Concrete Floors Inside New Home

**Gidget** · 06-07-2009, 12:23 PM

First, I want to thank you guys for your help and comments on my other threads regarding the new home we are building.

Since we are building an ICF house it has to be on a slab - so we are strongly considering a concrete floor. Would you please share any pros/cons on concrete flooring from your experience?

I already heard that some cons are that they are cold and that they MUST be totally protected during building.

I have a friend here in LA and she has a lovely home. She had her concrete floor color troweled in during the building process and then stamped so it looks like large tiles. Then sealed. All she has ever done is damp mop. Since her color is a dye that is integrated into the concrete she never has to worry about scratches, etc...

Most sites refer me to acid stained concrete flooring. They are lovely. Drawback is it is higher maintenance and more expensive.

I want something that is more of a matte or satin - not high polished sheen. Very natural look.

Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

G

**Beach Runner** · 06-07-2009, 01:49 PM

When we were working with the architect for our beach house, we stayed at Rosemary and plagiarized ideas from the many homes under construction there. We loved the stained concrete floors that so many of them have, so we decided to do that in our home.

I don't regret it, and I'd do it again. We had Artisan (I think that's right -- will have to ask hubby) do a Coca-Cola stain on the floor. I love the patina that it has acquired over the years. The only negative is that it's slippery when wet, but that is not a problem because we have rugs at each entrance and in the bathroom.

I have seen wood floors on the ground floor of some houses, and the sand tracked in really gives it a beating. Not the case with stained concrete.

**Gidget** · 06-07-2009, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

When we were working with the architect for our beach house, we stayed at Rosemary and plagiarized ideas from the many homes under construction there. We loved the stained concrete floors that so many of them have, so we decided to do that in our home.

I don't regret it, and I'd do it again. We had Artisan (I think that's right -- will have to ask hubby) do a Coca-Cola stain on the floor. I love the patina that it has acquired over the years. The only negative is that it's slippery when wet, but that is not a problem because we have rugs at each entrance and in the bathroom.

I have seen wood floors on the ground floor of some houses, and the sand tracked in really gives it a beating. Not the case with stained concrete.

Thanks so much! Actually, cola was one of the color I had looked at - also like Malay Tan

Neocrete - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida - Acid Stain Color Charts <local - perhaps they did yours.

What type of finish did you have put down - matte or high gloss? Also, is the floor low maintenance? And lastly, did you have any kind of scoring cut into the floor for a pattern? I'd love to see a pic. I imagine you put some sort of padding under the rugs so they stay in place.

Thanks again

G

**Lake View Too** · 06-07-2009, 04:54 PM

Neocrete did our floor with a blend of cola and tan and we love it alot. We didn't take any unusual steps to protect the floor until we stained (before sheetrock). It's concrete, for goodness sake's! You only need to avoid getting oil based paint on it before you do the stain. They (Neocrete) do a thorough cleaning. Be sure to have your concrete man compact the soil beneath the slab very very thoroughly before the pour and wet the concrete after the pour to try to avoid cracks forming. Sometimes it will happen anyway, and it just adds a little more character.

**Gidget** · 06-07-2009, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Lake View Too

Neocrete did our floor with a blend of cola and tan and we love it alot. We didn't take any unusual steps to protect the floor until we stained (before sheetrock). It's concrete, for goodness sake's! You only need to avoid getting oil based paint on it before you do the stain. They (Neocrete) do a thorough cleaning. Be sure to have your concrete man compact the soil beneath the slab very very thoroughly before the pour and wet the concrete after the pour to try to avoid cracks forming. Sometimes it will happen anyway, and it just adds a little more character.

Wow that sounds beautiful!! Got any pics you can share? I was totally thinking of a combo of malay tan and cola! What do you have to do to maintain it?

Sounds very very promising as long as it is low maintenance which I am hoping is the case

THX a lot for the tips!!
G

**Lake View Too** · 06-07-2009, 05:34 PM

Neocrete put a sealer on it initially. After about three years, it started looking kinda dull, so we mopped floor wax on it and it was wow!That lasted about three or four years and we waxed it again recently. It looks great.

**Beach Runner** · 06-07-2009, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Gidget

Thanks so much! Actually, cola was one of the color I had looked at - also like Malay Tan

Neocrete - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida - Acid Stain Color Charts <local - perhaps they did yours.

What type of finish did you have put down - matte or high gloss? Also, is the floor low maintenance? And lastly, did you have any kind of scoring cut into the floor for a pattern? I'd love to see a pic. I imagine you put some sort of padding under the rugs so they stay in place.

Thanks again

G

It is a matte finish, low maintenance. We had no scoring -- they weren't doing that in any of the houses we saw being built in Rosemary when we built in 2002. Yes, we bought those skid pads for our Kilim rugs.

**Gidget** · 06-07-2009, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

It is a matte finish, low maintenance. We had no scoring -- they weren't doing that in any of the houses we saw being built in Rosemary when we built in 2002. Yes, we bought those skid pads for our Kilim rugs.

