« Concrete Flooring Ideas | Main | Garage Flooring Ideas »

Concrete Floor

A concrete floor can be like a blank canvas for the artistic homeowner. You can use the bare concrete flooring directly or you can install another flooring over the concrete. What is a good flooring for a concrete basement? Vinyl flooring over a concrete floor is a standard approach, but don't overlook the notion you can install solid wood flooring over concrete too. Paint, acid stain, and rubber surfaces are good options for flooring on concrete.

Your dull, boring concrete floor doesn’t have to be an eyesore or an embarrassment. All you need is a little time, a little vision, and a few ideas.

Concrete floors aren't all that bad. In fact, they:
   * provide architectural structure
   * are easy to maintain, easy to change
   * are good for those that have allergies

But this might be why you've decided to cover them up:
   * the surface is stained or cracked
   * you want something softer for a special purpose
   * you have a different design idea

To make your life easier, you may want to use what you have. This is a cost effective way to decorate as well as leave your options open to new decorating ideas down the road. The smooth, clean surface of a concrete floor is the perfect base for painting or staining. Or you can choose to use vinyl flooring over concrete floor, thus still keeping with the flat surface, but adding a little more durability.

What is a good flooring decorative option for a concrete basement, you may ask. For some, painting is the perfect option because it doesn't take a lot of time or effort to create a new look, and without a lot of cost. But this does take a smooth surface to begin with, so you may have to do some prep work before selecting this option.

When it comes to flooring on concrete, some families find that painting is not an option. Rubber flooring may be a better fit due to active children and their propensity to tumble over. And installing this kind of flooring over concrete slab foundations is the best option for everyone's safety.

Vinyl flooring over concrete is a great fit for work areas or areas where there isn't a lot of physical activity. And these are easy to clean and maintain without a lot of energy or equipment on your part.

If you have a concrete floor in another room besides the basement or garage, you may have different design ideas for these often used and seen areas. You might choose to install wood flooring over concrete, giving the area more texture and style. Flooring on concrete is an easy step when you have the right tools and equipment.

You may also want to cover up your concrete floor because there are problems that just can't be fixed. Perhaps the floor is stained beyond hope, there are uneven areas that can't be corrected, or it's chipped and cracked so covering it is ideal.

Most flooring installed on a concrete floor is as simple as applying a primer or adhesive, putting down pre-cut pieces of flooring and then letting the flooring adhere. These are great options when you have family members with allergies in the house. All of these options, as well the concrete floors themselves, are easily cleaned and maintained.

A concrete floor doesn't have to seem hard (pun intended), you just have to consider what you need to do for your particular situation, and then get the right tools to do it.

Comments

We painted the concrete floors in the living room, dining room, and hall way to look like tile and then gave it 3 coats of poly. It looks great and doesn't feel like concrete at all. We also painted the bedroom floors to coordinate with the decor in each room with the same 3 coats of poly over it. No one can believe how great it looks!

Judy at September 13, 2008 10:29 PM


Great to hear Judy! Wonderful things really can be done with concrete!

The Flooring Lady at September 16, 2008 08:22 PM


Post a comment




Remember Me?

(you may use HTML tags for style)