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Skip Carpeting, Get Polished Concrete Floors Instead

polished concrete floors

There are so many benefits to installing a polished concrete floor in your garage or industrial space, but have you ever considered bringing it inside your home? The versatility of the concrete provides a great alternative to hardwood floors or carpeting that can be expensive to install and a pain to maintain. This out-of-the-box flooring choice will impress your guests and help you feel at home.

Clean up on aisle two

First things first, you want a floor that looks nice and gives you peace of mind. How many times have you panicked over a wine spill or a Sharpie in the hands of your toddler? Those stains may never come out of your carpeting. Luckily, polished concrete floors are extremely easy to clean and care for. A spill doesn’t have to turn into a stain.

It ain’t gonna rain no more

A common complaint about hardwood floors is that they warp over time due to moisture. The appeal of a beautiful wood floor is drastically diminished when each plank is disfigured. Concrete, on the other hand, is water-resistant and, when installed properly, stands up to evil moisture that may be in the air or on your floors.

versatile concrete floor

Vanity project

If you still want that hardwood look without all of the fuss, a polished concrete floor is definitely your solution. The large variety of paints and sealants available make any concrete floor customizable to your tastes. Do you want a modern look? A trained professional can install a floor that looks like marble or limestone. If you want a more rugged homey vibe in your house, request a wood-like finish. Concrete floors also make for a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces of your home. The options are endless!

Keep it green

Since no natural resources go into installing a concrete floor, it’s a more sustainable flooring option. The floors also naturally retain temperature, both hot and cold, better than carpet and hardwood so you’ll see your energy bills go down.

Save your money

On average, polished concrete floors are less expensive to install and maintain than other flooring options. Of course, this depends on the desired outcome and the cost differs slightly from project to project. However, even the most luxurious concrete floor will save you money in the long run.

Love it forever

When properly installed and cared for, your home’s interior floor can last centuries. It can outlive everything else in your house. There is actually no flooring option more durable than a concrete one. Minor wear and tear is to be expected, but maintenance is often minimal and therefore inexpensive.

Keep in mind a polished concrete floor is only a great option when installed by a professional. Most of the floor’s benefits stem from proper sealing so it’s crucial the concrete is installed right the first time. Get in touch with our professional team and we’ll help you get started!

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How to Make the Most of Your Interior Concrete Floor

You’ve just moved into a new place with a basement that has a concrete floor. You’re thinking to yourself, “What am I supposed to do with this room?” Well, a concrete floor provides a versatile surface to create a bonus room that fits your lifestyle. If it’s not already polished, contact a professional concrete floor specialist to install an epoxy coating or other finish to match the style you’re wanting.

An Over-21 Room

Treat yourself and your friends to a room for just adults. Polish your interior concrete floor with a darker brown or marbled grey color. Install a bar and stock it with your favorite drinks. Bring in an area rug that matches your style and enjoy the atmosphere of a bar in your own home. In case you have a friends who gets a little clumsy after a few drinks, you’ve got the perfect floor to wipe up the mess.

uses for concrete floor room

Craft Room

Are you or your kids artistic and in need of a place to let your creative juices flow? A polished concrete floor provides a wonderful surface to get messy. Whether you love painting, scrapbooking, or glitter projects, your floor can handle it. It proves to be an easy-to-clean surface that can be enjoyed by all.

Man Cave

A basement with a concrete floor is a great space to utilize for a man cave. Let’s be honest, a man cave isn’t a place where you want to be clean and tidy and the furniture you like often leaves scuffs on the floor. You don’t want to stress ruining the flooring but you know that spills and scuffs are inevitable. So solve your messy man cave problem with a polished concrete floor. Many types of epoxy coatings won’t scuff and they all can handle the spills you and your buddies are bound to bring about.

home gym on concrete floor

Home Gym

Create a mini gym with the space that your concrete floor provides. Because concrete stays cool, it’s the perfect surface for a workout room. Plus, a decorative chip broadcast floor doesn’t scuff, so don’t worry about marking your floor with rubber weights or equipment. Polish your floor with a color or design that is lively and energetic. Bring in whatever equipment you enjoy using and add some mirrors on the  walls. This will create an atmosphere where you’ll look forward to your exercise time and get the most out of your workout.

Game Room

A room designated specifically for games and a lot of activity, whether it’s for you or your kids, is a great idea. This provides a space where you have the freedom to have fun without worrying about making a mess. You don’t have to worry about the mess when food (and spills) join your game time. If your family loves basketball or racket sports, paint a mini court to play on your concrete floor.

There’s no need to worry about your concrete basement anymore. There are many options to utilize this unique space according to your needs. Be creative and have fun with the flexibility that a polished concrete floor can provide. If you’re looking for a professional to finish your floor, contact Smith and Company for an estimate.

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Case Study: Perfect Epoxy Floor Coating for Archery Summit Winery

The Smith & Company Flooring team worked with Archery Summit Winery in Dundee, Oregon on a variety of projects recently. We just completed redoing the floor in the new Members Lounge area. In five days, we prepped and installed an epoxy floor coating to withstand every accidental wine spill.

Luckily, the substrate was already in decent condition, which usually leads to a smoother job. There was an old epoxy floor coating that was stained and discolored, but we were able to just cover it.

