Then the best color to choose for concrete floor polishing are blacks, dark blues, or dark browns. This will enhance the much needed darkness that the room or commercial space is meant to provide.
While gray is the standard for concrete, it doesn't have to be bland. Plenty of concrete patios stick with the gray tones, but are able to add a unique spin. These can be stained to be clean and modern. Or you can mix things up with special charcoal, silver, or white highlights.
Ivory – If you're looking for classy and clean, we recommend painting the concrete floors in a soft ivory color. Such a color instantly makes the basement look nice and clean. And white reflects light very well, helping to make the space look more well-lit. Gray – Gray is still the most popular color for concrete.
Semi-polished Or Semi-gloss
If yes, then the semi-gloss or semi-polished finish would be an excellent choice. We assure you that it isn't as confusing as it may sound. Some concrete workers also call it the satin finish because of the low reflection on the surface.
After brown, gray is the most popular color for concrete floors. Like brown, gray is a neutral tone that blends in with many design schemes, especially modern interiors. For a look that's more subdued, you can leave the floor in its natural state and simply polish it or apply a sealer for more luster.
The rule of thumb is lighter colors will make a room appear larger and darker colors make it seem smaller. Another side point to this same theory is that light colors show less scuffs, scratches and dirt whereas dark colors show everything. Often this is because light — natural or controlled — reflects off everything.
The Verdict. There is no concrete winner in the battle between polishing and coating your concrete floors. Both options will increase the strength, lifespan, and appearance of your concrete floors. Your decision will ultimately come down to your personal preferences, budget, and specific needs.
Please do not use abrasive, acidic or harsh cleaning agents on your polished concrete. Cleaning or scrubbing the floor surface with such agents may cause damage. Do not polish the floor with any wax cleaners or buffers and the use of steam-mops is not recommended.
A properly installed, sealed and maintained polished concrete floor can be expected to last a hundred years or more in even the harshest commercial environments. Its life-span will also far surpass that of other floor coverings, such as carpeting, vinyl tile and wood laminates.
Polished Concrete Floor Lifespans
With professional concrete installation, a proactive polished concrete floor maintenance plan, and occasional deep cleaning, a polished concrete flooring system can last 20 years or more with minimal hassle.
Release Color for Stamped Concrete
The release agent will also offer an accent color to the concrete once washed and sealed. When picking the release color, be sure to use a color that accents your base color. Usually a darker release agent over a lighter base color works best.
“(The appearance of) fading in integrally colored concrete may be the result of weather, traffic, moisture and efflorescence, individually or in any combination,” Sullivan says. Most homeowners and even some contractors don't understand that iron oxide pigments in concrete don't break down or fade, Roman says.
HEX color #D2D1CD, Color name: Concrete, RGB(210,209,205), Windows: 13488594.
Best Colors for Outdoor Concrete Patios
If you want a patio that looks clean and simple, standard gray is a good bet. If you'd like your outdoor concrete patio to fade into your landscape more, a modern rust color can give the patio an earthy-look without drawing the eye to it too closely.
There are many benefits to laying coloured concrete as it provides great versatility across a project. You can also implement concrete stamping, polished concrete finishes, and concrete stencilling to elevate your coloured concrete project. Other benefits include: Huge range and available in different colours.
Many homeowners tend to favor natural earth-toned color schemes for their concrete patios, such as browns, tans, and terra-cotta reds. These neutral colors blend in beautifully with most landscapes and exterior home colors.
Getting concrete floor coatings or a decorative concrete overlay is not a luxury – it's an investment that can pay off over time. Not only will the investment improve your enjoyment of the home and reduce your maintenance, but it will also improve the value of your home.
Value Adding
Not only is polished concrete durable and low maintenance, but it is also an aesthetically pleasing flooring solution that leaves a beautiful impression in the mind of prospective buyers.
Polished concrete is one of the strongest and most resilient floor types in the market. This makes it highly resistant to scratches and therefore polished concrete floors don't scratch easily. For this reason, polished concrete is commonly used in high traffic areas like industries and corridors.
Additionally, polished concrete can provide a seamless look between inside and out, plus it's also easy to clean and low-maintenance too. A pH-neutral cleaner can be used to give your floors a deep clean or a quick mop twice a week, but concrete should definitely be sealed to give the best performance.
Keeping your floors dust-free is as simple as a nightly sweep with a microfibre mop. If you don't have one of these, a cotton or soft bristled broom will also do the job. Then, once a week, go over the area with a damp mop. This will remove any residual dust and really get your floors shining again.
Although a polished concrete floor isn't a “No-maintenance” flooring option, they are certainly “low-maintenance.” That's why when it comes to teaching new clients how to maintain a polished concrete floor that's installed in their home or business, we typically offer the following advice.
IS POLISHING CONCRETE MESSY? Surprisingly no! There is a lot of cleaning involved between each step we need to perform as polishers and we take a great deal of care not to make a mess while working.
Polished concrete is (generally) NOT slippery when wet.
A flooring safety test using measurement standards provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) found that polished concrete has superior slip resistance, even when wet.
Most professional flooring experts require a three phase polished concrete floor maintenance approach in order to restore a polished concrete floor to its previous glory. Generally, every 2-3 years, a polished concrete floor with regular foot traffic and weathering will require professional maintenance.