Painting a concrete floor is a relatively simple project. It has multiple benefits, including aesthetics and durability. Many individuals and businesses choose to paint the concrete floor to make it more attractive, but a painted floor can also be safer and more durable. If you are considering painting existing concrete floors or installing new floors that will be painted, hiring a professional to assist with this project can be beneficial. A professional contractor will walk you through each step of the project and is trained to troubleshoot various issues. Here are a few points to consider.
1. Moisture Content
The moisture content of your concrete floor is essential in determining the type of paint that will be used. Concrete seems solid and dry, but is actually porous and has a moisture content of between 2 and 20 percent. Floors with high moisture content will not absorb the paint well, which can lead to peeling and cracking. The moisture content can be measured prior to beginning the project. A professional can test the content with calcium chloride tablets or a humidity meter. If the moisture is prohibitively high, it can be amended with the application of a vapor barrier or pH suppression system.
2. Usage and Purpose
The way the finished room will be used plays a role in the type of finish you will want on the floor. Often one considers panting the concrete floor of a lobby, showroom, or other common area where visitors will gather. You want this space to look welcoming and professional. The paint you use can be mixed to match an existing color scheme, as well as applied in patterns or complex designs. Even in an area such as a parking garage, concrete paint can direct traffic while giving the space a clean appearance.
3. Type of Paint
There are several types of paint that can be applied and each depends on the existing concrete. These include:
- Solid epoxies
- Water-based epoxies
- Water-based acrylics
- High urethanes
If you are painting a high-traffic area, it is also important to seal the floor. A sealer will reduce dust and cracking, as well as prevent moisture from coming up. A water-based urethane is the most common solution, but it will need to be reapplied every few years.Dyes and stains are an alternative to paint that may be more appropriate in some scenarios. These have a similar appearance to concrete paint, but are applied and finished using different methods.
4. Finished Texture
The finished texture of your floor is also a consideration. Concrete can be finished with a non-skid, smooth, or high-shine texture. For facilities in colder climates, the temperature of the ground can affect your concrete and a non-skid surface may be important. In facilities where contamination is an issue, a smooth, stain- and chemical-resistant surface is valuable. For outdoor walkways, sand-textured paint is attractive but functional, as it can hide minor imperfections in the concrete that will crop up over time.
Hiring a Professional Concrete Company
If you need assistance in determining exactly what solutions will work best for your project, hiring a professional is an excellent option. At ICS, we can assist you from the initial consultation to the finished project. We work with a number of large business and commercial facilities throughout the areas of Boston, MA; Portland, ME; Hartford, CT; and Albany, NY. Contact us to determine our availability elsewhere as well. Simply enter the details of your planned project in the Got a Project form and we will reply quickly. For general information about ICS, subscribe to our email list in the right sidebar.
Concrete Flooring Service Area
ICS provides concrete solutions to all of the northeast. Here is a small list of cities and towns where we have completed many industrial and commercial concrete flooring applications.
| Portland, Maine | Bangor, Maine | Augusta, Maine |
| Nashua, New Hampshire | Manchester, New Hampshire | Portsmouth, New Hampshire |
| Boston, Massachusetts | Worecester, Massachusetts | Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Burlington, Vermont | Montpelier, Vermont | St. Johnsbury, Vermont |
| Providence, Rhode Island | Warwick, Rhode Island | Cranston, Rhode Island |
| Hartford, Connecticut | New Haven, Connecticut | Stamford, Connecticut |
| New York | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |