Are There Industrial Concrete Features You Can Adapt for Your Home?

While you may think concrete is concrete, there are different applications based on whether the job is residential or industrial. There is a bit of crossover, and there are times when you may actually want a more industrial aesthetic.

Concrete flooring is probably the most common industrial pours that residential customers want. They give a room an austere elegance and can blend well with a variety of materials, including reclaimed wood, marble, stone, and textiles. Plus, the seamless design tricks the eye into thinking the space is much larger.

However, there is actually a difference between an industrial concrete floor and one made for a residential customer. This article will discuss concrete flooring with an emphasis on residential applications.

Concrete Floors

Industrial floor refers to the seamless concrete floors used in warehouses and manufacturing buildings. Traditional industrial concrete floors have a number of advantages, including durability, resistance to abrasion, ability to handle heavy traffic, and strength to support heavy loads.

Industrial effect floors, decorative surfaces that evoke the look of actual industrial floors, have gained popularity in the United States in recent years. Industrial effect floors look similar to actual industrial floors but have a lower thickness. Because they aren’t as thick, they may therefore cover any type of surface without joints. While durable, they are not quite as advantageous as a traditional industrial concrete floor.

Thickness

An industrial concrete floor typically has a thickness of 5 to 10 mm. It is composed of a slab of reinforced concrete that has been refined by a surface treatment to produce a permanent finish. Dilatation joints are used to make the surface even.

The designer of industrial effect flooring must determine the thickness and type of concrete to utilize, which is dependent on the weight loads the floor will be supporting. Some varieties of effect concrete can be applied with as little as a 3–4 mm thickness — much thinner than a traditional floor!

Acid Stained

Anyone who has perused Pinterest in the last few years has surely come across acid-stained concrete floors. The style has been gaining popularity, especially among those that prefer the industrial style of decor.

The process of making an acid-stained floor involves utilizing specific acids derived from metallic salt compounds, which seep into the concrete and react with the free lime to chemically alter the color and create one-of-a-kind, long-lasting variegated effects. Acid stains produce interesting, unpredictable effects that are strikingly similar to the variations in natural stone or the weathered appearance of old paint.

The outcome is distinct for each surface and cannot be imitated by using other dyeing agents. Acid-stained concrete acquires a rich, natural beauty instead of its usual bland appearance. Plus, the end result is weather-resistant and waterproof, making it ideal for outdoor use.

Considering Concrete Floors?

If you are considering adding industrial effect concrete flooring to your home or small business, give us a call. We would love to discuss your project and determine if the concrete flooring is a good choice for your property.