Decorative Concrete Floors For New Jersey Restaurants

Concrete floors in restaurants can be a challenging choice for many reasons. One of the biggest issues is the performance of the floor once the restaurant is open for business. If the floor does not hold up to the harsh abuse from foot traffic, grease, liquids like coffee, soda or alcohol, the replacement option becomes extremely expensive. The loss of shutting down for a week to replace the flooring is a tough cost to recover.

Options for Decorative Concrete Floors

Decorative concrete floors are extremely durable, seamless and easy to maintain. There are excellent options for both dining areas, commercial kitchens, bathrooms and bars.

Concrete Polishing – Due to the advancements in tooling and polishing methods, concrete polishing can be achieved on existing surfaces or to a self leveling or concrete overlay. Polished floors can be stained and dyed in unlimited designs and sealed with stain guards and wax coats that can be burnished into the floor. The burnishing process fills all the tiny air holes. Routine maintenance with cleaners to remove grease and occasional wax and recoat process will keep floors performing and looking like new indefinitely. We carry a full line of sealers, stains, dyes and densifiers for this process.

Self Leveling Concrete – One of our biggest sellers is our line of Param Self Levelers which can be applied over concrete and tile at a thickness of 1/4 – 1/2 inch thickness. This system is for floors that are uneven, damaged or need to be raised to match door jams, floor vents or to meet the height of tile or hardwood. The self leveling concrete can be colored with unlimited designs and sealed with high performance epoxies and polyaspartics. The wax, strip and recoat process can be applied keeping floors looking new for years.

Concrete Overlays – Sgraffino and Pentimento are two of our concrete overlays that perform beautifully when you need a thin concrete coating and particular design. These coatings produce a sandstone or polished finish respectively. They can be stained, dyed or using saw cuts, the appearance of custom tile can be created. Our water based epoxies and polyaspartic sealers are excellent for long term performance. We carry a full line of products for every step of the process.

Epoxy Coatings – As mentioned we carry numerous epoxies for sealing concrete plus high build, high performance industrial epoxy systems for commercial kitchens. Kitchens take abuse from constant stop and go foot traffic plus food grease, acids from fruit, oils, coffee, alcohol and who knows what else. We have a full line of systems including decorative chips and colored quartz. They can handle daily cleaning.

Call Us To Discuss Your Project

In addition to numerous options for decorative concrete floors in restaurants, we provide technical support plus a network of skilled professional contractors who can provide installation for your next project. Give us a call to discuss your project. Our main office and distribution facility is located in Newark New Jersey.

Before - How To Resurface Gypcrete - Seattle Washington

Before Sealers - How To Resurface Gypcrete - Seattle Washington

After - How To Resurface Gypcrete - Seattle Washington

How To Resurface Gypcrete With a Duraamen Concrete Overlay

Very few products have the ability to perform over gypcrete. Gypcrete is the industry brand name for Gypsum Concrete. This is a product used as an underlayment for hardwood, tile or carpet. With our products, concrete overlays can be added to the list. Gypcrete is a lightweight product but very porous and typically soft. However over the years the PSI has increased.

Resurface Gypcrete By Seattle Surfaces of Seattle Washington

The project was completed for Five Fish Bistro Restaurant by Seattle Surfaces owned by Dave Primc. The 2,000 square foort restaurant was designed by Arellano Christofides Architects PLLC also of Seattle.

When apply Sgraffino to resurface gycrete, we require that the Gypsum Concrete has a PSI of 3,500 otherwise there is a risk of pinholes bleeding through the surface.

Sgraffino is an amazing product for resurfacing concrete and many other substrates. When properly primed, the sgraffino has exceptional bonding characteristics. In fact, Sgraffino has been used to resurface porcelain bathtubs that are used daily, holding up to water, soap and shampoo without delamination.

When resurfacing gypcrete, the process is extra priming with CP 1000 our priming polymer. In this case, 3 coats of sgraffino were applied using our Potters Clay integral colorant. As you can see in the photos, the result is excellent. The floor is seamless, non slip and easy to maintain. It is durable enough to endure the heavy wear and tear of a restaurant.

