Today’s concrete interiors come in nearly any color or pattern imaginable. And they aren’t just interesting and beautiful, but also provide finishes that contribute to sustainable construction. Concrete floors are near zero maintenance.  Unlike carpet, they emit no volatile gases, they can’t harbor mites, and can’t grow mold.

Polished concrete floors are beautiful and maintenance free. Photo courtesy of Bill Palmer.

The options available today for interior concrete floors, walls and kitchen countertops are nearly endless. The most common, though, are stamped, stained and thin overlays. Bob Harris, founder and president of the Decorative Concrete Institute, has written a series of books on these three methods (available at www.concretenetwork.com). “The concrete flooring market is sure to continue to grow,” he writes, “due to rapid product innovation, spiraling market demand from homeowners and building owners who want a craft product that is creative and unique, and a growing number of contractors—some with artistic flair—who can expertly install concrete flooring.”

Stamping is done as the slab is being placed. After initial finishing, workers use stamps and texturing skins to imprint the pattern. The base color is either integrally mixed into the concrete or applied to the wet concrete as a dry-shake color. Release agents can be used in contrasting colors and other techniques can be used to create “grout” joints.

Stamped concrete exteriors can be matched to interiors. Photo courtesy of Riverstone.

Stains come in two distinct types: Acid (or chemical) stains react with the concrete to form semi-transparent and mottled colors, often browns and terra cotta. Water-based acrylic stains are more like paints and come in virtually any color. Grinders and engravers can be used to form outlines for differently stained areas.

Overlays today can be applied to nearly any existing concrete surface and can transform an old ugly concrete floor into a beautiful decorative interior. Applied as thin as 1/8 inch, overlays can be stained or stamped into any pattern.

Another option for concrete floors is diamond polishing. Polished floors take on a terrazzo appearance, but are much harder and nearly invulnerable to damage.

Concrete countertops are another application that is suddenly hot, and concrete walls are an interesting alternative to drywall. The 2007 New American Home has exposed and stained interior concrete walls.

Bill Palmer writes a blog on the decorative concrete industry for the Concrete Network (www.concretenetwork.com).