Commercial concrete flooring is not only praised for its durability and cost-effectiveness but also for its versatility. Concrete is not limited to grey alone. It has many possible aesthetic capabilities, allowing you to create or mimic many different types of flooring in order to have the benefits of concrete with the aesthetics of other flooring options.
Customization Options for Concrete Flooring
Modern advancements in concrete technology and finishing techniques allow for a wide range of colors and designs.
Modern concrete floors can be customized in virtually any color. Techniques such as staining, dyeing, and integral coloring are used to achieve an extensive palette of shades. Stains can create rich, variegated effects, while dyes offer vibrant, uniform colors. Integral coloring involves adding pigments directly to the concrete mix, ensuring the color runs throughout the thickness of the slab, which provides lasting color that won’t wear away.
Concrete flooring can also be designed to mimic other materials, such as granite, slate, brick, or wood, offering a cost-effective alternative with reduced maintenance. Stamping concrete while it’s still wet can imprint it with patterns that replicate these materials. In addition, engraving or etching can be employed post-curing to add intricate designs or logos, enhancing the floor’s uniqueness and branding potential.
Techniques for Creating Custom Concrete Floors
Custom commercial concrete flooring is made possible through a variety of different techniques, each one with their own unique look. Some of the techniques that can be used include:
- Staining – Acid-based chemical stains and water-based acrylic stains are commonly used to color concrete floors. These stains penetrate the surface, creating a permanent color change that enhances the natural variations in the concrete.
- Dyeing – Concrete dyes are available in a wider range of colors compared to stains. They can be applied to both new and existing concrete floors, offering flexibility in design changes and renovations.
- Polishing – Polished concrete can be combined with stains or dyes to provide a glossy, reflective surface that enhances the depth and richness of the color. Polishing concrete by itself can also create its own unique appearance that many commercial property managers find desirable.
- Graphic Inlays – Another interesting approach that can provide very unique designs, graphic inlays can be embedded into the concrete floor. This method involves laying down intricate patterns or even digital images onto the floor before the final finish is applied.
- 3D Effects – Advanced techniques such as 3D floor art can turn concrete floors into a stunning visual spectacle. These effects are created by painting designs onto the floor, which are then sealed with a clear epoxy or urethane coating, giving the illusion of depth.
Changing the color of the flooring many change its price and the maintenance required to maintain it. While concrete is inherently durable, the longevity of its color and design can depend on the chosen method and exposure to traffic and environmental factors. It’s important to choose high-quality sealers and maintain the floor according to our recommended guidelines.
Custom colors and intricate designs can increase the cost of a concrete flooring project. Factors such as the complexity of the design, the quality of materials used, and the scale of the flooring area will all impact the final price.
Still, despite these challenges, those that do desire a more unique design will find that the design is very likely to be possible using these techniques.
Start Today with CCR
Achieving specific colors and designs requires professional expertise – someone that is intimately familiar with how to create custom commercial flooring solutions. When you call CCR, you’re partnering with a Denver commercial flooring contractor that is ready to give your property’s flooring the final look that it needs, whether you’re seeking a bold, colorful statement or a subtle, elegant pattern. Let us know your preference, and our team will be there to help.
