There was a time when a home with concrete floors made people think the owners either ran out of money to finish a project or the homeowners just couldn’t make up their mind on what kind of carpet they wanted to install, but how things have changed. Stained concrete floors are now often a preferred choice for some of central Texas’ finest homes. The trend of having stained concrete in homes started with it’s appearance in cool retail locations first, especially restaurants and bars. At some point homeowners realized that this same eye catching floor could be a hit in their own homes as well and this flooring option took off. Today there are many companies in the Austin area who have the expertise to turn your ordinary concrete foundation into something really special.
Let’s start by looking at the advantages that stained concrete floors bring to your home.
1-Easy to maintain – Nothing is easier. Just a quick sweep and a damp mop is all it takes with a good waxing once a year to maintain the shine.
2-Health benefits – One of the best things about stained concrete flooring is it does not hold dust and allergens. It is the best choice for people with allergies.
3-Green friendly – Since the floor is basically using the foundation that is already there, there is no wood to cut or carpet to produce.
4-Energy efficient – Concrete floors can actually reduce utility bills since they stay cool in the summer and a few throw rugs can bring out their warmth in the winter.
How does the process work?
There are actually 2 ways that people install (if that is the right word) concrete flooring. The first would be in a new house and it’s important to let the builder know your plans since there are a few slight adjustments they can make when pouring the foundation that will help when it comes time to do the floors. The second method is a remodel where you are pulling up old flooring whether that is carpet or wood. No matter which of the above pertains to your situation one thing is still the same and that is how the concrete is stained which is actually a little misleading. Concrete floors are not painted with a stain the way furniture might be, instead the concrete is treated with a mixture of acids and salts that actually create a chemical reaction that changes the color of the floor.
How will I know what color my floors will be?
Testing, testing, testing is the answer. Since we are dealing with a chemical reaction there is no way to know before hand how your existing concrete floor will react to the acid mixture about to be applied. So the best way is to test an area that is not easily seen like a closet or perhaps the spot where the washer or dryer might sit. This way you can make sure that the color you are getting works with what you are trying to do. And if it’s not, there are different acid mixtures that will give you different results allowing you to get very close to the color you like.
What colors are available?
Since we are talking about a chemical reaction you won’t get an exact color but there are 8 colors that your floor will come close to matching. Those colors are tan, brown, black, blue, red, gold, green and finally what many call umber or earth tone.
How much will stained concrete cost for my home?
There is an option for doing it yourself and it is very inexpensive and not as difficult as you might imagine. Doing it yourself can be done for about 50 cents per square foot and unlike many projects, small mistakes in staining concrete flooring can actually add to the overall look of the floor. The next time you are in a trendy restaurant take a look at their floors and you’ll see many differences in color. But if you are looking to hire a professional which is the route most people take, expect to pay anywhere from $2.50 to $5.00 per square foot. Companies should have a photo album either online or in person to show you other jobs they have done to give you a good idea of the quality of their work and how each stain might look in your home.
Some of Austin’s most beautiful homes feature beautiful stained concrete floors. Not only does it provide an upscale look but as we mentioned at the beginning it makes clean ups easy and can even reduce allergies. What once was looked at as unfinished flooring is now one of the most popular options today. Your home will have a unique floor with a color and pattern all its own, just one more way to make your house reflect your own family’s individual style. For more information on home improvements or if you are looking at buying or selling a home in the Austin area, please contact an Austin real estate agent.
This article was written on behalf of Brian Talley of Regent Property Group LLC, providing an updated list of Austin homes for sale. Brian provides Austin tx real estate services to those buying or selling an Austin home and is a top Austin REALTOR®. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/stained-concrete-floors-making-austin-homes-shine-1589786.html