Concrete floors used to be seen as a highly industrialized alternative to other flooring materials. However, many homeowners now invest in these sturdy concrete floors owing to their natural look. However, in modern living, sometimes, sturdy isn’t always enough.
Thankfully, there’s a range of modern concrete floor finishes to choose from. From colorful to metallic coatings, textured surfaces, and protective epoxy coatings, your concrete floors will benefit from these finishes.
However, some of them are without downsides. Below, we’ll go over the different types of concrete floor finishes to elevate your space. We’ll also give you some useful tips to help you achieve your desired look.
What Is Modern Concrete Finish?
Modern concrete finish is a minimalist take on traditional, lackluster concrete surfaces. The concrete floor can be polished to a glossy finish or coating. But you can also have it stained or painted. It all depends on your taste.
They are ideal for modern homes and business settings because they lend the space a sleek, clean, and industrial vibe. If your home uses angular shapes, has neutral color schemes, and consists of modern materials such as steel and glass, concrete is one of the best options for flooring.
Benefits of Finished Concrete Flooring
If you’re still on the fence about investing in a concrete floor, here are some perks to consider:
Makes Floor Durable
No doubt that concrete floors are durable. And this is why you’ll see them often in industrial spaces or any high-traffic areas. However, due to the amount of beating and foot traffic they get every day, it’s quite inevitable that they may start to show signs of wear over time.
Applying finish to your concrete floor adds a layer of protection. So, not only does it give you a visually stunning floor, but the finishes also make it last longer.
Less Maintenance
A polished concrete floor requires minimal upkeep. If done right, the finish can help resist mold and water damage. Properly sealed concrete floorings can shrug off dirt, spills, staining, and impacts. Polished concrete floors, especially, don’t require frequent refinishing, buffing, or upkeep.
Cost Effective
Concrete floorings could poke a hole in your pocket if you are remodeling or building a new residential space. It’s even more tempting to just place tile or wood flooring over an existing concrete floor, but a finished concrete floor may be in the more cost-effective range at the end of the day.
Concrete floor complements a range of aesthetics, so you don’t need to switch up floor tiles over time. It’s also more durable and requires less maintenance than hardwood and tile floorings.
Endless Design Options
You can choose from different finishes that suit your taste. If you want the high gloss look, go for the polished concrete floors. You can leave it naturally with a durable sealer for a neutral aesthetic. But there are also various design options such as stains or colors to personalize your space.
Examples of Modern Concrete Floor Finishes and Colors
Polished
This is ideal if you don’t want the basic, rough, troweled concrete floor. Polished concrete floors elevate the look of the space. It goes well with some other design elements in your space. The polished surface especially looks beautiful in contemporary living.
You can achieve a smooth, polished surface, by using special grinding tools, such as abrasive pads or a diamond-tipped grinder. However, the job is laborious. But once done, you’ll have a glossy floor that requires very little maintenance.
Metallic Coatings
Metallic epoxy coatings add luster, though the color-changing effects might be a bit too much with some people. But for many industrial interiors like cafes and retail shops, metallic tints can instantly upscale the space it touches.
This type of coating can range from silver, copper, aged bronze, and nickel. There are also shimmery patinas as a unique choice. It’s a wonderful option for both high-end contemporary and modern spaces.
Stained or Dyed
The natural dark gray finish of concrete adds gloom to certain spaces. It’s not always ideal, particularly for living areas that lack natural lighting. So add some colors to enliven the space.
Concrete floor stains are great because, unlike regular paints, they don’t chip or peel off and fade. Staining also allows you to create unexpected color accents. You can use either acid-based stains, which give off interesting color variations that resemble marble and granite, or water-based stains to create a more uniform look.
Dying the concrete does the same thing. Unlike an acid stain, the concrete doesn’t react to the solution but soaks it. Concrete dye is also easier to work with since it provides consistent color and dries faster than stains. It’s a great option for earth tones or more vibrant colors.
That said, a dyed concrete floor will show signs of wear over time compared to stained concrete floors. And since the coloring is more consistent, if you have a larger floor area to work on, you may have to invest in a rug to break up the solid color or tie the looks together.
