Have you ever thought of concrete or a concrete topping as a floor covering? For the foremost half floor coverings have forever cited carpet, tile, hardwood or another surface un-remarkably accustomed cowl concrete sub-floor materials.
With the expansion of interior ornamental concrete finishes, we can now add concrete to the list of options of floor coverings for your next interior floor project. While most concrete floor coverings is used each interior and exterior, for simplicity we will focus on interior flooring, especially since this is where a vast majority of these materials end up being used.
These stampable overlay systems usually point thickness from ¼ in. to 5/8 in.. The common thickness is 3/8 in., which is usually thick enough to accommodate most standard imprinting tools in the marketplace. Either a powder or liquid unharness material is used, depending on the final look and/or color scheme that is desired. These materials cure in twenty four hours, and can usually be sealed and light traffic allowed within 36 hours after application. The single most vital issue with any stampable overlay application is surface preparation. The surface needs to have sufficient profile (be rough enough) so that the overlay material can bond both chemically and mechanically. I forever advocate a mechanical grinding or identification of the ground, as this can forever offer higher profile versus AN acid print or alternative means that of chemical surface identification. If you’re searching for a three-d rough-textured floor cover that resembles most any natural material (stone, tile, wood, etc.) consider a stampable overlay on your next project.
Thin Section / Microtoppings area unit agent versions of their cousins the stampable overlay. They utilize “beefed up” polymers that permit the fabric to travel down terribly skinny and nevertheless maintain strength, durability and abrasion resistance. They range in thickness from 1/32 in. up to 1/8 in. thick. They are easily applied with trowels, squeegees, brushes, and or rollers, all depending on the final look that is desired. Most microtopping systems provide a base coat, that contains sand, and is used in the first two applications. Some systems provide an end coat, that contains no sand, ANd is employed only if an extremist swish prime or final surface is specified . Because these materials area unit thus skinny and dry terribly quickly, texture is limited to how the products are applied. Some typical finishes for Microtopping floor coverings include, but are not limited to smooth trowel, rough trowel, stippled, and orange peel. Another common microtopping end involves returning twenty four hours when application and applying concrete stains or dyes to make a stained concrete look. This is a really standard end for residential and little industrial areas. It is important to seal microtopping finishes, as they are micro porous and will tend to collect dirt that is difficult to remove once embedded into the material. Check with the manufacturer of the microtopping system {you area unit|you’re} mistreatment on what sealers (water or solvent or both) are best suited to that individual application.
Spray Applied or Stenciled Concrete floor coverings don’t seem to be as standard for interior finishes or coverings, however are around for many years for exterior coverings for pool decks, and patios. In recent years we have seen these styles of finishes become additional standard in high traffic interior areas due to their sturdiness, low cost, easy application, and range of patterns and colors. They are terribly just like Microtopping sort finishes in this they’re skinny, however disagree in this they typically contain additional sand, and supply a rougher, grittier finish. These styles of materials area unit sometimes applied through a hopper gun harassed. A fist scratch or “grout coat” is applied. Once the primary coat is dry, adhesive backed stencils are laid out over the floor. The type of end (knock down, skin, smooth) all depends on the spray pattern and method of spray application. Either a transparent or coloured sealer is then applied for maintenance and aesthetics.
Self-Leveling underlayments used as concrete flooring is that the newest trend in concrete floor coverings. Self-leveling concrete has been a staple for repair and leveling of broken or worn concrete. Until recently, another solid surface floor cover would be placed on prime of the self-leveling material. In the previous couple of years contractors have started adding integral color to self-leveling systems, or coming back after 24 hours and using stains, dyes or tints to create colorful floors. Self-leveling concrete is big-ticket, and does require a higher level of proficiency than the microtopping and spray texture products. Surface preparation, once again, becomes terribly essential with self-leveling systems. Most self-levelers can go down 1/4 inch to 1 inch, with the ability to go to a feather edge.