Concrete foundations are essential for almost every type of building. There are several different types of slabs which can be used to make the foundation of your building. Fortunately, these do not have to be dull and boring. Much like polished concrete, with a splash of color here and there, you can easily turn your own floors into a work of art.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about coloring concrete foundations.
Preparation
Before you attempt to add color or make patterns on your cement flooring, it is extremely important to know whether your project will be able to withstand the changes which you intend to make. This means that your concrete slab needs to be intact before you can start designing it.
Since seams and crevices in your flooring can practically destroy the design, it is necessary to repair your cement flooring before you try to personalize it. It is also important to know that you cannot paint a concrete surface unless it is cured. Therefore, if you have a cement slab which was recently built and installed, it is necessary to wait at least four weeks before you can start painting it.
New concrete structures should also be left to dry out naturally without the use of any curing chemicals. Since the addition of chemicals and other drying agents can cause problems during staining, if you wish to design and personalize your home, it is best to leave the concrete surface to dry naturally even if it takes a little longer than four weeks. Once the concrete has dried, acrylic fillers should be used to fill any cracks in the cement slab.
Once the concrete has dried and has been repaired, the next step is to thoroughly clean the entire surface before you paint it. Since it is very easy and common for dirt and other contaminants to get stuck into it, you should use a power washer for exterior surfaces. An additional cleaning agent might be required for the interior.
Painting
The roller which you will be using to paint it, needs to be cleaned to ensure that the end result does not have any blemishes or other contaminants like grime. When you start painting it, a paint brush should be used to paint the grooves of the concrete. Initially, it might seem like a lot of paint is required to paint your surface, but this is only because much of the paint will be absorbed by the concrete.
Once the first coat has dried, you can then add subsequent coats of stain depending on your required color and finish. In case you want to apply textured paint to it, you will have to use a primer before you can start applying to stain. If a primer is not used beforehand when applying textured paint, it is very likely that the end result will not be as good as expected. With the new surface, concrete foundations commonly mimic the modern look of natural stone.
