Monday, February 22, 2010

Cement floor make over

My daughter has 4 boys and a significant other - well - you can just imagine the messes they can make - whew...her carpet in her townhouse was getting a bit worn!  I once again did some research to see what I could do to the cement rather than her re-carpeting.  I found a site for using acid concrete stain,  Direct Colors, and decided that was the way to go.  When Carrie (daughter) and her family went on vacation I made myself at home and re-did the floors - it was quite an endeavor since the concrete had to be clean of all paint, dirt, etc - and if you have seen a concrete floor before they lay carpet you know what I mean.  Here are a few photos of the process - I have enough of the acid left that I hope to do my garage floor this Spring..FUN!!!

Here is the cleaning stage!!

Now we are onto the application of the stain








Not too pretty yet huh?








 
Last look before the big reveal!!!!



Here is the final results!  



  
see how shiny it is...


It's lighter here - but you get the idea.   The floor has been great for Carrie and the boys as it just takes a quick mopping - she uses mop and glow to keep the shine up..
She thought it might be too cold for the boys, but it really isn't bad -she does keep a carpet in the main part for if/when the boys want to sit on the floor.  
It was alot of work but I had such a great time doing it...


I'm participating in
Metamorphosis Monday - go on over to  Between Naps on the Porch 
and see what others have done!!  
and
Make it for Monday at  Cottage Instincts
and
 
Don't forget to leave a comment - they love to know you stopped by to visit!

17 comments:

  1. Brenda - fabulous job! For the last 2 years, my SIL and I have been renovating a 8,000 sq. ft. former Boys Home (New Caney, Texas) for an events facility (weddings, mtgs. etc.)...we have researched the cement stain procedure and hope to apply the method on a large span of concrete in the kitchen - our first project with the stain. Do you have any suggestions for us to offset any problem you might have encountered (other than giving us encouragement, lol). Thanks.
    Judy Beatty Houston Texas

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  2. That is AMAZING! What a great finish - I would never know it's cement.

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  3. thanks for the comments -

    jabreb - I would tell you to be sure to have lots of ventilation...the fumes are very strong....AND be sure you prep the floor really well - what doesn't come off will just show as a dark spot through the stain as it won't penetrate the cement. I give you lots and lots of encouragement - and PLEASE let me know when you post some photos of your finished project!!!

    thanks for stopping by..

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  4. I love the floor! I have two boys and will eventually be redoing the basement floors! Thanks for the link!!

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  5. Brenda,

    What a transformation! Please tell me how in the world you managed to get all of the paint and other stuff off of the concrete.

    For about two seconds I considered staining the concrete floors in our play room, but chickened out. After removing the carpet the concrete had stain and paint all over them.

    You are an amazing lady and the floors look absolutely gorgeous.

    Congrats on a great job!

    I'm here from The Porch.

    Paula

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  6. It looks great! I absolutely love stained concrete. ☺ Celeste

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  7. Wow, Brenda! The floor came out beautiful! Concrete floors are fabulous when done right. Yours is perfection!

    Thanks for visitng me!

    Cheers!
    Tina

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  8. Wonderful outcome - love it! The color is perfect. Was your daughter surprised or did she know about you doing it?

    I hope you'll swing by AtticMag to tour my home.
    Allison

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  9. I think you did a fabulous job! It looks great, love the colors.

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  10. Wow! What a great job and it looks very cool. Almost like cork. What a great solution for a busy family.

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  11. Wow, that looks fantastic! Gorgeous, in fact ... like a tortoiseshell floor! Our conservatory -- which is where most people enter our house -- is carpeted in WHITE wall to wall. No, we did not install it, and I hate it, and am constantly cleaning it. Hmm, I wonder what is under our carpeting? Cement perhaps?

    I think I will have to peek.
    :-)
    Cass

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  12. Wowza!! That looks fantastic! How sweet of you to take the time to do that! :)

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  13. This is an amazing transformation. I love the depth and gloss. I have bare concrete on our patio.Thanks so much for this informative post.

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  14. You did an amazing job on the floor. I have always admired the look of painted cement that has that old world feel. You mention stain special for concrete. How did you apply it? Brushes or rags?
    Thanks for sharing. I have a screened proch with a cement floor.

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  15. Oh my goodness! That looks AMAZING! Great job :)

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  16. What a job!!

    Good for your guys!

    blessings
    barbara jean

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  17. Oh goodness!! The floor is stunning!! Great work and thank you for sharing!!

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