How good should your floors look?

You may think no one’s looking at your floors, but as an interior designer with over a decade of experience, I can assure you, somebody’s looking. 

The floors are usually an afterthought in the aesthetic plan for a new home. However, the right flooring is the last piece to complete the jigsaw puzzle of a perfect interior design style. 

If you’ve woken up to the aesthetic potential of your floors, then you know concrete floor finishes are a great option. The right interior concrete floor finish can upgrade the aesthetic appeal of your home, while the wrong finish could completely ruin your design.

Here are the best interior concrete floor finishes that are guaranteed to transform your space for good:

1. Stained Concrete

   

   Stained concrete finish copies the appearance of stone and marble floors using a unique technique. This finish gives your floor a natural depth with earthy tones that give a luxurious look at a low budget. 

   It needs regular sweeping and mopping to maintain the glossy look. You’ll also need to avoid using harsh cleaners and opt for gentle chemicals to avoid damaging the finish.

   • Why You May Not Like It: Stained concrete tends to fade quickly when used in high-traffic areas like corridors or kitchens. Spills may also sleep in and ruin the colors if the concrete is not properly sealed.
   • Cost: $3 to $8 per square foot
   • Best For: Colorful, maximalist homes.

2. Polished Concrete

   

   This finish type is popular for both residential and commercial buildings. Polished concrete gives off a beautiful high-gloss appearance that brightens up a room and easily reflects light. 

   If you want a highly durable finish, polished concrete should be among your top choices. It’s strong, long-lasting, and requires little maintenance; just sweeping and mopping to prevent dirt buildup.

   • Why You May Not Like It: Polished concrete can get slippery when it’s wet, so it’s not ideal for homes with little children or the elderly. It can also feel cold to the touch, so you won’t enjoy walking barefoot on it.
   • Cost: $3 to $8 per square foot
   • Best For: Modern, minimalist homes or industrial spaces.

3. Faux Wood Finish

   

   Faux wood finish is a perfect choice for homeowners who love the look of wood floors but want the durability of a concrete floor finish. To create a faux wood finish, stamping mats are used to mimic the texture of wood floors and then the concrete is painted to look like wood. Very little paint is used, so you get to save on painting costs.

   This finish is a great choice for living rooms and bedrooms because of its aesthetic appeal. It’s also a good choice for kitchen floors because of its high resistance to moisture damage.

   • Why You May Not Like It: Faux wood lacks the warmth of real wood floors. It’s cold to the touch and not suitable for barefoot walking.
   • Cost: $2 to $4 per square foot
   • Best For: Busy areas like kitchens or basements.

4. Stamped Concrete

   

   Just like faux wood finish, stamped concrete is created by using stamping mats to imprint texture on concrete floors. With this technique, you can create different designs to mimic natural stones and bricks.

   Stamped concrete is very durable and versatile. It’s a finish that’s mostly used for outdoor areas like patios and driveways, but can also be used for interior home floors.

   • Why You May Not Like It: Stamped designs usually have little grooves in them that make it easy for dirt to get trapped in the concrete. This may make it harder to clean.
   • Cost: $9 to $13 per square foot
   • Best For: High-traffic areas like patios and garages.

5. Epoxy Coating

   

   Epoxy coating is one of the most colourful and versatile concrete floor finishes. It is created by coating concrete surfaces with colored epoxy. This finish allows you to choose from a wide variety of colors and patterns, making great for complementing wallpaper designs in living rooms and bedrooms.

   Epoxy-coated floors are stain-resistant and not prone to wear and tear, making them suitable for all areas of the home.

   • Why You May Not Like It: Some types of epoxy coating may experience photo decay and start turning yellow after prolonged sun exposure.
   • Cost: $0.50 to $2 per square foot
   • Best For: High traffic areas or homes with kids and pets.

6. Dyed/Painted Concrete

   

   Water-based and solvent-based dyes or paints are used to paint concrete surfaces for a bright and long-lasting finish. Homeowners can choose from a variety of colors and paint finishes or even mix colors to create different patterns. 

   Dyed or painted concrete is also sometimes polished after painting for a sleeker, high-gloss appearance.

   • Why You May Not Like It: The colors in a dyed or painted concrete floor may start to fade after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
   • Cost: $3 to $15 per square foot
   • Best For: Bold, maximalist homes and commercial buildings.

7. Stenciled Concrete

   

   Stenciling is a great option for homeowners who want the creative patterns of stamped concrete with more intricate designs. 

   For this type of finish, stencils are used to create custom patterns that mimic brick and tile designs. Stenciling requires little or no painting and gives a beautiful, durable finish.

   Stenciled concrete requires regular sweeping and mopping with gentle cleaners and also regular resealing to protect the design.

   • Why You May Not Like It: Stenciled concrete can get easily worn out when used in high-traffic areas.
   • Cost: $9 to $20 per square foot
   • Best For: Artistic, colorful homes.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Concrete Floor Finish

1. Aesthetics: Each finish has its own unique aesthetic appeal. One major interior design tip is to stick to a neutral color scheme no matter what finish type you choose. A neutral color scheme will help tie in the flooring with your home’s existing aesthetic elements.
2. Budget: Your budget is an important factor to consider when choosing floor finishes. Finishes like stenciling can be very expensive, while dyeing and painting are more budget-friendly.
3. Durability: Concrete is a more durable and lasting flooring than wood, however, some concrete finishes are more durable than others. Epoxy-coated floors are considered one of the strongest interior concrete floors.
4. Maintenance: No matter what finish you choose, you’ll need to carry out regular maintenance like sweeping and mopping. However, some require more maintenance than others. Polished concrete floors and epoxy-coated concrete floors are among the easiest to maintain.
5. Location: More durable and scratch-resistant finishes like epoxy coating or faux wood finish are great for high-traffic locations like the kitchen and corridors. Rugged and polished finishes like polished concrete will work well for garages and outdoor areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can you DIY concrete floor finishes?

  Yes, you can finish a concrete floor yourself. Dyeing, staining, and epoxy coating can be easily done without professional help. However, some concrete floor finishes, like polishing and stenciling are more complicated and are better left to professionals.

• How long can concrete floor finishes last?

  A finished concrete floor can last up to 50 years or more, depending on the type of finish and maintenance.

• How often do concrete floors need to be sealed?

  You should reseal your finished concrete floors every two to five years.

Give Your Floors The Right Look

While tiles and carpets remain the popular options for flooring, concrete finishes are increasingly recommended by professional interior designers. Concrete lasts much longer than some tiles and wood floors and gives you more room for customization.

Polished concrete services can also be cheaper than other flooring options, making them an all-round perfect pick for many homeowners.