A dropped glass is certainly gone, as are most dropped ceramics. People sometimes refer to white concrete as white Portland cement. You dont want to spread damaging particles across the floor as you try to clean it. Polished concrete floors can look great, but it does have a very harsh and cold look. Contractor: DS Grinding, Clarkson, Western AustraliaAmount of polished concrete:393 square metresSize of building/project: 645 square metres. View in galleryThis modern contrast either white polished concrete flooring with dark walls or dark concrete with white walls adds a crisp, smart aesthetic to the entire space. degree in English/Technical Writing), and a lover of interior design. Concrete Coffee Table Customizes Urban Living. The polished concrete floor cost is pretty high, even if it might seem cheap at first. Harder pads can cause scratches and etching that damage the polished concrete finish. Once polished and sealed, concrete doesnt take much effort to maintain. Theyre sanded with industrial-strength abrasives. For this project, a white-on-white color scheme was selected for a distinctive look and for its coolness factor. Clear out the space and make sure theres no debris. After the concrete has set, a topcoat is added that makes the floor shiny. It's edgier and more modern than tiles, too. Copyright 2008-2022 - All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy and Disclosure Update Privacy Settings. Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. Really, it doesnt get much more basic than concrete in architecture, and polished concrete flooring is no exception. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. This turns the space into something airier and less intimidating. But many contractors prefer to add no color at all and leave the concrete a bright, gleaming white. Homedit.com is operated by DIY HOME MEDIA SRL, a registered company in Romania (Company No. Theyre also incredibly durable. If polished concrete floors are feeling too stark, bring in soft fabrics, mix fun prints, and don't be shy about introducing cheerful colors. How to install a fireplace door easily today, The Best Window Cleaning Tools to Buy for an Easier Job (Answered), Why You Need an Indian Swing in Your Home, A Look: How To Furnish Your Home The Right Way For Maximum Comfort, 5 Indoor & Outdoor Places to Create Cozy Spaces in Your Virginia Home, Simple Ways to Enhance Your Home with Modern Renovation Techniques, Good Green: Essential Tips For Keeping Your Lawn And Patio In Great Condition, 10 Interior Design Ideas to Consider When Choosing a Style for Your Home. They are abrasive, which will lead to a duller and discolored finish. Look for ones that are made for high gloss polished concrete floors. When you dont want standard grey, Go Green Umbrella White! The result is an edgy but approachable home. Immediately clean up any spills to help prevent their seeping into the porous concrete. View in galleryPolished concrete is hard-wearing and can maintain its pristine appearance for much longer than softer flooring surfaces such as hardwood, which chips or dents. The benefits of white concrete are largely in terms of appearance, the cost is the only major drawback. First of all, it is worth mentioning that white concrete functions in much the same way as standard concrete. The arched frame also softens up it up and the interior glass allows the two spaces to share light. If you have a polished concrete floor in a living room or rec room, put down rugs to help keep the room from being too harsh. The adhesive can cause damage when its removed. Regular cleaning is vital, but you need to make sure its done with the right tools and products. The cleaner should sit on the polished concrete floor just long enough to loosen dirt and grime. The beauty of concrete is, when its wet, the surface is a blank slate and can be worked into nearly any shape, design, or pattern. 20 Gorgeous Concrete Houses With Unexpected Designs, How to Stain Wood: A Basic Step By Step Process, Beautiful Polished Concrete Floors In The Context Of Extraordinary Houses, What Are The Best Flooring For Basement In Homes, gray-interior-design-polished-concrete-floor, bedroom-with-concrete-ceiling-and-polished-floor, minimalist-black-gray-room-concrete-floor. Some of the popular applications of white concrete include the following: Essentially the use of white concrete is a decorative choice. In this open floor plan home designed by Studio Razavi, the multi-level windows lighten the space, giving it an open, light, and airy feel as opposed to a humid dark basement, which obviously isn't a great way to get the most design potential out of concrete floors. Our polishing specialists are pleased to provide you with professional service and advice to create beautiful polished concrete solutions. Not all cement used in concrete is gray. Remove it before it dries. Manual cleaning is done by sweeping to remove dust and grime. White concrete floors, especially in an entryway, make a dramatic statement. It can work for modern kitchens, sophisticated living rooms, and gritty man caves. Stencils can be plastic molds or polyurethane lace stencils. The team at DS Grinding are fully trained and qualified concrete polishing specialists. Concrete dyes can look great, but they are also pretty expensive. Theres a lot of variation in the color and texture of standard cleaning pads. Regular brooms may scratch it up or cause it go dull. The sealers need time to cure properly so that they can provide the best possible protection to the polished concrete from the very start. White concrete is also very reflective, which