At first, decorative concrete may seem like an oxymoron to you, but I bet you have seen some variation of this product before. Concrete is mostly known for its strength but with some engineering can actually be made to look beautiful in its own right or can be made to mimic other materials such as stone, marble or granite. The strength of concrete makes it ideal for roads and bridges, but it can be used for a wide range of purposes inside homes.
In homes around the country, the foundation of these homes is comprised of poured concrete. This concrete is usually covered with carpet or tile for decorative purposes. With that said, covering is not necessary; you can transform the concrete yourself.
Home improvement stores sell kits that include stains and finishes for concrete surfaces, which can take a dull slab of concrete and turn it into decorative concrete. When the stains make their way into a concrete, it is transformed into any color or any color combination. Imagine it now: a beautiful blue marble floor; it looks real but you just have decorated concrete for a fraction of the price!
Instead of simply staining and sealing a concrete floor, another option is to apply an engineered concrete overlay to the existing floor. A decorative concrete overlay is always an option, but it is ideal for concrete surfaces that are cracked or uneven. Overlays give homeowners more flexibility in getting that perfect, beautiful fit; you can achieve the look of true marble or even tile by utilizing stencils.
The question that many ask at this point though is why go through the time and expense to put a layer of concrete down rather than the real surface? The answer to this question comes in two parts. First, consider the costs because concrete overlays and staining kits are more affordable than your other flooring options.
Most importantly, concrete is known for its strength and durability; it holds up incredibly well to wear and tear. For instance, a title kitchen floor is likely to suffer some damage when it falls victim to a large, heavy pot dropped. To repair that tile, you must spend time and money.
On the other hand, that large pot wouldn’t phase a concrete surface; it would have just absorbed the blow. No repair needed. Even in the rare event the concrete did chip, the concrete is still cheaper and easier to repair.