You know, I really think that is what I am after. A matte finish, no scoring and just a very natural look . Nothing that looks "perfect." Do you just damp mop with water?

Thank you again

G

**Beach Runner** · 06-07-2009, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Gidget

You know, I really think that is what I am after. A matte finish, no scoring and just a very natural look . Nothing that looks "perfect." Do you just damp mop with water?

Thank you again

G

We have a cleaning service. When I clean it, I vacuum first so that I don't just push stuff around when I mop. Then I hit it with a Swiffer mop. I dunno what the cleaning service does.

**Lake View Too** · 06-07-2009, 06:42 PM

Gidget: here's photos of our floor, but you can't see the subtleties...

**Lake View Too** · 06-07-2009, 06:45 PM

And here's our cedar fence (or vice versa)

**Lake View Too** · 06-07-2009, 06:47 PM

Here's the playhouse...

**Gidget** · 06-07-2009, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Lake View Too

And here's our cedar fence (or vice versa)

Your floor is beautiful!! Looks very natural. and the color turned out great! Let me go see the fence now.

I appreciate you! Thanks again

G

**Gidget** · 06-07-2009, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Lake View Too

Gidget: here's photos of our floor, but you can't see the subtleties...

Very nice fence - what a precious play house!! Whoever that's for is very lucky!!

I can't seem to find the THX button - sometimes I see it and sometimes it doesn't appear. Is there a trick to it??

THX!!!

G

**BeachSiO2** · 06-07-2009, 08:44 PM

Concrete on 1st and 2nd floor. We're big fans since we have a dog. No maintenance but a little wet mop or wet Swiffer every once in a while. Ours is brown color and we live in a loft (not in Sowal). As a side note you will want rugs and a gel mat at the Kitchen sink

**Gidget** · 06-07-2009, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Concrete on 1st and 2nd floor. We're big fans since we have a dog. No maintenance but a little wet mop or wet Swiffer every once in a while. Ours is brown color and we live in a loft (not in Sowal). As a side note you will want rugs and a gel mat at the Kitchen sink

First off, CUTE pup!!!

I also have a dog - hence looking for LOW maintenance!

How do you have concrete on 2nd floor?? Did you have acid stain or another procedure?

Thanks for the help!

G

**ItzKatzTime** · 06-07-2009, 09:33 PM

Interesting thread Gidget....I wish I had something to build so I could put in concrete floors. I love them. I recently visited some friends who were staying on the beach and their concrete floors had a blue-ish green stain and was gorgeous. Good luck, sounds like you're getting a lot of help and having fun too!

In the SoWal "Lounge" there isn't a "THX" button....but I believe all the other forums have the thanks button, which is on the far right side at the bottom of the post.

You can give a "Green Rep" which is at the top right hand side of the post next to the number. It has a yellow star....and when you click on that you can write that person a note if you agree or like what they have posted. This also gives you points which add those little green chicklets at the top of your post. Hope that helps a lil' bit!

Kat

**Allifunn** · 06-08-2009, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by Gidget

Very nice fence - what a precious play house!! Whoever that's for is very lucky!!

I can't seem to find the THX button - sometimes I see it and sometimes it doesn't appear. Is there a trick to it??

THX!!!

G

There is no thanks button in the lounge. We all thank eachother publicly here.....

PS...this thread is making me want to build a house and have concrete floors!!! I have always loved concrete floors! I also love concrete countertops!

**NoHall** · 06-08-2009, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by Allifunn

There is no thanks button in the lounge. We all thank eachother publicly here.....

PS...this thread is making me want to build a house and have concrete floors!!! I have always loved concrete floors! I also love concrete countertops!

I was looking at those, too! My old house would look silly with granite countertops, so I have said that I was going to put in stainless steel--not the HGTV kind that scratch so badly, but the industrial kitchen kind. Now I'm thinking concrete...

**Gidget** · 06-08-2009, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by ItzKatzTime

Interesting thread Gidget....I wish I had something to build so I could put in concrete floors. I love them. I recently visited some friends who were staying on the beach and their concrete floors had a blue-ish green stain and was gorgeous. Good luck, sounds like you're getting a lot of help and having fun too!

In the SoWal "Lounge" there isn't a "THX" button....but I believe all the other forums have the thanks button, which is on the far right side at the bottom of the post.

You can give a "Green Rep" which is at the top right hand side of the post next to the number. It has a yellow star....and when you click on that you can write that person a note if you agree or like what they have posted. This also gives you points which add those little green chicklets at the top of your post. Hope that helps a lil' bit!

Kat

Well that 'splains about the THX button -I thought I was going crazy looking for that button!!

I appreciate the info! (now if I could just get my profile background.....

)

I think it will be concrete floors - even though acid stain is gorgeous which is evident from the pics on this thread, I am still VERY interested in the integrated dye that is troweled in when the slab is poured and then stamped and then sealed. Totally different. Anyone see or have that type?