gives it a warmth and shimmer when it is sunlight. Being white on white, protection of the floor during construction was also vital to maintain a clean and immaculate surface to which the builder did an amazing job. Image source: Warren House Construction Ltd. It is also a very responsive form of concrete in terms of further decoration and finishing. We at DS Grinding have over 12 years experience across hundreds of residential and commercial projects. These topcoats are often wax, resin coatings, or liquid polishes. Polished concrete floors can certainly be retrofitted, although new floors require less work and are therefore less expensive. When laying a white concrete slab the process is also much the same. This modern California family home designed by Amber Interiors proves otherwise. The cost of using a white concrete mix, in contrast to a gray mix, means that something beyond functionality is necessary to warrant its use. Expert Advice from Concrete Specialists, All You Need to Know About Concrete Floor Finishes, Why Concrete Resin is the Best High Traffic Flooring Type, The Professional Guide to Hospital Flooring. This is useful in customizing the look to make it fit the space better for example, to provide geometry to the floor in a space where such an addition makes all the difference in style. Head Office/Eastern Area Provide some balance in your polished concrete floored space with some warmer elements, such as wood or (faux) animal skins. Use a microfiber dust mop to help protect the polished finish. Theyre also liable to show up as your house settles. We look forward to discussing the requirements of your special project with you. It opens the door for custom designs and patterns, such as seeded aggregate or other objects into the top, exposed layer of the concrete. See this Guide to Concrete Efflorescence to learn why it happens and how to fix it. The result was a breathtaking home featuring a perfect white concrete floor with grey and white quartz aggregate. Using a shop vac or a good vacuum, clean up all the dust from sanding. White concrete will make a visual impact in terms of design. Use lots of colors. 07131251, How Long Does Concrete Take to Set? Designed with by Optimise Online. Indoors, applications for white concrete include: Outdoors, white concrete is often used for: See these examples of what can be done with white concrete, whether for aesthetic reasons or to save energy and reduce lighting needs. Soften the look or break up the expanse just a bit with a plush rug. White concrete requires chemical modification during manufacturing to create its colour. In sunnier spaces, the concrete will help lighten the space. While it once was expected and appropriate to cover the concrete foundation of ones home with some suitable flooring material, those days are gone. This can be great for some styles, but it might not work for others. If youre looking to get a unique look, youre going to end up spending quite a bit of money. SO40 3SA, Email The appearance of ordinary gray concrete can be drab, albeit functional, so people use a white mix for a brighter appearance. Economical: Polished white concrete floors require less maintenance and prove themselves more durable with longer life cycles than traditional flooring choices such as marble, granite, tile and epoxy-coated concrete. This is different than the stain itself and is added after youve applied and allowed your concrete stain to dry. Concrete floors work particularly well in spaces that get plenty of natural light. Concrete is easy to personalize these days thanks to recent technological developments. Avoid using ammonia, bleaches, citrus cleaners, pine-based cleaners, and vinegar. Please have a look at the gallery to view some of our quality work. Never apply wax to a concrete floor. For both of these projects, white cement was used to create porcelain-white concrete countertops that beautifully complement a neutral color palette. You can customize the color, texture, and even choose concrete with shells or other materials mixed in. White Concrete Countertop MixConcrete Satisfies Lofty Design GoalsThe White Whale: A Concrete Countertop Captain Ahab Would Love. Soft beige pads also have a very soft texture and will help keep the polished concrete floors from dulling. In this living room designed by Studio Razavi, the cement floor tiles give the room a modern, pared down backdrop. Whats more, this type of flooring is great for allergy sensitivities, as it reduces dust mites and allergens. Dust, dirt, pollen, and other allergens have a difficult time sticking to the smooth polished concrete texture. Concrete is a hot material right now in all aspects of architecture and home design. People do not usually use white concrete for construction or ordinary masonry as it is primarily for decorative use. A custom blend of white/creme cements to grout additive was used to achieve a correct colour match before grouting commenced. You should work in small sections to make it easier to clean up all the cleaner. White Polished Concrete is LEED Certified: Made from recycled materials Releases minimal pollutants Alternative to hazardous materials Reduces heating and cooling costs Reduces energy use by increasing ambient light Green Umbrella Concrete treatments have zero or low VOC content and minimal impact on indoor air quality. With some smart decision and routine maintenance, this tough flooring can last you 10 years or more. Polished concrete can fit right into a domestic setting. In this sleek house designed by Robson Rak, the great room bleeds directly into the outside area. Concrete