Let me start by saying that I have a decorative layer of concrete in almost every room in my house. However, before I installed it, I was worried that it was too simple, too expensive, and too difficult to change in the future. So why did I install it in the first place? Well, my husband makes a living installing concrete reinforcement. What could he say? So, with some fear, fear of the unknown, you know? – I gave him the go-ahead and the work began.
First, we removed all the carpet and tack strips, and then we removed the tiles in the kitchen and dining room. Let me tell you, tile removal is no walk on the beach! Therefore, we made the decision to install the overlay ON TOP of the rest of the existing tile that is in the hallway and bathrooms. He called it a true test of the coating product we use: If it could hold up on top of the tile and grout (some of which were a little loose!), it would hold up to anything. We decided to go with a tile look in the kitchen, dining room, hallway, and bathrooms, and a flagstone look in the den, living room, and bedrooms. For the tile look, he laid down a layer of concrete, which we then tapped to create the grout lines we wanted (we went with a 9″ x 24″ tile look). He then placed the second coat, let it dry, and then added the colors. The final step was to lift the entire tape, revealing the “grout” lines, and then seal it. The end result was magnificent!
For the slab, the process was a little different. The first thing he did was use a concrete cutter to cut the slab pattern out of the concrete itself. Another option is to tape the slab pattern instead of cutting the concrete, but I personally prefer the cut pattern much better. After this step, he applied a layer of the concrete layer, allowed it to dry, and then added a water-based stain for a mixed stone look. A couple coats of sealer later and the job was done. This ended up looking completely different than the mosaic look we did in the other area of the house, but it looked just as good. We have never been able to decide which finish we like best.
So why do I love this finish so much? Many reasons. First of all, anyone who has ever had a tile floor knows how difficult (even impossible) it is to keep the grout clean. Higher traffic areas end up having darker grout lines than light traffic areas due to dirt and oils getting in. And don’t even get me started on the grout lines near where the dogs eat! Even though my kitchen now looks like it has tile and grout lines, it doesn’t. It has a nice thick layer of sealer that will never wear off. That means when the dogs are done eating and slobbering all over the floor, and my husband leaves footprints in the mud on the patio after a monsoon rain, all I have to do is get my floors (which have pristine white grout lines ) look like new again is to wipe it down with a rag or take out the mop and some hot water. A couple of hits later, and it’s good as new. This is by far the main reason I love these flats.
Another reason I love them is their durability. Remember the part about layering on top of some loose tiles? That was a year ago and the floors are perfect. I dropped soda cans on the floor from about four feet and the cans dented, but the floor is undamaged. I have water on the shower floor every day – I have one of those shower stalls and for some reason I can’t seem to hold the water, even though there is a one inch lip on the rim. But I never have to worry about water soaking into the floor like I would with carpet, wood, or tile because the sealer is completely waterproof. Finally, I found that neutral concrete floors are the perfect canvas for rugs that are easily interchangeable. With rug, the color you choose is the color you stick with, and putting an area rug on top to switch things up seems a bit strange.
What’s the last thing I love about decorative concrete overlay floors? The price! Well obviously since my husband installed this I got it for a discount price. But, I have found the regular price to be competitive with wood, laminate, and tile installation, as well as anything but the cheapest carpet. We have Pergo laminate flooring in my office (the only room in the house without the concrete liner), and the price to purchase and install it was equal to or higher than the price it would cost to install the concrete liner, which easily outlast Pergo due to its indestructible tendencies.
So, if you’re looking for a new floor, be sure to consider a decorative layer of concrete. You’ll be glad you did.
