A concrete floor in your basement used to be easy to overlook and neglect. But these days, with our growing need for more liveable space, finishing concrete basement floors looks like a wise investment.

The right concrete floor finish in your basement makes the space much more comfortable and inviting. This home improvement project can transform your extra room into a family room, play area or rental unit.

Fortunately, there are several finish options for your concrete basement floors to make them better suited for your needs. In this post, we’ll cover acid stain, epoxy coating, concrete polishing and stamped concrete so you can decide which is best for your basement!

 

Acid Stain Finish For Concrete Basement Floors

Acid staining involves applying an acidic stain to the surface of the concrete, which reacts with the hydrated lime in the concrete to create an organic-looking finish that resembles swirling marble.

One of the advantages of acid staining is it’s relatively simple to apply and can be done by DIYers. However, note that this method can be unpredictable, and the final result varies depending on the concrete’s condition.

A well-prepared concrete surface is critical to the success of acid stains. All cracks and holes must be repaired, and the floor must be spotlessly clean.

 

Finishing Basement Floors with Epoxy Coating

Epoxy coating is a two-part protective and decorative layer added to the concrete’s surface, which creates a durable, high-gloss finish. Epoxy coatings are available in many colours and can be customized to your preferences.

An advantage of epoxy coatings is that they are highly resistant to damage from chemicals, moisture and abrasion. In fact, this material is common in industrial settings where heavy machinery is used.

Epoxy coatings aren’t a DIY project, and you’ll need an experienced professional to install them. But, they last a long time and look beautiful in basements.

 

Polished Concrete

Polished concrete is probably the most durable basement floor finish. This method involves grinding the concrete’s surface to create a smooth, glossy finish.

It’s incredibly easy to clean and maintain, making it a perfect choice for basement floors. Polished concrete is unbelievably non-slip, with finishes from matte to mirror-like gloss.

Heavy, specialized equipment is required to polish concrete basement floors, and it’s cost-effective to hire professionals for this finish. Overall, this is one of the highest-quality basement floor finishes available.

 

Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete is a method of finishing concrete floors that involves imprinting a pattern or texture onto the floor’s surface. A new layer of concrete will need to be poured and stamped on existing basement slabs.

Stamped concrete is available in many patterns and textures, including:

  • Brick
  • Slate
  • Wood
  • Tile

 

An advantage of stamped concrete is that it’s durable and resistant to damage from abrasion and chemicals. However, stamped concrete can be more expensive than other methods of finishing concrete floors and may require professional installation.

If you have more questions about how to finish your concrete basement floor, contact Ottawa Concrete Polishing today! We offer advice on every concrete finishing method to help you make the best decision for your home!