There was one major challenge with this particular floor, though. The old epoxy had a sanded finish and we had to be extremely careful not to grind it smooth. The team had to figure out how to properly prep the floor and scuff it just enough for the new epoxy floor coating to stick without completely smoothing out the previous finish. The solution was to use a special grinder to find the happy medium.

We used a 100% solid two-component epoxy as a base on the winery floor. This was followed-up with a top coat of Ultra High Solids two-component polyurethane in Silver Grey. The polyurethane was chosen because it’s the most stain-resistant coating option available. We always take the client’s needs into consideration and some of Archery Summit Winery’s delicious Pinot might find it’s way to the floor. Their new floor is definitely stronger than any potential wine spills.

epoxy floor coating for Archery Summit Wineryepoxy floor coating for Archery Summit Winery  epoxy floor coating for Archery Summit Winery epoxy floor coating for Archery Summit Winery epoxy floor coating for Archery Summit Winery

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Painting, Coatings, Polished Concrete & Epoxy Flooring

Smith and Company offers a full line of concrete polishing services for both residential and commercial buildings. We offer concrete repair, epoxy and decorative finishes for our clients.

We have completed projects from 500 – 100,000 Square Feet.

The full scope of our services includes:

  • Broadcast systems – These concrete coating floor systems provide a decorative look that is perfect for light and medium duty floors. The floor is broadcasted with a colored aggregate that is combined with a clear epoxy binder and the result is a finished product that is durable, non-slip and offers a design that is visually appealing.
  • Novolac Systems – This system provides a flooring product that is chemical resistant. It provides a mid to high range of chemically resistant flooring that is able to withstand both acids and some solvents that are chlorine based. This product is perfect for commercial applications where chemicals are used so the floor does not get damaged.
  • High Build Epoxy Coatings – This process is designed for an industrial setting that has moderate traffic and is prone to chemical spills. They are usually between 18 and 3 mils in thickness and can come in a variety of colors. The flooring will mask imperfections and spills that can occur in an industrial setting to keep the floor looking fresh.
  • Thin Mil Coatings – This concrete coating allows industrial settings to create a floor that offers superior performance while also being visually appealing. The flooring increases light reflectivity and also can reduce the needs for maintenance, such as dusting or mopping because it is not as porous as other concrete finishes. It comes in a wide variety of colors, or a clear coat.
  • ESD Coatings – These concrete coatings are designed for applications where static control is required. The electric static dissipative system will not lose its ability to function as other similar products do over time. It has the ability to last in any environment. It comes in an assortment of colors that have not been previously available, and can be designed to fit the needs of the building that it is being used in.
  • Epoxy/Urethane Mortars – Epoxy mortars are the perfect way to patch, repair and resurface many different flooring materials. It can be used on metal, wood, or concrete flooring and the result is a floor that is strong and resistant to more damage. Urethane mortars offer great protection against wear, and the damaging effects of heat. It is a great material for resurfacing floors where a durable material is required.
  • Concrete Polishing – Concrete polishing is a great way to create a great looking floor that is also very durable and cost effective. It can be used in both commercial and residential settings. The system includes a densifier, water-proofer and a conditioner that create a finished product that is perfect for many different applications.
  • Decorative Concrete – The decorative flooring systems can turn a concrete floor into something that looks like any other type of flooring material. Color, texture and design can be easily added into the concrete flooring system. The use of a concrete sealer, river rock binder and metallic powder can create a product that not only looks great, but will last a long time.
  • Paint chip systems – These systems will put paint chips into a concrete flooring to create a unique and special look. The paint chips can be in a random pattern or they can fully cover the concrete flooring. A top coat seals the paint chips to the floor to create a durable product.

 

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Why You Need a Concrete Floor Coating

benefits of concrete floor coating

By opting for a concrete floor coating for your garage, business or home, you are choosing a floor that is more than what meets the eye. While the appearance of the floor is a great reason to get a concrete floor coating, you may want to consider some of the other benefits this floor has to offer.

  1. Durable – sealed concrete floors are resistant to wear and tear and are expected to last around a hundred years.
  2. Spill proof – unsealed concrete is porous and allows for stains, however, a sealed floor is easy to clean up and makes for easy maintenance.
  3. Chemical-resistant – coated floors are also resistant to continued exposure to chemicals as they are remarkably strong and don’t allow for chemical breakdown.
  4. Safety – coatings prevent slippage and are resistant to temperature changes, extreme impact and fire.
  5. Brightness – concrete floor coatings create a shiny or reflective surface that brightens the room and enhances the lighting in it.
  6. Versatile – coated concrete floors can be installed for indoor settings as well as garages. They can be a great transition in a hallway or room that leads outdoors.
  7. Attractive – coatings can come in a variety of colors and textures. They can be manipulated to look like limestone, marble, granite or even wood. Varied application techniques can add value and create a floor unique to your home or business.
  8. Saves you time and money – sealed floor coatings take less time than other floors to install. Since they have a low maintenance requirement, their lifetime cost for upkeep is quite low.

Interested in having a concrete floor coating that is not only attractive but functional as well? Contact Smith & Company Flooring for information on the type of floor that will best fit your needs.