Huntsville-Madison-Epoxy-Flooring-Solutions

Saturday, August 1, 2020

Huntsville Madison Concrete Services: Acid Stained Floors and Decorative Concrete



By Guest Expert Author:    

Attention Huntsville Madison area home and business owners. Acid stained floors are simply extraordinary flooring alternatives if you are tired of carpet, tile and wood flooring. Acid stained floors offer warm earthy tones or vibrant hues, there are simply unlimited color options and your contractor can even do custom colors. Lifetime Epoxy is one of the most trusted names in North Alabama when it comes to floor coatings and stains. 

All concrete surfaces can be stained inside or outside new or existing concrete. The process usually takes about five days start to finish but the results are incredible. If you are thinking about having stained floors there are some simple precautions that should be taken in order to save you money and to assure you that your floor will turn out properly.

New concrete should be covered with plastic to protect it from stains from other trades such as painters plumbers etc... all stains on any concrete surface have to be removed before staining can take place and this can be an added expense to having your floor done. Acid stains are translucent and may not take stain in areas that have previous stains on them such as paint. Rule of thumb is that if you know you are going to have an acid stained floor then you should cover it if possible.

If you have old concrete that has a lot of stains then there are other options such as micro toppings. A micro topping is a new concrete surface that is applied from paper thin up to 1" thick. Micro toppings can be used to fill imperfections in the surface Micro toppings can also be used for different affects such as a rock texture, slate texture, spray textures etc... and micro toppings can be stained.

A few years ago I started playing around with micro toppings on other surfaces such as plywood, tile and marble. We have come up with a way to put a micro topping over plywood in the interior section of our home that does not have a concrete surface. The result of our new technique is a allergen free and easy to clean surface with vibrant colors and earthy tones. This technique can also be applied over tile as long as the tile is not coming loose. This saves the consumer the cost of tear out and disposal of other flooring products.

Another option that is hitting the flooring market pretty hard right now is metallic epoxy, if you are looking for a real neat effect in a one of a kind floor look at the metallic epoxy. Metallic epoxy is a coating it starts with a prime coat of 100% solids epoxy and then the metallic epoxy is applied a day later. There are different effects that can be achieved with metallic epoxy such as spraying denatured alcohol, or acetone on top of the metallic epoxy when it is wet to achieve a mottled look. Use a leaf blower to blow the epoxy around to achieve a rippled look. These techniques should only be done by trained professionals as you can also ruin a floor if not done properly. When done properly metallic epoxy has a strong look of an acid stained floor.

Maintenance on a acid stained floor is simply done with micro fiber mops, or a mild detergent such as simple green. Do not use any cleaners that are abrasive. If your floor should start to look dull a simple coat of a mop on wax such as uro finish from colormaker floors can be applied to renew the shine and it will make that floor look new again.

If you are looking for ideas you can see pictures of floors that we have done at our website [http://www.specialeffexonline.com] My name is Craig Adamson and I am the owner of Special Effex designer concrete floors. [http://www.specialeffexonline.com] Special Effex specializes in acid stains and dyes, Epoxy coatings, and concrete resurfacing. We service the Rockford Illinois and all surrounding areas. We have been as far as South Carolina with our work. If you have a small concrete surface or a big commercial property there are no jobs to big or to small we can do them all. We will leave you saying "Wow I Can't Believe It's Concrete" We also teach decorative concrete and do consulting for company's doing decorative concrete. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Craig_Adamson/308679 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3289555 By Expert Guest Author: Craig Adamson

Acid stained floors are simply extraordinary flooring alternatives if you are tired of carpet, tile and wood flooring. Acid stained floors offer warm earthy tones or vibrant hues, there are simply unlimited color options and your contractor can even do custom colors.

All concrete surfaces can be stained inside or outside new or existing concrete. The process usually takes about five days start to finish but the results are incredible. If you are thinking about having stained floors there are some simple precautions that should be taken in order to save you money and to assure you that your floor will turn out properly.

New concrete should be covered with plastic to protect it from stains from other trades such as painters plumbers etc... all stains on any concrete surface have to be removed before staining can take place and this can be an added expense to having your floor done. Acid stains are translucent and may not take stain in areas that have previous stains on them such as paint. Rule of thumb is that if you know you are going to have an acid stained floor then you should cover it if possible.

If you have old concrete that has a lot of stains then there are other options such as micro toppings. A micro topping is a new concrete surface that is applied from paper thin up to 1" thick. Micro toppings can be used to fill imperfections in the surface Micro toppings can also be used for different affects such as a rock texture, slate texture, spray textures etc... and micro toppings can be stained.

