to provide a polished appearance.
• Painted Concrete- With painted concrete the color is painted on after pouring the floor rather than mixed it into the concrete. The most common painted concrete designs use multiple paint layers to resemble slate, granite and marble.
• Stamped Concrete - Stamping concrete while it is still wet imprints a permanent design into it. This is sometimes confused with textured concrete which is very similar but has no clear pattern.
• Acid Stained Concrete- In this process, a mixture of acid, salt and water is applied to bare concrete to create a chemical reaction.
  

Uses for Decorative Concrete Flooring
Decorative concrete can be used for almost any horizontal surface including floors, patios, countertops and driveways. Decorative concrete can also be used for some vertical surfaces. The appeal of decorative concrete is that it is durable and is a cost effective alternative to installing high prices floors and countertops.

Installing Decorative Concrete Flooring
Installing decorative concrete floors is best left to professionals as it is more of an art than a home improvement task. Although the basic process of pouring concrete is not difficult, the painting and stamping processes are not easily mastered.

Decorative Concrete Cost Flooring
The cost of decorative concrete varies based on the process applied to the concrete. Supplies for a very basic application of concrete, base stain and an industrial sealer can start as low as $1.25 per square foot. Stamping designs into the concrete starts at $2.00 for standard designs and are higher for custom designs. For painted concrete floors with a marble appearance, the cost can rise as high as $15 to $20 per square foot due to the elaborate paint technique employed.