The seal coats used was our Perdure E32 Water Based Epoxy with Perdure U50 90% solids moisture cured polyuretnae, an exceptionally durable top coat.

If you have a gypcrete surface and looking for a solution to resurface the floor, contact us to discuss the options. We have many unique coatings for resurfacing every kind of floor and substrate. Plus we have a nationwide network of flooring professionals who are experienced applicators of our products.

Concrete Floor Epoxy Repair Solutions – A Concord New Hampshire Project

We get the calls all the time. “we had epoxy coatings applied to our concrete and it’s peeling off the floor” or “we applied epoxy paint to our garage floor and it’s chipping”.

The reality is that epoxy repair is a cottage industry. Many people think applying epoxy paint is a simple process. Just mix part A with part B and roll it on. That’s true, it’s easy. Usually it looks great… for a few days. Thats exactly what happened in to this garage floor project in Concord New Hampshire.

Epoxy Repair – The Problem and Solution

The owners hired an inexperienced contractor. The first problem was the floor was not properly prepared. Concrete floors need to be shotblasted or ground using special concrete grinding equipment. This process serves a few purposes. It removes potential bond breakers and increases the amount of surface area for coating adhesion.

The second problem was that the epoxy was not properly mixed. If epoxies are not properly mixed, the chemical crosslinking will break down. In this case the coating was still soft many days after application.

The only solution is cases like this one is to grind the old coating off the surface and start over. Since the original contractor ran off, the owner had already paid for the project with little money left in the budget to resurface with a new epoxy.

The solution was to grind and remove the failed coating then polish and dye the concrete. The project was completed properly Premier Concrete Construction of Wilton New Hampshire.

If you are faced with an epoxy repair solution like this one in Concord, New Hampshire, contact us and explain the situation. We’ll help you with the most appropriate products and a professional installer in your area.

Tim Fisher of Fishers Concrete of Louisville Colorado outside of Denver completed this project by applying our Param 5500 Self Leveling Concrete and one of our sealer systems.

This was a 1500 square foot floor requiring 85 bags of Param 5500 to level the pre existing surface. The process started by grinding the floor removing potential bond breakers and opening the pores of the surface for increased adhesion. As you can see in the photos, the fixed cracks, damaged areas and filled in the joints. The goal was to create a smooth, seamless, non slip surface.

Param 5500 Self Leveling Concrete

One of the unique benefits of our Param line of self leveling concrete is that they are non shrink. The result is an overlay that stays exactly where it is applied. It can be used over tile, old mastics and has been used over wood. It is very strong with compressive strength of over 6,000 psi.

It can be used as both as underlayment for carpet, tile and hardwood or as a decorative wear surface. Many of our contractors will integrally color Param Self Leveling Concrete and seal the surface.

It can be used in residential homes, industrial warehouses, retail stores, restaurants and office buildings. It is a cost effective, solution based product.

Sealers Used

The sealers used in this project were Perdure Eo2, U50 and Endura E21. This system is a combination of layers of epoxies and urethanes.

Contact Us

For more information about this project and a contractor for your next flooring job contact us at 1-866-835-6595.

Mike Hollahan of Custom Stone Tile of New Orleans recently completed this 1,000 square foot resurfacing project using Param 5500 self leveling concrete.

As you can see in the photos, the preexisting floor was porcelain tile. Removing the tile and rebuilding the floor is an expensive project. However, Param 5500 has some very unique features allowing for resurfacing over old tile.

Param 5500 Self Leveling Concrete Features

1. Excellent Bonding over tile, carpet glue and concrete
2. Non Shrink – Will not shrink and pull up tile.
3. Quick Dry – Foot traffic within a few hours.
4. Apply 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick.
5. Durable – 5500 psi
6. Decorative – unlimited color and seal options.