A few years ago I started playing around with micro toppings on other surfaces such as plywood, tile and marble. We have come up with a way to put a micro topping over plywood in the interior section of our home that does not have a concrete surface. The result of our new technique is a allergen free and easy to clean surface with vibrant colors and earthy tones. This technique can also be applied over tile as long as the tile is not coming loose. This saves the consumer the cost of tear out and disposal of other flooring products.

Another option that is hitting the flooring market pretty hard right now is metallic epoxy, if you are looking for a real neat effect in a one of a kind floor look at the metallic epoxy. Metallic epoxy is a coating it starts with a prime coat of 100% solids epoxy and then the metallic epoxy is applied a day later. There are different effects that can be achieved with metallic epoxy such as spraying denatured alcohol, or acetone on top of the metallic epoxy when it is wet to achieve a mottled look. Use a leaf blower to blow the epoxy around to achieve a rippled look. These techniques should only be done by trained professionals as you can also ruin a floor if not done properly. When done properly metallic epoxy has a strong look of an acid stained floor.

Maintenance on a acid stained floor is simply done with micro fiber mops, or a mild detergent such as simple green. Do not use any cleaners that are abrasive. If your floor should start to look dull a simple coat of a mop on wax such as uro finish from colormaker floors can be applied to renew the shine and it will make that floor look new again.

If you are looking for ideas you can see pictures of floors that we have done at our website [http://www.specialeffexonline.com] My name is Craig Adamson and I am the owner of Special Effex designer concrete floors. [http://www.specialeffexonline.com] Special Effex specializes in acid stains and dyes, Epoxy coatings, and concrete resurfacing. We service the Rockford Illinois and all surrounding areas. We have been as far as South Carolina with our work. If you have a small concrete surface or a big commercial property there are no jobs to big or to small we can do them all. We will leave you saying "Wow I Can't Believe It's Concrete" We also teach decorative concrete and do consulting for company's doing decorative concrete. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Craig_Adamson/308679 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3289555

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Huntsville Garage Floors: Garage Floor Coating Cleaning and Maintenance Guide


By Lifetime Epoxy Expert Guest Author: Aloysius Aucoin



To keep your garage floor coating looking showroom fresh for years to come, you'll want to maintain and clean the surface regularly to avoid stains and damage. While it isn't difficult to give it a thorough clean, it does take some time to ensure you've gotten into all those tight corners. Here's an overview on the best way to give the epoxy a good, bright shine and how to pick up any stains that may have been left.



The first step is to clear the area of any objects or moveable furniture (and of course the cars). Give the surface a good sweep with a stiff bristled brush to ensure you pick up any grit that may have been ground into the garage floor coating. Use a smaller brush to get into the corners and along the wall seams. If it's been a while since you've last swept, you may also want to take a cloth to the surface to help remove any stuck on dirt.



After getting rid of as much surface grime as possible, it's time to get out the cleaning products. While epoxy is durable, using the wrong chemicals can quickly weaken it. Mild is better which is why using vinegar and water mix, plain hot water, or a cleanser the manufacturer recommends is your best bet. Avoid anything acidic, abrasive, or extremely soapy. Using detergents will make the area extremely slippery which is difficult to rinse away completely without leaving a residual soap film of the top. This can be very hazardous and can cause slip and fall accidents.



For stubborn grease stains or other problem spots, use a tough degreaser according to the product instructions. Be careful, however, as some weaker epoxy formulations can be damaged if certain chemicals are left to sit for too long on them. Use a scrub brush to lift away anything sticky, but be careful that it isn't too harsh or it can scratch the surface. A mop can also work well. Avoid scrapers or anything sharp.



Once all the dirt has been lifted, it's time to give the garage floor coating a good rinse. This step is important for safety reasons. Leaving any residue behind will make the surface extremely slick. It is recommended to rinse the area with a hose or hot water at least twice. Be sure to get into the corners and along the sides.



For scratches or other imperfections, the area should be polished and glazed quickly to stop it from worsening. A clear glaze can be spread all over or else a polishing wax should be used to buff out any problems. These should be used regularly to help build up a thick layer of protection as well as increase the shine. It's safe to polish or glaze once every few months. In addition to cleaning the area yourself, it is also recommended to occasionally hire out a professional washer scrubber dryer machine or pressure hose if the grime is particularly caked on.



A Fairfax VA Garage Floor Coating [http://www.ultimategaragefloorsva.com/garage_floor_coatings.html] specialist can help if you are finally getting around to cleaning out your garage. Look no further than: [http://www.ultimategaragefloorsva.com/].



Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Aloysius_Aucoin/895926
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6819999