To Seal or Not To Seal?

Should I seal my concrete?  Don't be ridiculous...not that kind of seal.

This is a plain concrete floor that has been sealed.  I like the light color, but it needs a little something something, don't you think?

This is good.

This is gorgeous, but a friend of mine who used to work in real estate said the dark glossy floors are impossible to keep clean.  They show any speck of dust or water.

They make colored dyes and also acid stains that react chemically.  The acid reacts with the limestone in the concrete, giving you different colors and patterns.  The problem is, you don't know what it's going to look like until you're done.  And it's a LOT of work.  The above patina is lovely, but below, meh.

Sorry if this is your house-it looks fine and I didn't mean to be rude.  I like the colors, but the matteness is too matte for me.  And I don't want that much color on my studio floors throwing color back on my canvases.

This is good, too.  I worry that if the floors aren't spotless and polished, they'll look muddy or cloudy or yucky.  And it's an art studio-stuff is going to get splashed about.

This just isn't fancy enough.  Too....hmm...too 'just poured'.

This color doesn't work for my space, but the finish is nice.  More of a soft gloss than the high shine of epoxy or polyurethane.  But I like that big shine.

That's good.  Maybe a bit too dark, though.

This light one is more appealing to me than the very first photo.  Something about it seems better.  More depth, maybe?  I think you can see the veining and marble-ish-ness (that's a word now) of the stone.  Maybe this one was acid treated before sealing, but with a lighter color.

This is good, too.  It's scary, though, because the results are so unpredictable.  And once it's done, you can't redo it without either painting over it or having it completely stripped and buffed down.  EEEK! Oh, the pressure.

Comments

[Jill James]

Just do a small section (like the bathroom)......my friend did her front porch & it looks dirty.....it might be gorgeous w/some kind of metallic thrown in. Maybe it would be better to wait until you see if it's worth doing......what goes with paint splatters? I'd turn that studio into my house so I'm the wrong person to give advice!

Loved your email w/the Berkley store, Castles in the Air ~ I linked into that ad from someone who makes crowns (hey! a girl can't have too many crowns) and was absolutely smitten.

[Charlotte]

My opinion is to keep flooring neutral, because you will have lots of color and interest elsewhere. It is true about dark flooring showing everything; it is more difficult to maintain than light colored flooring. So excited you are nearing the finish line. Then the fun starts.

[Laura Irrgang]

Theres still a LOT to do, but its always closer.
I try to just think of the current task.
When I look at this mounting to-do list, I get kid of nervous.