Mike Hollahan used our water based Deso Dyes to topically color the floor in natural earth tones. Deso Dyes come in a variety of colors. We have 20 base colors to choose with unlimited color schemes available by mixing or application in layers.

To seal the floor Mike Hollanhan used Perdure E32, a water based epoxy with a final protective sealer called U46. This is a two component water based polyurethane providing a gloss finish. U46 is very durable finish coat and part of our floor sealing system. It has fast cure time and high abrasion resistance.

For more information about the products used in this project, contact us at 1-866-835-6595.

Concrete Polishing – Will It Work For You?

There is a lot of confusion about what exactly is concrete polishing and can the process be applied to all floors. The answer is not a simple yes or no.  A better question might be, is polished concrete appropriate for my floor? The answer depends on the condition of your floor and what exactly you want.

Most professionals in the industry refer to a polished concrete floor as one that has been mechanically grinded starting with coarse blades with numerous steps using finer and finer blades until the desired shine is achieved.

Halfway through the process a liquid densifier is added serving to tighten the pores in the surface, providing increased surface area to polish. Results can be a matte finish up to a high gloss. Coloring can be achieved by adding dyes and frequently a stain guard or wax coat will be applied and burnished with high speed buffers. This process melts the wax sealer into the tiny air holes in the floor.

However not every floor will be the same. If the floor has large cracks or damaged areas, the patch repair will show. Sometimes it looks fine, sometimes not.

Concrete Polishing Options

The photo above shows a Perry Ellis retail floor in Glendale California. Originally, the requirement called for concrete polishing of the existing floor. Once the floor was grinded, the aggregate that showed was not appropriate for the design of the store, nor was the color and the overall look. So in this case, polished concrete was not the right choice.

However there are options. Pentimento, one of our overlays, was installed with the appropriate color and polished appearance. Pentimento has a natural polished appearance achieved by burnishing the surface with a steel trowel. The results are predictable whereas concrete polishing is not.

Another solution is application of our Param self leveling concrete which can be polished. The equipment, blades and process is different and lighter than the heavy polishers used on existing concrete. The self leveler has it’s own unique look while providing a functional remedy. When preexisting floors are damaged, uneven or have height issues with floor vents, doorways or adjacent flooring, the self leveler can be installed from 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.

Does Concrete Polishing Work On All Floors – Summary

The simple answer is yes, but it depends on what you want. Your existing concrete can be ground and polished if that is what you want. Pentimento can be applied over pre existing concrete at 1/8th inch thick or Param Self Leveling can be applied from 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick. Each option is in the polished concrete family with their own set of features and benefits.

The options for function, design and price are as varied as any flooring type like carpet, tile or hardwood. The best way to determine what you want is to contact us and discuss the size of the existing area, the type of facility, condition, budget and design. We have many options including epoxies which may be appropriate.

Contact us to discuss your project and we’ll review the options and appropriate installers. The photos below show floors with different finishes.  Which one do you want?

Home Owners Guide to Garage Floor Paint

Garage floor paint kits are hot sellers from New Jersey to California. The photos on the side of the box look enticing, especially with their low cost.

The reality is that epoxy paint is thin and really not a wear surface for abrasive use from cars, lawn movers or anything dragged over the floor. Make no mistake. Garage floor paint looks excellent, for the short term.

One of the biggest problems is the floor preparation methods recommended with these kits. Yes, acid will etch the concrete and increase surface area for adhesion. The first issue is that the enemy of coatings is moisture. An acid etch solution is mixed with water and dumped on the floor, then brushed into the surface.

Concrete being porous, absorbs water and the acid. The next day or even days later, the floor may look dry but likely is damp. Apply any coating, even our high performance epoxies and water and acid is trapped in the tiny pores. Notice the chips in the picture below on the left. These were caused by acid reactivating a few days after application.

In the next photo from the same floor, you can see that the home owner applied the garage floor paint over damaged concrete. It will not last and will drap dirt. It doesn’t take long for it to look to look terrible.

