Let me start by saying that I have a concrete accent overlay in almost every room in my house. However, before installing it, I was concerned that it would be too simple, too expensive, and too difficult to change in the future. So why did I install it in the first place? Well, my husband installs concrete siding for a living. What can I say? So with some trepidation, fear of the unknown, you know? – I gave him the go-ahead and the job started.
First, we lift all the rugs and tack strips, and then we remove the kitchen and dining room tiles. Let me tell you, removing tile is not a walk on the beach! Therefore, we made the decision to install the cladding on the TOP of the rest of the existing tiles that are in the hallway and bathrooms. He called it a true test of the coating product we use – if it could stand on top of the tile and grout (some of which were a bit loose!), It would stand up to anything. We decided to go for a tile look in the kitchen, dining room, hallway, and bathrooms, and a tile look in the den, living room, and bedrooms. For the tile look, she laid a layer of concrete, which we then taped to create the grout lines we wanted (we opted for a 9 “x 24” tile look). Then he put the second coat on, let it dry, and then added the colors. The final step was to pull all of the tape up, revealing the “grout” lines, and then seal it. The end result was magnificent!
For the slab, the process was a bit different. The first thing he did was use a concrete cutter to cut the slab pattern into the concrete itself. Another option is to tape the slab pattern instead of cutting the concrete, but I personally prefer the cut pattern much better. After this step, he applied a coat of concrete topping, allowed it to dry, and then added a water-based stain for a blended stone look. A couple of coats of sealer later and the job was done. This ended up looking completely different than the tile we had in the other area of the house, but it looked just as good. We have never been able to decide which ending we like best.
So why do I love this finish so much? Many reasons. First, anyone who has ever had a tile floor knows how difficult (even impossible) it is to keep grout clean. High traffic areas end up having darker grout lines than light traffic areas due to the dirt and oils that get in. And don’t even get me started on the grout lines near where the dogs eat! Although my kitchen now looks like it has tile and grout lines, it doesn’t. It has a nice thick layer of sealer that will never wear off. That means when the dogs are done eating and drooling all over the floor, and my husband has left footprints in the garden mud after a monsoon rain, all I have to do to get my floors (which have white grout lines pristine) look like new. again it is to clean it with a cloth or take out the mop and some hot water. A couple of slides later and it’s like new. This is by far the main reason I love these floors.
Another reason I love them is their durability. Remember the part about putting the overlay on top of some loose tiles? That was a year ago and the floors are perfect. I dropped soda cans on the floor from five feet high and the cans are dented, but the floor is undamaged. I have water on the floor of the shower every day; I have one of those showers and for some reason I can’t seem to hold the water, even though there is a one-inch rim on the rim. But I never have to worry about water seeping onto the floor like I would carpet, wood, or tile because the sealer is completely waterproof. Finally, I found that neutral concrete floors are the perfect canvas for area rugs that are easily interchangeable. With the rug, the color you choose is the color that fits you, and putting a rug on top to change things up seems a bit strange.
What’s the latest thing I love about decorative concrete overlay flooring? The price! Well obviously since my husband installed this I got it at a discounted price. But, I have found that the regular price is competitive with the installation of wood, laminate, and tile, as well as anything but the cheapest rugs. We have Pergo laminate flooring in my office (the only room in the house without the concrete siding), and the price to buy and install it was equal to or higher than the price it would cost to install the concrete siding, which would easily outlast the Pergo due to its indestructible tendencies.
So if you are looking for a new floor, be sure to consider a decorative concrete overlay. You will be glad you did.