design projects can be a challenge but our experts can deliver results, so when you are ready to start your own contact us for a quote and a professional result. The longer the liquid sits, the deeper and darker the stain will be. Or at least some of them. View in galleryBasically, polished concrete flooring is measured by grade and finish the higher the grade, the larger the exposed aggregates tend to be. As with concrete elsewhere in architecture, polished concrete flooring can be enhanced by the appropriate usage of borders. Some of the best interior design inspiration you can find, *The PDF will be sent to your inbox after confirming the subscription, Large Luxury Kitchens Designs (38 Pictures), Key Elements And Principles Of Interior Design. Steel troweled- this is a good technique to use for a basic polished concrete floor. Here's proof that you can transform a concrete floor into basically anything. All external slab-ends were seamlessly polished and a 4mm rebated cut made to isolate all joints from holding brickwork. This goes, Concrete Ballast Calculator & Ratio Help Ballast is an important aggregate that you will often use when working with cement., Self-Levelling Epoxy Screeds | Expert Floor Finishing Concrete Flooring Solutions are proud to provide our self-levelling epoxy floor screeds applied, Concrete Floor Sealers Industrial Warehouse and Commercial Grade Floor Sealers Here at Concrete Flooring Solutions, we have a brilliant. You dont need to have a cement truck back into youre living room to lay concrete. In fact, concrete floors can be surprisingly homey, inviting, and warm, all the while offering an edgy twang and modern grit that makes them undeniably cool. A dropped phone may only bounce off a carpeted floor, but its liable to shatter if dropped onto a polished concrete floor. Concrete floors cause rooms to echo quite a bit. Using a paint sprayer, apply the acid-based stain as evenly as possible. This kitchen designed by Robson Rak is a serious stunner. Burnished- this is similar to the trowel method, but with a few more steps. Sand the surface of the concrete to open the pores. Here are the types of concrete floor finishes you can find today: You can have all sorts of decorative additions made toy our concrete floor. If you do use cleaners, look carefully at their pH levels before you use them on a polished concrete floor. Architects are increasingly turning to white concrete in their designs thanks in large part to customizable color and design, a long life cycle, limited maintenance and high slip resistance standard to architectural concrete. There are a variety of ways to make concrete white. View in galleryPolished concrete flooring can be scored, lined, or gridded. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Telephone +40 751 842 790, contact@homedit.com. This is why people commonly use white cement outside. Please have a look at the gallery to view the completed job and see the results for yourself. If you decide to wet mop, make sure that the mop and water are both clean. Its a very common mistake, but also a pretty serious one. If youd like any more information regarding our services, please get in touch. White pads have a soft texture and work very well for cleaning high gloss concrete floors. Speak with a professional contractor to determine which method is best, as some options apply to new concrete pours, while others work on existing surfaces. Keep it in the same color range as the concrete floor so it blends in and further disguises it. The black accents sharpen up the space to keep it formal. White concrete is environmentally friendly with high ambient light reflection, reduced heating and cooling loads, and exceptional durability. The accumulated dust particles will also dull the finish and ruin the look you want. The vintage, laidback rug makes it feel both unique and edgy, comfortable and inviting. Keep a cabin or lodge from feeling overly outdoorsy and nature-inspired by using an industrial material like concrete for the floors. This will also give people somewhere to warm up the feet on colder days, as well as keep the echoing to a minimum. But enough of us fan-girling over concrete floors To learn all about this pared down design trend and how the pros make them pop at home, read on for twenty stylish concrete floor ideas. One particular type of concrete that people use is white concrete. In this bathroom designed by Leanne Ford Interiors, the French glass doors balance out the modern vibes of the concrete floor, adding an old-world charm. Resin flooring has a minimum day charge of 3,500.00, and most resin applications require more than 1 day, CFS Concrete Flooring 2010-2022 | All rights reserved, Registered Office: 7 St.Johns Parade, West Sussex, BN12 4HJ | Company No. If the cleaner is allowed to dry on the surface of the concrete, it will create a dull haze and can cause discoloration. Or spot clean with a rag, if mopping seems too hard. Want to know more, or arrange a free quote with our team? If you want to make it clear who owns this room, have your initials stenciled into the concrete. Tight rebated sections to door frames, precise falls and ceiling setbacks etc were paramount in the designer and owners vision to create the overall finished look of clean crisp lines and the clear understanding of the attention to detail taken on this build. Distressed concrete- this technique uses an artificial aging process to create a raw and rugged distressed look that looks great in industrially styled homes. It can even last longer than that on occasion. Salt and pepper finish- this finish erases