The solution is to live with a rapidly deteriorating coating or add additional expense by having a professional grind it off and apply properly.  If this has happened to you, don’t fret, we see this all the time. In fact the big box home improvement stores have created a cottage industry. Repairing garage floor paint projects gone wrong.

Garage Floor Paint Solutions

New Jersey , where we have a warehouse facility, is a popular state for garage floor paint applications. Likely it’s the high cost of real estate with home owners looking to maximize the use and value of their space.

Our professional installers typically grind the old coatings off the surface like in the picture below. The process also removes the waviness inherent in concrete floors. The grinding process makes the floors flat. There are a few benefits to this important step. First there is no water used, so no issue of trapping moisture. Secondly the process removes the surface layer of concrete removing grease and oils that will cause adhesion issues. Floors are like new.

Then using a high performance garage floor epoxy , not a paint, the first coatings is applied. The chemical structure of our coatings are designed for adhesion with high impact resistance. The first coat is thick enough for application of decorative chips that look like granite or for addition of colored quartz.

The next coat is a thick, high build application. For the ultimate finish, a final polyaspartic coating can be applied. This is a showroom quality floor that will last indefinitely. It is easy to clean. You can use lemon Joy Joy has a degreaser agent) mixed with warm Water for removing grease and oil. For general cleaning a small amount of ammonia and warm water, stiff bristle brush, squeegee and wet vac is all you need.

We carry many grades of epoxy in numerous colors plus a vast network of professional installers. Give us a call and discuss the options. We think you’ll be happy with a high performance system rather than low cost garage floor paint. We have locations in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey.

Retail Store Concrete Flooring Glendale Galleria Glendale and Los Cerritos Center California

Two Perry Ellis Stores were recently completed in California using a combination of Param 5500 self leveling concrete Terrazzi concrete resurfacing using Arapido.

The results are spectacular as you can see. This system is ideal for any facility looking to create a customized floor whether retail, restaurant, art galleries or office buildings. The finished décor is unlimited.

Floors can be seamless or saw cuts can be applied to create the look of large tile or any design. Colors combinations are subject to your imagination. Color pigments can be added to the mix before application then topical dyes can be applied.

For this Perry Ellis retail store, a single color was used. The result is simple and elegant. Accessories and products complete the package.

Perry Ellis Retail Store Concrete Flooring – Project Details

Starting with a raw space, the floor is mechanically ground to remove old coatings, mastics and any potential bond breakers. Once the surface is fully prepared, Param 5500 was applied at a consistent ¼” thickness. Param levels and cures quickly with virtually no shrinkage. This is a significant feature. Since there is no shrinkage, Param will not pull away from the floor. Once applied it stays put exactly where it is.

The next step is application of Arapido, a sprayable concrete coating. Aquacolor, a liquid colorant is added into the mix before application. Arapido on Param self leveling concrete is a perfect combination. The combination is extremely durable while Arapido as a decorative finish looks outstanding on a perfectly flat surface like Param 5500.

To complete the project with a super hard protective coating that also enhances the Arapido coating is application of Perdure E32 water based epoxy sealer with a final coating of our Perdure U50 polyurethane.

This system has been applied on thousands of floors nationwide. In addition to professionals in our network who are skilled retail store concrete flooring experts like these projects in Glendale and Los Cerritos California we have experts nationwide.

Contact us for assistance with your next project.

Photos Courtesy of Madstone Floors

New Jersey to Massachusetts – Epoxy Coatings for Marine Showroom Floors

The photos featured here are a Marine Showroom Floor completed by Madstone Floors. The project was at Cataumet Boats of Falmouth Massachusetts.

Epoxy coatings are ideal for Marine showrooms for may reasons. They can be customized in any color, they are bright, non slip and low maintenance. An additional feature is our moisture vapor treatment which can be applied as a primer coating for floors that have moisture issues, a common problem for Marine Dealerships adjacent to water. Moisture vapor pressure will cause floor coatings to delaminate, not to mention the additional heating expense caused by moisture in a large, open showroom.

Let’s face it, boats look excellent on a clean, bright blue floor like the one pictured here. We can easily argue that a nice floor helps sell high ticket items like boats.

Consideration For Epoxy Coatings on Marine Showroom Floors

First we’d like to point out that there is not 1 epoxy coating for all floors. We have numerous blends that range in quality, function and design depending on your use and budget.

Starting with quality, we have epoxies that can be applied thin for low traffic areas, more like an epoxy paint. These are thin mil systems. Mil, is the measurement we use for thickness of a coating. The lowest cost applications are epoxy paints that are under 10 mils. These are not ideal for a showroom since they will wear out quickly from extensive foot traffic and the abrasion from moving boats around.

The most commonly used epoxy coatings are 15-20 mil systems. Strength is increased with application of decorative chips and non slip aggregate which should be considered in Marine Showrooms. Many of these systems have a primer coating with decorative chips broadcast into the surface. Then after it dries, excess chips are scraped and blown off with a leaf blower followed by application of a high build top coat. A polyaspartic finish coat can be applied for enhanced durabilty and scratch resistance. Our polyaspartic resists micro scraches caused by excessive foot traffic.

We also have high build epoxy systems up to 60 mils thick.  The versatility of our products provides economical solutions in situations where expensive remodeling is not an option. In fact, many of our flooring products make difficult real estate deals economically feasible.

The technological improvements and changes in flooring products and coatings is rapidly changing.  Contractors, equipment and tools manufacturers and flooring products distributors and manufacturers are continally coming up with new solutions that benefit the end user. Pricing is becoming more attractive, construction time is being reduced with new equipment and methods and decorative results are unlimited.

If you have a residential home or any kind of commercial property requiring a flooring and remodeling solution, contact us to discuss the options. We have an extensive network of highly skilled artisans and contractors who we have trained over the years with the use of our products. No matter what size, function or design, we have skilled professionals who we can work with, with you, to come up with the most beneficial solution for you whether an epoxy coating or other application. And if you need a solution for your Marine Showroom floors from New Jersey through Massachusetts or anywhere else nationwide, give us a call.

Self Leveling Concrete Hartford Ct.

Custom Concrete Solutions of Connecticut completed this self leveling concrete project for Tea Haunt Canvas  at 242 Trumball Street, Hartford Ct 06103. If you are in the area you might want to stop by and take a look at how well our self leveler performs over VCT Tile with a decorative epoxy top coat.

Don Pinger of Custom Concrete Solutions ( www.customconcretesolutionsct.com ) applied our Param 5500 right over VCT Tile. This is one of the many unique uses for Param 5500. Not only is it a natural over concrete, but wood and tile and carpet glue. It has saved many projects from expensive remodeling.

Param 5500 is a calcium aluminate cement based self leveling concrete that can be used over various surfaces as well as an underlayment for tile, hardwood and carpet or as a decorative wear surface.

Many of our professional installers have applied Param 5500 with tremendous success on many projects including luxury lofts and apartments in NYC and Boston, retail stores, restaurants, art galleries and office buildings. It has also been used in many high traffic industrial buildings as an alternative to concrete polishing when floors are badly damaged.

Many of our professional installers will add color into Param then when cured, will polish the surface with a natural appearance. Frequently they will add sawcuts for custom tile design as well as decorative, high performance epoxies like in this project.

Custom Concrete Solutions of Connecticut applied our Lumiere metallic epoxy over the self leveler. As mentioned they applied Param right over VCT Tile. This was a significant cost saving solution for the owners. It saved from the expensive, time intensive solution of tile removal. Rather than a 3-4 week project, our Param and Lumiere Epoxy system was completed in less than 1 week. Commercial remodels like this one in Hartford Ct avoid shutting down other trades since the project moved quickly.

For more information about this project contact us directly or visit www.customconcretesolutionsct.com . The architect of this project was www.nautilusarchitects.com