I’m in the process of altering a 70’s basement family room. One of the things that I’m thinking of doing is taking up the carpet and having a concrete floor. I have looked at many of the polyurethanes for sale at the home centers and the generally say….wood…. none of them seem to mention any other materials.
I have tried applying some on my workshop floor and it seems to be fine, but it hasn’t been all that long.
I have also looked at behr’s one part epoxy for concrete, but I’m unsure that it will have the glossy/semi-glossy and thick look of poly.
looking for any suggestions.
Replies
I just completed the last coat on a concrete floor that I did my self for the first time. I stained it with Scofield acid stain and then used a concrete sealer by the brand name of Chemtone. It's a latex product that goes on almost exactly like the latex polyurethane you can get at HD. However it is made for concrete and gives a great look. Four coats gave me a good shine similar to polyurethane.
I also considered using poly when I started resesrching doing my floor, but I feel like a product designed for this application has got to be better. Also, as I remember the cost was not any more than the cost of poly.
Doug,
I am curious if the sealer causes the floor to be slippery if it becomes wet?View ImageGo Jayhawks..............Next Year
keeps the 2 year old on his toes.....
that is a concern, but we will be putting rugs down at some pt...
It doesn't seem to be any slipperier than any other smooth floor when wet. It doesn't seem nearly as bad, in that respect, as the high gloss epoxy paint that the car shops use.
Also, we did the finish work on this slab, so it is not as smooth as what the pros could have gotten it. The sealer seems to penetrate the slab a little and goes on really thin so you still get the texture of the concrete. Also, the mottled color of the stain helps to distract your eye from the finishing flaws, or maybe that all just adds to the character of the floor ;)
I will try and post some photos of this floor. I am really happy with the results and it makes a great DIY project. The pros around here charge $6-8 per sq ft to do decorative staining and sealing of existing concrete. Mine was about 50 cents per sqft for materials and maybe 30 hours of labor to do 1000 sqft.
Thanks for the info,
Those epoxy paint floors look nice and clean easy, but when they get wet you mind as well be on ice.
Post the pics if you get around to it.
NeilView ImageGo Jayhawks..............Next Year