There’s a reason concrete floors have been reaching new levels of popularity in residential homes in recent years. Polished concrete floors are absolutely stunning in any environment and can enhance the look of just about any home. And yet despite the versatility and style of concrete floors, some homeowners hesitate to consider restoring their home’s concrete. Although concrete is beautiful, they may have questions about how well-polished concrete can work for daily living in their homes.
Our ACT Restoration concrete floor restoration pros in Brooklyn Park love helping Twin Cities homeowners discover the timeless beauty of restoring their existing concrete floors. In this blog post, we’ll share some of the most common questions we encounter about refinishing concrete in a residential home.
Embracing Your Concrete Floors
When you’re deciding on a flooring option for your home, you have plenty of choices to make. But one of the most elegant is often overlooked completely by homeowners when they cover their concrete floors with carpet or tile. However, concrete flooring is one of the most versatile solutions for modern homes and can be stained in a wide range of styles and looks. It’s also incredibly durable, making it an ideal floor solution for lasting beauty.
Here are three of homeowners’ most pressing concrete floor questions:
1. Do concrete floors work well for pets?
If you’re a dog or cat lover, you need a concrete floor that will work as well for them as it does for the humans in your home. Concrete floors are a great solution for pets for a number of reasons. First, they won’t get stained like carpet. They’re also very easy to clean, which means sweeping up pet hair is a breeze. And you won’t have to worry about fleas, mites, and dander getting trapped in the fibers of your carpet.
2. What decorative styles are available?
If your idea of a polished concrete floor is industrial and gray, we’ve got good news for you! There are dozens of options for customizing your concrete floors. We can stain your concrete floors in a wide range of styles and colors. Choose from concrete floor looks like fresco stains and vivid dyes. With Brickform Blush-Tone Acid Stain, you can get beautiful floors that evoke a weathered, textured, timeless look in 10 shades including Mission Brown, Olive, Turquoise, Ebony, and Jade, among others. Or go with an Ameripolish® Concrete Dye, available in 24 vibrant stock colors like Patriot Blue, Pine Green, Terra Cotta, and Maroon. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we can even create a custom shade.
3. What is the best way to clean a concrete floor?
One of the biggest advantages of concrete floors is how easy they are to keep clean. With tile floors, you have to constantly worry about debris and grime getting caked into your grout, and scrubbing it clean can be an ongoing battle. But with concrete, you have a smooth floor that only needs to be swept and wiped down regularly. This makes concrete a great fit for busy families and pet owners.
To keep your floors looking great, use a vacuum or broom to remove any debris, crumbs, and dirt from your floor. Next, clean your floors using a gentle, non-abrasive, pH-neutral cleaner and a microfiber cloth or mop or alternately, use a steam mop. Never apply vinegar, citrus, bleach, or ammonia to your floors as these can damage the seal and surface of the concrete. When in doubt, talk to your concrete floor specialist to get a professional recommendation. On tough spots, apply a few drops of liquid dish soap and gently agitate. Once finished, make sure your floors are completely dry before walking on them.
4. What is the maintenance like on concrete floors?
Keeping your concrete floors looking their best is easy thanks to the relative ease of maintenance. The amount of traffic your home gets will play a factor, but generally, residential homes receive far less traffic than industrial or commercial settings where polished concrete is used and lasts for many years.
Your concrete will be highly resistant to abrasion and stains. To help prevent stains from settling into your floors, wipe up any spills immediately once they occur. You can also reduce the daily wear on your floors by placing rugs or mats inside busy walkways. Finally, having your concrete floors regularly resealed will help to protect them against wear and tear, ensuring they last longer and look great while they do.
5. What are the most common types of concrete floor damage?
Although concrete floors tend to look great longer than any other type of flooring, anything can be damaged under the right circumstances. Understanding what can lead to concrete floor damage is part of the key to preventing it. One of the most common causes of cracks or chips is a heavy impact due to dropped items. However, it typically takes an exceptionally heavy item to do any serious damage to a concrete floor.
Another cause of concrete floor damage occurs from repeated heavy loads, but this is rarely a factor inside a home. Typically, the biggest concern for homeowners is spilled chemicals or liquids. When acidic fluids impact a concrete floor, corrosion or staining can occur. However, these issues can be repaired with concrete floor refinishing services.
6. How hard is it to repair a crack in my concrete floor?
Having your concrete floor repaired is typically a fairly straightforward and simple process. We use a wet grind method to prepare your floors, level them, and get them looking their best once more. We can level your uneven surfaces, remove stains and adhesives, and repair cracks, chips, and other types of damage.
Contact Your Twin Cities Concrete Floor Resurfacing Pros
If you’ve been considering restoring your home’s concrete floors, our team at Act Restoration can help you get the beautiful floors you’ve been dreaming of. Visit our design portfolio online to check out examples of our work or check out some of the available color options.
To connect with one of our concrete floor resurfacing experts, give us a call at 612-750-5360. Or you can also contact us on the web to get your free estimate today.