All comments and suggestions welcome. This house is fun designing it ourselves. My dh designed our last one 20 yrs ago on a napkin eating lunch

We've come a long way since then - what with computer drawings, etc...We ain't pros either - it changes daily - but it will be uniquely ours. I say "ours" - truly it will be parts of everyone who chimes in! COOL!!!

Just think one day you'll be driving down 30A and you'll see this ICF poling out of Blue Gulf neighborhood and you can say THAT'S GIDGET'S HOUSE!

Be sure and wave

G

**Gidget** · 06-08-2009, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by NoHall

I was looking at those, too! My old house would look silly with granite countertops, so I have said that I was going to put in stainless steel--not the HGTV kind that scratch so badly, but the industrial kitchen kind. Now I'm thinking concrete...

OMG I know!!! I saw the concrete countertops while googleing the other day!! That is a definite possibility!

Check this out too! Recycled GLASS in Destin!

IceStone Destin - IceStone Destin Home

Perhaps we should all build a virtual dream home on the forum lol!

THX
G

**scooterbug44** · 06-08-2009, 08:42 AM

Stained concrete works quite well as a beach floor, but it does have drawbacks - it isn't a perfect surface - it will crack (even w/ scoring), the dyes are not one solid color like a paint (and may have weird areas where it had something on it during construction), it's cold (nice in the summer, not in the winter) and it is hard on your legs/feet.

Good rugs can alleviate a lot of that, but the possible splotchiness or permanent mistakes in it that can't be fixed drive me insane.

**BeachSiO2** · 06-08-2009, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Gidget

First off, CUTE pup!!!

I also have a dog - hence looking for LOW maintenance!

How do you have concrete on 2nd floor?? Did you have acid stain or another procedure?

Thanks for the help!

G

Thanks

Yep, concrete on two floors and I'm not really sure how that was accomplished. As for which procedure, I don't really know so not much help there but we do like it.

**Smiling JOe** · 06-08-2009, 10:26 AM

I've seen a lot of concrete floors finished by Neocrete (a local company) which look good, though I don't like some of the stain colors I've seen.

More recently, I saw a concrete floor finished by another local company, which would work great for outside, as the finish was very rough, but for an inside floor, you need to be able to sweep and mop, and that is impossible on this particular floor because of the very rough finish. I guess if there is an upside, it is that no one will ever do a slip and fall on that floor as it is. They are looking at spending more money on trying to correct the roughness!
My recommendation is to hire "Neocrete," to complete your job.

(I am not affiliated with Neocrete in any way.)

**Susan Horn** · 06-08-2009, 10:41 AM

The "cold in winter" part is easy to fix with a radiant floor heating system, and radiant heat is WAY more comfortable than forced-air. We have had radiant floors in two houses with concrete floors, and love it. If your windows are in the right place (south side of house, not shaded in winter), you might even be able to do passive solar radiant heat, requiring very little paid-for energy input. Possibly just what it costs to run a small pump that circulates the water (or whatever) in the radiant heat system throughout the floors.

**scooterbug44** · 06-08-2009, 11:00 AM

That's my plan - Mexican tile (for my OCD issues w/ the stain/scoring) over concrete slab w/ radiant heat on the first floor and wood on the second floor. That also lets me put the vents high on the first floor to maximize AC cooling.

**Susan Horn** · 06-08-2009, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

That's my plan - Mexican tile (for my OCD issues w/ the stain/scoring) over concrete slab w/ radiant heat on the first floor and wood on the second floor. That also lets me put the vents high on the first floor to maximize AC cooling.

Great plan. I should mention that our first radiant heat house had radiant system only on first floor. We thought the heat would rise enough to warm both floors. Not true, it was always chilly upstairs and cozy downstairs. Next house (one we're on now) we put radiant system in 1st and 2nd floor. Way better.

Strongly suggest putting radiant system in both floors so you don't have to choose which floor will be comfortable and which will be too hot or too cold.

**scooterbug44** · 06-08-2009, 12:15 PM

So you did radiant on 1st and 2nd floor? What is the floor material on the 2nd floor? I thought radiant didn't work well w/ wood flooring? Do you have heat in th HVAC too, or just radiant in the floors?

**Susan Horn** · 06-08-2009, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

So you did radiant on 1st and 2nd floor? What is the floor material on the 2nd floor? I thought radiant didn't work well w/ wood flooring? Do you have heat in th HVAC too, or just radiant in the floors?

Good questions. River recovered heart pine on 2nd floor, and we also have HVAC/heat pump with auxiliary heat strips for those few days each year when there's not enough ambient heat to pump. Redundant systems... The thing about the radiant heat is, most folks in FL don't want to use it till it's going to stay cold/cool for a while, because it takes a couple of days to heat up -- and a couple of days to cool down once you turn it off. For those first chilly nights where you just want a spot of heat in the morning, using the heat pump is better. That's how we've experienced it, anyway. Hope that helps.