Concrete floor

I saw in Metropolitan Home magazine a concrete floor inside a residential home. Yes a concrete floor, but not like a garage concrete floor, but one that appeared to be 'finished', it has a sheen to it, and it has some patterns, it looked like there was a joint every 48' or so.

How is this done? Is this a practical alternative to tiles? is this actually more economical compared to tiles? and how much does it cost to install something like this? is there a minimum thickness?

Thanks,

This is done quite often in new homes in Phoenix. I looks real nice.. Its colored or dyed concrete.

I have finished concrete floors with an 'acid stain' and sealer. The stain gives the concrete a mottled (sp?) look. Very nice look overall. Check around on the web for sources.

Try a company called Stonehard, we just spec'd. them for a major kitchen job we did. They also have applications for Firestations, malls etc. Nice stuff, last forever. They're in Ontario, Canada.

rt

The smooth finish in commercial exposed concrete such as warehouses is from a motorized steel trowel. Like a lawnmower without wheels. The concrete is finished with a spray to preserve the surface. Joints are sawcut wet or dry.

The usual slab in a house and garage is hand finished, and rough.

Concrete drives and patios are suitable for a rubber stamp such as Bomanite. here a dry powder is thrown on the level wet concrete, and workers set a few pads similar to doormats to press the pattern. The surface is sprayed to shine.

There's resin based pool deck finish , concrete based finishes , and stain based finish.

I noticed a furniture store floor, Havertys in Jacksonville, which had a failure . The floor was neatly done with an antique finish and nicely done painted joints. The sales staff had marked the floor with tape for some reason known to themself, and the tape pulled the stain away from the smooth concrete and left a permamanent record. reminds me of second grade: this goes on your Permanent Record.