Quick Answer: How To Finish Concrete Floors Indoors?

How do you seal an interior concrete floor?

Apply a thin coat of concrete floor sealer and let dry. Apply a second coat in the other direction, let dry. Wax the surface of the floor to prolong the life of the sealer. Reapply the sacrificial wax as it wears off.

What is the best covering for a concrete floor?

Ceramic tile is the designer’s choice, with tons of colors and styles. It’s unaffected by moisture and goes directly onto concrete that’s smooth and free of cracks. Vinyl tile and sheet flooring also goes directly over prepared concrete and will withstand even minor flooding with no ill effect.

How do you make a concrete floor smooth and shiny?

To achieve a smooth and shiny concrete finish first requires proper leveling, floating, and troweling before it cures. After attaining a relatively smooth concrete surface, and once the concrete is dry, you can utilize either mechanical or chemical polishing methods to achieve a nice, glossy shine.

Which is better epoxy or stained concrete?

Both stained concrete and Nature Stone flooring will last for years with proper care, but stone epoxy tends to be slightly more durable than stained concrete. The reason for this is because the sealant used on top of stained concrete wears down faster than stone epoxy.

Do you need to seal indoor concrete?

Sealer protects concrete from the elements and makes it easier to clean off deicing salts, oil or grease. But you need to apply it properly.

Should I seal my concrete floor?

By sealing your concrete floors every 2-5 years, as we would recommend, you can ensure your concrete floors remain in good shape for many years, helping you protect against pitting, cracking, and additional damage.

How can I cover a concrete floor cheaply?

Cheap Basement Flooring Ideas

1. Epoxy and Concrete Paint. Paint is generally your cheapest basement floor option.
2. Concrete Stain and Sealer. Concrete stain is another inexpensive option.
3. Linoleum or Vinyl.
4. Ceramic Tile Flooring.
5. Rubber and Foam Mats.
6. Traditional Carpet Flooring.
7. Laminate or Engineered Hardwood.

Do I need a subfloor over concrete?

While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you’ll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: A subfloor will help insulate against a concrete floor that becomes overly cold in winter.

Can you put flooring over concrete?

Laminate flooring can be installed over concrete, wood or carpet subfloor or other surfaces. Installation of good quality underlayment is highly recommended. Installing underlayment is easy but it has to be done precise to avoid any tears.

How do I keep my concrete floor shiny?

Stained concrete floors are easy to clean and keep shiny.

1. Sweep your floor. Use a dustmop to avoid damaging the surface of your stained concrete floor.
2. Mop your floors. Use a damp mop for occasional cleanup.
3. Seal your floors.
4. Wax your floors.
5. Avoid scuffing your floor.
6. Maintain your shiny floors.

What is the smoothest concrete mix?

I suggest using an aggregate free Portland cement and sand (or silica powder if its available). The ratio is typically 1 part cement to 3 parts sand and water of course. The trick to getting a smooth final surface starts after its poured and before it sets.

What makes concrete floors shiny?

A glossy sealer creates a shiny surface, and an acrylic wax adds an additional protective coat. Polyurethane and epoxy sealers resist abrasion, stains and heavy traffic particularly well, but water-based acrylic sealers are less expensive and easier to apply.

What are the disadvantages of epoxy flooring?

10 Disadvantages of Epoxy Flooring

• Strong toxic fumes.
• Epoxy takes long to harden completely.
• Temporary flooring solution.
• Cracks and Chips on high impact areas.
• Very Slippery when Wet.
• Tedious installation process.
• Complex Removal Procedure.
• Costly Maintenance.

Is it better to stain or paint concrete floors?

Concrete stain embeds the surface to color it translucently, while opaque concrete paint covers the top of the concrete but is subject to chipping and peeling when improperly applied. Concrete stains go on quicker, dry faster and take less work than concrete paint, but they offer no significant protection.

Is it worth it to epoxy garage floor?

Is It Worth It To Epoxy Your Garage Floor? Epoxy is durable, easy to clean, and protects the concrete substrate of your garage floor. It is also a highly affordable flooring solution. If you are looking to renovate and protect your garage floor, epoxy is worth it.