Anyone who has a basement knows that basements start out with a slab of concrete – after all, they are the foundation of the house they are in – and they are dull, gray and , well, boring. They are usually the last place in the house to be decorated, and, until recently, most people used carpeting, pre-fab wood or pressboard products and very little else to create a floor for the rooms in the basement. In addition, most people believe the myths that basement floors are cold and damp, and that concrete can’t possible be as beautiful or inviting as carpeting.
These are truly myths. There is a lot more to choose from now, and using decorative concrete can make basement floors colorful, creative, warm and inviting – and at a cost comparable to that of other floor coverings, such as carpet or wood.
One reason for the comparatively affordable cost is that you are using the concrete floor that is already poured. You have your foundation, which was poured with the building, therefore, the most expensive part of the job is finished. The next part of the job is to determine the type of decorative concrete to be used and how to use it as a foundation or enhancement to the décor.
For instance, many people have created a game room in a basement, complete with antique or modern pool table and/or a bar and other amenities, such as a very large screen TV. One concrete treatment that has been used a lot in these types of décor has been stained or polished concrete. Either way, the existing concrete has been colored – often in rich colors such as cordovan – and after it has been colored, it is sealed. Some coloring techniques leave the original texture of the concrete, blending it with the furnishings in the area. Other people have used polished concrete which also can create rich colors to cover the concrete, then polishing the top – almost like a top coat of nail polish or varnish. Either way, the floor has now become an artistic enhancement or foundation to the area, and it is not only beautiful and creative, it is durable and easy to clean.
If you are thinking of doing something beautiful with your basement floor – even if there is carpeting on it now that needs to be removed, explore the various types of decorative concrete. You will be surprised at how stunning you can make a room by making your concrete floor the center of attention.
When it comes to areas that are vulnerable to flooding, such as a basement, steer clear of carpeting or wood floors. Your best option is, hands down, concrete flooring. Why choose a basement flooring material that can warp (wood) or grow mildew (carpet)? Concrete floors are durable, simple to keep clean, and best of all – concrete is material that will stay allergen and mildew free.