Keep in mind that when choosing a color, it should complement the other elements and the architectural features of your space. Otherwise, it will just look out of place.
Epoxy Resin
This one is more like a protective concrete floor finish. Epoxy finishes have a catalyst and hardener that when combined, creates a chemical reaction that causes the solution to harden and produce a glossy finish. It’s one of the most durable concrete finishes out there. You’ll see them used mostly in garage floors.
The resin doesn’t penetrate like colors and stains, but it sits on top of the concrete floor’s surface. What makes this finish so popular is that it can even be applied on top of previously stained or sealed concrete surfaces. However, the flaws of the previous stains may still be visible.
If you prefer to leave your concrete flooring in its natural state, make sure to polish it first and apply epoxy for a smooth, highly glossy, and durable floor finish. But you can also choose from various color options like quartz color chips. It’s your heavy-duty option for keeping stains and abrasions at bay. Plus, epoxy is affordable.
Brushed
Broomed or brushed concrete finish adds depth and visual interest to modern space. A stiff broom is typically used to create a textured look while the concrete surface is still wet. The broom gets dragged in a circular pattern to create an intricate web of lines throughout the concrete surface.
The process of achieving the look usually takes a few days. You need to let it cure and finish it with a sealing product.
Exposed
An exposed concrete finish reveals the stones and pebbles (or aggregates). It’s a textured finish that entails grinding down the concrete, transforming a drab slab into Italian terrazzo. Top it off with a sealer or special coatings and you’ll have a unique concrete floor that is also durable.
You’ll find exposed concrete floors in most high-end homes. The downside is that the aggregates in the concrete may create an uneven look. But it gives you decorative flooring for your patios, curb, and driveways.
Sealed
This is usually applied at the end of the finishing job. However, if you want to keep the natural troweled surface of your concrete floor, then stick with a concrete sealer. The main goal of this finish is to protect the surface from water damage, staining, and corrosion while giving off a shiny look.
That said, it won’t always give you the same mirror-like gloss as a polished concrete finish. But that’s because sealers also come with matte finishes, so always check the product label.
Another downside is that it doesn’t last as long as a polished concrete floor, which has low maintenance. With sealers, you need to apply a coat or two once every 2-5 years. But that’s ok because concrete sealers are dirt cheap and you can easily do the job if you’re a DIY-er.
Tips: How Do You Modernize a Concrete Floor?
Giving your concrete floors a “facelift” is easy depending on the type of finish you choose. With polishing and brushing, for example, you may need the help of your local concrete flooring company. These jobs take a lot of muscle power and some skills, but for starters, here are crucial steps to follow:
Prep Work and Clean the Floor
Sleek modern concrete finishes always come from a clean canvas. However, how you do the prep work depends on the type of finish you use.
If you’re going to use dye or acid stains, you definitely want to avoid strong cleaning solutions. And not all concrete surfaces are perfect. Some may develop cracks, chips, or holes, and you may need to repair those first. Or, you can just leave them as is and do a bit of dusting.
Apply Your Preferred Finishes
Choose from the range of concrete finish options we’ve discussed above. If you want to have a glossy surface, go for sealers and epoxy resin finishes. But if you want a textured effect, leave the aggregates exposed or brush the wet concrete surface with a broom. Stains and dyes also leave you with vibrant color options.
Seal the Finish or Apply Other Protective Treatment
But first, you need to figure out whether you need it or not. However, most of the time, you do. Applying stone or concrete sealers is crucial after staining or coloring the surface. Sealers protect your floor from all sorts of damage such as staining, mold, and water damage.
What Is the Best Finish for Concrete Floors?
Epoxy is one of the safest and best options for finishing concrete floors. It’s highly durable and resists moisture, impact, and stains. It can also come in a range of colors to suit your preference.
Conclusion
There are endless possibilities of what you can do with a rather drab and plain concrete surface. But take it as a blank canvas and design a space you can call yours. Whichever finish you choose, your concrete floors should complement your style and impart a lasting beauty to the space.
If you have more questions about modern concrete floor finishes, let us know—we’d love to hear from you!