the top layer of concrete, exposing large pieces of sand aggregate. View in galleryDespite the fact that they may look smooth as glass, polished concrete floors actually are less slippery than waxed linoleum or polished marbleas long as theyre kept clean and dry. This can make even small uncrowded rooms seem cavernous and loud. Polished concrete flooring is very forgiving in the cleaning department. However, in most cases it is a design element not a constructive element. What is the Best Lab Flooring? The smooth, polished aesthetic and texture of concrete floors makes them irresistibly sleek. The people you deal with are all part of our team we do not use sub-contractors. Liquid stains like red wine will soak easily into it and leave a permanent stain. Allow in a lot of sunlight. In true Leanne Ford fashion, almost everything in this space is painted white. Stained concrete- you can get stains for concrete in just about every color imaginable. Applying wax will void the warranty of the polished concrete floor. A jute rug, indoor trees, and exposed brick work together to set a nature-inspired but chic, contemporary scene in this open space designed by Arent & Pyke. The stream of concrete floor ensures this flow, and the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and walls accentuate it even further. Its a good idea to sleep on the idea, especially if its very dramatic and/or unusual. The method used for retrofitting a polished concrete floor is either to (a) cut or sand the existing floor slab to be hardened and polished, or (b) apply a topping slab of polished concrete flooring, at least 50 mm thick, over the existing slab. White concrete does not work, in an economic sense, for foundations or structural aspects of a building. Green Slope Roofs What They Are And Why Theyre Great, DIY Crib Sheet: Step-by-Step Tutorial for Making Two Types of Crib Sheets. The beautiful blue artwork is evocative of the sea while the warm tones and casual colors (that Moroccan rug, leather sling chair, and sandy-hued cushion collection on the built bench) keep things grounds. The wrong kinds can actually damage the finish over time. To ensure a seamless aesthetic, the internal staircase void wraps from the floor surface to a 100mm underside roof rebated detail. Polished concrete floors certainly have a lot to offer, both in form and function. The walls are painted in a chalky sheen to reflect the raw material and edgy look of the floors, setting the scene even further. Decorative touches, like stenciling, will add to the cost. This is, Why Concrete Resin is the Best High Traffic Flooring Type High traffic flooring needs to be able to endure constant, The Professional Guide to Hospital Flooring When it comes to hospital flooring, exceptional levels of hygiene are paramount. Cleaners that have acids are another product you should avoid using since they can cause etching and may also dull the gloss of your finish. Technically speaking people can make use of it for the same projects as gray cement. With the right maintenance and care routine, a polished concrete floor will last between 7 and 10 years before it needs to be re-polished. Unit 43 South Hampshire Industrial Park Polished concrete flooring is simply a concrete floor that has been treated with a chemical densifier (to fill in the holes/pores) and ground down (similar to sanding wood) with progressively finer grinding tools. Just remember that you cant make any changes after the stencil or stamping is done. There are no grout lines like with tile or joining seams like with floorboards, which means that a polished concrete floor is just one unbroken sheet of material. Polished concrete floors fall under the much-sought-after category of sustainable design because of its ability to use what is already there (e.g., the concrete foundation slab). Essentially the main drawback of white cement is cost. She thrives on finding inexpensive ways to DIY her own home into a stylish yet family-friendly space. This is a great option for rec room themed around your favorite sports team. Working in with the designer, builder and various trades to ensure the seamless detail throughout was perfect took exceptional planning and very strict construction and design guidelines. View in galleryWhether youre already convinced polished concrete is the way to go for your homes floors, or youre intrigued by the idea but are looking into the matter more, we hope you will find information and answers in this in-depth guide to all polished concrete flooring-related matters. For decorative concrete, using white portland cement in place of the standard gray variety allows for brighter, richer colors to be achieved when pigments are added. Here are some helpful points to consider if youre thinking about installing concrete floors. If the floor sees traffic around the clock, for instance, a morning and evening cleaning schedule will probably work best. By polishing the exposed concrete, you eliminate both the materials and energy required in putting in a floor in the traditional sense. Concrete floors are a minimalists dream. Embrace this fact, and go all-in with the raw, exposed, unfinished aesthetic of your space. On the top floor, large custom stacker doors leading out to the balcony were flush mounted. Its a great choice for anyone who doesnt have a lot of time or energy to clean. If you use an automatic floor scrubber, make sure it has soft and non-abrasive pads. Photo by James Fennell/The Interior Archive. In this bedroom designed by NICOLEHOLLIS, they add just a dash of city slickness without feeling out of place. Goring by Sea All