DIY Guide to Concrete Flooring Installation

Adding polished concrete flooring to your existing hard surface floor covering can prove to be a hard task, and one that can become a little cumbersome. This is precisely why it makes an exciting DIY project, one that will completely immerse you and give you the utmost satisfaction once done. Adding polished concrete flooring is one of the best ways to enhance the aesthetic value of your home.

When installed properly and maintained regularly, polished concrete floors can have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years before requiring significant maintenance.

There are a few standard steps involved in polished concrete installation. To complete all of these steps you will require at least three to five days. All of them need to be tackled systematically.

Preparing for concrete overlay – Polished concrete flooring overlays attach strongly to the existing concrete flooring. However, for this to happen seamlessly, you have to first prepare the substrate. Here is a look at how you should go about this task:

• Remove all kinds of substances and agents on the concrete that may inhibit the overlay from bonding. This includes dirt, grease, paint, coatings and sealers.
• Eliminate spoiled concrete like delamination, spalling and scaling, and achieve a solid concrete base.
• Fill in cracks on the concrete floor so that they do not show on the overlay.
• Roughen the surface of the concrete base to ensure that the polished concrete flooring overlay attaches well. The substrate is now ready for the overlaying process.

Cost of polished concrete floors – The cost comparison between polished concrete and other types of flooring like laminate or vinyl initially shows that they are comparably priced. However, it’s important to consider the longer-term maintenance expenses. Vinyl flooring, for example, often requires periodic treatments such as waxing and stripping which can add to the overall cost over time. In contrast, polished concrete typically incurs fewer maintenance expenses. Thus, while the upfront costs might be similar, polished concrete could prove to be the more economical choice in the long run due to lower maintenance requirements.

When comparing the costs of polished concrete floors to tile flooring and hardwood flooring, polished concrete generally presents a more budget-friendly option. This affordability stems largely from the lower cost of materials needed for polished concrete. For instance, as of 2023, installing white oak hardwood floors could cost anywhere between $12 and $22 per square foot. In contrast, the price range for installing a standard cream-polished concrete floor generally falls between $3.50 and $5 per square foot, influenced by factors like the size of the slab and the desired level of glossiness. Prices for stained concrete floors tend to align closely with those for polished concrete.

Types of polished concrete flooring overlay – There are many kinds of beautiful and decorative overlays that are available in the market today that can make a concrete surface look absolutely great. It is important to choose a decorative overlay that suits your requirements and the location at which you want to install it.

Some of the latest types of cement-based flooring options contain polymer resins along with other agents, like sand, to enhance the strength and beauty of the overlay. For example, cement-based overlays with polymer resins attach very well to the substrate. They are particularly known to be resistant to chemicals, abrasion, freeze-thaw conditions and even exposure to UV rays.

Manufacturers of concrete overlays often mix different kinds and quantities of polymers with the cement to enhance certain characteristics of the overlay. Acrylic blended cement flooring overlays have also become common. They bond really well with the substrate and are UV resistant as well.

Adding texture and color on skim coats and microtoppings – Skim coats and microtoppings that are cement-based are ideal for adding color and texture to the floor, both indoors and outdoors. Slip resistant surfaces can also be installed on polished cement overlays near the pool or in the patio. You can use tools like brushes, trowels, rollers and squeegees to apply the microtoppings depending on the finish you want for your overlay. You can apply a microtopping layer as thin as 0.02 inches, or add multiple layers. You can even add texture to the multiple layers with the help of a trowel or brush.
If you are trying your hand at polished concrete overlay for the first time, you could add colors with the help of concrete dyes and stains. These are easier to apply and give the flooring an aesthetic appearance.

DIY Guide to concrete flooring installation. Please CLICK HERE for videos on various flooring systems. Watch these online tutorials and complete your project at a very low cost with these superior products.

Duraamen industrial and polished concrete flooring products are designed to provide labor saving, longer lasting flooring solutions. Talk to an expert at Duraamen about your flooring challenges. Please Call (973) 230 1301.