Home Improvement DIY

Many people find it difficult to understand that concrete flooring is actually something you can have installed in your own home. People tend to think that you buy other flooring types such as wood and bamboo to cover up concrete. However difficult you may find to understand someone wanting concrete flooring in their home, the truth is that it can look a lot more beautiful than you may have first expected.

One of the techniques used to make concrete flooring attractive in the home is a technique called acid etching. People in the past sometimes mixed colored dyes into the concrete or it can be painted. However many people find that this is not an attractive outcome. Etching or staining gives far superior results compared to colored concrete. You can really achieve some amazing results and the colors you achieve tend to be earthy tones. However the result can be as spectacular as any marble or granite. There are also other techniques which allow you to enjoy a leather or wood effect.

When you go to acid etch concrete floors, it’s imperative that the concrete is perfectly smooth and has no cracks or chips. If there are any imperfections these will not be covered up in the etching process; they will still be visible. Acid staining is actually quite similar to staining wood in many ways. You are not just covering the surface (in the way you would do with pain), the stain penetrates through part of the way down the concrete. Because the stain doesn’t cover up the actual concrete you need to make sure that it is in good condition.

Because staining concrete is an art form of sorts and requires knowledge and skill, whoever carries out the work must know what he is doing. First of all they need to do a test patch to determine how the concrete will react. The test area will probably be under an item of furniture so that it isn’t visible. If you are having a pattern created on your floor, this pattern will need to by laid out.

Now it is time to apply the stains. The stain is normally a mixture of acid, water and metal salts. What metal salts get used depends on the color you want to achieve. The amount of acid used will also have an affect how deep the stain sinks into the concrete. How the acid etching process works is that the hydrochloric acid has a chemical reaction with the calcium hydroxide which is found in concrete. This causes the surface to be etched and the metal salt to penetrate and adhere its color. When the concrete reacts with the metal salts and water you end up with an amazing variety of colors. You will be surprised at just how stunning this can look, the colors and patterns become mottled and variegated. Be aware however, that this coloring is permanent.

When this process is complete and allowed to dry, you will need to clean the surface properly because you want to avoid leaving any residue of acid on the surface. Once you have cleaned the concrete, it’s time to use a sealer; either use acrylic or epoxy.

How much you spend having your concrete flooring etched and stained can depend greatly on who you choose to do the work. Each artist has their own experience and skill and will charge accordingly. Much work and effort is needed in etching concrete and needs to be carried out by someone who knows what they are doing. Once you have chosen your etching artist, you will be bowled over at just how beautiful your concrete floor looks.

 

Related Entries:

• Garden Landscaping Pavers - There are many reasons you may be looking for garden paving. Some people just simply do not want to bother with caring for a lawn so lay down landscaping pavers instead. Alternatively you may want pavers to create an attractive driveway. Whatever your reasons, you will need to read up about the
• Concrete Floor Coverings For Your Home - We all know that concrete is often used as a flooring material in commercial premises but having it in the home is not something most people would ever consider.  People tend to choose other materials for flooring such as bamboo, tiles or hardwood.  However if it is laid correctly, you’d be surprised at just how
• Types of Soil in the Garden - Before you go rushing out to your local garden center and buy whatever you like the look of, make sure that you understand the what type of soil you have in your garden. This can have a huge effect on whether you have a beautiful garden full of lush and healthy plants or whether
• Basement Flooring Options - It comes a time for most home owners to decide whether they should sell up and move to a larger home or extend up, down or outwards. Some of these projects can run into thousands of dollars but one of the simplest ways to make your home more useable is simply to convert the
• How to Seal Concrete Floor - If you have just had concrete flooring laid in your home or garage you will need to seal it in order to protect it and keeping it looking good. If you allow it to become exposed, traffic and other abuse will risk you having your concrete floors ruined. This is especially important if

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.