of our design projects make use of our extensive expertise to deliver exceptional finishes and craftsmanship. The polished concrete floors are an unexpected treat. Concrete gets a lot of flack for making a space not feel homey enough. Even a floor that seems clean but hasnt been cleaned for several days will collect particles that will begin to work like sandpaper on the finish. Opt for a super large rug that stretches from wall to wall to cover up the concrete floors entirely. BN12 4HJ, Western Area Office Paired with a traditional console table and vibrant abstract art, the concrete framework takes on a whole new meaning. The removal process will dull your finish across the entire floor. Gheorghe Titeica 202-204, 020305, Bucharest. Here is an overview of polished concrete as well as some great polished concrete solutions for your floor. Our experts keep up with current industry standards and practices, using the latest equipment and techniques. With a custom mix such as this, a custom grout colour matching process was essential. Please check your inbox for the newsletter confirmation email. Though concrete floors may be associated with cold, industrial spaces (or at their worst, creepy warehouse storage units), they're making a major comeback and designers are using them in ways that give them a whole new reputation. The wheels on your equipment should be made of rubber or similar materials to avoid scratching, as well. Fake tiles by painting concrete if you don't want to embark on a total renovation project. A polished white concrete staircase connected the two external areas. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Download an interior design eBook for free! Plus, it's one of the easiest materials to clean and maintain, making it a surprisingly great pick for a home where spills and messes occur regularly. In addition, light-colored concrete will absorb less solar radiation during the day, keeping concrete patios and pool decks cooler during the summer. Water-based concrete stain is often reserved for floors that have stains (soiled like grease and oil) or have already been previously sealed. The canvas was installed with the pour and finish and the polish can be done on an open slab or once the walls are up. Best, they're incredibly durable and super easy to clean. There are a number of types of concrete sealers on the market. New polished concrete flooring provides some options, including the inclusion of decorative aggregates (such as riverstone, granite, or black basalt mix) within the concrete itself. The metallic hardware and marble countertops and backsplash give this kitchen designed by Studio DB a more formal, sophisticated touch so the concrete feels chic and tasteful as opposed to rough around the edges. Ordinary gray Portland cement is the most common type of cement in the world. You should also avoid using degreasers. Whats more, during the finishing phase, any decorate aggregates can be placed into the surface (think seashells, glass or porcelain chips, or even pieces of metal). Acid-based and water-based. Concrete is tough, but its also porous. The table was cast in four sections that fit together seamlessly. The concrete sealeracts as a top layer of protection that closes all the pores and gives the surface a nice sheen. People can use white concrete for a variety of projects. What is White Concrete?White Concrete & Colored Concrete ConstructionTaking the Guesswork Out of White ConcreteA Proprietary White Concrete Spec, Green Umbrella20 Jetview DriveRochester, NY 14624(844) 200-7336. Copyright 2008-2022 - All Rights Reserved, An In-Depth Guide To Polished Concrete Floors. So while it may feel modern and manmade, concrete can actually blend in with nature quite seamlessly. This might make concrete a poor choice of flooring for young families or habitually clumsy homeowners. Paste polish- the aggregate will end up being invisible and the color will be consistent. Artificial light also provides this sense of glowing, but to a lesser extent. You have two options. To achieve the desired result, DS Grinding worked with Hanson Concrete to create a custom white concrete mix featuring a blend of grey and white quartz aggregate. Beyond aesthetics, white concrete floors also have high light reflectivity, amplifying the amount of natural light entering a home and reducing the need for artificial light. Sometimes standard-grade grey concrete, however polished it might be, just isnt the right fit for a space. Once the stain is dry, wipe away any excess and then apply your sealer the same way. If you want to go tonal and bright but still love the idea of polished concrete, consider working with a professional who can paint the floors white. Concrete is a great material for bathroom floors since it can also be the base in the shower. Concrete is incredibly easy to clean since there are no cracks or crevices for dirt to hide in. Here are some tips to warm up your cold concrete floor: A polished concrete floor is a great option with a lot of opportunities for personalization. A polished concrete floor is incredibly durable, according to. You can also get all sorts of shapes stenciled into concrete, including logos and patterns. Polished concrete has a stark look that makes small spaces seem large. If youre dealing with brand new unfinished floors, go with acid-based. You want to use ones that are as pH neutral as possible. Consider these decorative techniques for making concrete white: If your concrete has a white film, powder, or mold developing on the surface, it might be efflorescence. The only significant difference is the colour.