Advice For Concrete Floor Overlay
Hi All
I am building a house in Mexico and we are up to pouring the concrete floors. Instead of using floor tiles throughout, I would certainly like to do something different. I am confused about the research between floor stamping, and floor overlays etc.
I have a very experienced concrete man working for me, but, being here in Mexico neither of us have heard or seen anything of this type of floor finishes.
What would be the absolute easiest way in which to approach this project in that would result in a a glossy finished concrete floor? Would prefer some sort of 'marble' appearance, but perhaps something else would be easier for us beginners.
Any suggestions?
Thank you for any advice you may offer.
Paul
for us, the ' easiest ' would be to finish conc to a light hand trowel & then acid stain,,, we'd use solvent-based sealers for best value protection w/ncl's ONE wax on top,,, there are wtr & acid-base'd stains + conc dyes,,, for the ease & least amount of equip, i'd pick acid stain,,, only cautions w/acid is NO puddling in low spots & 1:ammonia:8water for neutralizing the acid residue & mineral salts,,, baking soda's a pita but it does work.
you haven't lived in me-hee-ko all your life, have you ? next time you're back in the states, look DOWN ;-)
best [the original] hasta-la-vista yic-yac
Great info.
Acid stain or concrete dye??? Lets say I come up with some sort of concrete dye. The concrete should first be finished to as smooth/slick finish as possible? Then pour(?) this dye directly onto the concrete where the color/pattern is desired?
Paul
paul, why bother reinventing the wheel ? many brand names of dyes avail from the advertiser's blurbs.
best [the original] they-export-too yic-yac
take a look in the showcase for ideas. a great look is an acid stain....but you will need to read up on the methods. also , what ever you decide to do, you will need to protect it with some sort of a sealer....so figure that step in as well.
this site is a great resource of knowledge, but you need to do some of your own leg work, do a search for acid stain and look at some pictures..if you have questions come back to the forum and search for your answers here. most questions have already been asked and answered...look for your answers in the "search" (enter keyword) area and read a bit. if you do not get the answer your looking for then ask back in this topic.
There are a great many PROVEN overlayment materials, reactive stains, dyes, and other trade related material (not even considering the tools of the trade and equipment utilized in the field). Coming up with "something," along with statement of just "pouring it on (dye/stain/etc)" is "over-simplifying" the entire process and prone to costly non-performance failures.
As with anything, you need to do your "homework (study)" ... there is a wealth of insightful information that you can learn from reading the content of the DCF and posts of our DCF contractor community ... as well as from the web, hands on/educational seminars and workshops, professional produced videos on materials you have an interest in, magazine publications (leading ones being: Concrete Construction magazine at a nominal annual subscrition/maximum return in trade related information; along with Coatings Pro, free subscription).
It takes time to hone your decorative concrete skills, as well as learning the application techniques associated with those of premium/proven materials, both being integral componets that are NECESSARY in order to assure lasting beauty, success, recogntion & referrals, and revenue that comes from a job well done ... leaving any one of these out of the equation is a waste of your time, money, and leaves you open to legal action by dis-satisfied property owners (take care not to stain your company's image; these types of stains can't be removed or resurfaced; damaged reputations last forever and become future hurtles that are extremely difficult to ever scale).
Lindy A.
Giving concrete that extra layer of protection it needs to tolerate constant wear and tear. In addition to its protective function, a coating can also dress up a drab surface, simplify maintenance and improve skid resistance.
I'm sorry, I am not following your line of thought. First, you seem to questioning the difference between stamped concrete (stamping mats are used on the 4" concrete slab itself when it is poured/placed to make an imprinted design) ... overlayments are usually about 1/4" thick; they can have texture mats/skins used to make an imprinted design/pattern or they can be applied in a smooth finish (integrally colored, or some type of decorative concrete colorant such as acid stains, concrete dyes, or other resinous/decorative coatings applied over them when cured). Concrete stamping and cementitous/polymer modified overlayments are not for the novice.
You then make reference to shiny, having a marble like appearance ... if the finish on the concrete slab you are pouring has been properly finished, there would be no need for any overlayment; you could use a acid stain, concrete dye, or other decorative coating directly over it and then seal with a high gloss clear. This would be the easiest option for you to undertake.
Lindy A.